I am RKO
04-30-2008, 04:14 PM
The following review may contain a small spoiler or two, but nothing that will give the game away.Expectations
I've been a fan of GTA ever seen i heard those immortal words "Kill Frenzy!" way back in GTA. GTA2 brought more depth to the franchise, with the grinding of the Hari Krishna's into sausages. Then, GTA3 went 3D and everything just kinda went crazy. GTA VC was Vibrant and using the python gun on innocent peds was nothing short of pure genius. GTA San Andreas came along and for me personally had everything you could want from a game. Crack-smoking Gangbangers, Corrupt police officers and the most annoying wannabe rapper ever, OG Loc. You're wondering why the history lesson? My point is, that in order to properly review a GTA game, you must all compare it to the other games of it's franchise. My expectations for GTA IV was it was going to look next gen but still have the outrage and ridiculousness of past releases.
Graphics/Sound
GTA for me, has never really been about the graphics. It's not a "Crysis", it's just hilariously funny open gangster shooter. However, we all knew that with the next generation consoles, that Rockstar would have to step up their game. Great news, they did. The peds have their own personalities and they're all so different. I hit lamp posts to hear the fizz of the electricity, because the game sounds that good. However, the graphics did make me feel like i wasn't playing GTA for a while. It was like i was playing Saint's Row but with GTA brands and quirkyness. However, everything is so shiny and polished. The characters look so lifelike, even if it does make Niko look like a weasel. The explosions are a pyromaniac's wet dream, and doing burnouts excessively will wear out your tyres.
Multiplayer
I cannot comment on this yet, but because i love the game so damn much, i've purchased a Gold Membership for Live, so there you go, a leap of faith.
Singleplayer
GTA has never, ever really been a multiplayer game. You're surrounded by AI, but in this particular release, you feel your playing MP whilst still in SP. The opening credits for me, were a killer. I just wanted to get in the game and play, but the credits were cleverly done. Roman explains to you, that you can't go across to Star Junction or Alderney, because of a suspected terrorist attack. To be expected, i suppose.
It took me a while to get used to the control system, even after switching it back to classic. Something about playing GTAIV on an Xbox seemed 'sordid' but, it's pretty easy when you get the hang of it. The cover system as seen in Gears of War is quite interesting too. You need to find appropriate cover, but you need to keep watch too, because multiple enemies can and will flank you. But, you actual start to feel like your in the gunfight, instead of running around shooting like a moron. I'd like to point out, that the shooting is alot more realistic. Do not engage cops in gunfire, because 3 stars and above, you will get yourself owned.
WTF! Moments So Far
There are quite a few WTF! moments in this game. I was driving really fast away from cops, and looked back for a second on the highway and looked forward again. I hit a ramp, and barrel rolled through the air, across two lanes into oncoming traffic, got flung out the car and faceplanted into a wall. Another killer moment is when, you get the opportunity to blow this really annoying Russian Bosses head off, from close range with a pistol. You also get to decide sometimes whether characters live or die, and that has consequences later on for you in the game. There was also, an incident with a certain lady of the night, a bouncy car, a baseball bat and a drain which i don't think i should go into too much deal about.
Characters
Niko, he's a gun for hire. He's not interested in taking over the city. He's done bad things but he's got a score to settle. He sounds a little funny at times, but he's hardcore and fun to play as. Roman Bellic, he's the Ken Rosenburg of GTA IV. He's fat and clumsy, but he's a good guy and pretty funny. Little Jacob and Badman, are also great characters but who most of the time, i cannot understand. Note: Subtitles are extremely useful in this game. There are some characters however such as Brucie and Manny Escuela who really get on my nerves. All in all, the characters all have histories and different personalities from Steriod abusing sex addicts to Jamaican Rastas.
In Closing
GTA IV is a different game from previous titles. GTA1/GTA 2 felt the same. GTA3/VC/SA felt kinda the same. GTA IV works on you completely different, whilst still maintaining the core values that have made it such a strong franchise. This is a good enough reason to buy a console, and will be the best game released in 2008.
