Home Introduction Story Goals Controls Scene

In both previous versions of GTA the interface was entirely from a "top-down" viewpoint.  GTAIII is the first to move to a true 3D environment. As shown in the screenshot to the left, most of the action takes place from a third-person point of view.  This allows for a much high degree of realism as well as letting the player interact much more with the virtual world around them. 
   

Keyboard controls

W = move/drive foreward
S = move backward, brake if driving, reverse if stopped
A = strafe left, turn left if driving
D = strafe right, turn right if driving
F = enter a vehicle
Q = look left
E = look right
Shift = sprint if on foot, horn if driving
Ctrl = shoot/attack
Space = jump, handbrake if driving
Caps Lock = activate vigilante mission
     

Mouse Controls

Left Mouse Button = shoot/attack

Right Mouse Button  = alternate fire, handbrake if driving

Center Button = scrolling switches weapons or radio stations while driving, clicking the button rotates the camera 180º so you can see behind you. (very useful when being chased)

Moving the mouse rotates the camera around the character when on foot.  There is an option for mouse steering vehicles, but it is rather difficult to master.
 

Game Interface

Rockstar has managed to create a very effective yet simplistic interface for Grand Theft Auto III.  There are essentially only two elements to the display - the radar (lower left) and the multi-purpose display (upper right). 

Goals are always clearly identified.  In the screenshot to the right, the car is marked with a large blue pulsing arrow.  Cars and people are typically marked with an arrow, whereas locations are marked in other ways.

   

 


This display shows time of day, money, health, warrant level, and current weapon.  If applicable it will also show armor to the left of health.  Warrant level indicates how much effort law enforcement will put forth to capture you.  One star will wear off after time, but two or more will take more effort to shake the law from your tail.

   

The radar will guide you to your destination or target.  This is most valuable when chasing after a car or a person.  However, keep in mind that the radar will guide you in the absolute direction of your target, it will not show you the shortest route, or even a legitimate route.

   
Locations where you need to walk or drive to are usually indicated with a blue marker.  Standing or stopping a car in these markers will trigger the next event in the game.
   

Weapons are highlighted with either a red or green circle.  Red is for simple weapons like a bat, whereas green represents a gun.  These highlights make them much easier to see while driving or just simply from a distance.

     
Each time to get into a car, the model is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.  This is very helpful when an employer tells you to get certain models of cars for him or her.  Also each time you move to a new 'neighborhood' in Liberty City, the name is displayed in the lower right.  Again, very useful when you are told to find someone or something in a particular neighborhood.