Comments on: Late GTA 4 Impressions http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/ PS3 News and Views Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:40:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: superjp http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-163041 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:27:17 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-163041 That was the best GTA 4 review I could read. Maybe I just wrote that cause I think the same about the game !! But there is just some thing that is missing maybe because you were not hurt with those : the catastrophy of the first two weeks with the online not working and the game freezing constantly. But apart from that I read what I thought about the game in this article: Also the most true part is about the core gameplay of hanging around the streets that was so brilliant and exciting in the previous games and that is there not there in that one. BRAVO That was the best GTA 4 review I could read.

Maybe I just wrote that cause I think the same about the game !!

But there is just some thing that is missing maybe because you were not hurt with those : the catastrophy of the first two weeks with the online not working and the game freezing constantly.

But apart from that I read what I thought about the game in this article:

Also the most true part is about the core gameplay of hanging around the streets that was so brilliant and exciting in the previous games and that is there not there in that one.

BRAVO

]]> by: JimmyStewart http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-163028 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:29:36 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-163028 "Are the developers trying to tell us that a revenge doesn’t give us the pleasure that we usually anticipate?" *POSSIBLE SPOILERS* I think that's exactly right. I think as such it's a very nicely illustrated lesson. Even more than suggesting revenge might not give you the pleasure you'd expect of it, it also presents a story which shows a man consumed by anger and is corrupted to such a large degree in his quest. The game to me is almost a parable for what letting hate into your life can do to you personally. The greatest toll Niko receives in this game is almost entirely self-inflicted. It's not just that he didn't find satisfaction in his revenge, it's that he gave up his humanity for the opportunity. His hate consumed him and left him empty and helpless. I can't think of any other game that's been able to pull something like that off. I would've been entirely disappointed if the game had ended with the same cookie-cutter ending of killing the bad guy and wrapping everything up with a tidy little bow. Every game I can think of has that ending... this game is the first one that really provides any variety to the formula and it's that which helps to elevate this game above the rest imo. The entire game is about choices and consequences... and I think the ending illustrates that beautifully. It's why I believe this game is bringing gaming closer to a respected art form like movies or music. It's not just mindless violence and pointless entertainment. It's a story that provides real substance and impact and causes conversations just like this. I can't think of any other game that's prompted any conversation on this level. Ordinarily it's kill, kill, kill, kill bigger boss and credits. This game has provided so much more. “Are the developers trying to tell us that a revenge doesn’t give us the pleasure that we usually anticipate?”

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

I think that’s exactly right. I think as such it’s a very nicely illustrated lesson. Even more than suggesting revenge might not give you the pleasure you’d expect of it, it also presents a story which shows a man consumed by anger and is corrupted to such a large degree in his quest. The game to me is almost a parable for what letting hate into your life can do to you personally. The greatest toll Niko receives in this game is almost entirely self-inflicted. It’s not just that he didn’t find satisfaction in his revenge, it’s that he gave up his humanity for the opportunity. His hate consumed him and left him empty and helpless.

I can’t think of any other game that’s been able to pull something like that off. I would’ve been entirely disappointed if the game had ended with the same cookie-cutter ending of killing the bad guy and wrapping everything up with a tidy little bow. Every game I can think of has that ending… this game is the first one that really provides any variety to the formula and it’s that which helps to elevate this game above the rest imo. The entire game is about choices and consequences… and I think the ending illustrates that beautifully. It’s why I believe this game is bringing gaming closer to a respected art form like movies or music. It’s not just mindless violence and pointless entertainment. It’s a story that provides real substance and impact and causes conversations just like this. I can’t think of any other game that’s prompted any conversation on this level. Ordinarily it’s kill, kill, kill, kill bigger boss and credits. This game has provided so much more.

