Archive for category Grand Theft Auto 4
It’s the Little Things…
Posted by Gary in Grand Theft Auto 4, PS3 software, Uncategorized on June 2nd, 2008
There seems to be some mixed opinions about GTA IV despite a lot of rave reviews for the game. I’m in the “awesome game” camp, rather than the “over hyped piece of crap” camp.
If you asked me what impresses me the most about GTA IV then I’d struggle to name one stand out component that blows me away. I could say the humour but that’s very subjective. You either get it or you don’t.
What really does impress me is the little things that you just don’t see in any other games. None of these things directly affects the main story but they all help to immerse you in the world that R* have created.
Here are some of my favourites:
Little Thing No.1
I was driving along, just checking out the scenery when I noticed a car pulled over on the kerb with the boot (trunk) open and a guy was fiddling about inside. I literally stopped and just watched him for almost 1 minute. 
Little Thing No.2
Similar to no.1 but this time a car had pulled over with smoke coming out of the engine. The woman was gesturing in annoyance at her misfortune. Once again I just had to stop and watch what was going on.
Little Thing No.3
Some random driver knocked me down while I was crossing the road so I shot him in the face through the side window. His head slumped forward against the horn and he crashed into a wall with the horn still sounding from his head laying against it.
I thought that was a nice touch…
Little Thing No.4
The civilians that wander around Liberty City really adds a lot to what makes a GTA game so immersive. From talking on their mobile (cell) phone, to just standing and chatting about random stuff, it all makes you feel like Liberty City is real. All the GTA games have done this but GTA IV has done it on a far grander scale.
Little Thing No.5
The TV channels are absolutely superb. The first thing I did in GTA IV was watch TV. I caught Bas Rutten’s appearance in Just For Men and I was in tears of laughter for 10 mins solid. It was by far the funniest thing I’d ever seen and not just from a videogame.
Absolutely brilliant display of self parody taken to new heights. That moment alone made GTA IV worthwhile for me.
Little Thing No.6
The bizarre websites that you can find in GTA IV are something else. Check out some of these:
- www.bigdog.blogsnobs.org
- www.darksoullock.blogsnobs.org
- www.eddielowfilthslayer.blogsnobs.org
- www.fefighter2008.blogsnobs.org
- www.inyapuper.blogsnobs.org
- www.liberatedwoman.blogsnobs.org
- www.limevenus.blogsnobs.org
- www.mail.eyefind.info
- www.pychakilla.blogsnobs.org
- www.a-thousand-words.net
- www.americantravelguide.net
- www.antfarmcam.net
- www.area53site.com
- www.artthrob.org
- www.autoeroticar.com
- www.babiesovernight.com
- www.beanmachinecoffee.com
- www.blogsnobs.org
- www.bruciesexecutivelifestyleautos.com
- www.burgershot.net
- www.chiropracticovernight.com
- www.craplist.net
- www.designerslave.com
- www.domestobotlovers.com
- www.dragonbrainthemovie.com
- www.easterislandcoverup.com
- www.eatbiglogs.com
- www.elchamucoroboto.com
- www.electrictit.com
- www.electronicwritingtablet.com
- www.erisfootware.com
- www.eugenicsincorporated.com
- www.eunux.net
- www.eyefind.info
- www.fantasyleaguebatswingers.com
- www.fistfans.com
- www.flyhighpizzapie.com
- www.freejames.org
- www.friendswithoutfaces.net
- www.gloryholethemepark.com
- www.goldberglignerandshyster.com
- www.golfloversonline.net
- www.grype.org
- www.hand-jobs-online.com
- www.happyfarmersupplies.com
- www.heritagenothate.org
- www.homecremation.com
- www.homeworkfriend.org
- www.hornyhighschoolreunions.com
- www.huganimals.com
- www.ilovetoblow.org
- www.krapea.com
- www.leftover-vacations.com
- www.libertycitypolice.com
- www.libertycityrealestate.net
- www.libertytreeonline.com
- www.liesdamnlies.net
- www.lipurgex.com
- www.littlelacysurprisepageant.com
- www.lootandwank.com
- www.love-meet.net
- www.loveyourmeat.com
- www.money2makemoney.com
- www.modderstotallyrule.com
- www.myonlineme.com
- www.myroomonline.net
- www.onlineradiorevolution.com
- www.our-own-reality.com
- www.outdatedtastes.com
- www.outsourceforamerica.com
- www.peepthatshit.com
- www.pinktorpedo.org
- www.piswasser.com
- www.pointclickshipabitch.com
- www.poker-in-the-rear.com
- www.publiclibertyonline.com
- www.redwoodcigarettes.com
- www.roidsforlittleboys.com
- www.rustybrownsringdonuts.com
- www.shitster.de
- www.sprunksoda.com
- www.stopshavingnow.net
- www.thebankofliberty.com
- www.tobaccofacts.net
- www.vipluxuryringtones.com
- www.weazelnews.com
- www.whattheydonotwantyoutoknow.com
- www.whymommygotfat.com
- www.yourmexicandoctor.com
- www.yournewbabysname.com
GTA IV has received a lot of rave reviews but when it comes to opinions from gamers that have played the game, it appears GTA IV is a big jar of Marmite. I personally hate Marmite but I love GTA IV.
So what is your view on GTA IV? Is at as good as the reviews say it was or do you feel underwhelmed by the whole experience?
Poll: Did Rockstar Go too Far?
