Wild ride that keeps you laughing.
While roaming the city of Steelport you might occasionally find yourself swerving around what may be an accident with police officers present or randomly closed areas of a street you're cruising down. These little snippets offer some life to Steelport. The player will also receive numerous phone calls requesting your aide. If you decide to help the caller, you'll find yourself in a survival mission fighting several waves of baddies, earning you respect. You also have Assassinations, Hijacking, and numerous Challenges to keep you busy (for awhile). Of course Activities have returned to SR3, though this time those activities earn you a piece of territory, respect, and money. However, now they are not *necessary* in earning you respect to spend on missions. Their new level system is a welcomed new addition. You earn respect in SR3 in so many different ways. The respect you earn is now used as XP. Once you gain enough to proceed to the next level, you are then given level specific upgrades that you pay money for. You earn money by taking part in activities, progressing through the missions, stunts, robberies/hold-ups, and properties that you purchase. This new system that Volition put in place is a very good change in my opinion. Some of those changes were seen in SR2 and now close to perfected in SR3.
In regards to navigating the city, I particular disliked the AI of the citizens of Steelport while evading cops/gangs. The minute gunfire ensues, the non-involved drivers around you will begin driving like complete idiots. While I can understand that they'd want to get clear of the gunfire, they drive too erratically. Having said that, the vehicles in the game are fantastic and a blast to control. Vehicle customization is also improved, in my opinion. There doesn't seem to be as many customization options as SR1 or SR2, but they look great for both vehicles and clothing. I don't think that it's a bad thing as they still offer you an overwhelming amount of options. The weapons have been overhauled as well. Though it seems as though the player is not given the number of weapons choices as in SR1 and SR2, the weapons now each have their own advantages. Their new weapon upgrade system is fantastic. Each weapon will perform differently and even more so as you purchase new upgrades. I did not need 5 assault rifles to choose from. In the future it would be nice to have maybe a couple different upgrade paths for each individual weapon, enabling the player to select the path of upgrades that may better suit their style of play.
I do like that Shaundi and Pierce have returned in SR3. You will also recruit new Homies as you progress through the story. My particular favorite is Zimos. The dialogue that ensues with your homies during missions can be downright gutbusting. They offer almost nonstop laughter and fun during your missions. After the completion of those missions you are now given choices which worked well enough up until the choice you're given toward the end of the last mission.
The menu system has changed and I thought to touch on that as well. I do like how accessible the menu is now in SR3. The phone layout works perfectly in my opinion, enabling the player to spend more time in-game and less time in the menu. I am very excited about the next SR installment. My hope is that Volition is given ample time to finish the sequel as SR3 was rushed. They still did a great job given the time restraints.