When most people think about where the Grand Theft Auto series really began, GTA III is generally the game that comes to mind. The first two games featured a top-down view, which was fun, but the series really took off with the 3D world introduced in GTA III.

All these years later, and we are hot on the heels of Grand Theft Auto V (which is not actually the fifth entry in the series, with Vice City and San Andreas being un-numbered releases). It feels like the perfect time to go back and see where the series captured the hearts and minds of gamers around the world. We are not going to pull out a PlayStation 2 for this voyage down memory lane. Instead we are going to grab our iPhones, plunk down a measly $4.99, and get ready to enter the criminal underworld as it was back in 2001.

If you have already beaten GTA V, and you want more, GTA III on iOS or Android just might scratch the itch for you.

Note: This review is for the iOS version, though both are identical in terms of features.

Gameplay

Do you like fun crime-based missions? Do you like driving around causing mayhem? Of course you do, or you wouldn't be reading an article about Grand Theft Auto. While not as polished as Grand Theft Auto V, which is to be expected from a game that is around 12 years old. The missions are still a lot of fun, and just running around trying to get your wanted level up is just as enjoyable as it ever was.

The controls feature an on-screen joystick and buttons for functions like shooting, punching, stealing cars, and so on. The joystick appears anywhere you happen to touch the screen, which makes it easy to move around when the action is going down.

Once you get through the opening sequence, the world opens up and you can move to different missions or you can feel free to just run around and do whatever you like.

Audio & Visuals

All of the models in the game have been updated to look better on iOS devices. It's definitely a noticeable jump if you were to pop in the PlayStation 2 version of the game and then follow it up with this one. This, along with the gameplay mentioned before, makes it feel like you are really getting something for buying a game you probably already own. Simply put, the game looks fantastic whether played on an iPhone or iPad.

One thing to keep in mind if you are running an older device is that you might need to restart before you play. With my iPhone 4S, things were really chugging along in terms of framerate, but once I restarted, things smoothed out and the game worked perfectly fine.

As for the sound, the voice acting remains pretty much the same from the original game. It still features the silent protagonist, and the voice acting from the other characters is pretty good, but as you can probably guess, it can't compare with Trevor, Michael, Franklin, and the rest of the cast in GTA V. You still get the entertaining radio stations when driving around the city, and overall, the sound design is very good.

Value for Money

GTA III is a fantastic value proposition. For many players, it will probably have been so long since they've played GTA III that it will feel like a brand new game. Couple that with the huge amount of available missions and all the time that can be spent just running around the world messing around, and you have a five dollar purchase that is more than worth it.

It's the most fun trip down memory lane you can have, and for a younger generation of gamers, it's the perfect way to experience where GTA really found its footing in the video game community.

Conclusion

If you've beat GTA V, and don't want to delve too heavily into the world of GTA Online, throw down $5 for GTA III, and be prepared for a good time. Also, don't forget to check out our list of other console open world games to play after GTA V to keep the fun going even longer.

Download: GTA III for iOS ($4.99), also available on Android.

What do you think of GTA III on iOS? What's your favorite game in the GTA series overall? Hit the comments section below and let your voice be heard!

Image Credits: PlaceIt