DS Games, DS Accessories, DS News... we're the hub for all things DS!
- You are here:
- Games »
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars »
- Reviews
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars DS Game Reviews
-
GTA DS, 19 Apr 2010
Buy this game you will enjoy it!!! If you dont have this game, just buy it NOW!!!
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Good, fun game., 15 Apr 2010
I thought this game was really fun to play and was just like the good old school grand theft auto. There were lots of tasks to do and this game took me ages to complete so it wasn't just over in 1 sitting. The only downside to this game is it became a little bit repetative. However overall its a game i would reccommend.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
GTA Chinatown Wars, 4 Apr 2010
What a game - fun, action-packed, entertaining and even good graphics. This is a game you MUST have!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Disappointing, 19 Mar 2010
I love GTA, played it all the time on ps2 and stuff. I got this game put it in my psp with a smile, and once i saw that the camera angle was from above and I could not change it to the regular views, I was pissed and disappointed. I'm so selling this game, and buying Vice City Stories. How in the world am I supposed to play a game like GTA in 2D? It's horrible. However, for a 2D game it has a big city, that you can hardly see. Beware of this game being 2D.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Grand Theft Auto: ChinaTown wars REVIEW, 7 Mar 2010
GTA chinatown wars was made by rockstar games, the game belongs to the well loved GTA series and is based in Liberty City.
In this game you are the son of the man who was murdered and you have to avenge his death.
The game is unlike an other GTA you may have played as this one original based on DS and there are lots of little unique points where the stylus is used. Be it to throw a grenade or to start a car.
To give this game a rating out of 10 I would rate it around 9.5 as it is probably the best DS game that I have ever played and i would strongly recomend this gameSource: [amazon.co.uk]
-
My Favorite GTA, 26 Feb 2010
I've played Vice City, San Andreas, and IV, and this game took Vice City's place as my favorite title in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Graphically, I thoroughly enjoyed almost every piece of artwork in the game. The world is 3D and has a very cartoonish cell-shading that is not characteristic at all for GTA games on the bigger consoles. A few things were off-putting to me (especially the artwork used for rummaging through dumpsters), but overall the visuals were so good that I had serious doubts about how free and large this GTA world would be on a DS.
The world proved to be fairly large. Large enough that size wasn't a concern to me. That is, I never felt that the cities were too small. I was always exploring a new area somehow... And thankfully the game has an incredible GPS system for navigating. You can look up and find people you have met or places of interest that are automatically saved in the game's GPS system, or you can add your own color-coded waypoints (four colors available).
The gameplay is almost exactly everything I would ever ask for in a GTA game. There are plenty of weapons, well-designed missions, lots of random pedestrians, a good deal of side missions (in the form of pedestrians that periodically talk to you), and tons of little things to do, including ramping through all advertising billboards, destroying all security cameras, dealing drugs for insane amounts of money, discovering and beating all rampages, finding and beating the go-kart time trials, buying scratch-off lottery tickets (touchscreen!), and more.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this game.
One last sentence: I've heard it's much closer to the original GTA games.Source: [amazon.com]
-
One of the Best Ds Games!!, 25 Feb 2010
Great game. definitely a Mature game by the way. My only complaint is that there is no wifi battles, but that is resolved with the hours of storyline, minigames, and side missions. amazing game.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
A new perspective on Liberty City, 18 Feb 2010
Gta on the ds is a very incongruous experience, a return to the 2d top down of the ps1 series rears long forgotten problems, dodgy camera angles, unwieldy movement, restricted perspective and unworkable lock on controls hamper the experience. Combined with the perplexing rational to incorperate d-pad, face buttons and stylus to do different things which need to be switched between at a moments notice means you develop serious gamers claw. The story isn't up to scratch, feeling like a straight to dvd script with instantly forgetable characters. The "commodity" trading is face meltingly dull but essential for a few hours atleast as it seems the residents of Liberty are a bit cash strapped too.
Combat lock has been a sore point for the series since its inception but lacking any way to distinguish who you want to aim at, combined with stiff movement angles, means working around it rather than with it. The restricted view means you get more wanted levels than normal and the incorportation of touch screen minigames may please the first few times but having to manually fill molotovs when all you want to do is blow things up begins to grate. If you've played any GTA before you'll sprint through missions without breaking a sweat due to the patronising difficulty. Options to replay missions and inmrove stats adds' replay but theres no reward other than slowly staving off bordem.
