Remember True Crime: Streets of LA, the 2003 open-world action game that offered a gritty, Los Angeles-based crime experience? Developed by Luxoflux and published by Activision, this title arrived in a gaming landscape dominated by Grand Theft Auto, and while it didn’t dethrone the king, it carved out its own respectable niche as a solid shooter, driving game, and beat-em-up all rolled into one. Recently, while browsing a local Goodwill, a nostalgic discovery brought back memories of cruising the virtual streets of LA: a promo DVD titled True Crime: Streets of LA Uncovered.
This promotional DVD, likely distributed to GameStop employees or as a pre-order bonus, offered a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the streets of la video game. For a mere $3, acquiring this piece of gaming history was a no-brainer. The DVD is packed with content that delves into the game’s mechanics, offers glimpses behind the developer curtain, and even features an advertisement for the now-defunct truecrimela.com website. Notably, it includes a trailer showcasing the original Xbox version, which visually appeared a step above other console iterations of True Crime: Streets of LA.
One of the highlights of the True Crime: Streets of LA Uncovered DVD is the “Making of” video. This 12-minute featurette is a treasure trove for fans, blending gameplay footage with developer commentary. It reveals fascinating prototype elements – character models that differ from the final release, subtle HUD variations, and even cutscenes that didn’t make the final cut of the streets of la video game. This video serves as a captivating retrospective on a game that, while perhaps not a blockbuster, was undeniably a well-crafted and enjoyable experience.
Beyond the making-of feature, the DVD contains other typical behind-the-scenes content. Developers enthusiastically praise their creation, and the sheer star power of the voice cast for True Crime: Streets of LA is highlighted, boasting names like Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman, and Michelle Rodriguez. There are also videos showcasing the various fighting styles and shooting mechanics players could master within the streets of la video game. This promotional blitz aimed to generate hype and drive pre-orders, a common strategy in the early 2000s gaming landscape.
Revisiting True Crime: Streets of LA through this promo DVD evokes a sense of nostalgia for a game that, while not a GTA killer, was a genuinely fun title in its own right. Booting it up on the original Xbox back in 2006 was a memorable experience. It certainly stands out as a more polished and engaging experience compared to its sequel, True Crime: New York City (though, admittedly, the latter was never personally explored). Interestingly, the original article was published around the tenth anniversary of True Crime: Streets of LA, a serendipitous piece of timing. While a full-fledged True Crime revival remains uncertain, titles like Sleeping Dogs arguably carry the torch, offering a spiritual successor experience for fans yearning for more open-world crime adventures in the vein of Streets of LA.
