Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

About Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Rockstar Leeds released Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars back in March 2009 for handhelds like the PSP, DS, iOS, and Android. This title stands apart as a standalone story rather than a simple port of an existing console game. You play as Huang Lee, who arrives in Liberty City to deliver a stolen sword to his uncle after his father gets killed. The plot quickly goes sideways when assassins ambush him and steal the heirloom. This adventure tackles Triad corruption while you explore the city streets on foot or by vehicle. It keeps the chaotic energy fans expect from Rockstar but scales the experience down for portable screens without losing the core identity of the franchise.

Gameplay

Sessions focus on navigating Liberty City using touch controls on the DS or mobile devices, with dual analog sticks on the PSP offering more traditional precision. You spend your time completing missions that involve driving, shooting, and melee combat while hunting down enemies tied to the Triad syndicate. The game features a mix of single-player story modes and multiplayer street racing options where you compete for cash. You manage inventory to switch between guns, swords, and bombs during fights. Navigation relies on a top-down camera angle that lets you plan routes through traffic or alleys. Completing objectives unlocks new vehicles and weapons to tackle harder scenarios in the open world environment.

What Players Think

The PlayPile data shows this title holds strong with players across platforms. IGDB lists a solid 83.3 out of 100 score based on 182 ratings. Community moods lean heavily toward nostalgic appreciation for how well the game adapted to touchscreens. Average playtime suggests most people finish the main story in about 15 hours, though some linger longer for side activities. Achievement hunters report a 68% completion rate for all trophies, indicating the multiplayer modes add significant replay value. Review snippets frequently mention the controls as surprisingly responsive despite the hardware limitations of older handhelds. The community appreciates that the game did not feel like a watered-down version of its console counterparts.

PlayPile's Take

This is worth your time if you want a complete GTA story without needing a TV or console. The price on modern mobile stores makes it an easy buy compared to newer entries. You will unlock 45 achievements across the various modes, giving you plenty to chase down after the credits roll. Huang Lee's journey offers enough crime drama and action to keep you engaged for a weekend. The game feels tight and focused rather than bloated with unnecessary content. It is not perfect due to older controls on some devices, but it remains one of the best handheld experiences available in the series.

Storyline

Huang Lee, the spoiled son of a recently murdered Triad boss, arrives by plane in Liberty City with Yu Jian, a sword that Huang's father won in a poker game and has decided to use as an heirloom, to deliver it to the new patriarch of the family, Huang's uncle Wu "Kenny" Lee. Shortly after landing, Huang's escorts are killed by assassins and he is shot and kidnapped. The assailants steal the sword and, thinking Huang is dead, dump his body in the water. Huang manages to survive and informs Kenny that Yu Jian has been taken. Kenny explains that he had intended to offer the sword to Hsin Jaoming, the aging Triad boss in Liberty City, as a means of securing a position as his replacement. Kenny has been dishonored and reduced in power due to the loss of Yu Jian, leaving him and Huang working to keep their businesses afloat.