It's a lot like GTA except it's pre-GTA III meaning you can't punch, jump,
swim or fly. It very limited to what you can do on foot. There are
side-missions and races like GTA to earn cash. On foot controls are good.

Nice graphics with lots of street detail, buildings still use very low res
mapping textures though. Car detail is good. Ped detail is ok. Lack of
variance of ped models. An abundance of traffic and parked cars to weave
your way through or steal. City feels more active (alive) than GTA
locations.

No pop-up problems from what I've seen so far or low frame rates. Excellent
load times also.

Driving and car chases are fun, especially through rubbish strewn alleyways.
No annoying lamp posts so far! Police also don't assume that a car you are
getting into is being stolen.

The wanted rating system is a lot better than GTA. If you are driving a car
and committing offences the police will only target the car and not you as
they don't know who's driving. That means that if you lose the cops you can
get out of the car and steal another to lose the wanted rating for that car.

However if you are seen on foot committing offences you will be targeted. If
you then lose the cops and get into a vehicle your wanted rating will still
be there but there will be no rating for the car so the cops won't chase
you.

If you have a wanted rating and are seen taking a car by the police you and
the car will have a rating.

Cars can be modded with engine upgrades, paintjobs etc. and saved.

HTH