READ DESCRIPTION, you will be completely lost if you do not.

It's 1978 in the city of New Liberty, a city nearly identical to NYC, that exists in a world nearly identical to our own. Nearly. New Liberty's underworld makes New York's look like a playground. Many rival gangs struggle to stay on top amidst all of the violence, dirty politics, black market trade, and the increasingly militaristic police. To add to the confusion of all of it, a few conspiracy theorists are talking about the rise of cybernetics, chemical augmentation, and psionics. That has to be utter nonsense, right...?

Anyway, on to some introduction. In this story you control Louis "Louie" MacFarlane, a veteran of this concrete jungle of murder and betrayal. Born of mixed Irish and Italian heritage, he has never fully fit into any gang, preferring small crews that operate independently of the racially policed gangs. However, at various points in his life as a hired gun he has worked with the Gambino Mafia, The Church point Irish fellowship (Don't let the fancy name fool you, they're still just a gang), and even the Yakuza at one point, so he definitely gets around. His skills (To name a few) include The ability to stay alive in a firefight, the ability to kill at a long distance given the proper weapons, the ability to steal a car in 13 seconds, knowing how to break into buildings, and most of all how to scare the hell out of any witnesses or people he thinks are considering squealing to the law.

For a man of 34, Louie has seen a lot, potentially more than he should have, being a criminal since he was 15, he has made a lot of friends, and a lot of people who'd like to see him as a chalk outline in the pavement. But three years ago, Louie took the ultimate risk. He held up the bank on seventh street, and did so in a manner that caused lots of bloodshed. Louis and his four accomplices, whom will be described in detail later, got away with over 20 million dollars (Think about 75 million in 2016 money), and last he'd heard from Vernon (The brains of the operation). The money was safely deposited overseas, ready to be moved around through various accounts. Three years after the score, Louie has been living in a small town in West Virginia, working as a convenience store clerk, under a different name. But one day, the message came. A man approached Louis in the convenience store,and handed him a note that simply said "It's ready". Louis knew what this note meant: That the heat had died down, and finally, after three years he could claim his just desserts and be set for life. Potentially live on some island in the Pacific somewhere and be done with hustling forever. But to get what he wants, that means he has to go home, and anyone who has lived in New Liberty long enough knows to expect only one thing: There are always complications..

Although this story has a pre-made character, he is far from static. You get to control the hardened criminal, choosing who lives, who dies, and most importantly, who fattens up your pockets. His personality is flexible, so you can play Louie in any number of ways, none of which are unrealistic, as not to break the immersive experience. He could be a methodical and level headed criminal who prefers to think things over before acting. He could be a suave charmer who wins battles without a single drop of blood being spilled. He could be a deceiving snake, out for only himself and willing to lie, cheat, and backstab to get something he wants. Or perhaps he's more of an Antihero, who has a somewhat redeemable heart and operates with at least a loose set of morals. Or, you know, you could take the route most people take in games and make him a murdering psychopath, your choice.

Ultimately, there are five endings, I won't rate them "Good" or "Bad", but will let you decide for yourself. Pay attention to the Letter/Number sequence you are given for the ending, because in future installments, this will be a way to incorporate your actions in past installements to alter the game world accordingly.

Anyway, have fun out there!