As an extension to the main game it dissapoints, as a nostalgic throwback it infuriates, but as an alternative to the insiped shovel ware filling DS section shelves everywhere? beggars cant be choosers.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Terrible on PSP, 7 Feb 2010
This is like going backwards in time on PSP. The graphics are just terrible. If the DS people are happy about this quality, it's time to buy a PSP and see what real portable gaming can be like
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Like the original GTA, 5 Feb 2010
This reminds me of the first GTA with it's view from above. Thankfully it hasn't lost any of its playability and I have had numerous hours of fun trying to complete the missions.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
an excellent game, 22 Jan 2010
fun level is through the roof. gameplay is awesome, story is very good. the only (small) complaint i have is the camera. sometimes it can get a bit wonky. but other than that, its addictive from beginning to end. i do not think youll regret buying this one. i sure didnt.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Very pleasantly surprised, 13 Jan 2010
I didn't hold out too much hope for this format, as I just could not see how they could pull of a decent version on such an unusual and small system as the DS. However, the glowing reviews gave me reason enough to give it a try, especially as it was available at such a reasonable price.
Bottom line... I love it! It works, boy it works!! Buy it, play it, love it! The designers of the DS game have not left any stone unturned in ensuring this format is every bit as playable, in some cases even more so, than any of the larger console versions.
Happy gaming!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
its GTA!!, 9 Jan 2010
If you want a portable way to have GTA (and you like the other games in the series) buy it!!! Obviously, the graphics will never compare to what an xbox360 or ps3 are capable of but the game play is tremendous (sometimes even more hands on than the other GTA's).
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Love it! But not for kids!, 4 Jan 2010
Needless to say I've been a GTA fan ever since I played GTA Vice City a couple of years ago. My boyfriend gave me a Nintendo DS for my birthday, and although a cool gift, I wasn't that interested in it because of the lack of adult games it had. So when my sister gave me GTA Chinatown wars this Christmas I was ecstatic. It obviously doesn't enjoy the graphics a regular console game does, but it is very, very fun. The best part is that you get to interact with some of the things you encounter, something you don't get with a regular console game. For example,in GTA IV, you would pass the highway and would have to go slow if you wanted to pay the toll. In the DS game you would have to slow down and manually throw the coins in the booth in order to pay the toll. And like that you can do many more little things (like searching through the trash bags in the dumpsters to see if you can find hidden guns.)
Bottom line: As a GTA fan, I am very pleased with this DS version and would buy another one if they get it out.
But please, if you are an adult, be smart and do not let your kids play it, cause the game deals with drug dealing and killing, which is something you don't want children to see.Source: [amazon.com]
-
Best GTA since San Andreas!, 1 Jan 2010
This was the best GTA since San Andreas! If your a fan of portable game systems, like myself, and love Grand Theft Auto, this is the best one. You can hotwire cars, deal smack, and unlike the other portable GTA's, you can swim without the risk of drowning in a pool of your own urine! Great story, okay graphics, [...] weapons, hot rods, and a path of ultimate destruction and chaos! Buy this game if you own PSP and love killing games. WARNING: THIS GAME IS AWESOME!
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Really cool game, 31 Dec 2009
I've never played any grand theft auto game before but now I know why so many people love it. I'm addicted to this game after 5 minutes of play. The graphic's cool. There are so many things you can do besides the missions as you walk through the game. You can always rob a car in the street whenever you want, so never worry about transportation. You can always kill someone and take their money, easy to get money, isn't it? You can deal drugs to make money. You can fight cops. If you're old enough and you wanna know what it feels like to do literally whatever you want, dig yourself into this game.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Terrible on PSP!, 30 Dec 2009
I guess Nintendo DS is a really lame system because the DS people seem really impressed by this. As a GTA addict on PS2 and then playing Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories on PSP, I had naturally high expectations. I got this game for Christmas from my spouse and had to apologize for making her waste her money! Compared to previous PSP GTA titles this game is practically unplayable. I am really surprised that Rockstar put this crap out. I can see that they would need to create a less sophisticated game for DS, but then why not re-tool it for PSP, like they did with their PS3 titles? They lost a lot of credibility with me. Don't buy it if you are expecting anything like GTA VCS or LCS.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
GTA Chinatown Wars For the DS - A Great Throwback Game, 21 Dec 2009
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a throwback to what used to be fun about video games for me. The game is well-designed and the entire world layed out within the game pulls you in. There are plenty of funny double-entendres and the characters are interesting enough to keep you guessing. This is definitely a game I would recommend to those who may be feeling some over-load from all the kid-centric games for the Nintendo DS.
As a grown man with a regular job, my gaming time is limited. It has really been limited to two categories: puzzle and trivia games that I enjoy, or multiplayer / party games that I can play with my family, particularly my younger nieces and nephews. As such, it has been rare for me to devote much time to an RPG or mission based game because they require such a time commitment. That's time I just don't have. For GTA Chinatown Wars, I find myself wanting to make the time.
