New details for GTA: Chinatown Wars

By Robert Purchese Published 19 September, 2008

DS game will feature cel-shaded graphics.

Rockstar will be pulling no punches with DS game Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, which is set to be rated "Mature".

That's according to Nintendo Power magazine (as reported on NeoGAF).

We're told Chinatown Wars will be cel-shaded, be presented from an isometric viewpoint and include a day-night cycle and weather effects.

The touch-screen will handle the bulk of movement, with the d-pad for targeting, right shoulder button for auto-aim, and a subtle auto-steer system in place.

User-interface will, apparently, be based on a PDA, where functions such as GPS, emails, music-player and contacts can be accessed.

Rockstar has designed Chinatown Wars with shorter bursts of playtime in mind; thankfully this means failed missions can be restarted from where the action took place, and not where the mission was accepted.

The Wanted system, which has changed slightly, now sets the objective of disabling as many police cars as you can.

Statistics can be uploaded to the Rockstar Social Club using Wi-Fi, but no other multiplayer features have been mentioned.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is expected before the end of the year.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (44) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Cosmopolitan #1 3 years ago

    Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

  • BBIAJ #2 3 years ago

    Sounds interesting, one to keep an eye on methinks!

  • the_dudefather #3 3 years ago

    sounds neat, but end of the year?

    would be nice to see screenshots

  • peterfll #4 3 years ago

    Why no screenshots, or little video Mr Rockstar? Or something, so we can have a little peek? Go on, you know you want to.

  • Meho #5 3 years ago

    "The Wanted system, which has changed slightly, now sets the objective of disabling as many police cars as you can."

    Wait, what???

    Edit: I typed eight letters and managed to make a typo...
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 10:23

  • louyfitz #6 3 years ago

    Might buy a DS with this and metroid me thinks.

  • The_Inquisitor #7 3 years ago

    Sounds decent, isometric views look really good too, so it should be a pretty game.

  • Skeletor #8 3 years ago

    SCANS or SCREENS or it didn't happen!

  • secombe #9 3 years ago

    Isometric! Excellent news, a good trade-off between top down and full 3D. Looking forward to it.

  • Ryze #10 3 years ago

    Sounds very interesting.

    I'm keeping an eye on this as I haven't bought a DS yet.

  • space_ace #11 3 years ago

    好，好。

    "failed missions can be restarted from where the action took place, and not where the mission was accepted."

    yes, what's with that? i'm still at the beginning of gta4 :)

  • dr_faulk #12 3 years ago

    Why was 'Chinatown' removed from the article headline?

  • speedjack #13 3 years ago

    Isometric sounds great... but the new wanted system sounds just plain weird.

  • MDL199 #14 3 years ago

    Why not just get a PSP and have a proper GTA game on the go with no graphical comprimises? I bet this turns out to be a right mess on the DS!

  • cam_guin #15 3 years ago

    like the idea of disabling the cop cars. Many a time have I got bored of a mission and starting racking up police kills

  • The_Inquisitor #16 3 years ago

    @ MDL199

    The PSP games are basically cut down versions of the main games though, not giving you anything you haven't seen before. If you're gonna make a proper handheld game, best to play to it's strenghts wouldn't you say?

  • Doctor_What #17 3 years ago

    Does anyone care about weather effects on a DS game?

  • ThePissartist #18 3 years ago

    I was expecting a game looking like GTA or GTA2 (birds-eye view), so this sounds mighty interesting.

  • MrXBob #19 3 years ago

    @MDL199:

    Because the PSP versions are watered down PS2 versions with horribly clumsy controls? I'd rather have a game that was built for the platform rather than something that was squeezed onto it to boost miserable sales.

  • louyfitz #20 3 years ago

    The PSP ones were aweful, besides I hate the PSP because of that goddamn missing analouge stick.

  • MDL199 #21 3 years ago

    The PSP games were awesome and the controls worked just fine.

    Enjoy your isometric GTA - you seriously think that's gonna work better than the PS2 quality, fully immersive 3d environment on the PSP? Isometric games simply always suck and seriously hamper gameplay.

    Best stick with your brain training and carnival games me thinks!
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 12:06

  • Greebo #22 3 years ago

    "Because the PSP versions are watered down PS2 versions with horribly clumsy controls?"

    Got to disagree. The second one did seem to push things a bit hard, as there was a lot of slow down, but I thought they were both technically very impressive and good fun.

    Shame they both came out before the processor throttle was removed, as the framerate would have seen a great improvement.

    Looking forward to this. Should be plenty possible to capture the spirit of the console versions without having to match them on graphics.

  • louyfitz #23 3 years ago

    Yeah the controls worked for GTA, just a shame about every other game is out on PSP.

    Dont get me wrong the DS is no perfect machine either.

    Bring on the MS handheld!!!!

    halo portable, thats what I want to see, with XBL Mobile.

