

You can choose to get straight on with the campaign, just bum around causing mayhem, or even make a beeline for the airport where you can hijack a plane and terrorise Stillwater from above: This game has it all right from the start. There is an enormous sense of being immersed in the city, the time of the day changes along with the weather, and there are some nice touches like passers-by putting up umbrellas if it starts raining. Once you’re clothed, the whole of Stillwater is open to you and you really can go anywhere and do anything.

Customisation is a part of the game, but if you don’t fancy digging too deep, it’s possible to whiz through the options using the time-saving X button. Your first task is to get out of the prison clothes and find a clothes shop where you get chance to customise all your clothes – again the options are extensive – and it’s your choice whether you play it straight, or go for a fat old bald transvestite who runs around in nothing but women’s underwear. Once customised it’s time to break out of the prison in what is essentially a tutorial, and after a few kills you’re soon on a speedboat shooting down the chasing helicopters, before making it to the mainland.