First of all, I have only played this game on the DS. For some reason, the reviews for the PSP version are combined with the DS version here. I have no experience with the PSP version of this game so all my comments are directed towards those considering this game for the DS Lite or some other version of the DS.
Secondly, I also have limited experience with the GTA franchise. Like everybody else in the world, I have played GTA4 on the PS3 and Xbox360. While there are some gaming franchises I have played extensively, GTA is simply not one of them. However, the limited time I spent playing GTA4 was enough for me to realize how different it is than this game. While the basic structure is the same, the character and story are different. Perhaps more importantly, the gameplay is significantly different due to the smaller screens and controls on the DS. Having said that, I think this game was well-ported to the DS platform. I also think my limited experience proves that this game can be picked up by anybody, even relative newbies like myself.
Originally I thought I might just mess around with this game long enough to see if it was suitable for one of my teenage nephews. I ended up enjoying it so much that I kept it for myself. That being said, I must insert my final disclaimer: I have not finished this game. I know there are some people who can play any game through over a day or two and finish every mission with no problem. I am not one of those people. Having said that, I found that even replaying missions that I wasn't able to complete was tolerable.
This game is best enjoyed if you can devote at least an hour at a time, so you can have enough time to finish a mission or two and save your status before quitting. You can certainly finish missions in less time than that, but if you don't get them the first time you will have to decide between playing through the same thing again or starting over later.
The video interludes giving you the plot and your next mission are actually pretty enjoyable. Controlling the character definitely has been the toughest adjustment for me. One of the tough aspects actually comes from the rich design layers built into the game. Driving is particulary tough with these tiny controls, but there are such a variety of weapons and moves that there's a learning curve for those not used to playing these games. It's definitely worth the time invested though.
CONCLUSION
This is the one of the best games I have played for the NDS, and definitely has more of a traditional video game feel than most DS games. I recommend it to any adult gamer, though as a gift I only think it's suitable for mature kids in their late teens.
Enjoy.Source: [amazon.com]
-
One Of The Best PSP Titles!, 19 Dec 2009
This is one of the best PSP titles. Lots of fun, and a unique twist of the GTA series. Very highly recommended!
Source: [amazon.com]
-
disappointment, 15 Dec 2009
I have several of the previous gta games -- both for PC and PSP -- and have always enjoyed the series ... until now.
Although the game looks nice, the control scheme is difficult and load times are long. This is the most crash-prone game I have ever played on the PSP. Certain parts of the city will not load up properly, and if I go there the game will crash.
Perhaps Rockstar has devised a patch for the game, but I have not found one yet.
I bought the game because of its critical praise and my appreciation of the franchise, but I am profoundly disappointed. If I could return it to seller for a refund, I certainly would.Source: [amazon.com]
-
It's been 2 weeks and I haven't recived my game, 13 Dec 2009
Sorry but It's been two weeks since I bought the game and I'm still waiting for a delivery, just tell me what is going on because right now I feel like I'm being played by you
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
A pleasant surprise, 1 Dec 2009
First I would like to say, I never liked GTA games. I played some GTA 3 at my friend's house, and never liked it enough to go buy it myself. So it was a dilemma for me when after rummaging through 3 different websites for NDS games to bring on the plane, I find GTA Chinatown Wars consistently at the top of the list. So I decided to give it a try, and was pleasantly surprised at how fun the game is.
I was really impressed at how much this tiny game is able to cover - I never knew a DS game can be so big. The graphics is decent, and the gameplay is excellent. And it's really the details that elevate this game from a good one to a _great_ one. Everything is very well done. There's no annoying talk that slows you down. Gameplay is fast, load time is minimal, and you always feel engaged while playing the game. I never though a GTA game will surprise me, but this one really did, and I recommend it strongly.Source: [amazon.com]
-
Awesome., 30 Nov 2009
As a veteran player of Grand Theft Auto games, I was amazed at how well this game played. The graphics were impressive, the gameplay was a blast, but what really got me was how much they could fit in a DS cartridge! The place is huge the story is pretty long and the multiplayer is fun. Definitely a must buy for hardcore DS owners.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Back to the Basics! A Total Win for GTA, 29 Nov 2009
I've been reading some reviews and I had to add my own thoughts.
This game is an absolute victory for the Grand Theft Auto series. There is so much that this game includes that it easily outshines the recent GTA IV on the gamut of modern generation gaming consoles.
