The first True Crime, set in LA, differed from other sprawling, free roaming, gritty urban adventure games in that it gave the player the opportunity to stay on the right side of the law, playing as a martial arts trained maverick cop.
In the sequel, True Crime: New York City, Activision has tried to give you the best of both worlds. The hero is Marcus Reed, who grew up on the streets of NYC, the son of one of the city’s most notorious criminals. Living a dissolute life as a ‘gangbanger’ might sound like fun, until you learn that in America-land, that doesn’t mean getting involved in naughty orgies – it means driving around shooting people just for fun. Marcus seemed set to either burn himself out or inherit his evil father’s crime empire, and become a twisted kingpin. But after his father’s murder and an attempt on his own life, he realises violence is not the way, at least, not illegal violence. Marcus meets NYPD cop Terry Higgins, who mentors him as he turns his life around and embarks on a career as a policeman.
His new life is shattered though, when Higgins is murdered, and Marcus swears to avenge him, setting out to find out which of the four big gangs in the city is behind the killing.
The first True Crime was an incredibly ambitious game, and this one is no different. Make your way round Manhattan taking subways, going into clothes and music shops, visiting restaurants, taking taxis or just driving about. This is one of those games that presents you with moral choices and you can go about your job however you like, playing things by the book, or becoming a bribe-taking, racketeering, violent, bad cop.
Use standard issue police firearms or buy heavier stuff on the black market. Drive powerful cars, ride superbikes, and watch as the city itself reflects your soul – play by the book and fight crime and walk in a clean, happy New York, or watch as the place decays around you as you move closer to the dark side. More cop sim action for fans of the original.