Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is one of Rockstar’s lesser-known games, but it still has lessons for the future of the series. Released for the PSP in 2005, it served as a prequel to GTA 3 and brought players back to the gritty streets of Liberty City.
The game follows Toni Cipriani, a low-level mobster trying to climb the ranks of the Leone family. The story mixes dark crime with absurd humor.
One mission has you stalking your mother’s boyfriend, an “adult baby,” through a park to gather evidence of his shady behavior. The humor is over-the-top but grounded in relatable themes like family drama and disappointment.
Unlike modern open-world games, Liberty City Stories is compact. You can finish the main story in about five hours. The missions are straightforward, focusing on races, fetch quests, and time trials. While the NPCs lack depth, their quirky personalities shine through, making the game memorable.
Toni’s strained relationship with his mother adds a personal touch. Mrs. Cipriani constantly insults him for being a low-ranking gangster, and her disapproval drives much of his journey. This mix of humor and heart gives the game its charm.
Rockstar’s newer games, like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, are known for their realism and complex characters. But Liberty City Stories reminds us that simplicity and absurdity can also create a great experience.
As fans eagerly await GTA 6, revisiting Liberty City Stories shows that Rockstar doesn’t need to abandon its roots. A balance of humor, chaos, and relatable struggles could make the next installment even better.