As far as story, it really doesn't change much from the way we all know our GTA games to act - you're an Asian kid who game to the US and is immediately drawn into a turf war between a few feuding gangs. You end up fighting against all of them amidst the various characters and missions, and in the end... ...well, you'll just have to find out.
What made the DS version successful and so crazily unique was the gameplay. In recent GTA games we've started seeing the immersion of technology INTO the games. Now we use cell phones to communicate, get missions, even take pictures and stalk targets. In this game, we're given a full-fledged PDA which actually acts as the main menu of the game. We can plot GPS routes, check email, and - in quite possible the greatest idea EVER in GTA-land, order "Ammu-Nation" weapons to be delivered directly to our safehouses. Obviously the PDA inclusion is fine and all, but the fact that it actually FEELS like you're using the PDA with touch controls via your lower DS screen just makes it that much more fun. From the lower screen you can instantly access different sections of your PDA, such as GPS navigation or email. Also, the scrolling feature with your DS works as good as an iPhone - it is absolutely a joy to use.
The game is viewed from a top-down screen position. At first you feel like you're playing the original GTA series which debuted on PC in the late 90's. This can cause a few issues, such as being shot at from a distance which you can't see, or when driving at high speeds with little time to react to traffic and turns. It's a limitation for sure, but not of the game - for the fact that you're playing this game on a tiny hand-held gaming platform, it really makes sense. And with the draw-distance limitation, they've added plenty of style to make up for the loss. For example, NPC vehicles driving through town have working turn signals - I've ever seen a car with four-ways activated as the driver got out to investigate a pedestrian it just struck (and sadly, killed...) You'll randomly encounter police chases, or even ambulances on way to a call. You'll drive under subway tracks complete with random-generated subway cars passing overhead, or even be shadowed by the occasional flying helicopter. It FEELS like a modern GTA game, just from a different perspective.
And it just keeps getting better. Borrowed from GTA IV are the "random characters" which you might notice on your map - triggers to random and often hilarious side-missions. There are drug vans and Ammu-Nation vehicles to steal and pillage, unique stunt jumps to attempt (which are honestly increasingly difficult due to the top-down view,) and - thankfully back from the dead - garages in which to store you're "hard-earned" automotive possessions. And of course the usual collectibles - this time in the form of surveillance cameras which must be destroyed with grenades or molotov cocktails - which this time you can make yourself!!
I've been playing Chinatown Wars for well over 20 hours and still haven't finished the storyline. That, for $30-$40 bucks is a win in itself. That I've had so much fun during the whole process certainly seals the deal. I hope to see more hand-held GTA games just like this one.Source: [amazon.com]
-
Best game on the DS and the most M-rated, 24 Nov 2009
When this was first announced I was a bit skeptical given the DS's limited power. I enjoyed the PSP's GTA games but I couldn't imagine something this great on the DS. First of all it's amazing how they managed to put all of GTA IV's Liberty City on a tiny DS cartridge. Even though it returns to the top down view of the early GTAs, it's still a blast to play. The combat is fun but not really challenging since the auto aim system makes it easy to aim and take out your targets. I also like the new cop evasion system that that allows you to loose your wanted level by disabling the cop cars. Oh and her parents just because this is on the DS which is usually a child friendly system does not mean this is kid friendly, this game has everything that gave the console GTAs an M-rating. There's graphic violence(although cartoony) including violence against police, frequent profanity, drugs, and explicit sexual references. Do not buy this for your child if you don't feel comfortable with them being exposed to the above things.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
The handheld GTA, 21 Nov 2009
Its th full GTA experience in an over the top point of view. What more is there to ask of a DS game?
Source: [amazon.com]
-
crippled by ds graphics engine, 20 Nov 2009
I was so happy when this came out. I'm really in to the GTA series. but this games had a serious lack of GTA feel to it. it has the story but it just doesn't feel right. Nintendo should just stick to they're do best and make games for casual gamers. GTA is anything but casual. Sorry to the Nintendo fans but its not that special anymore. Nintendo was great for its time but out dated. Buy a psp. :)
Source: [amazon.com]
-
A Major, Major Disappointment for the PSP, 17 Nov 2009
I was very excited to have access to yet another GTA title for my PSP. So excited, in fact, that I bought it the first weekend it was launched. Well, it took all of about 30 seconds to be disappointed... As is typical for GTA games, they have a back story to the game play. However, in this case, the story is told not through video (as with every other GTA title), but through still pictures with scrolling text. This was a bad sign from the start. Once the gaming began, the disappointment only continued and gained momentum. The game play is cartoonish and reminiscent of a Nintendo title from the late 80s. Um, hello... we are in the 21st century. I don't know if the expectations of DS owners are so low, or that the producers of the GTA series have just gotten lazy, but this thing was let down after let down. I then thought that I could overcome the weak game play with the hilarity that is the radio (Lazlo on VRock and VCPR in general both make me laugh out loud), but your options are limited to clubby sounding background music. I then realized that this game is completely voice over-free. Um, excuse me...? As a long time consumer of the GTA series, I can find little to identify this as a related title other than the name on the front of the box. Weak. Very, very weak.
