Money is essential in Liberty City Stories for buying weapons, armor, and paying off wanted levels. While story missions provide a decent income, there are more efficient ways to accumulate wealth, especially early in the game.
Strategies:
- Vigilante Missions: As mentioned, completing Vigilante missions is an excellent way to earn cash. The rewards increase with each level, making it a lucrative activity.
- Taxi Driver Missions: Enter a Taxi and press L + R to start. Pick up passengers and drive them to their destinations within a time limit. Completing 100 fares (not necessarily consecutively) will unlock a taxi with hydraulics at your safehouse. This is a steady, if somewhat repetitive, source of income.
- Trashmaster Missions: Enter a Trashmaster and press L + R. Collect garbage bins around the city within a time limit. This is another consistent way to earn money.
- Car Salesman Missions: At the car dealership in Staunton Island, you can sell cars to customers. This involves test drives and convincing customers to buy. It's a unique way to earn money.
- Robbing Stores: Enter certain stores (e.g., convenience stores) and aim a weapon at the clerk. They will drop money. Be aware that this will likely give you a wanted level.
- Collecting Hidden Packages: While the primary reward is weapon unlocks, the final reward for all 100 packages is a substantial $50,000.
Prioritize side missions like Vigilante and Taxi Driver early on to build up a good cash reserve. This will allow you to purchase better weapons and armor, making story missions easier.