This contains all the PlayStation GTA games in one pack: the original, classic Grand Theft Auto; Grand Theft Auto II, with new missions, weapons and vehicles; and the GTA London mission pack, for 60s-obsessed Cockney gangster wannabes everywhere.
- GRAND THEFT AUTO:
In Grand Theft Auto, you assume the role of a street thug working for an organized syndicate of criminals that specializes in stealing cars. Every time your pager beeps, the boss needs you to steal something for him -- if you don't get to a payphone and answer the message, you'll be in hot water (or is that cold water at the bottom of the East River).
After receiving your mission, you'll have to navigate city streets that are bustling with pedestrians, cops (your worst enemies), and traffic jams. Because you're pressed for time, you can't just walk to your destination on foot -- that would take too long. Instead, you'll have to go car jacking, the art of physically removing people out of their vehicles and stealing it.
This is the premise behind Grand Theft Auto, an overhead action game of thievery. There are four large cities in which you'll have to steal cars, shoot rival gang members, and complete missions for the boss. Each mission requires you to get something from point "A" to point "B". For example, the head honcho wants to pull off a bank heist -- instead of using regular cars, they want you to steal a couple taxicabs for them. This way, the cops won't be able to find them as easily in traffic.
You can steal any car on the road, and there is a lot to choose from. Depending on your situation will determine your vehicle of choice -- if you need to barrel through a roadblock of cops, you'll want to take a large truck or bus; if you need to get somewhere in a quick amount of time, steal a speedy roadster or a motorcycle. For the bold of heart, cop cars can be stolen as the ultimate slap in the face to law enforcement (squad cars are also good for undercover missions).
Each car is tuned to a different radio station -- depending on what kind of car he or she had, the driver probably had it on a radio station of his liking. For example, pickup trucks blast away rock-a-billy country music and the sleek muscle cars are tuned to the house/electronic station. The soundtrack consists of a wide variety of styles ranging from rap, reggae and ska to head banging metal music. You can also listen to police officers banter about your actions if you steal a squad car (this also comes in handy because you'll know what the cops are planning on doing).
Grand Theft Auto's vulgar soundtrack has been included on the game CD and the package ships with maps detailing each city and its streets. Because of the violent nature of gameplay and vulgarity, player discretion is advised.
- GRAND THEFT AUTO - LONDON 1969:
Are you longing for more thievery action from the world of Grand Theft Auto? After all, you're a criminal of extreme precision and your talents and car jacking skills are going to waste! Question is: what are you going to do about it? Well, you're going to get your lazy butt off the couch and take a journey back to London circa 1969!
As the first mission pack ever released for the PlayStation, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 gives would-be car thieves a whole set of brand new missions to tackle. You've been hired by Archie and Albert, known as the Crisp Twins, to do their dirty work; stealing cars and making sure rival gang members no longer walk the streets.
The streets of London have been faithfully reproduced in an overhead viewpoint fashion. While there isn't much time for sightseeing, players will pass the Westminster Abbey, magnificent Big Ben clock tower, and take scenic drives through Hyde Park. Additionally, the Crisp Twins have bomb and spray shops set up all over the city.
Like the original Grand Theft Auto, the coppers are onto your devious crime syndicate. As you go around stealing cars and murdering innocent bystanders or gang members, they'll start chasing you. Your objective is to get the Bobbies off your trail, which is usually easier said than done! The Filthometer displays how badly the cops want to either kill you or arrest you; the higher the meter gets, the more inclined they are to bust you!
Because this expansion pack takes place in the past, the developers opted for a realistic arsenal of cars and radio stations pertaining to the time period. Rather than sporting around in modern-day taxicabs and pickup trucks, you'll be cruising around in British/classic styled vehicles; the speedy Jaguar and the old fashioned Volkswagen Beetle included.
Because no one had even heard of ska, house, heavy metal, punk, or rap music back in 1969, the sound developers went with a different kind of soundtrack. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 features some psychedelic Britpop and classical selections; like the original, every car is tuned to a different radio station for added realism.
So what are you waiting for -- an engraved invitation? Open up that telegram and get started on your new jobs! The Crisp Twins are counting on you; screw them over and they'll have your head on a stick!
