Yeah, it's pretty linear, although there is a mode called "Free Ride" and "Free Ride Extreme" where you can drive around in a car of choice (if it's available on Free Ride) and kill people, get speeding tickets and what not. I haven't really tried it, though, so I couldn't tell you exactly.
Free Ride Extreme, I believe, has new cars, but you have to beat the game first, which I haven't done.
For the most part, there's nothing stopping you from abandoning doing missions for a while after you've completed one, or simply doing something else, as long as you don't actually "fail" something, in which case, you are reverted back to the last save point.
There are multiple ways to complete most levels, and in real comparison, the cutscenes that are part of the "linear" part of the game are incredible, so it doesn't take away from the game or the concept at all.
__________________
Happy NYC Chick Day!
Benson leaving was necessary, people that bitch about the rules and think that anyone cares are ignorant, irritating, and stupid. Do quote me on that.
--Bryan aka Ehvlt
I guess that's not so true anymore, eh, Bryan?
<table border="3" bordercolor="40e0d0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><br />
<td bgcolor="#9acd32" colspan=0 cellpadding="0"><font face="Times New Roman" COLOR="#ffff00" SIZE="5px"><font style="filter:glow(color=#ffb6c1, strength=6);height=5px"><b><u>Darth Faction </b></td></font></u><br />
</table>
|