The GTA4 impressions thread (that has no impressions)

[Purge]

DAAAAAAAAAAAMMIT...I just realized I got tickets to the Giants game on Tuesday and I'm taking my Dad so I can't bail...gonna be release day +1 for me to get into Liberty City.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES MAN!!!!

just hire a hooker to take him.

Only you would keep the word "hooker" on your frequently used word list. You toss it into conversation whenever an occasion calls for it; the frequency increases only to when it does NOT belong.
Write this down and bring it up with your counsellor; I believe this may be the breakthrough the psychiatric field of medicine has been looking for.

[CeeKay]

DAAAAAAAAAAAMMIT...I just realized I got tickets to the Hookers game on Tuesday and I'm taking my Hooker so I can't bail...gonna be release day +1 for me to get into Hooker City.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES MAN!!!!

just hire a hooker to take him.

Only you would keep the word "hooker" on your frequently used word list. You toss it into conversation whenever a hooker calls for it; the frequency increases only to when it does NOT belong.
Write this down and bring it up with your hooker; I believe this may be the breakthrough the hooker field of hooker has been looking for.

sez you.

[MrDuck]

Gah...local store franchise's run out of pre-orders, hope some extra copies arrive for me to first-come, first-buy. Eeep...

I'm going to sink my teeth first into SP, then follow you guys into MP

[Roscoe]

My local store is doing a midnight thing, but since some of us are a bit old for those late hours  *and* have to be in at work at 5:30 that morning I'm picking mind up during the day Tuesday after work. I'll probably cut out early of course 

[Harkonis]

I do hate it when you have to do single player to unlock stuff for multiplayer though.  Is that true in this game?

[msduncan]

I do hate it when you have to do single player to unlock stuff for multiplayer though.  Is that true in this game?

I haven't seen a review mention this at all.   It would indeed suck because I'd have to beat the game again on the 360 version to play with you guys.     I'm thinking (hoping) that the entire city is available to you for multiplay right out of the gate.     I hope.

[Kyosho]

God I wish I had a console! This is going to drive me nuts. I want to play GTAIV! By the time I'm going to be able to afford one, MGS4 will be out and I'll end up buying a PS3 to play these two games! That's such a stupid thing to do. These are the only two games I have interest in on the PS3, but I'll still probably do it. Unless they announce MGS4 for the PC.

As for right now, I could play GTA3 or Vice City again, but I've already played through them both twice. San Andreas, well, no, I'm not going to replay that.

[wonderpug]

I do hate it when you have to do single player to unlock stuff for multiplayer though.  Is that true in this game?

From what I've read you need the cell phone to access multiplayer, which takes about 12 minutes.

But yeah, I haven't heard how it'll handle the locked islands.

[Harkonis]

If you do have to have SP unlocked to have access in MP, then I'll be doing some speed SP.  Hopefully just the host needs an area open for everyone to go there.

[whiteboyskim]

It should be noted that it is my intent to screw with everyone I compete against in MP. Why simply race against people when I can get out, pull out an RPG, then start firing and watch the chaos?

[ATB]

It should be noted that it is my intent to screw with everyone I compete against in MP.

This, it seems, is also  your philosophy in COD4 except that you aren't competing against your teammates- just preventing them from winning...

[Harkonis]

It should be noted that it is my intent to screw with everyone I compete against in MP.

This, it seems, is also  your philosophy in COD4 except that you aren't competing against your teammates- just preventing them from winning...

+1 

[CeeKay]

I do hate it when you have to do single player to unlock stuff for multiplayer though.  Is that true in this game?

From what I've read you need the cell phone to access multiplayer, which takes about 12 minutes.

But yeah, I haven't heard how it'll handle the locked islands.

actually, from what I understand from one of the previews is that none of the islands are locked, but the bridges are closed off by the GTA version of Homeland Security at first.  Supposedly you can break the barricade but get a full wanted level in doing so.

[Alefroth]

Ok ok... that's it.   I'm switching to PS3.

Sorry regular multiplayer gang.  I just don't trust my 360 launch unit to live up to the marathon sessions I'm going to put into this title.   It's due to go red rings, and I'm sure it will do so as soon as I bring this thing home.        And yes Yellowking, maybe it's a little of me justifying my purchase of a PS3.   It's high time I got some use out of it other than Uncharted.   

What is puzzling is that I called up to check if it was too late to do it, and the ebgames guy sounded like he worked for Microsoft.   He told me that the PS3 version frame rates are far worse than the 360 version.     It's almost like ebgames pushes 360 over PS3 nowadays because this isn't the first time I've run into this.     Wierd.

Geez. Man up and get them both, then do your own comparison.

