Grand Theft Auto 4 Review!

[ShadowGT]

I'm not sure if this is real or fake but one of the reviewers that was invited to play & complete GTA 4 By Rockstar has posted a Review.

 

http://home.comcast.net/~infamousdd/CGReviews_-_Cam_Garish_Reviews_-_One_Review_at_a_Time.html

 

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INTRODUCTION

There are two questions I know everyone wants answered right off the bat. So, to please my fans, I'm happy to oblige.

• Does GTA4 live up to the hype? Yes.

• Are the PS3 and 360 really the same? No.

Need more? Read on…

 

Grand Theft Auto IV is a digital masterpiece. Period. You will like the Xbox 360 version of this game. You will like the PS3 version of this game. Technically, they are the same! However, there are some minor variations. To make these variations easier to read through, I will write 360 specific comments in RED (since the 360 is famous for the color red, haha) and PS3 comments in Blu (see what I did there?). So let's get started!

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

When popping the disc into the PS3 for the first time, you'll have a brief installation. Don't worry, it only takes ten minutes or so, and there's a pleasant bit of GTA history trivia to keep you occupied. So, unlike with Devil May Cry, you'll be able to eat your sandwich prior to playing the game. On the 360, this installation is optional if you have a hard drive. I advise to proceed with installation—it reduces the already minimal frame rate issues on the 360. When the game finally begins, you'll be treated to the best opening credit sequence I've seen for a game in a long, long time.

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STORY

I'm not going to ruin anything. Let's just say that the story in GTA4 is much more cohesive and cinematic than in other GTA games.

You'll be entranced.

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GAME PLAY

 

You're going to like GTA4. But you'll only love part of it. The game play is essentially the same as it was in previous GTA games, which is what you'll love. There are a few extras/improvements that you'll also love. Vehicles are fantastic. The cover system is effective and easy to get used to, as most games now have some sort of cover system.

 

 

The squeaky car animation used when hookers do their thing is now accompanied by foggy windows—sweet. You can store your favorite vehicles in garages or parking spaces, which is a nice touch. Pay ‘n Spray will replace your broken windows and change your car color…but that does nothing when the police are already in pursuit.

 

It's the things that are missing that will turn the volume down on your experience. If you've never played GTA, then you won't miss much. The absence of the Dodo stinks. Going on rampages is now almost impossible. The ability to commit crimes is much more difficult. Wanna shoot rockets down the street, blow up a parking lot, etc? Well, you won't get far. The 5-0 in GTA4 are smart, and they work really hard to bring you down.

 

It's also a bit disappointing that law enforcement actually spawns. The game would feel much more realistic if cops had to call for back up, and patrol cars would actually drive to your location from a few blocks away before joining the fun. But that's not how it works. A handful of cops will appear out of nowhere (on the 360, they actually pop-in if you didn't do the install). NOOSE will appear out of no where. And choppers? Well, there's no faint pitter-patter of blades in the wind to alert you of their approach. I think they jump to position through worm holes or something.

 

But aside from these annoyances, GTA4 is fantastic. It feels so real.

 

Euphoria didn't do as much as I hoped. Let's face it, when you hit a pedestrian at 50 mph, they do one thing: fall. It may look different in slow motion, but when you're really doing it—when you're in the middle of the action—animations always feel the same. There are moments, though, where Euphoria will kick in and you'll say, “Awesome”. When you try to duplicate it, you won't be able to. This is where Euphoria shines. There will be one time moments of sheer bliss—and it's worth every second.

 

Riding in a Taxi is awesome. You'll spend your first twenty or so trips admiring the city from the cab. Remember the car ride in Call of Duty 4? This is equally as engaging, if not more so. Seeing the world like this, hustling and bustling, living their digital lives…it makes a bullet to their head an extra level of satisfaction.

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CONTROLS

I preferred the PS3 controls because I've always played GTA on PS hardware. The controls aren't identical to previous games, but the learning curve is really small. Most people will probably prefer the 360 controller, but that's to be expected.

 

There were a couple minor things about the controls that bugged me. I'll mention the single big thing: running. Tapping a button to run works well in theory, but I just know that the wear and tear on my controller has to be increasing exponentially. Still, it's better than having fatigue in game, as how much you run literally depends on your fatigue in the real world. If you're tired of tapping, you walk or take a cab. If the cops are on your tail, you muster up the energy to tap some more. All in all, it works as a concept…but it's bitter-sweet.

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GRAPHICS

Been waiting for this? Well, what can I say? It's beautiful. But I know you're really concerned about which system it looks better on, and I have the scoop! The truth is that, if installed, the game looks equally impressive on both systems.

 

The PS3 has a more relaxed color pallet, but this gives everything a more realistic look. If you don't like the realistic look, and you have a HDMI connection, you can fiddle with your PS3 display settings and get it looking much more saturated. The textures are just as sharp as the 360 version, and there's little to no pop-in or screen tearing. The PS3 takes longer to load than the 360, but I took several different head counts in game at different locations, and I always found the PS3 to be more populated than the 360. This could be attributed to the dynamic nature of the world, but it's hard to tell. Either way, the difference was never more than five to seven pedestrians or three to four cars—it's not really much of an advantage.