]]> by: James http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162975 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:55:11 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162975 My biggest problems were because I have played past GTAs and loved them, but the improvements are still overshadowed by the things taken away (esp. with what SA had, including more aerial vehicles, location variety, parachutes, more body/clothing options, car customization, minigames (like taxi missions, etc.), specialty events (destruction derbies, stadium circuit races, etc.), and even the cheats (hey, they're fun). There's still more). My biggest problems were because I have played past GTAs and loved them, but the improvements are still overshadowed by the things taken away (esp. with what SA had, including more aerial vehicles, location variety, parachutes, more body/clothing options, car customization, minigames (like taxi missions, etc.), specialty events (destruction derbies, stadium circuit races, etc.), and even the cheats (hey, they’re fun). There’s still more).

]]> by: JimmyStewart http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162973 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:50:50 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162973 "Another time, you made a great point that people spend too much time bashing highly rated games that they don’t like. But that’s not the case here." Yeah I understand where the feeling comes from. And in some cases I agree. I think as I said it's more to do with this being the first GTA game that I actually "get" that has impressed me so. And with that in mind I'm saying I personally think it's a disservice to the game to bring up it's flaws. I'm still playing the game but I'm done with the story and looking back on it I honestly can't think of much that I seriously could see improving. For every minor annoyance that I hardly noticed during gameplay I could say volumes about what was done perfectly. It just seems weird to take a game that's made such strides for gaming and to bring out the negatives. Even by metacritic standards this is one of the best games we've seen to date and it seems a bit much to read all these reviews that always feel the need to bring up what's wrong with the game. Why focus so much on what's wrong with a game that does so much right? Just today my wife and I were discussing how we were dreading the thought of the rumored Halo 3 achievements and how even though it was a good game we weren't looking forward to doing anything else with it. However, I haven't even completely finished with GTA and I'm already dying to get my hands on that new DLC. I don't know perhaps it's just my nature. I prefer to think of the positive side of things and it seems like game discussion so rapidly turns negative. I can't think of many other discussions where even the best examples of the medium start out with statements like "It's great but here's what's wrong with it..." Maybe it's just in the communities nature, but it's certainly not in mine. “Another time, you made a great point that people spend too much time bashing highly rated games that they don’t like. But that’s not the case here.”

Yeah I understand where the feeling comes from. And in some cases I agree. I think as I said it’s more to do with this being the first GTA game that I actually “get” that has impressed me so. And with that in mind I’m saying I personally think it’s a disservice to the game to bring up it’s flaws. I’m still playing the game but I’m done with the story and looking back on it I honestly can’t think of much that I seriously could see improving. For every minor annoyance that I hardly noticed during gameplay I could say volumes about what was done perfectly. It just seems weird to take a game that’s made such strides for gaming and to bring out the negatives. Even by metacritic standards this is one of the best games we’ve seen to date and it seems a bit much to read all these reviews that always feel the need to bring up what’s wrong with the game. Why focus so much on what’s wrong with a game that does so much right? Just today my wife and I were discussing how we were dreading the thought of the rumored Halo 3 achievements and how even though it was a good game we weren’t looking forward to doing anything else with it. However, I haven’t even completely finished with GTA and I’m already dying to get my hands on that new DLC.

I don’t know perhaps it’s just my nature. I prefer to think of the positive side of things and it seems like game discussion so rapidly turns negative. I can’t think of many other discussions where even the best examples of the medium start out with statements like “It’s great but here’s what’s wrong with it…” Maybe it’s just in the communities nature, but it’s certainly not in mine.