In summary, I feel completely and utterly ripped off. $40 for this major let down...? I would still have felt ripped off at $20, but I might not be as angry as I am now. If you are a PSP owner with any prior experience with the GTA series, DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. You will only be as disappointed and let down as I am. I wonder how much they will give me for it at GameStop?Source: [amazon.com]
-
I love this game, 5 Nov 2009
its like a regular grand theft auto game on the go, you can do anything that you can do in a normal grand theft auto game 5 stars well-earned
Source: [amazon.com]
-
PERFECT; do not think twice about buying it, 26 Oct 2009
This is an all-in-all PERFECT game. It is easily the best DS game of all-time. If you can't afford it, do some baby sitting, or lawn mawing. If you own a DS, and have the cash, I cannot think of a better investment. Best graphics on the DS, best gameplay for a GTA game, and incredible depth and freedom. This game was made with lots of love.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
A must have for PSP owners, 23 Oct 2009
Not all that long ago, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the DS to mass critical acclaim, resulting in one of the best games to ever grace the handheld. Well, Rockstar has finally ported Chinatown Wars to the PSP with the same spectacular results, and just like it was on the DS, Chinatown Wars on the PSP is one of the absolute best games available for the handheld. Playing as the vengeful Huang Lee, you partake in all the usual GTA-flavored gameplay goodness, and just like on the DS, the gameplay here on the PSP is just as much fun. Graphically speaking the PSP version gets a slight upgrade from the DS original, but the one aspect of the game that gets lost in translation is the mini-games. Hotwiring a car, tattooing a gang member, making molotov cocktails, and more besides just aren't as fun here on the PSP, mostly thanks to not having a touch screen. Still, that is really the PSP version of Chinatown Wars' only flaw to find, as the rest of the game is nearly flawless all around. All in all, if you missed out on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars the first time around and you own a PSP, this game is an absolute must have.
Source: [amazon.com]
-
Chinatown Winner, 22 Oct 2009
Set in GTA IV's Liberty City, Chinatown Wars goes back to the classic GTA over-top view with a more animated approach and is much more enjoyable to play then Liberty and Vice City stories bar none. The gunplay, driving, side missions have a more arcade feel to it which is what easier to play then the previous PSP GTAs.
The cut scenes are a let down, no talking just reading and loud annoying music playing throughout, I found my self skipping over them there is no menu option to turn off cut scene music.
Because you have the over-top view the gunplay has a easier sense of play to it, you can run and shoot easier switching weapons is brought up by pressing `select' and is easy to maneuver dozens of dumpsters to find extra guns. I just wish they gave you a little more bullets when you find guns because I feel like I run-out even when I try to stock up.
The driving is fun and fairly simple to do, however I felt it was to unforgiving here you got a small screen driving through a big city I can never drive without crashing it seems, you drive under the train tracks or something and they tracks don't dim thy stay solid so you can't see your car when you're driving under it, driving at night the light from the light posts can look like on-coming cars if you're drving fast enough so is sometimes hard to maneuver they should have made the streets just a little bigger, and I would've liked to see motorcycles drive like cars, they're all over the road and very hard control if you wanna drive fast which is what you want to do in a GTA game.
I never knew drug dealing could be so fun and addictive, it's an easy way to get a lot of money, buy cheap and sell high and with drug dealers `tip-offs' you can find good deals. I got so addicted I started playing those side missions more then the story missions.
Evading cops has never been beter, if you're driving away from the cops and you make the squad car crash the normally bold yellow star will fade and if you behave it will go away, the higher your wanted level the more the cops will try to stop you and more to stop for you.
I like the little thing the game has you do, like stealing a parked car you twist the analog to unscrew bolts to hot wire cars, flip the L and R buttons to dig threw garbage dumpsters or to break the windshield out of your car. These are fun little ways to better engage you in the game, they're easy to do and you never get the sense of frustration.
