Gangstar: Miami Vindication

16 cert, Gameloft, iPod Touch (also iPhone, iPad) ***

It’s been a few months since the last Grand Theft Auto knock-off, so I guess we’re overdue. In Gangstar: Miami Vindication, you play a thug who looks like Sawyer from Lost. His overall story revolves around the search for his brother, but naturally you’ve got to run a series of errands involving car theft, murder and other larcenies. From its freewheeling virtual city to its motley crew of supporting characters, this is clearly aping recent classics. It does a good job, overall, though it lacks the humour of GTA. Some have complained that the missions are too brief, but that suits hand-held devices quite well. Two complaints: the dialogue and characterisation are even worse than you’d expect, corny and cardboard; and some controls (especially the fisticuffs) lack nuance, consisting of button-bashing and hoping for the best.

JOE GRIFFIN