Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 5.9 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Ron Dulin
• Reviewed on: 05/21/1999
• Updated on: 05/01/2000
• Released on: 03/31/1999
• Originally published on GameSpot: Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 (PC) Review

There isn't much new in Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, an expansion pack for DMA's cartoonish carjacking game. The setting makes some surface differences possible: You drive on the left, the soundtrack features music appropriate to the era (think Yardbirds and spy movie themes), and police say "you're nicked" instead of "you're busted." Other than that, the Grand Theft Auto formula remains intact: Steal some cars and commit some crimes. Unfortunately, all of the gameplay problems remain as well. And Grand Theft Auto had a lot of gameplay problems.

The original Grand Theft Auto raised some eyebrows upon its release because of its violent gameplay. You take on the role of a petty crook who wants to earn the respect of more-powerful crime bosses. To do so, you must run errands, which are usually broken up into several small tasks. These tasks usually involve picking up henchmen, destroying vehicles, assassinating enemies, or often some combination thereof. To complete your tasks, you must steal cars and drive like a madman all over the map (and sidewalks, and pedestrians), all the while avoiding (or disposing of) the police that become an increasing nuisance as you rack up the crime tally.

Leave it to your own moral barometer to decide whether or not that sounds like a good time. If it does, then you may just be able to overlook the game's faults. But the premise is the only element that makes Grand Theft Auto anything more than a top-down racing game with poor control, frustrating mission design, and mediocre graphics.

The control issue is the biggest problem with the game. First, the cars are touchy. Steering left or right sends you careening in that direction. But this isn't the problem. What makes it difficult is that almost everything in the game will stop you dead in your tracks. Brush against a wall? Stop. Hit a street sign? Stop. OK, you can run over pedestrians and some environmental objects, but the stop-and-go vehicle movement becomes irritating quickly. It becomes especially frustrating when you're trying to follow the blotchy directional pointer to your next assignment with three police cars on your tail. And why is it that when you're on foot, your body behaves like a tiny auto? Trying to run from the police is no easy task when you have to make a three-point turn and you aren't even in a car.

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