Speaking of the police, they are generally pretty observant of your actions.  If a policeman witnesses you attacking somebody or running over someone with your car, he will give chase.  As the police become increasingly aware of your misdeeds your wanted level will increase, eventually reaching a high enough level that they will chase and harass you incessantly with patrol cars and even helicopters.  For some reason, though, they could care less about traffic violations.  You can run red lights, weave through traffic, and swerve onto sidewalks without affecting your wanted level as long as no one is killed or injured.

The police are not the only ones who notice your actions.  Liberty City is overrun with gangs that range from loose-knit groups of street hoodlums to the mafia.  Most of your missions will have you helping one gang strike at or protect itself from the other gangs in the city.  These gangs have long memories and will remember your actions against them.  You can further cement your place on their bad list by attacking gang members or stealing their cars when you're roaming the city on your own.  Build up enough bad blood and there will be areas of the city that you won't be able to set foot in without drawing gunfire.

Help yourself to any car you would like.

As its name suggests, cars are a major focal point of the game ... and they are everywhere for the taking.  Carjacking is simple enough in the game; just run up to the door of a car stopped in traffic or sitting in a parking lot and press the Triangle button.  You'll pull the victim out of the car, hop behind the wheel, and be on your way.  It's best not to dawdle, though, as some aggressive motorists and rival gang members will fight back or yank you right back out of their car.  Any nearby police will also give chase if they witness your crime.

Driving cars in the game is a blast.  Control is intuitive and responsive, and you'll be weaving through traffic and dodging police patrols and roadblocks in no time.  Each car handles differently, so don't expect a station wagon to tear down the road like a sports car.  The game doesn't license real-world makes and models, but the similarities are close enough that you can tell which real-world cars provided the inspiration for those in the game.  If you hijack a taxi or ambulance, you can even play a mini-game in which you deliver fares around town or pick up the injured and ferry them to hospitals.  It's a nonviolent means to pick up a little extra cash while enjoying some Crazy Taxi-like play.  Hijacking police cars and fire trucks also provide you with different mini-games.

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