]]> by: mcloki http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162934 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:08:00 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162934 As a long time games but someone who never played any of the previous GTA games. GTA IV was a great game. There's nothing like driving somewhere to kill a guy and have Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell playing in the background. Jut a nice geeky thrill. Booting around town at sunset was actually fun. It had a cool badass vibe for me. I enjoyed it. The game for me played out like an RPG. Maybe we can start calling them American Role playing Games. ARPG's. It has all the classic RPG elements. A weapons upgrade system. Missions. A quest element. Loot. I look good in the ONYX suit. Thought I wish i could buy a red tie then i could be more Res Dogs. The humour was good. There's more that could be done graphically but the engine does not need much improving. Actually GTA IV could easily go episodic. I'd pay $20 for another 10 hours story arc. Maybe wiping out a rival gang or tacking down a corrupt politician. Or recruiting strippers fro Romans International House of Stripers. The writing of the radio ads was very funny. The internet stuff didn't work out that well. Some things i'd like to see. I'd like to see a more "empire build' type of dynamic. I'd love a trophy garage of all the cars I've stolen. A photo montage of all the girls "who invited you up to their room" And a way to build a house that you have to constantly upgrade with new stuff, like pools, bars, marina's. I'm just starting to kill pigeons and that's actually fun. The game is a must play. One, it is a cultural experience. Everyone yo know has played it and therefore to be "in" on the conversation you need to experience yourself. The same way you need to see Star wars. So many references would be missed otherwise. 2nd It's easily one of the top 3 games on the PS3 at the moment. MGS being the top. You owe it to yourself to play these two games. Rent them if you don't think they're your cup of tea. I didn't think GTA was my cup of tea but I am really enjoying the experience. It's more fun than MSG but that's because of the unexpected stupid things that happen in the game. Like running over a cop on a date and having to outrun the cops. That's funny. As a long time games but someone who never played any of the previous GTA games. GTA IV was a great game.
There’s nothing like driving somewhere to kill a guy and have Black Sabbath Heaven and Hell playing in the background. Jut a nice geeky thrill. Booting around town at sunset was actually fun. It had a cool badass vibe for me. I enjoyed it.
The game for me played out like an RPG. Maybe we can start calling them American Role playing Games. ARPG’s. It has all the classic RPG elements. A weapons upgrade system. Missions. A quest element. Loot. I look good in the ONYX suit. Thought I wish i could buy a red tie then i could be more Res Dogs. The humour was good. There’s more that could be done graphically but the engine does not need much improving.
Actually GTA IV could easily go episodic. I’d pay $20 for another 10 hours story arc. Maybe wiping out a rival gang or tacking down a corrupt politician. Or recruiting strippers fro Romans International House of Stripers.
The writing of the radio ads was very funny. The internet stuff didn’t work out that well.
Some things i’d like to see.
I’d like to see a more “empire build’ type of dynamic. I’d love a trophy garage of all the cars I’ve stolen. A photo montage of all the girls “who invited you up to their room” And a way to build a house that you have to constantly upgrade with new stuff, like pools, bars, marina’s.
I’m just starting to kill pigeons and that’s actually fun.
The game is a must play. One, it is a cultural experience. Everyone yo know has played it and therefore to be “in” on the conversation you need to experience yourself. The same way you need to see Star wars. So many references would be missed otherwise.
2nd It’s easily one of the top 3 games on the PS3 at the moment. MGS being the top. You owe it to yourself to play these two games. Rent them if you don’t think they’re your cup of tea. I didn’t think GTA was my cup of tea but I am really enjoying the experience. It’s more fun than MSG but that’s because of the unexpected stupid things that happen in the game. Like running over a cop on a date and having to outrun the cops. That’s funny.

]]> by: darrin http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162931 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:52:07 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162931 "I think it’s a disservice to try and bring up any flaws." Another time, you made a great point that people spend too much time bashing highly rated games that they don't like. But that's not the case here. I enjoy discussing and analyzing the pros and cons of my favorite games the most, and GTA is easily my favorite series. And, while I think GTA 4 is a huge improvement over the previous titles in so many ways, I can't help but feel that I didn't have quite as much fun as I did with GTA3, VC, and SA. I think the missions were a little less interesting and the core game just isn't as new and this is definitely worth discussing. I still love GTA 4 though. It was a ton of fun, the upgrades are amazing, the writing and humor are as great as ever. “I think it’s a disservice to try and bring up any flaws.”

Another time, you made a great point that people spend too much time bashing highly rated games that they don’t like. But that’s not the case here. I enjoy discussing and analyzing the pros and cons of my favorite games the most, and GTA is easily my favorite series.