  • BadBoyBonner #24 3 years ago

    Frame-rate on the PSP is great at 333MHz for the GTA games - plus it renders Wipeout Pure an absolute silky-smooth joy to play (the 333MHz clock speed, if memory serves me right, was always meant to be the case wasn't it? With Sony reducing the PSP to 222MHz at the 11th hour before release to appease concerns over battery life).

    This GTA game on the DS is starting to sound a little like Syndicate on the old Amiga - which would be no bad thing if brought bang up to date.

  • BadBoyBonner #25 3 years ago

    Louyfitz

    Halo DS was arguably in production quite a while ago - look around the net I am sure you'll find the relevant info.

  • MDL199 #26 3 years ago

    louyfitz 19-Sep-08 12:25:32 Yeah the controls worked for GTA, just a shame about every other game is out on PSP.



    Most games control work pretty well on PSP actually. Sure a 2nd analogue stick would help but it would also increase the bulk of the system. Good developers can still come up with a control scheme that works.

    I'm playing Syphon Filter Dark Mirror at the minute and it has a brilliant control scheme. What an awesome game by the way it's what we should see more of on PSP - the DS hasn't got an action game that comes close to it's brilliance and the graphics are jaw dropping.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 12:41

  • superdelphinus #27 3 years ago

    Dear Eurogamer

    Your proofreader dropped this - "is"

    bw

    S

  • Der_tolle_Emil #28 3 years ago

    Enjoy your isometric GTA - you seriously think that's gonna work better than the PS2 quality, fully immersive 3d environment on the PSP? Isometric games simply always suck and seriously hamper gameplay.

    You, sir, don't know what you are talking about. I accept your opinion of not liking games with a fixed perspective but you are obviously not old enough to know that some of the best games in certain genres use an isometric perspective (someone mentioned Syndicate). This is even somewhat the case with GTA because the first two were absolutely brilliant games and also had a fixed perspective - not strictly isometric but close enough, I don't think it really matters wether it's rotated by 45° or not.

    I look forward to it - I still think that the first GTA is the best one yet. As much as I enjoyed GTA IV the first one had a different charm to it.

  • secombe #29 3 years ago

    Isometric games simply always suck and seriously hamper gameplay.

    Someone needed to write Chris Sawyer that memo a while back, because all his isometric efforts were awful and a complete waste of time.

  • MDL199 #30 3 years ago

    Der_tolle_Emil
    19-Sep-08 13:07:05 Enjoy your isometric GTA - you seriously think that's gonna work better than the PS2 quality, fully immersive 3d environment on the PSP? Isometric games simply always suck and seriously hamper gameplay.

    You, sir, don't know what you are talking about. I accept your opinion of not liking games with a fixed perspective but you are obviously not old enough to know that some of the best games in certain genres use an isometric perspective (someone mentioned Syndicate). This is even somewhat the case with GTA because the first two were absolutely brilliant games and also had a fixed perspective - not strictly isometric but close enough, I don't think it really matters wether it's rotated by 45° or not.

    I look forward to it - I still think that the first GTA is the best one yet. As much as I enjoyed GTA IV the first one had a different charm to it.


    I've been playing games for 19 years my friend.

    No action game uses an isometric perspective if it is possible to use 3d, they only use it because of technical constraints. Nobody in their right mind would think a GTA game would be better using an isometric perspective over 3d.

    This is bound to affect the accuracy of driving and shooting. Shooting will probably use an auto lock system so that should be ok but the driving is bound to suffer surely.

    And i'm guessing it's gonna be a game where you really need 3 hands just like Metroid Prime Hunters as you're gonna have to hold the DS with your left hand, use the stylus with your right hand and somehow press the face buttons to perform various actions.

    Maybe i'll be proved wrong but I think just like the PSP struggles to do some games this one and games like it just won't work on the DS

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #31 3 years ago

    @ MDL199

    Fanboy much?

    You have made up your mind that this will be shit without so much as preview or screenshot anywhere on the net?

    You are an idiot.

  • Eraser #32 3 years ago

    isometric view? Yes! The gods have heard my calls!

  • Skeletor #33 3 years ago

    @MDL199

    "No action game uses an isometric perspective if it is possible to use 3d, they only use it because of technical constraints. Nobody in their right mind would think a GTA game would be better using an isometric perspective over 3d.

    This is bound to affect the accuracy of driving and shooting. Shooting will probably use an auto lock system so that should be ok but the driving is bound to suffer surely.

    And i'm guessing it's gonna be a game where you really need 3 hands just like Metroid Prime Hunters as you're gonna have to hold the DS with your left hand, use the stylus with your right hand and somehow press the face buttons to perform various actions."

