GTA: Liberty City Stories icon
GTA: Liberty City Stories iOS Review: Faithful Port of Classic Open-World Action

by Rockstar Games

Rockstar's iOS port of Liberty City Stories delivers the complete PlayStation Portable experience with optimized touch controls. This open-world crime saga offers substantial content for mobile gamers seeking deep narrative-driven gameplay.

Detailed Review

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories represents Rockstar Games' successful adaptation of their PlayStation Portable exclusive to iOS platforms. Originally released in 2005, this mobile version maintains the complete open-world experience while implementing touch-optimized controls specifically designed for smartphone gameplay. The app follows Rockstar's established model of offering a substantial 30-minute free trial before requiring a one-time purchase to unlock the full game, providing users with adequate opportunity to evaluate performance on their device before committing financially. The core experience remains faithful to the original, featuring the complete storyline following Toni Cipriani's return to Liberty City's criminal underworld. Gameplay encompasses the series' signature blend of driving, shooting, and mission-based progression across a fully realized urban environment. Notable technical implementations include customizable control schemes with both touch and controller support, graphical settings adjustable for different device capabilities, and cloud save functionality. The port maintains all original missions, side activities, and radio stations while implementing mobile-specific quality-of-life improvements such as quick save features and redesigned interface elements optimized for touch input. User experience varies significantly based on device capability, with newer iPhone and iPad models delivering smooth performance at higher graphical settings. The control scheme presents both virtual buttons and gesture-based alternatives, though some users report requiring adjustment periods for precision driving and shooting sequences. Real-world usage patterns indicate most players engage in shorter sessions utilizing the quick save feature, though the game supports extended gameplay for those preferring longer immersion. Interface design successfully translates the complex console experience to mobile without overwhelming the screen, though some menu navigation requires familiarity with the original game's structure. User feedback trends overwhelmingly positive, with an average 4.38-star rating reflecting general satisfaction with the port's quality. Multiple reviews specifically praise the value proposition at the $6.99 price point, with user girla rule noting on July 4, 2025 that paying for the full version represented money well spent for what they described as 'the coolest game ever.' Technical observations appear in reviews such as Youngkayak's July 12, 2025 comment regarding audio issues when combining personal music with the game's mixtape station, noting that 'music continues to play when exiting vehicles' during certain missions. BZXJ85's July 1, 2025 review provides substantive analysis, comparing the experience favorably to Chinatown Wars while appreciating the narrative connections to GTA III's familiar characters. The iOS version of Liberty City Stories stands as a competent mobile adaptation that successfully preserves the original experience while making necessary concessions for touchscreen gameplay. Primary strengths include the complete content package, reasonable pricing model, and technical optimization across multiple device generations. Limitations involve occasional control precision challenges during intense action sequences and some persistent audio bugs noted by users. This port ideally serves existing franchise enthusiasts seeking portable access to classic Grand Theft Auto content and new players interested in experiencing a substantial narrative-driven open-world game on mobile platforms.

Key Features

  • Complete original campaign featuring 50+ story missions following Toni Cipriani's criminal rise through Liberty City's underworld
  • Dual control schemes offering both virtual button layout and touchscreen gesture controls optimized for mobile gameplay
  • Full open-world exploration with day/night cycle, dynamic weather, and responsive pedestrian and traffic systems
  • Extensive side content including rampages, taxi missions, emergency vehicle challenges, and hidden package collection
  • Customizable graphics settings allowing performance optimization across various iOS device capabilities and generations
  • Cloud save support enabling seamless progression across multiple Apple devices while maintaining game progress

Why Users Love It

Complete console-quality experience
Reasonable one-time purchase price

Perfect for: Mobile gamers seeking deep open-world action with substantial narrative content

Screenshots

GTA: Liberty City Stories screenshot 1GTA: Liberty City Stories screenshot 2GTA: Liberty City Stories screenshot 3GTA: Liberty City Stories screenshot 4GTA: Liberty City Stories screenshot 5

Ranking History

Track GTA: Liberty City Stories's performance in Adventure Games over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#50

6 from last week

Best Rank

#44

All-time high

Average Rank

#48

30-day average

User Reviews

MaikoTrueRomance
Aug 14, 2025

Honestly this game will always hold a special place in my heart One of my most favorite GTA titles Honestly this game will always hold a special place in my heart

Melvinmouth
Aug 17, 2025

The game is fun, but can you guys guys add? A gun store cuz rhe game does not have a gun store plesse snd thank you! Great game! The game is fun, but can you guys guys add? A gun store cuz rhe game does not have a gun store plesse snd thank you!

Jaxon Authement
Jul 18, 2025

This game is awesome, almost better just like gta 3, especially vice city stories. Masterpiece! Will be goaling to 100 completion soon or one day! W game This game is awesome, almost better just like gta 3, especially vice city stories. Masterpiece! Will be goaling to 100 completion soon or one day!

Boi was here
Jul 21, 2025

Rockstar if you are reading this I want you to remove the 30 minutes and make the game free more people are going to play the game and you rockstar are going to have a lot of 5 stars Pls remove 30 minutes and let us play for free Rockstar if you are reading this I want you to remove the 30 minutes and make the game free more people are going to play the game and you rockstar are going to have a lot of 5 stars

AJGres
Dec 10, 2025

Just like on the psp. Would love to see Vice city stories ported as well. Fantastic port Just like on the psp. Would love to see Vice city stories ported as well.

App Details

Developer

Rockstar Games

Platform

ios

Rating

4.4

Last Updated

12/16/2025