And, while I think GTA 4 is a huge improvement over the previous titles in so many ways, I can’t help but feel that I didn’t have quite as much fun as I did with GTA3, VC, and SA. I think the missions were a little less interesting and the core game just isn’t as new and this is definitely worth discussing. I still love GTA 4 though. It was a ton of fun, the upgrades are amazing, the writing and humor are as great as ever.

]]> by: chrysostom http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162924 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:53:40 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162924 I found the graphics very impressive. And I agreed that the mission is a bit stale. However, I will try to focus on the philosophical aspect of the game.. which I think are worth exploring. For some reason, I think that these missions were purposely created "pointless". The reason? To drive home the feeling of an immigrant criminal in a foreign country. Nick kept mentioning that he needed money for every mission and yet, there was really not much he could do with the money. Why? Is it the insecurity of an immigrant in a big city that he doesn't feel belong to? And, the guys he was looking for the whole time... one of them was gay (nothing wrong being gay) and harmless. The other was also not any big boss type and was completely at your mercy. Killing him didn't give you any gratification. Why? Are the developers trying to tell us that a revenge doesn't give us the pleasure that we usually anticipate? The final mission. Whoever's advice we follow, that guy/gal will be killed.. Again, why? A gamer would feel helpless either way.. Is this the life of an immigrant that the developers want us the experience? Also, all of the criminals we met are immigrants trying to make a name for themselves in this big city. Is Nick trying to do the same thing? Apparently, not.. Nick doesn't seem to be interested in organizing his own gang. Why? Nick was created a killing machine (sounds like Solid Snake in MGS4??) I am not good at expressing my thoughts but I think this game has a deeper meaning than what the media portraits. I can't say it's a 10 for me.. but it's definitely worth playing. I would rank it just a bit below MGS4. :-) I found the graphics very impressive. And I agreed that the mission is a bit stale. However, I will try to focus on the philosophical aspect of the game.. which I think are worth exploring.

For some reason, I think that these missions were purposely created “pointless”. The reason? To drive home the feeling of an immigrant criminal in a foreign country.

Nick kept mentioning that he needed money for every mission and yet, there was really not much he could do with the money. Why? Is it the insecurity of an immigrant in a big city that he doesn’t feel belong to?

And, the guys he was looking for the whole time… one of them was gay (nothing wrong being gay) and harmless. The other was also not any big boss type and was completely at your mercy. Killing him didn’t give you any gratification. Why? Are the developers trying to tell us that a revenge doesn’t give us the pleasure that we usually anticipate?

The final mission. Whoever’s advice we follow, that guy/gal will be killed.. Again, why? A gamer would feel helpless either way.. Is this the life of an immigrant that the developers want us the experience?

Also, all of the criminals we met are immigrants trying to make a name for themselves in this big city. Is Nick trying to do the same thing? Apparently, not.. Nick doesn’t seem to be interested in organizing his own gang. Why? Nick was created a killing machine (sounds like Solid Snake in MGS4??)

I am not good at expressing my thoughts but I think this game has a deeper meaning than what the media portraits.

I can’t say it’s a 10 for me.. but it’s definitely worth playing. I would rank it just a bit below MGS4. :-)

]]> by: JimmyStewart http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162918 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:29:59 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162918 I'm not going to get to into this, as I think in general video gaming on the web focuses far too much on flaws and nit picks than just enjoying the games. Sure I can think of a handful of things in GTA that possibly could have been done better. Respawning closer is a good example. The 40 level tutorial has been mentioned in a handful of reviews, but I personally didn't see that. The game gripped me from the word "go". Perhaps it's because this is the first GTA game to grab me so I can't compare it to previous titles. I only played GTA3 briefly on the PC. I've never wanted to play the game franchise prior to this game and I have to say I've been constantly blown away. I've always hated the GTA franchise, but this game prompted me to go out and buy the GTA bundle pack for the PS2 to give another shot later. I'm not going to drone on and on about how good I think this game is, it's possibly the best game I've ever played (I've only got 50 hours in so far... perhaps hunting down pigeons will kill some of my enjoyment). It's hands down the best game I've played on any console this generation. I think it's a disservice to try and bring up any flaws. Any game can always be improved, and it just seems to dirty the accomplishments of this game to bring up the minor annoyances. Maybe it's hearing the coverage NPR gave this game and how serious mainstream outlets really saw this game as an evolution for gaming. Something that's really brought gaming closer to a serious medium or art form. A great game and I'll leave it at that. I’m not going to get to into this, as I think in general video gaming on the web focuses far too much on flaws and nit picks than just enjoying the games. Sure I can think of a handful of things in GTA that possibly could have been done better. Respawning closer is a good example. The 40 level tutorial has been mentioned in a handful of reviews, but I personally didn’t see that. The game gripped me from the word “go”.

