GTA 2

Grand Theft Auto 2 is a video game that was released worldwide on October 22, 1999, by developer DMA Design (now Rockstar North); initially for the Windows operating system and the PlayStation console. GTA 2 was published by Rockstar Games. The game was later ported to the Dreamcast console and the Game Boy Color. It is the sequel to 1997 hit Grand Theft Auto. The PC and Dreamcast versions of GTA 2 are both rated M by the ESRB. The language and violence were toned down for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color versions. You're able to download this game for free on Rockstar's own website, just like the first game.

GTA 2 retained the overhead viewpoint of GTA, as well as the car-stealing and telephone-answering formula of the original. The player has the ability to explore cities on foot or in various vehicles. The aim is to achieve a certain score to proceed to the next district. Doing missions awards the player more points than any other method but are not essential for completion of the game. You'll also earn a score multiplier when completing missions.

A new feature introduced in GTA 2 is doing missions for separate gangs, of which there are two new gangs for each of the three levels of the game, and one faction (The Zaibatsu Corporation) which is present in all districts. Being employed by one gang will cause distrust from others (when working for gang 1 will incur the wrath of gang 2, working for gang 2 will cause enmity with gang 3). When completing missions for a gang their respect for you will gain. At first you can only do the missions that are least rewarded, but when you complete more missions for that gang (or kill opposing gang members) you can do missions that are harder, but also reward more money.

In the original GTA, only the local police pursued the player. In GTA 2, SWAT teams (four Cop heads) are introduced in the Downtown District, Special Agents (five Cop heads) are introduced in the Residential District, and the army (six Cop heads) is introduced in the Industrial District. These additional types of law enforcement begin chasing the player as his or her wanted level increases. The wanted level is represented by images of a cop's head just like the two other classics.

GTA 2 introduced an improved saving technique, unlike GTA, which saved only when finishing a level. When you enter a church with $50,000, a voice announces "Hallelujah! Another soul saved!". This notifies you that the game has been saved. If the player doesn't have enough money, the voice will say "Damnation! No donation, no salvation!". These lines are not heard on the PlayStation version. Other improvements pertain to city activity. Passing vehicles and pedestrians are no longer only parts of the environment, but actually play a role in gameplay. Sometimes pedestrians would occasionally enter and ride in taxis or buses. The game is noted for the behavior of its non-player characters. Pedestrians, gang members and the police would occasionally engage in fights, and there are other carjackers (always in green sweater) and muggers (always in red sweater) in the city.

This game introduces 'side missions' such as being a taxi driver, along with retrieving 'hidden' packages (GTA 2 signs), completing bonus levels and a health meter. Being a taxi-driver would earn roughly 1 dollar per second. When standing still, passengers could get out if they want to, and the earnings will stop, so if you don't stop they can't get out and you will constantly get money from them.

This is also the first GTA to feature a wide array of weapons to use, ranging from an electric gun to a rocket launcher.

Some weapons in GTA2 feature a Kill Frenzy mission when picked up, where a player has a limited amount of time to kill a certain number of people with a particular weapon loaded. Bonuses are rewarded (and an extra life) if the mission is successful. If a player finds a tank and gets in, a Kill Frenzy mission also starts.

Just like in Grand Theft Auto and GTA: London 1969 you'll get a bonus when running over a group of people with your car. A string of Elvis impersonators are sometimes spotted walking the streets. Their deaths are awarded with a large money bonus, followed by the line ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING.

The graphics of this game have been improved compared with Grand Theft Auto. Also, light effects have been added. The game can be played in two modes (only in the PC version), noon or dusk. On the noon setting the lighting is bright. On the dusk setting the game is darker, with multiple dynamic lights from explosions and car headlights. The Dreamcast version of the game can only be played in the dusk setting. The PlayStation version of the game can only be played in the noon setting.

To conclude this review: I liked this game, it has nice gameplay, can be addictive and it can also be a hard game sometimes. Since you can download this game for free on Rockstar's website you should check it out immediately.