    Haha, your comment is a joke and pure ignorance. The top down perspective has been used until GTA3 BECAUSE IT WORKED and NOT because they couldn't come up with something else. Actually, looking at the history of videogames proves that some of the best design ideas were born out of technical restrictions that forced the designers to come up with a functional and creative solution.
    You might be into videogames for 19 years but it seems you simply don't remember brilliant oldschool games like Syndicate or Desert Strike. Both worked very well in terms of control and accuracy. The full 3d environment of the recent GTA parts is fine and all on the bigger screens but on a handheldsystem with rather tiny screens the game works much better with a fixed perspective. Ninja Gaiden DS is a good example.
    Mentioning Metroid PH is pretty pointless since it has nothing to do with the old or new GTA games, it's a completely different design. Btw, if you want to see how to do a FPS on the DS properly play Dementium.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 14:42

  • Sylpharion #34 3 years ago

    Gotta say, this is sounding pretty good. My first thought was that they were gonna go for a standard GTA experience (which probably wouldn't work too well on DS IMO) so I'm glad they're taking this route.

  • MDL199 #35 3 years ago

    You Ninty boys are strange, sad creatures aren't you?

    Time will tell how this turns out but don't get your hopes up ladies!

  • WJF #36 3 years ago

    "No action game uses an isometric perspective if it is possible to use 3d"

    I thought isometric was 3D....I mean, there's width, depth and height....so......how are you working this out?

    (Crusader: No Remorse - fantastic isometric action game with terrible FMV from the late 90's, if you want a good example)

  • Skeletor #37 3 years ago

    Looks pretty good I'd say.

    [link url=http://www. nintendoeverything.com/?p=3857
    ]http://www. nintendoeverything.com/?p=3857
    [/link]

    As already guessed by many it's an oldschool top down GTA. Probably more arcadey in its gameplay with an interesting rough comic book look.

  • OnlyMe #38 3 years ago

    Nice screenshots! It was exactly how I expected Isometric 3D to look like in a GTA game! And those who say isometric doesn't work in action games, screw it. Cannon Fodder was isometric, Syndicate was in isometric. Even Zelda is isometric. Isometric 3D isn't that much different from isometric 2D.

  • Greebo #39 3 years ago

    "Actually, looking at the history of videogames proves that some of the best design ideas were born out of technical restrictions that forced the designers to come up with a functional and creative solution. "

    Judging by those screenshots, I reckon Rockstar have done just that!

    Here's hoping it will be good.
    Edited by 1 at 20/09/08 @ 18:14

  • smelly #40 3 years ago

    As long as it's more fun than gta4 .. and back to being a "fun" game as opposed to a visual fest... im there

  • Skeletor #41 3 years ago

    ...and the whole thing (4 pages) since such exclusive articles are bullshit and not everybody lives in the good ol US of A;-)

    [link url=http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6271677 &postcount=7
    ]http://fo rums.macrumors.com/showpost.php...[/link]

    Looks good, sounds even better imo.

  • MDL199 #42 3 years ago

    azmol01
    19-Sep-08 20:29:45 @MDL199, no good DS action games, have you played Ninja Gaiden DS, Brothers In Arms DS, the two Castlevania games, Metroid Prime Hunters?

    No I didn't think so, you're just a sad troll, jealous that the DS has absolutely obliterated the PSP and now even Rockstar, at one point one of the PSP's biggest supporters has jumped ship.

    ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------

    LOL @azmo! Brothers In Arms DS is a shocking game but to be fair the PSP version was little better. Metroid Prime Hunters is a game that requires 3 hands to play comfortably - everyone I know who has played it suffers cramp within 20 minutes. Ninja Gaiden DS is probably the best looking action game on DS but I really don't get on with the stylus controls and get frustrated and also there are sections in the game where the DS's tiny screen means you can't really see whats going on.

    Put any DS game against GOW Chains of Olympus, Syphon Filter Dark Mirror, Syphon Filter Logans Shadow, Silent Hill Origins, GTA Liberty City Stories or GTA Vice City Stories and they are totally blown away.

  • Skeletor #43 3 years ago

    @MDL199
    Those PSP games you mentioned are quite good. There's only one problem - most of them are nothing else than dumbed down and simplified PS2 versions and this is exactly the reason why stuff like GOW Chains of Olympus or Silent Hill Origins didn't sell so well.
    With the DS on the other hand come several titles that are not only very good games but also games that truely innovate giving the player something that is not available on other systems. Zelda and Ninja Gaiden DS both innovate by giving you a very satisfying and fresh way to control the actions of the character. Professor Layton and the Curious Village is a very smart and stylish adventure/puzzle hybrid and even the 2D Castlevanias found a new home on the DS.
    The PSP is an impressive but very conservative system and the DS pretty much rules the handheld business.
    Edited by 1 at 22/09/08 @ 23:35

  • The_Inquisitor #44 3 years ago

    Don't forget GTA was originally a top down perspective game, this is just going back to its roots.
    And with the extra editions that the recent games have given us, there's a good chance this will play brilliantly.

    There's no reason each handheld couldn't be host to their own unique game type. The PSP just needs one that take advantage of it's unique strengths which would rid it of the negativity that plagues a lot of its games.