This is one of PSP's best games to date and a great installment for Grand Theft Auto. If you own a PSP and you should own this game.Source: [amazon.com]
-
GTA chinatown wars, 5 Oct 2009
Its a really fun game! you can go on free roam around any of the three islands. On the top screen you can see your carachter that u control and on the bottom screen you see your pocket computer with email, shop, satnav and other options. There are tatoo parlours where you can give people tatoos and get payed for it, Bomb shops where u can buy car bombs to put in the engine of the car and blow them up, and scratch cards where u buy a card and scratch it on the bottom screen and can win money, food, or even houses! There are over 40 levels in nthe whoole game and loads of mini games like rampage. There are drug dealers all over the city in alleys and side streets. Its really worth buying, I really recomend it! 5 star! (BUY IT!) p.s. thats my mums account!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Finally a fun GTA again, 12 Aug 2009
Having only played the gta's on the ps2 and ps3 before I wasn't sure what to expect with a Nintendo DS version. All I have to say is absolutely brilliant. The design to incorporate the two DS screens is fantastic and there is excellent use of the touchscreen. Graphically the game runs very smooth and surprisingly detailed in the environments and cars. The cutscenes which play out in a comic strip way are well implemeted and the lack of voice acting(due to cartridge limitations) does not detract at all. But the biggest winner by far for Chinatown wars is the storyline, which I feel is by the far the best in the GTA series so far. It somehow draws you in and manages to keep you hooked right to the last mission. Normally in GTA games you constantly get bored and end up going and blowing stuff up for a bit, which you certainly can do here, but the storyline is what keeps you coming back. A must but for the DS!!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
The best grown - up DS game, bar none!, 10 Aug 2009
A very addictive game. Huge, will take ages to complete, massive town map, loads of mini missions, be the baddy you always wanted to be. Rockstar have excelled themselves & the ds with this one, a must buy for any over 18 ds owners. Worth every penny! Get it.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Excellent fun, 30 Jul 2009
Brilliant game, by far the best I own for a DS. This game takes a jaunt down memory lane to echo the look and feel of the original top-down games. But this can make the camera-angles a little dodgy, hard to see exactly where you're going. The strange stylus mini-game elements seem a bit forced in, but hey, it wouldn't be a DS game without them :P
Hilarious dialogue and story missions, with plenty to keep you entertained. A must-own for your DS.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Lesley's Review, 28 Jul 2009
I am very happy with this game.I just cannot put it down.Every spare minute I have I have to play it.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
The best GTA ever!, 23 Jun 2009
I bought GTA Vice City for the PS2 when it first came out and while I enjoyed it, the game didn't blow me away like I thought it would. As a result I never bought the other GTA titles and I never really became a fan of the series. However, I guess I wanted to play something more adult for the DS so I gave Chinatown Wars a chance - and I so glad I did!
The game is really enjoyable with the similar toungue in cheek humour but I found it - I guess the term would be "more charming" than Vice City. I liked the choice of cars, all the things you can do with the stylus, the drug dealing. While this game hasn't necessary converted me to be a GTA fan, it is a game I would recommend nevertheless.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Fond memories of early GTA, 9 Jun 2009
It's almost as if Rockstar have created a sequel to the original, top-down GTA games made by DMA. Chinatown wars utilises the same player perspective, albeit with 3d models to give a better feeling of depth.
The mission structures will be familiar to anyone who has played any GTA game, although these tend to be shorter - better suited to playing on a bus or short trip.
This is a very well polished, entertaining game - ideally suited for the DS.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Best DS Game ever!!! Small Cartridge, Big World, 7 Jun 2009
I'm new to the whole GTA experience, and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is the first ever GTA game I've played. I've always been on the Nintendo camp, and loved Zelda in the 90's. This game reminds me of my other favourite game on the PC of the 90's, Command & Conquer: Red Alert. Except this one is so full of realism and humour.
Last year, I completed Zelda Phantom Hourglass, which was a great game, but Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, surpassed even Zelda. I really think it has to be the greatest DS game ever. If this was a Mario or Zelda game, we would have hailed the creators 'game gods'!!!
I cannot say how this compares to the other GTA games in the other consoles, but if this is anything to go by, I'm hugely impressed. There are too many nice touches to mention. It's amazing how a tiny cartridge can contain such a huge experience. You can drive lots of different cars, bikes, fire engine, ambulance, taxi, boats and jet skis. You can also operate a crane and bulldozer. It's a shame you can't fly. The storyline is believable and gripping. Although the main story can be completed in 15 hours, it is only 45% of the game. There are so many more bonus missions to do to get 100% completion. Some of the missions can be very difficult especially if you gain 3 'wanted' stars. I usually have to go through the mission at least twice to succesfully complete it. Perhaps, I'm not used to the hectic pace of the game, as I'm so used to the leisurely pace of Zelda. I have to admit I activated some of the in-game cheat codes to help me complete some missions. I've found the following in-game cheat codes to be the most useful: Restore full armour (L, L, R, A, A, B, B, R), Restore full health (L, L, R, B, B, A, A, R), Reduce 'wanted' level (R, X, X, Y, Y, R, L, L), Great set of weapons (R, Up, B, Down, Left, R, B, Right). It's great that there are in-game cheat codes, so you don't need to use 'Action Replay'. I love the mission where you have to drive a porn star in his limo to his audition and he has a few girls at the back to get him ready! You can see the limo swaying from side to side and hear the girls moan! It's also great to be able to replay all the completed missions to try and improve one's time.
