Summary
- Release Year: 2004
- Genres: Adventure, Racing, Shooter
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance
- Developers: Digital Eclipse
- Publishers: Rockstar Games
Grand Theft Auto Advance: A Top-Down Return to Liberty City
Released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, Grand Theft Auto Advance is a handheld installment in the popular Grand Theft Auto series. Developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Rockstar Games, it is the only GTA game to not be developed by a Rockstar studio.
Gameplay
GTA Advance is played from a top-down perspective, a view angle seen in the first two games in the series, Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2. However, it also incorporates elements from the three-dimensional counterparts, such as vehicle-based side-missions, a heads-up display, and a large majority of the weapons.
One of the most notable additions to GTA Advance is the ability for vehicles to flip over. This adds a new level of challenge and excitement to the driving gameplay.
The game is set in Liberty City, the same city featured in Grand Theft Auto III. The city is divided into three islands: Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale. Each island has its own unique atmosphere and set of missions.
Players take on the role of Mike, a small-time criminal who is trying to make a name for himself in Liberty City. Mike can complete missions for various criminal organizations, including the Leone Family, the Triads, and the Yakuza.
Story
The story of GTA Advance follows Mike as he rises through the ranks of the Liberty City criminal underworld. He starts out by running errands for small-time criminals, but he quickly proves himself to be a capable and ruthless gangster.
As Mike’s reputation grows, he attracts the attention of some of the most powerful crime bosses in the city. He is recruited by the Leone Family, the Triads, and the Yakuza, and he completes missions for each of these organizations.
Eventually, Mike becomes a target of the police and the FBI. He is forced to go on the run, but he is determined to clear his name and take revenge on those who have wronged him.
Reception
GTA Advance received generally positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its faithful recreation of the GTA experience on a handheld console. However, it was also criticized for its short length and repetitive missions.
Despite the mixed reviews, GTA Advance was a commercial success. It sold over 2 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on the Game Boy Advance.
Legacy
GTA Advance is an important installment in the Grand Theft Auto series. It proved that the GTA formula could be successfully adapted to a handheld console. It also helped to introduce the series to a new generation of gamers.
The game’s top-down perspective has not been used in any mainline GTA game since, but it has been used in several spin-offs, such as Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
Conclusion
Grand Theft Auto Advance is a solid entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. It offers a faithful recreation of the GTA experience on a handheld console, and it features a compelling story and addictive gameplay. While it may not be as groundbreaking as some of the other games in the series, it is still a worthwhile experience for fans of GTA.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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