Free GTA clone for Android
Screenshots
Grand Shift Auto is a free action game for Android by developer JustCool. As the name implies, it’s a pun on the GTA series. This game offers a modified version with assets from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, similar to what Grand Theft Auto V - Unofficial does.
Like any GTA clone, you can drive around a city in different vehicles wreaking havoc, and you also have several weapons at your disposal, such as rifles, shotguns and machine guns. Just like games from the GTA series, the action happens in a 3D city environment, in a third-person point of view.
Not the prettiest
Grand Shift Auto offers outdated graphics, especially when it comes to the scenery. There’s a lack of any features in the sky, and the streets, streetlamps, bridges, trees and NPCs look very low-res. In addition, animations are abysmal, with a terrible frames-per-second rate that sometimes makes it challenging to play.
However, the vehicles are the only assets that look better, in a simpler, circa 2004 way. The good thing about them is that there’s some variety since your low-res CJ clone from GTA San Andreas can ride bikes, use different cars and even a helicopter and a plane.
Game mechanics
The only real novelty in Grand Shift Auto is that it’s more mission-focused than similar proposals. You can go around and do whatever you want, but it’s more beneficial to comply with your task since it’ll get you money to buy more weapons. There’s also an in-game shop where you can purchase items such as weapons and ammo.
While the action is mostly in the third-person, you can also use a zoom feature to have a first-person view of the action.
Curiosity and patience needed
Grand Shift Auto is not only a Grand Theft Auto clone, it’s not even a good one. Unfortunately, there aren’t many redeeming qualities here, except for being able to play a GTA clone in a different setting.
This game requires some serious work to be playable properly, including the ability to play with fluidity and better graphics. Still, it’s an incredibly bizarre title that captures your imagination in the same way a bad movie does. If you can endure the poor frame rates, you’re in for something very unique.