I like the top down camera angle, from behind your character. This viewpoint suits the DS perfectly. The use of the stylus and touch screen is ingenious: Hotwiring a car, throwing explosives, selecting weapons and even putting together the sniper rifle. The actual movement is handled by the D-pad, whilst running and shooting is handled by the buttons.
The missions in Chinatown Wars are just so varied and interesting. I just love to replay some of the missions over and over again. One mission saw me collect a sniper rifle from a balcony, construct it, then shoot the targets in a given time. Another mission saw me perform a dragon dance to escape my enemies.
The 'AI' is also quite clever. If you continually break the law in full view of the police, your 'wanted' level increases. You can then decrease your wanted level by running and hiding, but where is the fun in that! Instead, you can also lower your 'wanted' level by ramming the police cars till they blow up. Once the police car is destroyed, your 'wanted' level decreases by one star. It's brilliant fun.
You have the option to buy and sell drugs to make a profit. You can then use the money to buy safe houses. You can also earn extra cash by driving a taxi, police car, fire engine or ambulance. Alternatively you can always steal the drugs or money by killing people.
The cars in Chinatown Wars all handle very differently. The different cars and bikes handle differently. The bigger the car, the slower the acceleration and the worse the handling. At night, the headlights come on, but if you damage the right front of the car, the light goes off on that side! The level of detail doesn't stop with the cars either. The city is also highly detailed not just visually but behind the scenes too with a day and night cycle, weather system that affects car handling when it rains and 'AI' interaction between the city dwellers. Some of the comments that they come out with are just so funny.
This is a fantastic game; it's certainly my favourite game on the DS. I can't wait for the next instalment. It really is a great game, worth a purchase whether you are a fan of the series or not. I have certainly become a fan!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
best game for the ds next to zelda, 4 Jun 2009
GTA: Chinatown Wars (Nintendo DS)
playing the game on ps2 or pc made me wonder if the ds version could be just as much fun... and it definitely is! great graphics, the cool bird-eye view from early versions and the funny sound effects stun me every time and make me use my ds much more often now. a must have for every ds-owner just like zelda. top!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
cracking game, 29 May 2009
I have always tried to give all the series a chance, but im not a massive gamer and get bored or frustrated v quickly. I had issues with most gtas because of they got to hard too quickly and starting the same mission over and over, driving to meet going through same clip time and time again, then driving all the way bk to the same spot drove me insane. China town wars goes bk to basics, the graphics are fantastic for this console, takes a min to adjust from the xbox latest version but trust me u have all u need crammed in 2 screens. Its v clever touch screen bits are v refreshing and when u fail a mission and start again u can simply press select and ur taken str8 to where u need to be, no cab rides no driving to another island, strees free(ish) gta game! u still have all the swearing from people u knock down, no speech on story but is not a problem. i have finally fallen in love with a gta game, well worth the time, my poor psp is collecting dust, but is so nice not to have loading screens! god bless old fashioned cartridge gaming! Buy this game.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
More fun then the over serious Grand Theft Auto 4!!!, 27 May 2009
When I heard they were doing a Grand Theft Auto game for the ds I was excited and worried at the same time of it being naff. Chinatown Wars is the best Grand Theft Auto game since San Andreas on the PS2, yes it really is that good. Rockstar have made great use of the ds touch screen controls where you can hot wire a car or brake the car window when you drive it into the river and, there are many more great things which you can do that are ds only. The story is excellent and has lots of great humour too. The graphics are some the best yet on the ds and the music is'nt bad either. The graphics are drawn in 3D with a birds eye view and you have different radio stations just don't expect proper songs as this is a ds game. Like all Grand Theft Auto games this is only suitable for people 18 and over because of the DRUG DEALING, RUNNING PEOPLE OVER, SEX TOYS, STRONG LANGUAGE and KILLING PEOPLE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
For all us people who are 18 and over this really is one of the best games the DS has to offer and should not be missed by anyone.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Best DS Game, 24 May 2009
It's incredible that Rockstar Games packed all the good things of the GTA series into a handheld console game. The graphics and the soundtrack are the best I've seen so far from any DS game.
