I have a good excuse for not posting the last couple of days -- they finally released Grand Theft Auto III/Vice City (actually two separate games, but similar enough that I'll treat them as one) for the Xbox, and I was obliged to study the game in depth so that I could report on it here. Pretty darned generous on my part, yes?
It's very impressive; smart and stylish. I hadn't seen it before, apart from the clips played on TV, tut-tutting its violence and misogyny.
Well, I suppose that violence is part of the job description of becoming a young up-and-coming street thug. And I am pleased to report that the female characters are every bit as vicious as the males. You've come a long way, baby.
Indeed, the protagonist's backstory includes being doublecrossed and shot by his female accomplice after a bank robbery.
The game was also criticized as encouraging attacks on police. This must have been the viewpoint of someone who hadn't ever played the game, because in it, as in real life, killing cops turns up the heat real fast. You occasionally have to do it, but it's a high-risk/low-reward strategy, if you value your virtual life, anyway.
As a stand-up comic once remarked: "Never mess with the police. Not only do they have sticks and guns -- they've got a secret phone number they can call to bring more people with sticks and guns."
Anyone who gets the message that attacking police is fun and without consequence is probably too stupid to continue in the gene pool, anyway.
Also, on your first mission, to pick up "Luigi's" girl at the hospital, it's a bad idea to miss the turnoff and crash into the police station instead.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to do some more research...