Ale

[coopasonic]

I do hate it when you have to do single player to unlock stuff for multiplayer though.  Is that true in this game?

From what I've read you need the cell phone to access multiplayer, which takes about 12 minutes.

But yeah, I haven't heard how it'll handle the locked islands.

actually, from what I understand from one of the previews is that none of the islands are locked, but the bridges are closed off by the GTA version of Homeland Security at first.  Supposedly you can break the barricade but get a full wanted level in doing so.

That jives with what I saw on one of the bootleg videos, the guy made it through the blockade on the near side of the bridge taking a motorcycle between the barriers, but got gunned down when he got to the barricades on the other side.

[whiteboyskim]

It should be noted that it is my intent to screw with everyone I compete against in MP.

This, it seems, is also  your philosophy in COD4 except that you aren't competing against your teammates- just preventing them from winning...

This would be because of two things: 1. I suck at FPS's on consoles because I have no thumb mastery; 2. I am extremely inexperienced at CoD4 on the 360 and was unaware of how to upgrade your weapons under Custom settings.

It should be noted that both of these issues have been remedied as of this weekend and I have placed first in a DM free-for-all, as well as being able to consistently hold my own now. So there.

[CeeKay]

anyone know if you can swim in this one?  you know, so you can escape your battered car after it flies into the water?

[wonderpug]

anyone know if you can swim in this one?  you know, so you can escape your battered car after it flies into the water?

Yup!  No parachutes though.

[Octavious230]

I'm really dissapointed about the lack of parachutes. I bet it gets added later with one of the download packs.

[CeeKay]

real men don't need parachutes.

[metallicorphan]

you can swim,but this time you cant dive under the water,you just swim on the surface...with the phone,the phone numbers on billboards and now just swimming on the surface....it IS gta4 i am getting right?,and not saints row 1?

[ATB]

On gamerankings the 360 version gets a 99.3% and the PS3 version gets a 99.8%

I am now lamenting my lack of PS3 and will be going down to gamestop to trade my 360 and all games in on the PS3. 


 It seems MSDuncan was right! HE WAS RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTT!

That .5 is everything! EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!



That's right. Single forum crost posting. Eat it and smile.

[Harkonis]

On gamerankings the 360 version gets a 99.3% and the PS3 version gets a 99.8%

I am now lamenting my lack of PS3 and will be going down to gamestop to trade my 360 and all games in on the PS3. 


 It seems MSDuncan was right! HE WAS RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTT!

That .5 is everything! EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!



That's right. Single forum crost posting. Eat it and smile.

I will not eat it and smile

Posting the same thing multiple times on the same forum is a pretty bizarre thing to do for anyone that isn't a spam bot.

[YellowKing]

I know that was just joking, but the PS3 only has 9 reviews posted versus the 360's 13, and doesn't include the one that brought down the 360's version - a 9.5 from Computer & Video Games UK. The reviews common between the two are identical.

[metallicorphan]

On gamerankings the 360 version gets a 99.3% and the PS3 version gets a 99.8%

I am now lamenting my lack of PS3 and will be going down to gamestop to trade my 360 and all games in on the PS3. 


 It seems MSDuncan was right! HE WAS RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTT!

That .5 is everything! EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!



That's right. Single forum crost posting. Eat it and smile.

here in the UK,the PS3 games are still more expensive then the 360 versions...360=£39.99...PS3=£44.99....so maybe that .5 really is justified,LOL

[CeeKay]

On gamerankings the 360 version gets a 99.3% and the PS3 version gets a 99.8%

I am now lamenting my lack of PS3 and will be going down to gamestop to trade my 360 and all games in on the PS3. 


 It seems MSDuncan was right! HE WAS RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTT!

That .5 is everything! EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!



That's right. Single forum crost posting. Eat it and smile.

I will not eat it and smile

Posting the same thing multiple times on the same forum is a pretty bizarre thing to do for anyone that isn't a spam bot.

Or Daehawk.

[kathode]

Who wants to bet on how long before Wal-Mart pulls this one from the shelves?

NSFW hooker compilation video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51l7S7Sx3g#

[gellar]

Who wants to bet on how long before Wal-Mart pulls this one from the shelves?

NSFW hooker compilation video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51l7S7Sx3g#

WOW.  That was pretty tasteless.

gellar

[hepcat]

Who wants to bet on how long before Wal-Mart pulls this one from the shelves?

NSFW hooker compilation video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51l7S7Sx3g#

 

that has to be a joke video rockstar made using the engine, right?  i mean...wow...jack thompson's head just exploded somewhere.

[metallicorphan]

Who wants to bet on how long before Wal-Mart pulls this one from the shelves?

