GTA IV: It's Magically Delicious

[KillerGremlin]

I still think IGN prematurely blew their wad by giving GTA IV a 10/10. But, considering that I probably spent a solid 3-4 years playing Grand Theft Auto 3/Vice City/San Andreas on and off, the GTA series definitely gets a 10/10 for replay value and addicting gameplay. I'm conflicted, I really want to play GTA IV, but I don't want a PS3 or a 360 .

I'm hoping that they announce that it is coming out for PC at some point...

...otherwise I might just break down and buy a 360. But I kind of want a Wii.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

I still think IGN prematurely blew their wad by giving GTA IV a 10/10. But, considering that I probably spent a solid 3-4 years playing Grand Theft Auto 3/Vice City/San Andreas on and off, the GTA series definitely gets a 10/10 for replay value and addicting gameplay. I'm conflicted, I really want to play GTA IV, but I don't want a PS3 or a 360 .

I'm hoping that they announce that it is coming out for PC at some point...

...otherwise I might just break down and buy a 360. But I kind of want a Wii.

Wii60 all the way!
Though I thought I saw rumblings of a PC version of this game.
To the BaB cave!

[Professor S]

I'm updating my score to a 9.4. The game is just progressing so nicely, and finally GTA has a main character worth playing and not just another mindless stereotype. You can really see Nico turning back to his old ways as the story moves forward.

Also, now that I've had morte time to play, I find the combat controls much more satisfying... with guns. Fist fighting is still a bit of a mess staggering from responsive controls to "are you ever going to throw that punch?", but at least you get to curb stomp

But what has truly shocked and awed me is the rediculous detail in this game. Just getting a cab ride and looking out the window is amazing and driving on the highway system can be breathtaking. It feels and looks real. But much of that "realness" dosn't come from beauty, but detail of ugliness... the garbage, the stripped cars and rusted drums, the well placed graffiti, and the people:

I was taking a cab ride and suddenly we stopped. The reason? Two NPC's got in a fender bender ahead of us and were in a fist fight. Normally I would just hit the "A" button and fast forward, but I found it entertaining. Eventually the cops arrived and chased them both away and we started moving again, but I couldn't believe how well this environment was designed.

I doubt my rating will ever go higher simply because the flaws I've found will not reveal themselves to be better than they are, namely the hand to had combat and main character models that really could have been much better. They honesltly look very last-gen which is a shame because they can be such a contrast when compared to the amazing accomplishment which is Liberty City, and it hurts the game for me because the cutscenes look worse that the gameplay and is breaks my suspension of disbelief. But those are minor compaints overall.

And yes, Brucie is awesome.

[Dyne]

Really? The characters are a HUGE improvement over last gen. I skipped every single cut scene in previous GTAs because they made my eyes bleed. These ones are decent and I'm going out of my way to watch them now.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Dyne

Really? The characters are a HUGE improvement over last gen. I skipped every single cut scene in previous GTAs because they made my eyes bleed. These ones are decent and I'm going out of my way to watch them now.

I can see your point when compared to past GTA games, but when compared to games like GOW or Mass Effect? GTA4's character models are lightyears behind them. And I'm not saying every character needs that level of design, but if your a character that makes a cutscene, the effort should have been put in.

[Jason1]

Originally Posted by Aladuf23

Yeah it's not perfect, no game is perfect. Don't be tricked into thinking that a 10 score means perfection, it just means the game is amazing or whatever.

Eh, I see your point, but IGN also gave Ocarina of Time a 10 and it was so groundbreaking for its time, I had no problem with that. It was basically perfect. I just dont think GTAIV is a 10, perfect or not.

[Dyne]

Originally Posted by Professor S

I can see your point when compared to past GTA games, but when compared to games like GOW or Mass Effect? GTA4's character models are lightyears behind them. And I'm not saying every character needs that level of design, but if your a character that makes a cutscene, the effort should have been put in.

They must have sacrificed that level of quality when they decided to do no load times, I guess.

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by Dyne

They must have sacrificed that level of quality when they decided to do no load times, I guess.

Whatchoo talkin' bout Willis? Does the PS3 demand a download of some content for the game to eliminate load times? 360 gots the load times (short, but present).

[Aladuf]

Originally Posted by Jason1

Eh, I see your point, but IGN also gave Ocarina of Time a 10 and it was so groundbreaking for its time, I had no problem with that. It was basically perfect. I just dont think GTAIV is a 10, perfect or not.

Actually, I agree with you... after playing some more I can say that it doesn't deserve a 10. I'll say that this is probably the best sandbox game out there but it's not deserving a 10 in my book.

I'm 16 hours into the game and it's getting a bit too repetitive "go here kill this guy, or go there and chase that guy", etc. I don't know... I mean, I'll end up finishing the game, but now I'm not itching to play it by any means. The past few days I've just gone back to playing Gears and some Guitar Hero 3 again.

[Aladuf]

Originally Posted by BreakABone

Wii60 all the way!

lol, you misspelled PS360 silly! :P

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Aladuf23

lol, you misspelled PS360 silly! :P

I don't think this is the place for it, but really if had to have a combination of consoles this gen, I think ps3/360 would be the worst IMO.

Anyhow, GTA is the ultimate jack of all trade games. It does a lot of stuff but none of it better than another games IMO.

I mean even for its genre, I think Saints Row does elements better than GTA does.

But it is a really fun game and Brucie reminds me too much of a friend of mine. Even though to the hyperness during his juicing phases.

[Aladuf]

Originally Posted by BreakABone

I don't think this is the place for it, but really if had to have a combination of consoles this gen, I think ps3/360 would be the worst IMO.

Anyhow, GTA is the ultimate jack of all trade games. It does a lot of stuff but none of it better than another games IMO.

I mean even for its genre, I think Saints Row does elements better than GTA does.

But it is a really fun game and Brucie reminds me too much of a friend of mine. Even though to the hyperness during his juicing phases.

Each console has far many exclusives to not have both systems this gen IMO. I'm not saying the Wii doesn't have good exclusives but as you know they are mostly all passable for me. BUT as you said, this isn't the place for this discussion.

You mentioned Saints Row, but I was thinking too that Crackdown did many things better too like the fact that by getting the orbs and power ups you are encouraged to explore all around the city by jumping on the buildings and finding those orbs. Like for me, I know every nook and cranny in Crackdown because of those orbs. Since GTA is focused on driving by means of transportation then I don't explore the city too much at all which is a shame.

[Dyne]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Whatchoo talkin' bout Willis? Does the PS3 demand a download of some content for the game to eliminate load times? 360 gots the load times (short, but present).

Really? That sucks. Yeah, it installs about 4 gigs on the PS3 and I haven't seen one single loading time.

[Fox 6]

Republican Space Rangers in the best freaking show on TV in GTA!

[bobcat]

I'm playing more and more of GTAIV and loving it. I highly disagree with a 10 rating from IGN, and Gamespot, seriously don't know how both sites gave it a 10, but man it's so fun and I'm enjoying all aspects of it. I'd give it a 9.7/10 so far....