Gameplay :Liberty City's layout is largely similar to Grand Theft Auto III, while it also incorporates elements found in GTA III's successors, such as more indoor environments, clothing changes, and motorcycles. In addition, in keeping with recent GTA games, the player has more flexibility in terms of moving the camera around for viewing surroundings (GTA III is noticeably limited in that respect). Two innovations from the previous game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas that are omitted from this game are the ability to climb and the ability to swim - contact with deep bodies of water is instantly fatal in this game.
The overall sandbox play area, as it is based upon the original Liberty City layout, is considerably smaller than that of San Andreas.
In addition, motorcycles are permitted in the city during this game, as earlier-released games (set later in the GTA universe chronology) do not allow this. The official Liberty City Stories website reveals that motorbikes were banned by the turn of the 21st century, due to a public ordinance supported by the Maibatsu Corporation (which marketed the over-sized Maibatsu Monstrosity SUV in GTA III and the Vincent sedan in GTA IV) in order to promote the use of automobiles in the city. Though airplanes can be found in Vice City and San Andreas, usable airplanes cannot be found in Liberty City Stories. However, both games do have usable helicopters.
