Chinatown Wars puts the player in control of Huang Lee, a member of the Triads in the modern Liberty City. After his father's assassination, Huang flies in from China to deliver a ceremonial sword to his uncle Wu "Kenny" Lee to ensure the inheritance of the Triad bosses. However, shortly after his arrival he is jumped, shot, robbed and left for dead, only to survive and vow his vengeance for his father and recover the lost sword to bring honor back to his family.
While being a mission-based game in the vein of the 3D Grand Theft Auto installments, Chinatown Wars returns to use the more traditional top-down while using a new cel-shaded 3D Engine. Many of the features from the more recent GTA games have been included, such as the safehouse, where the protagonist can read e-mails from other characters in the game and store cars and items. There is also a programmable GPS system that helps players find their way in the Liberty City more easily. A replay feature is also present that allows players to replay previous missions by accessing these through their safehouses.
The PSP version adds several new missions, as well as new radio stations. Where the touch screen is used on the DS, the PSP version instead uses the analog stick.