This main game title, released in 1997, established the foundation for open-world crime simulation. Players assume the role of an aspiring criminal navigating three distinct cities, each structured as a series of levels. The primary objective in each level is to achieve a target score, which also serves as the player's in-game currency. This score is accumulated through various criminal activities, ranging from auto theft to more serious offenses. Players are allocated a limited number of lives to reach these score targets, adding a layer of challenge to progression.

Earned currency can be allocated towards cosmetic enhancements, such as vehicle paint jobs. However, any expenditure directly reduces the player's score, creating a strategic balance between customization and objective achievement. Upon reaching the target score, players must drive to a specified location to complete the level and advance. The game was initially available on DOS, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, and Nintendo 64.

What is the core gameplay loop?

The gameplay loop centers on completing missions and accumulating points through criminal actions. Each level presents a score target that functions as both a success metric and a source of funds. These funds can be utilized for vehicle customization, including changing paint colors. However, spending money directly decreases the overall score, necessitating a balance between pursuing upgrades and meeting score objectives. Successfully achieving the score target and then reaching a designated point signifies level completion, unlocking subsequent challenges.

What is the premise of the game?

Players embody a young, ambitious criminal aiming to establish a reputation within the underworld. The narrative focuses on executing various assignments for organized crime syndicates. These assignments encompass a spectrum of illegal activities, including grand theft auto, hit-and-runs, and murder, all contributing to the player's progression and score accumulation.

What additional content is available?

This main game title includes one expansion pack, offering supplementary content beyond the core experience. No downloadable content (DLC) packs or remakes/remasters are currently available for this specific release.

Expansions

One expansion pack is available, extending the original game's content.

DLCs

There are no DLCs for this game.

Remakes and Remasters

No remakes or remasters have been released for this title.

What makes this game unique?

The game's distinctiveness lies in its early implementation of an open-world sandbox environment coupled with a mission-based structure. Players are afforded considerable freedom to explore the game's cities and engage in diverse criminal activities to achieve their objectives. The score system, which functions as a money meter and is directly affected by spending, introduces an interesting dimension of resource management and risk assessment. This combination of player agency and score-driven progression was a notable characteristic for its era.

Key Features

Open-world exploration across three distinct cities.
Mission-based progression with score objectives.
Score system that doubles as in-game currency.
Vehicle customization options.
A focus on emergent criminal gameplay.