Many reviewers found the 3D graphics a welcome change from the 2D of the previous games. "GameSpot"s Gerstmann particularly praised the character and vehicle models, and the overall texture quality of the city. "GameSpy"s Andrei Alupului found the graphics "really rather impressive", describing the car models as "greatly improved" over those in "Midnight Club". "Eurogamer"s Bramwell considered the graphics "generally pleasant to look at", but considered it inferior to games like "Gran Turismo 3" and "Ico". Justin Leeper of "Game Informer" described game world as "stunning in scope and detail", and Perry of "IGN" found it to be "on a scale that's truly epic". "Game Revolution"s Ben Silverman called the city a "technological marvel ... that captures the essence of gritty city life in amazing detail".