The 360 is bright. Boy is it bright. Based on discussion history, this one will be claimed to look better, but it'll really be preference. The texture quality is the same on both systems, but the 360 has a more cartoon-like look. This isn't a bad thing. It just depends on preference. I'd compare the difference to that of Oblivion on each system. The 360 also suffers from some frame rate drops that are almost non-existent on the PS3. Installing the 360 version on your system's hard drive, however, will bring performance almost up to par with the PS3.

Let me add that these differences are only noticeable when the games are shown side by side. I'd liken it to shopping for a TV. There's always one that looks better than another, the 60” make the 50” seem too small, etc. The truth is, once by itself in your living room, it'll look fantastic, and you won't be disappointed.

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MULTIPLAYER

I didn't get to use this. I know, you want details, but all I can confirm is split-screen on PS3 only. I was alone, so I didn't actually get to have any matches, but I could tell that the split-screen worked really well. There was a significant decrease in the amount of traffic and pedestrians, but it didn't ruin anything. This is understandable. Rendering two instances of Liberty City is a chore for any machine. I can't conclude one way or the other why the split-screen mode was not available on 360, but I assume by the drop in on-screen objects on the PS3 that the 360 just couldn't handle it. If you own a 360, don't worry. You have Xbox Live…so you're set.

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CONCLUSION

Grand Theft Auto 4 is worth the hype. It's worth $60, and you'll easily spend over 75 hours with this game. That's a pretty decent bargain. It's difficult to rate the game without bias! Any complaints I have are almost completely based on my experience with other GTA games…so it's tough!

 

9.3/10

[Guest ShiZzl3]

there is already a GTAIV thread, why make another?

[ShadowGT]

That was about the new trailer.(even though i hijacked it lol)

[CarMadMike]

*drools, *drools again.

 

I cant wait, Anyone that is at the shop the second of release, for the first time, Id actually want to be one of them, and understand them

[Aquila DK]

I already ordered it, so on the 29th, EB GAMES, HERE I COME! :D Can't wait :P

[Nodz86]

I didn't really read the review just the differences between the machines.

 

so the question is, do I buy it again when I get a PS3?????????

 

I'm swaying towards yes

[Who]

i've got a nasty feeling this one's fake. it just wasn't conducted in a professional enough manner, i mean, its all so vague. He never goes into any specifics.

 

oh yeah, i don't think reviewers say '(haha)' either...

[CarMadMike]

I dont know what to do, i keep on meaning to pre order it, I have the ps3 and xbox, this doesnt help at all, it just says there both good in differant areas, which should i get?

[Who]

the 360 cause online isnt something to be missed...

 

although i believe in france theres more PS3 following tahn 360, so you're RL mates are more likely to be playing PS3...

 

oh yeah, mike. IMO it will be a hell of alot of fun with peeps you know, and youve got plaenty of guys on your 360 Friends list that will be getting it... (me and GCM for example)

[CarMadMike]

Thats a point, But truth be known im the only person in the school that has a ps3, that i know of. Only a few have the 360 and the psp is still a massive thing for them, so i think 360 is better for me

[Who]

there ya go then :p

 

if its true that you can install onto the 360 HDD, how big you reckon it will be?

[ShadowGT]

Hehe this is the first (& probably last) game i wanna be at the store before it opens for.Although Sadly us Aussies are getting a edited version of the game :( DAMN CENSORSHIP!!!

[CarMadMike]

They are censoring GTA !!!! poor you shadow

 

O no, Gta isnt Gta without the language

[TimBud]

damn man, you need to learn to resize your shots.

 

A few more professional (and accurate system reviews) at http://www.gtagaming.com/

[DriftNismo]

Yay, i can't wait til this comes out, i can't believe there's only around 20 days til it comes out, it still feels like it's a year away and still under construction. The bad thing is, it comes out a few days before my SATs, so i won't get to play it til around May 6th :(. The good thing (for others) is that if you pre-ordered directly from Rockstar, there's a chance you'll get it early as they are apparently shipping them on April 25th, so you could get them on April 26th, you could get them on June 28th, who knows.

[Guest ShiZzl3]

Hehe this is the first (& probably last) game i wanna be at the store before it opens for.Although Sadly us Aussies are getting a edited version of the game :( DAMN CENSORSHIP!!!

 

2 words

 

play-asia.com

[Camel]

2 words

 

play-asia.com

You sir are an idiot

[The Queen]

Must............Preorder................today..............:D

[DriftNismo]

You sir are an idiot

 

Two Words - What did he do? :D

[Guest ShiZzl3]

You sir are an idiot

 

.com isn't a word. its an extension for a link.

 

You sir are the idiot.

[Camel]

.com isn't a word. its an extension for a link.

 

You sir are the idiot.

The com in .com is an abbreviation for commercial and commercial is a word you numpty so you sir are a complete idiot. You are worse than nige, no offence nige.

[ShadowGT]

Oi! You two break it up!!

[hesonly5]

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

 

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

[Baldy]

This review is fake and i wouldn't believe it anyway as it's so PS3 biased and obviously written by a sony fanboy.

[Nige]

The com in .com is an abbreviation for commercial and commercial is a word you numpty so you sir are a complete idiot. You are worse than nige, no offence nige.

 

So mellors do you like the feeling of being a smartarse over the net, is it a good feeling or is it that in the real world you get bullied in school or something and have to do this to make yourself feel better ??????

 

I'm just wondering !