True Crime: Streets of LA is an open-world action-adventure game for GameCube that emphasizes driving and combat. Players assume the role of an undercover cop in Los Angeles, engaging in various story-driven missions after cinematic sequences. While missions can be failed, players may continue exploring, with progression requiring eventual success in key objectives to complete each chapter.
True Crime: Streets of LA is a free-roaming driving and action game similar in concept to Grand Theft Auto III. The game's structure is mission-based; most of the missions are dictated by the story and initiate following a cutscene that advances it. Failing a mission still allows the player to continue playing through the chapter and undertake subsequent missions; in some cases this will lead to branching paths and optional missions. However, in order to complete the whole chapter the player must eventually succeed in all the main missions.