Because I loved GTA from the first title on the top-down view feels more natural to me than the newer 3rd person views. It's fun all the way, if you follow the story with sarcastic and adult jokes or just go round the city brining mayhem to pedestrians or waste your time making a fortune with drug dealing - it's the best DS game to the date.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Played leisurely, this game will last for months on end, 21 May 2009
I cannot see how some reviewers have completed this game in 15 hours, and more importantly - why? There is so much detail to this game, and just because one has explored an area does not mean to say that it will not be slightly different a month or so later. This game is about having fun and discovering hidden missions to accompany the blatant ones. One could, for example, spend 15 hours just finding all the cameras and destroying them, one of the game's many parallel but non-essential objectives.
I would say that at least 24 hours has got me 39% complete. I have re-played some mini-games despite getting all three medals. If I wanted to complete this in a short space of time, I would have stuck to Sudoku's. I am having such fun with this game that for me the sub-missions (taxi driver, police, driver, fire driver, street racing league) are as much fun as working on the core objectives.
For the tenacious and patient players among you, this is great value for money and the game learning curve does not limit the continuation of play as I found with Zelda-where if you cannot figure out a certain sequence you cannot progress onwards.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Perfection in your pocket, 19 May 2009
I'm a big fan of the GTA series. So this review may be considered biased..
The latest incarnation on the DS takes things back to basics with a mostly top down view, with refined and unmistakably GTA artwork throughout. There's bags of humour in here, and it is all very well realised with some of the most impressive graphics I have seen on Nintendo's handheld. The day-night cycles are present and correct, along with thunderstorms and lightning, masses of traffic (which seems to create no drop in frame rate) and a huge, huge chunk of Liberty City. From a technical perspective, it's incredible.
In fact, it's pretty incredible on every single level. Rockstar have crammed this cart full of all the best bits of GTA over the years, with the 'taxi driver' and 'paramedic' missions making a long overdue return to the series, along with the 'rampage' missions, drug dealing, and much, much more. Full advantage is taken of the DS's touch screen, but never to the point of it getting in the way of the game.
This is rapidly becoming my favourite instalment in the GTA series to date. And it fits in my pocket!Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
its old gta, 2 May 2009
remeber when gta first came out on the ps1, well this is going back to those days but on the ds and its great!
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Same city, different story, 30 Apr 2009
Having played Grand Theft Auto IV on the PC, I was very impressed with GTA Chinatown Wars for the DS giving a new story in a city that I was familiar with. This game is quick to learn, fast-paced, addictive, and with a detailed storyline or can be played freeform by driving around the city or with a series of minigames.
It also makes the most of the DS. For instance, the stylus becomes a screwdriver to help you hotwire cars, a boot to help you kick your way out of a car that has gone into the sea or a hand to help you rummage around in dumpsters.
Although slightly disorientating having to look between the screens at times, I recommend this to anyone who has played GTA before or is looking for a DS game with action.Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
Best DS game yet for over 18s, 26 Apr 2009
GTA makes a great hand held game and utilises the touchscreen very imaginatively. Hot wiring cars, making your own petrol bombs and smashing windscreens of submerged cars with your stylus really gets you into the game. Driving is great and the cars flip and crash in the full 3D physics of the other GTA games. Go get this game! its so worth it.
Source: [amazon.co.uk]
-
shorter than expected, 24 Apr 2009
so then the DS finally gets its first adult game, or atleast one that really is deserving of the title
with such a rich heritage behind it big things were expected for chinatown wars
but would they be able to cram it all into the little DSs system?
yes they did
the city is huge and moves and flows like the other games,the sacrifice of one island really isnt noticable
the variety of cars,missions and weapons available are similarly large
there are lots of different little side missions too with the vigilante,ambulance and fire fighter missions too
add to that the challenge of security cameras,stunt jumps,rampages and the much spoke of drug dealing and it all sounds very special yes?
thats where it all starts to go wrong as the actual story mode is pretty darned short
i managed to wander through it in under 15 hours
this is my main niggle,the main chunk of the game is too small, that coupled with the frustrating element of the top down camera means you cant see a cop 2 foot behind you which means that 9 times out of 10 you will immediately garner a wanted star if you need a car
cue a chase with the spectacularly dumb cops and it just starts to get a bit frustrating
but for handheld choas it really doesnt come much thicker and faster than this
its just a shame it feels shortSource: [amazon.co.uk]
- You are here:
- Games »
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars »
- Reviews
DS Games Hub is part of the Games Hub Network.
DS Games Hub is NOT an official Nintendo site and is NOT affiliated with Nintendo in any way.
Copyright © 2007. All Rights Reserved.