Perhaps it’s because this is the first GTA game to grab me so I can’t compare it to previous titles. I only played GTA3 briefly on the PC. I’ve never wanted to play the game franchise prior to this game and I have to say I’ve been constantly blown away. I’ve always hated the GTA franchise, but this game prompted me to go out and buy the GTA bundle pack for the PS2 to give another shot later.

I’m not going to drone on and on about how good I think this game is, it’s possibly the best game I’ve ever played (I’ve only got 50 hours in so far… perhaps hunting down pigeons will kill some of my enjoyment). It’s hands down the best game I’ve played on any console this generation. I think it’s a disservice to try and bring up any flaws. Any game can always be improved, and it just seems to dirty the accomplishments of this game to bring up the minor annoyances. Maybe it’s hearing the coverage NPR gave this game and how serious mainstream outlets really saw this game as an evolution for gaming. Something that’s really brought gaming closer to a serious medium or art form. A great game and I’ll leave it at that.

]]> by: tdempsey http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162916 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:29:35 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162916 Beautiful, but tedious. Why can't I respawn closer to the point where I died (like the great COD4) ?I have to return so far back, to the hospital, accept the retry phone message, steal a car, drive the loose controls, blah-blah It's shaping up that I am not going to complete this game. It's not fun anymore. I am a games artist and it's amazing to me that powerful visuals are not enough - as in GTAIV! Beautiful, but tedious.

Why can’t I respawn closer to the point where I died (like the great COD4) ?I have to return so far back, to the hospital, accept the retry phone message, steal a car, drive the loose controls, blah-blah

It’s shaping up that I am not going to complete this game. It’s not fun anymore.

I am a games artist and it’s amazing to me that powerful visuals are not enough - as in GTAIV!

]]> by: Segitz http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162907 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:28:51 +0000 http://www.ps3blog.net/2008/09/04/late-gta-4-impressions/#comment-162907 Yeah... I say GTA4 was good, but not as good as SA, because of many elements missing, like the Clothing and RPG stuff... I loved that in SA and it wouldn't have been too much to ask to include that in 4. I liked the game, but it got stale. Most missions were boring... Either kill that one or pick up a at b and drive it to c. That just wasn't fun. Three Leef Clover was an AWESOME mission, yet it was a sole contender in that huge game. After I played through the main missions, I left the game and never played it again, because chasing pidgeons or driving racing missions isn't what I want to do in a GTA game. But I got an urge to play it again those last few weeks^^ I feel like I missed sooooo much stuff in this game (I nearly never drove around, only missions etc.) Yeah…

I say GTA4 was good, but not as good as SA, because of many elements missing, like the Clothing and RPG stuff… I loved that in SA and it wouldn’t have been too much to ask to include that in 4.

I liked the game, but it got stale. Most missions were boring… Either kill that one or pick up a at b and drive it to c. That just wasn’t fun.

Three Leef Clover was an AWESOME mission, yet it was a sole contender in that huge game.

After I played through the main missions, I left the game and never played it again, because chasing pidgeons or driving racing missions isn’t what I want to do in a GTA game. But I got an urge to play it again those last few weeks^^ I feel like I missed sooooo much stuff in this game (I nearly never drove around, only missions etc.)

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