If you've played GTA IV, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences also. Thanks for reading.
I've been a fan of GTA ever seen i heard those immortal words "Kill Frenzy!" way back in GTA. GTA2 brought more depth to the franchise, with the grinding of the Hari Krishna's into sausages. Then, GTA3 went 3D and everything just kinda went crazy. GTA VC was Vibrant and using the python gun on innocent peds was nothing short of pure genius. GTA San Andreas came along and for me personally had everything you could want from a game. Crack-smoking Gangbangers, Corrupt police officers and the most annoying wannabe rapper ever, OG Loc. You're wondering why the history lesson? My point is, that in order to properly review a GTA game, you must all compare it to the other games of it's franchise. My expectations for GTA IV was it was going to look next gen but still have the outrage and ridiculousness of past releases.
Graphics/Sound
GTA for me, has never really been about the graphics. It's not a "Crysis", it's just hilariously funny open gangster shooter. However, we all knew that with the next generation consoles, that Rockstar would have to step up their game. Great news, they did. The peds have their own personalities and they're all so different. I hit lamp posts to hear the fizz of the electricity, because the game sounds that good. However, the graphics did make me feel like i wasn't playing GTA for a while. It was like i was playing Saint's Row but with GTA brands and quirkyness. However, everything is so shiny and polished. The characters look so lifelike, even if it does make Niko look like a weasel. The explosions are a pyromaniac's wet dream, and doing burnouts excessively will wear out your tyres.
Multiplayer
I cannot comment on this yet, but because i love the game so damn much, i've purchased a Gold Membership for Live, so there you go, a leap of faith.
Singleplayer
GTA has never, ever really been a multiplayer game. You're surrounded by AI, but in this particular release, you feel your playing MP whilst still in SP. The opening credits for me, were a killer. I just wanted to get in the game and play, but the credits were cleverly done. Roman explains to you, that you can't go across to Star Junction or Alderney, because of a suspected terrorist attack. To be expected, i suppose.
It took me a while to get used to the control system, even after switching it back to classic. Something about playing GTAIV on an Xbox seemed 'sordid' but, it's pretty easy when you get the hang of it. The cover system as seen in Gears of War is quite interesting too. You need to find appropriate cover, but you need to keep watch too, because multiple enemies can and will flank you. But, you actual start to feel like your in the gunfight, instead of running around shooting like a moron. I'd like to point out, that the shooting is alot more realistic. Do not engage cops in gunfire, because 3 stars and above, you will get yourself owned.
WTF! Moments So Far
There are quite a few WTF! moments in this game. I was driving really fast away from cops, and looked back for a second on the highway and looked forward again. I hit a ramp, and barrel rolled through the air, across two lanes into oncoming traffic, got flung out the car and faceplanted into a wall. Another killer moment is when, you get the opportunity to blow this really annoying Russian Bosses head off, from close range with a pistol. You also get to decide sometimes whether characters live or die, and that has consequences later on for you in the game. There was also, an incident with a certain lady of the night, a bouncy car, a baseball bat and a drain which i don't think i should go into too much deal about.
Characters
Niko, he's a gun for hire. He's not interested in taking over the city. He's done bad things but he's got a score to settle. He sounds a little funny at times, but he's hardcore and fun to play as. Roman Bellic, he's the Ken Rosenburg of GTA IV. He's fat and clumsy, but he's a good guy and pretty funny. Little Jacob and Badman, are also great characters but who most of the time, i cannot understand. Note: Subtitles are extremely useful in this game. There are some characters however such as Brucie and Manny Escuela who really get on my nerves. All in all, the characters all have histories and different personalities from Steriod abusing sex addicts to Jamaican Rastas.
In Closing
GTA IV is a different game from previous titles. GTA1/GTA 2 felt the same. GTA3/VC/SA felt kinda the same. GTA IV works on you completely different, whilst still maintaining the core values that have made it such a strong franchise. This is a good enough reason to buy a console, and will be the best game released in 2008.
If you've played GTA IV, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences also. Thanks for reading.