It’s inevitable. True Crime: Streets of LA will be compared to Grand Theft Auto by anyone and everyone. With a mix of driving, fighting, shooting, and a branching storyline, the gameplay looks to be very similar, but the setting and characters may be enough to set it apart. Luxoflux, now officially a part of Activision, is drawing from Hong Kong action films and US crime dramas, and they are doing all they can to make the game a stand-out production.

At the center of it all is Nick Kang, a rogue cop in the Elite Operations Division. Like Dirty Harry, Kang has no problem eliminating the city’s scum with a well-placed bullet. Apparently, the EOD doesn’t mind corrupt operatives, so they’ve assigned him to take on the Chinese Triad and Russian Mafia, whose gang wars have been wreaking havoc on the city. He’ll need to search out clues and witnesses and take out a number of minor thugs along the way before finally laying the cuffs on the big bosses of these organizations.

There’s a fair chance that Activision chose a law officer so that they could ride the popularity of GTA, without having to deal with as much criticism from the press. That may limit players from doing everything they may desire, but there are plenty of criminals to track down and cars to blow up, as well as an extensive mission-based structure that promises to vary greatly depending on which clues you follow and which informants you decide to take out.

One of True Crime’s biggest draws is the claim that 250 square miles of LA streets and landmarks are being accurately reproduced for the game. Most of the game seems to take place downtown and on the west side of town, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica (where Activision is based). The sheer novelty of a familiar setting will likely have many Los Angeles residents picking up the game just to drive around and see how well this virtual LA lives up to its claims. Kang can commandeer any vehicle he needs to chase down the crooks, and he has some fancy driving tricks up his sleeve. You’ll be able to turn the car on its side to squeeze by traffic and perform quick half-spins to shoot while driving in reverse.

For fighting in close quarters, Kang has a variety of martial arts skills at his disposal, including grapples, combinations, and stealth attacks. However, if the need should arise, he can quickly pull out his guns at any time. A lock-on targeting system keeps the player focused on the enemies, and it leaves room for some stylish dodging too.

Activision is pulling out all the stops to make this a high-energy production. They’ve signed Vybe Squad to help put together the soundtrack, and rappers such as Ice Cube, Mac 10, WC – E40, and EZ E Jr. are working on writing original songs for the game. A number of actors such as Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, and Michelle Rodriguez have also been contracted to voice the characters.

In all, it seems that True Crime: Streets of LA is set to make a big splash when it hits all consoles, including GameCube, this November. If you’re looking for more info, see our profile or Activision’s official True Crime website.