Posted by Blackstaffer in Grand Theft Auto 4, Poll on April 30th, 2008
Pursuent to Darrin’s post about GTAIV’s “ladies of the night”, I got to thinking. Personally I think that this is going too far. Having sex with a hooker, following her out of the car, and shooting her in the head. It offends the sensibilities, and I’m not ashamed to say I won’t be buying the game.
That’s not to say it’s otherwise not a good game. And this poll is not asking you about whether or not GTAIV is a good game, or whether you enjoy it. I want to know what you think about how it’s pushing the boundaries. For some reason, society thinks that pushing the boundaries is always a good thing, no matter what the boundaries are. Personally I feel that some boundaries are just best left alone.
Vote in the sidebar, as always.
Last Poll’s Results:
What do you think of in-game messaging on the PS3?
* Very important – must have both voice and text.: 62% (269)
* Very important, but just text is good enough.: 14% (61)
* Not important to me.: 13% (56)
* Somewhat important.: 11% (46)
Total Votes : 432
GTA IV Early Impressions
Posted by Gary in Grand Theft Auto 4, PS3, PS3 software, Uncategorized on April 30th, 2008
Yesterday saw the release of arguably the biggest name to hit this gen to date: Grand Theft Auto IV. Unlike a lot of people, I didn’t go to any midnight launches to guarantee I got a copy ASAP, although it had crossed my mind. Instead, I ordered it from Amazon.co.uk which was selling it for £34.99. To make sure that I got it yesterday, I went with First Class post.
As more and more people on my friends list came online and started playing GTA IV, the wait became excruciating. The post doesn’t normally come until around 12pm – 1pm so I was constantly checking the time and looking outside to see if the postman was out early.
Then the magical moment happened at exactly 12pm! I heard a parcel drop through the letter box!!! I raced downstairs and saw the Amazon parcel lying there then a big grin crossed my face as I literally ripped it open and saw the GTA IV box art. 
I slid the disc in and waited the 7mins while the install did it’s thing until finally it began. The first thing I did when I got to the apartment was turn on the TV and I was greeted with one of the greatest and definitely funniest moments I’ve ever experienced in any videogame.
A spoof TV show called Just For Men came on and one of the hosts was Bas Rutten! Bas is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and former Pride FC commentator (amongst many other things). The guy is a legend.
Bas’ performance on the show was an incredible example of over the top self parody of epic proportions. I’ve never laughed so hard for a long time. There were even tears in my eyes by the end. If you haven’t seen it then you must take the time to watch it.
It probably means a bit more to me as I’m heavily into martial arts and I know who Bas is but it is still incredibly funny. It was such a shock to see him in the game and I’m definitely glad I avoided reading too much of the game as the surprise would’ve been spoilt.
That moment will go down in gaming history for me. If R* can better it at any point during GTA IV then I will be amazed.
That was my first wow moment in GTA IV but I’ve also been very impressed with the physics and graphical level of the game. I went for a dive off a pier at night and the water looked amazing with the reflection of the moon breaking up amongst the waves.
I’ve seen no loading screens or pop up so far, there has been some minor pop in like bushes appearing but nothing on the same scale of previous GTA games. I’ve played for around 6hrs and completed a few of the main missions so far. The sound is also very impressive. Everything sounds so clear and vibrant and the game world is buzzing with activity.
GTA IV is less cartoony than previous GTA games and this is reflected in the handling of the vehicles which are less arcadey in feel, if you get my meaning. They also look fantastic.
The characters also add a lot of charm to the game. The dialogue and interaction is superb and the animations for the most part, are excellent.
I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve played and seen so far. I’d even go as far as saying it’s the best game I’ve played so far this gen for the overall wow factor and what it’s achieved. I haven’t tried online yet but I’ve heard both the PS3 and 360 versions are having problems in that department.
How has your GTA IV experience been so far? What has impressed you or disappointed you so far? Please try not to include any spoilers of the main story if possible. 
GTA Reviews
Posted by Darrin in Grand Theft Auto 4 on April 25th, 2008
The reviews for GTA 4 are starting to come out. IGN hasn’t given a score this high in ten years! Wow!
GTA’s Creative VP Dan Houser on Game Storage Capacity
Posted by Darrin in Grand Theft Auto 4 on April 21st, 2008
Back in 2004, just before the release of San Andreas, Dan Houser said this in an interview:
The danger is currently the storage medium (DVD), and one we thing we’re all praying for in the next round of hardware is that they don’t just go, ‘It’s DVD again’.
That would sound like blatant console-wars flame-bait if said today, but back in 2004, it was a little more innocent.
Suprisingly, the same Dan Houser recently made more comments along those lines in another interview:
When you only had a CD as opposed to DVD, you could put like 10 songs and eight lines of dialogue and that was your entire game. We were lovingly casting all our actors in “GTA 2” to be DJs on radio stations, but they probably said three things each. The big technological advance was when things moved to DVD, almost more than the power of Playstation 2. It was the storage unit. You could suddenly put on a lot of audio a lot more animation and a lot more content in a world. That then gave us the opportunity of making that content interesting.
Regardless of tech and platform issues, this game sounds absolutely amazing.
UPDATE: Rockstar Games founder, Sam Houser, was even more blunt in an interview with 1UP:
One of the problems with the 360, and it affects games like Grand Theft Auto if you think about how much content we put in the actual machine, is the fact that they don’t have a significantly larger storage medium than the previous systems. It’s a slightly bigger DVD disc.
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