GTA IV - The Game Behind the Hype

[admin]

After all the hype and "best game in a million years" talk, I just couldn't resist. This is the first GTA game I've played mostly because of timing. I was out of gaming for all of the other GTA games so I'm looking at this through "virgin" eyes. First of all "The Best Game Ever?" Um... No. No it isn't. So far it is cool and I'm enjoying it but it is far from the best game. The sheer size of it it staggering and the thought put in to all the characters is great but the best game... sorry.



Discuss "GTA IV - The Game Behind the Hype" here. Read the article.

[hifisyd01]

Agreed. This is the first time I've played any game in this franchise too, so I'm still going thru a learning curve, but so far, I'm not completely blown away. I guess after all the hype, I just thought it would be more fun. ...Maybe I just need to get more in touch with my inner gangster! I'll reserve final judgment until I can really spend some time with it. I'm sure it takes a bit to build up.

[MinusTheBear]

Best game of all time will forever be debated, however GTA IV is the best grand theft auto to date and IMO it is the best game this gen so far.

[abboudc]

For all the things GTA does right -- engaging story, characters, lots to do, attention to detail, it absolutely falls down on a critical element -- control. The control is loose just about everywhere: driving, trying to shoot the right person, even walking around with precision is tough.

I think people get caught up in *what* you're doing ("Wow, you can do that!?!") instead of the quality of that experience.

Judged as a whole experience though, cinematic, story, variety, etc it's still a pretty good package.

[Audigy]

I would agree that it is probably not the best game but I think the sheer size and gameplay of it is overwhelming and in a way makes it a tool for endless hours of fun. I personally enjoy the storyline much more San Andreas was bit of a drag, VC was much better. I think the next to improving this game is to take to a MMO level. Much more violent and drugged up version of Second Life, More realistic and true to life than WoW.

[MinusTheBear]

There has been a lot of quality games this gen but the majority of thes games have very short single player campaigns (Gears of War, Halo 3, COD4 etc) and rely heavily on the mulitplayer aspect. Even though the multiplayer is top notch on all these games, I still felt slighted a bit after the short campaigns even though COD4 is my favorite first person shooter campaign I have played. The trend this generation has been very short but high quality single player campaigns and outstanding multiplayer. I think Rockstar has finally broken that trend and has offered the best of both worlds in this game. With the multiple ways the story can go in single player you can spend over 100 hours alone. The fact the rockstar added multiplayer up to 16 players is outstanding. This is one game I have found that I actually felt I got my $$$ worth.

[Hi Ho]

Now they just need to release it on PC...

[Tom Andry]

The trend this generation has been very short but high quality single player campaigns and outstanding multiplayer.

I'd have to agree with that. GoW I thought was great all around but way too short. The open nature of GTA is just awesome and I really think this is what games should be. The control is a bit wonky and the graphics just aren't up to par but the cinematic feel and open ended nature should be a model that other games follow. Last night I was playing and after saving I walked over to the TV to check it out. I couldn't believe they had whole shows on there. Something that many players won't even bother to check out. The level of detail is amazing. Now if I could just drive that motorcycle...

[Dezoris]

You guys should have posted about how the game was released for PS3 broken.
Anyone who has an internet connection or attempts to play online has problems with the game locking up or not loading.

The media has little to no coverage on it, and no official word has been released on a fix for the issue.

Users are forced to disable the PS3 network connection to get the game to even load.

[MinusTheBear]

Now if I could just drive that motorcycle...

Yeah the motorcyles are tough to drive in general but you will get use to it with practice. I find it is always a pain trying to chase somone down and kill them on the motorcycle because I get close enough to shoot then I lose control of the bike and crash. When chasing somone, flooring the bike never works because you end up picking up way to much speed and eventually you will have a brutal crash. Going a moderate speed I find works best for these missions!