10 Guilty Pleasure Video Games We All Played More Than Any Blockbuster

3. True Crime: Streets Of LA

Following the release of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, the market became saturated with "GTA clones" - or "sandbox" titles as they'd be more politely referred to now. Some were good (Saint's Row), some bad (The Getaway) and some just so very ugly (looking at you Godfather). One such game, luckily nearer to the "good" category, was True Crime: Streets Of LA, released in 2003. Actually, True Crime turned the formula on its head somewhat by allowing the player to control a cop rather than a common thug. However, there's still room for law-breaking shenanigans - the game implements a morality system that affects how the storyline plays out and which ending you'll get. It's a nice touch that separates the game from the rest of the GTA clones and the Rockstar series itself. In terms of presentation, True Crime actually rivals the king in some respects. Yes, Los Angeles is eerily quiet and not really a patch on the likes of bustling Liberty or Vice City. But apparently (having never been there) it's a wholly authentic representation of the City Of Angels, with every square inch exactly as it should be. Also there's an appealing Hollywood gloss over the game, with the satisfyingly deep combat a clear nod to John Woo, a top-class hip-hop soundtrack and voice work from movie heavyweights Christopher Walken and Gary Oldman. Yes there's always the feeling that you could just play the real McCoy, but True Crime is enough of an experience to enjoy it on its own terms.