Scarface: The World is Yours [PS2]

It could be said that Grand Theft Auto owes a lot to Scarface. The classic film chronicles the rise and fall of a self-absorbed drug lord in the streets of Miami. It's no surprise then than when the developers over at Radical decided to create a Scarface game they looked to Grand Theft Auto for inspiration. The end result is undeniably derivative, but just because it isn't wholly original doesn't mean it isn't worth the ride.

Scarface, of course, ends with a massive gun battle in which the starring character Tony Montana dies. That doesn't bode well for a sequel, so the developers decided to play a bit of, "What if..?" Scarface picks up right before the end of the film, dropping the player into the role of Montana before the fateful moment. It's up to you to shoot your way out of a jam and escape from your estate.

Skip to three months later, Montana's alive and full of seething Cuban anger. You're out for blood against those that wronged you and nothing is going to stand in your way. Well, nothing except the need for a little money and power. After the ambush at the mansion you lost everything, so before you can take on the competing drug lords, you must first rebuild your empire.

Though it has a few weak spots, the plot driving Scarface is easily one of the most important parts of the experience. The story does an excellent job of tying together the various missions throughout the game and helps give you the feeling of progression as opposed to a random series of disjointed tasks. This is one narrative you'll want to see through to the end.

Earning cash is going to be one of the most important tasks in the game, but how you do it changes as you progress. Early on, Montana will have to buy dime bags of coke and sell it on the street. As you start banking the profits, you can buy real estate throughout the city. Legitimate businesses provide the prefect front to run a distribution business so you can stop getting your hands dirty.

Businessman or not, Montana certainly knows how to bust some heads when the need arises... in Scarface, the need arises quite often. Armed with a variety of weaponry (otherwise known as "my little friends"), you can tear into just about anyone -- as long as they aren't innocent. That's right, even gangsters have morals and Montana's code of honor dictates that he doesn't hurt anyone who doesn't have it coming. This means no killing women and children and no shooting up civilians on the street. Don't worry though, that doesn't mean Scarface lacks violence. Far from it.