Agree with N'Gai's view on Niko Bellic?

Bond · 06-23-2008, 06:31 PM

Here is N'Gai's view on the character of Niko Bellic:

Quote:

I'm wondering whether the fault lies not with inconsistencies in the work of Rockstar's writing team, but with the credulity of all of us. Liberty City is filled with self-deluded characters like Playboy X, Manny and Brucie, who present themselves one way only to be exposed by their behavior. Why do we take Niko at face value? Is it just because he's our avatar? Remember, we never hear Niko's inner thoughts, we just listen to his dialogue and see his actions as we carry them out...Maybe possible that the lady the gentleman doth protest too much. Maybe Niko is deceiving himself as much as do the rest of the lowlifes he runs with. Maybe as much as he believes he's fatigued with death and killing, he's actually drawn to it? Maybe we have all misunderstood Niko Bellic. What do you think, Stephen?

Source: Newsweek

I completely agree with N'Gai. It's easy to feel sympathy for Niko, but in the end (especially with the last few missions in mind) he brings his suffering upon himself.

flunkie44 · 06-23-2008, 07:30 PM

He's a sucky character for a sucky game. That's my opinion on him.

Pylon_Trooper · 06-23-2008, 07:36 PM

Good Lord, the GTAIV backlash was incredibly fast and stunned me. Here I was thinking I was missing out on a great title, judging by everyone praising it to high heaven at the beginning...

...then a week later, the same folks are panning it to hell. Strange world.

flunkie44 · 06-23-2008, 07:39 PM

Dyne · 06-23-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flunkie44

He's a sucky character for a sucky game. That's my opinion on him.

Pylon: Don't believe what people tell you. It is a really great game that sets the bar for this generation.

As for Niko.. I don't even know. I don't really form opinions of characters in games other than Metal Gear Solid.

Aladuf · 06-23-2008, 07:41 PM

The best possible advice to give someone who goes into playing GTA4 is go into it without any hype or lofty expectations. I got sucked into GAF-hype... such a terrible thing to deal with. So yeah, I was highly disappointed with GTA4 but I don't mind playing it by any means, I enjoy it.

Pylon_Trooper · 06-23-2008, 07:51 PM

I don't have the hardware to play GTA IV, so it was interesting to be far-removed from the whole thing. I did like the Eastern European character choice, though.

As far as characters I've empathised with, or formed opinions about...and this is a strange one...it'd be Karan S'Jet and her fellow Exiles from the original Homeworld. An RTS, of all games! Amazing mood and melancholy reached out and grabbed me. I felt like I was guiding the fragile remnants of a civilisation home. Every ship counted.