Welcome back to Liberty City. If you’ve been following this channel, you already know we love classic games — and it doesn’t get more classic than Grand Theft Auto III. This is Part 1 of our full GTA 3 walkthrough series, and we’re starting right at the beginning: Give Me Liberty, the mission that kicks off one of the most influential video games ever made.
Whether you’re replaying GTA 3 for nostalgia or experiencing it for the first time, this guide covers everything — the story, the mission steps, tips, and what to expect as you step into Portland for the very first time.
About Grand Theft Auto III
Before we dive into the mission, a quick word on the game itself. Grand Theft Auto III was developed by DMA Design (now Rockstar North) and published by Rockstar Games, originally released in October 2001.
It wasn’t just a great game — it was a genre-defining moment. GTA 3 was the first entry in the series to feature a fully 3D open world, a living city with traffic and pedestrians, a cinematic story, and the kind of freeform gameplay that let you ignore missions entirely and just cause chaos. It redefined what open-world games could be and influenced almost every action game that came after it.
Set in Liberty City — a fictional version of New York City — the game takes place across three islands: Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale. You start in Portland with nothing, and work your way up through the city’s criminal hierarchy.
Meet Claude — GTA 3’s Silent Protagonist
You play as Claude, a career criminal who doesn’t say a single word throughout the entire game. GTA 3 was bold in its choice to make the protagonist completely silent — it added a sense of mystery and let players project themselves onto the character.
The game opens with Claude and his girlfriend Catalina pulling off a bank heist in Liberty City. It goes wrong. Catalina shoots Claude, leaves him for dead, and hands him over to the police. He’s arrested, tried, and sentenced.
That’s where our story begins.
Mission 1: Give Me Liberty — Story Breakdown
The opening cutscene shows Claude being transported in a prison convoy across a bridge — and then everything changes. A group of Colombian Cartel members attacks the convoy, blowing up the bridge in the process. In the chaos, Claude escapes along with another prisoner: 8-Ball, a bomb-making expert with bandaged hands from a previous incident.
8-Ball leads Claude to safety and tells him he knows someone in Portland who can give them both work. This brief introduction sets the tone for everything that follows — in Liberty City, survival means finding the right people and doing whatever it takes.
📍 Mission Details
- Mission Name: Give Me Liberty
- Given by: 8-Ball
- Location: Portland, Liberty City
- Difficulty: Easy — this is a tutorial-style intro mission
- Reward: Unlocks the next mission in the Portland storyline
Walkthrough — Step by Step
Step 1: Watch the opening cutscene
The mission begins automatically after the opening cinematic. You don’t need to do anything — just sit back and take in one of gaming’s most iconic opening sequences. Pay attention to Catalina’s face; she’ll be important later in the story.
Step 2: Follow 8-Ball
Once you gain control of Claude, you’ll be on foot near the destroyed bridge. Follow 8-Ball’s marker on your radar. He’ll lead you through the opening area of Portland. This is essentially the game’s tutorial — there are no enemies, no time limits, no pressure. Just walk and follow.
Step 3: Get in the car
8-Ball will point you toward a vehicle. Approach it and press the interact button to get in. This is your introduction to GTA 3’s driving mechanics — take a moment to feel the handling before you start speeding.
Step 4: Drive to the safe house
Follow the pink marker on your radar to the destination in Portland. The drive is short and straightforward. No police attention, no obstacles. Just get there in one piece.
Step 5: Mission complete
Pull up to the marker and the mission ends. Simple as that. The next mission in the chain — Luigi’s Girls — is now unlocked. Your journey through Liberty City has officially begun.
Tips for New Players
- Don’t panic early on. GTA 3’s early Portland missions are forgiving. Use this time to explore the area, get familiar with the map, and find hidden packages.
- Your safe house matters. Portland’s safe house lets you save your game. Use it often — GTA 3 has no autosave.
- Watch your wanted level. Even in the early game, getting a wanted star means police will pursue you. Keep a low profile until you’ve built up some resources.
- Explore Portland freely. The island is locked in early gameplay, but there’s a lot to discover — weapons, hidden packages, unique vehicles, and ramps for stunt jumps.
- Hidden packages = rewards. There are 100 hidden packages scattered across Liberty City. Collecting 10 spawns a weapon at your safe house. Start collecting early.
Why GTA 3 Still Holds Up in 2026
It’s been over two decades since GTA 3 launched, and it still holds up remarkably well. The city feels alive, the missions are creative, the radio stations are genuinely funny, and the sense of freedom — especially for its time — is still impressive.
Playing it now is a mix of nostalgia and genuine appreciation for how much Rockstar got right on the very first attempt at a 3D open-world crime game. The controls feel dated by modern standards, but the design philosophy behind the game — give the player a city and let them loose in it — remains as compelling as ever.
If you played this back in 2001, revisiting it hits different. If you’re coming to it fresh in 2026, you’re playing a genuine piece of gaming history.
What’s Next in the Series?
This is just the beginning. The full GTA 3 walkthrough series will cover every mission, every island, and every major story beat — from Portland’s street-level crime all the way to the explosive finale on Shoreside Vale.
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few parts:
- Part 2: Luigi’s Girls — your first paying job in Liberty City
- Part 3: Don’t Spank Ma Bitch Up — things get complicated fast
- Part 4: Drive Misty For Me — more of Portland’s criminal web
Drop a comment below if you remember playing GTA 3 back in 2001 — or let me know if you’re picking it up for the first time. Either way, welcome to Liberty City. 🏙️
Watch the Full Gameplay Video
See the complete mission playthrough above — including the full opening cutscene, every step of Give Me Liberty, and some free roam exploration around Portland after the mission ends.
If you enjoy the series, subscribe for new parts every week and hit the like button — it genuinely helps the channel grow and keeps this walkthrough series going.
🔔 Subscribe for more classic GTA walkthroughs, retro gaming content, and full playthroughs.
💬 Comment your memories of GTA 3 below — when did you first play it?
👍 Like if this guide helped you or brought back good memories.
0 comments