- GRAND THEFT AUTO 2:
In Grand Theft Auto 2, the sequel to two earlier GTA titles, your life of crime begins as down-on-his-luck Claude Speed, a recently released prisoner with no memory of how or why he was imprisoned via a cryogenically induced sleep. He does realize, however, that he's at the bottom of the food chain -- no job, no luck, no money and no where to go but up.
In this instance, "up" means the top of the criminal element's food chain -- he has aspirations of being the next crime lord of the city. Through manipulation of rival gangs, infiltration of criminally-based organizations or as a lone gunman with his sights set on the pinnacle of power -- the nefarious and dangerous underworld -- he plots and plans for that happy day.
Although his memory is lacking in some areas, it is perfectly clear when it comes to remembering how to claw, fight, steal and kill in order to achieve his goals. As a start, he falls back on the one skill he's absolutely sure about -- Grand Theft Auto. To begin his comeback in this particular realm of hell, his first act is a car-jacking that paves the way for future activities. To achieve this, he'll have to climb past a half dozen gangs made up of Russian and Japanese immigrants, lunatics, genetically altered zombies, religious freaks, drug dealers, psychotic leaders and more.
Once past those, he'll have to deal with the untouchable Zaibatsu Corporation, controllers of all abusive substances ("play-drugs") that are being used to systematically subjugate the population, especially Zoom Zoom -- in fact, their number one goal is world dominance through directly controlled consumerism.
As the game is being released for both PC and PlayStation at the same time (Oct 22, 1999), viable questions arise as to what is lost, if anything, in the translation. In a concession to the more limited power base of the PlayStation, there will be fewer cars and pedestrians on-screen at any given moment. However, this is offset by the use of more dynamic lighting than on the PC. All in all, not much is different between the versions -- the story remains the same as do the graphically enhanced and maneuverable automobiles.
During gameplay, there are literally hundreds of cars to choose from -- many with overtones reminiscent of cars from the mid- to early-20th century. Over 30 cars are featured, ranging from stylized versions of coupes, roadsters and sedans to modernized electric cars and supercharged cop cars. Gameplay still centers on the dark side of life -- drugs, gangs, thieves, killings, blackmail, corrupt military and government, rampant crime and overall moral decay.
In the spin put on the world in Grand Theft Auto 2, however, the crime lords are feuding and fighting for control because the big-player (Zaibatsu Corporation) in this decadent society is an organization with fingers in everyone's pie. With its aforementioned lofty goal, this company will stop at nothing. Nor is any act that furthers their agenda toward this end too severe -- subjugation of society and the destabilization of the world population is in sight -- and Zaibatsu wants to help it along.
Success in Grand Theft Auto 2 requires you to develop a master plan with the reward being control of this earthbound hell. In your dealings with the gangs, you'd be advised to trust no one and cross and double-cross everyone. Use all means at your disposal to set the gangs against each other by fostering hate, fear and anger. Alternately, you can choose which crime bosses to work for and then strike from within when the timing is right.
The original GTA set the gaming world on its collective ear with its gritty and realistic portrayal of the seedy side of humanity. So much so, in fact, the worldwide public outcry by "morally sensitive" groups and some outraged censorship-minded opponents that was only fueled by the game's incredible embrace by fans of the genre (2.5 million copies sold as of 1999), still simmers. Not intimidated by the negative furor generated by these "watchdog" organizations, the designers listened instead to the gaming community, with GTA2 the result.
Features in Grand Theft Auto 2 include cars with unique characteristics of handling and performance, a reworked game engine, shifty and smart computer opponents and a comprehensively designed city with literally hundreds of streets, parks, buildings, alleys and more. An original soundtrack with selections from Moving Shadow Records and Flytronix is also included.
Manufacturer's description:
Grand Theft Auto:
The original.
A classic.
No limitations.
100% open driving, 100% open vehicles, 100% Action.
Mission Pack #1: London 1969:
Welcome to London where only those in the know survive.
Grand Theft Auto 2:
Respect is everything.
Ruthless gangs are involved in a brutal power struggle. Make a name for yourself, but watch your back. Respect is earned, not given.
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Cars stealing theme.
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