You play as Claude in grand theft auto iii, and the game starts seeing him double-crossed by Catalina, an accomplice with him during an attempt to rob the Liberty City Bank. Claude survives his shooting, but is arrested. Fortunately, while the police convoy transporting Claude crosses Callahan Bridge, the Colombian Cartel destroy the bridge and allow you to make your escape.
You escape alongside 8-Ball, who you have to drive to the Red Light District before the police arrive. This is the "Give Me Liberty" Tutorial mission. The rest of the game is largely concerned with Claude's understandable obsession with getting revenge on Catalina, who eventually rises up through the ranks of the Colombian Cartel and becomes a real nemesis in the game.
You have to start off as a petty criminal to earn your keep, but soon the missions get harder and more rewarding as you begin to make a name for yourself in Liberty City once again.
[img=IMG_1012.jpg title=Luckily Claude doesn't end up with a life behind bars