First details on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars emerge

A NeoGAF forum member has posted the first details for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, which are reportedly from the November 2008 issue of Nintendo Power. A lot of talk has been going on if this GTA for the DS would be in 3D or 2D. It looks like we’ll finally find out with even more facts.

According to NeoGAF user botticus, GTA: Chinatown Wars would be using “cel-shaded polygons with black borders,” implying that the game will be in 3D. However, it’s also said that this GTA would also be using an isometric camera angle. Like any true installment in the series, Chinatown Wars utilizes sandbox gameplay, an open-world environment, and “gritty crime narrative.”

Remember GTA IV’s cell phone? This time, the user interface would be in the form of a PDA that controls email, contacts, map, music player, GPS, and stat tracking.

If you’re worried about the length of the missions, fret not. The missions are designed for shorter periods of play. If you fail a mission, you can jump right back into the action sequence. This would definitely cut down on the frustration that GTA is known for.

Here is the complete set of details from NeoGAF:

• True GTA game - sandbox gameplay, open-world environment, gritty crime narrative.
• M-rating
• Isometric camera angle
• Cel-shaded polygons w/ black borders
• Good touch-screen implementation - “tasteful” mini-games, streamlining interface
• UI based on a PDA - hub for email, contacts, map, music player, GPS, stat-tracking
• Stats uploaded to Rockstar Social Club website via Wi-Fi
• Finger-sized icons
• Missions designed for shorter periods of play, arcade quality
• Aiming with control pad, auto targeting with R button
• Subtle auto-steer
• If you fail a mission, you can jump back to the action sequence
• Chain gun, flamethrower
• Good portion of Liberty City is modeled in the game (different routes than console games)
• No problems with load times, draw-in or frame rate
• Lots of pedestrians, cars, etc on screen
• Wanted system - objective is to disable police cars any way possible
• Real-time weather effects, 24-hour day/night cycle
• Lots of radio stations to listen to (more instrumentals than vocals)
• 800,000 lines of hand-optimized source code (hey, the people like the info, right?)
• No details yet on multiplayer/Wi-Fi features

If these details are true, GTA: Chinatown Wars is shaping up to be just as big as its console counterparts. The caveat is that we still can’t verify the details because we don’t have a copy of Nintendo Power’s November issue. Stay tuned for confirmation regarding this.

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