NSFW hooker compilation video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51l7S7Sx3g#

 

that has to be a joke video rockstar made using the engine, right?  i mean...wow...jack thompson's head just exploded somewhere.

i just watched it,however the vid has now been taken down....how fast it went down i am thinking i was the last person to see it on there,LOL

[YellowKing]

Kotaku confirms you can have sex with prostitutes, so for now I'm assuming that's real.

[Harkonis]

Who wants to bet on how long before Wal-Mart pulls this one from the shelves?

NSFW hooker compilation video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51l7S7Sx3g#

 

that has to be a joke video rockstar made using the engine, right?  i mean...wow...jack thompson's head just exploded somewhere.

i just watched it,however the vid has now been taken down....how fast it went down i am thinking i was the last person to see it on there,LOL

It went down almost as fast as she did.   

[metallicorphan]

hmm,i just clicked the link again and it was still there...not sure how i got the message that it had been taken down

[PeteRock]

WTF?

Even though the game allows for random shootings, vehicular manslaughter, driving while under the influence, and various other criminal acts, is something like this at all necessary to the gameplay?  And given that this game is focused toward a more mature demographic, does anyone honestly believe that video gaming adults want to be able to have virtual lap dances with video game strippers?  When some of my friends from work question my love of video games and mention the rampant media idiocy associated with mature games, I usually describe experiences I've had with games like COD4, Bioshock, Oblivion, etc, and provide examples and explanations of how games are a form of entertainment such as films or books, but you can actually control the main character and become a contributing part of the story.  I compare mature games with mature films with an "R" rating.  The Godfather is an "R" rated film, but it is one of the best films in entertainment history.  Films like Carlito's Way or The Godfather are lauded for their realism, their storytelling, and unflinching portrayal of the criminal world.  And now games provide a similar level of realism for adults to enjoy.  These types of conversations have actually helped non-gaming coworkers to see the appeal of video games and some have gone so far as to add an Xbox or PS3 to their various forms of entertainment and see exactly why games can be so stimulating and immersive.  

As much as I loathe the Jack Thompson ignorance brigade, this type of thing makes me embarassed to be a gamer.  Even I am sickened by this type of news.  Just as I begin to think that the GTA universe is maturing and evolving by presenting a main criminal character with a soul and placing him in situations requiring morality and good judgement rather than a mindless killing machine, things degrade right back to soliciting hookers and then killing them to get your money back.  And because of the inclusion of such mindless and juvenile ridiculousness completely irrelevant to gameplay or story the gaming community yet again manages to provide naysayers with a complete arsenal of video game hate ammunition.  One step forward, a fucking time machine back.  Why do developers feel the need to include such drivel.  Bloody hell.    

[Ridah]

Pete, maybe to you it would be considered drivel but I don't see it that way. Any time I watch movies or shows about the criminal underworld, like for example The Sopranos, there are ALWAYS prostitutes and call-girls. Why do games have to be different? I say screw what anyone else says about gaming, if they don't like it they don't have to play it.

*after edit*

And for the love of God we need to stop acknowledging Jack Thompson it only empowers him!

[PeteRock]

Pete, maybe to you it would be considered drivel but I don't see it that way. Any time I watch movies or shows about the criminal underworld, like for example The Sopranos, there are ALWAYS prostitutes and call-girls. Why do games have to be different? I say screw what anyone else says about gaming, if they don't like it they don't have to play it.

*after edit*

And for the love of God we need to stop acknowledging Jack Thompson it only empowers him!

Involving such topics in a game's storyline is one thing, but making it an actual form of gameplay seems to be a bit much.  Having strippers and call girls within the game world as a peripheral part of the story obviously makes sense.  But providing gamers with the ability to solicit hand-jobs from random street walkers seems a bit excessive and almost aimed at pissing off video game naysayers, as if they need any more ammunition than they already have.  I agree that prostitutes and call girls are an obvious part of underworld activity, but I fail to see why it needs to be involved in gameplay. 

[gellar]

I'm with Pete.  It's pretty fucking embarrassing.

gellar

[jersoc]

I honestly don't see what is so bad about that. Oh no, simulating a hand/blow job. CALL THE FREAKIN COPS NOW! If you don't like it, simply don't do it. If it's like the previous games hookers just restore your HP. There's other ways to go about that. Like befriending a nurse in the game.

I'm glad R* pushes the boundries. Why do we have to keep the stigma we are all 12 year olds playing games after school? Bring on the sex, drugs and rock n roll in games I say. Shit man, they show more in rated R movies. You don't even have to be 18 to see those. Hell, I was NEVER carded to watch movies. I've been carded to buy GAMES. FFS I can legally drink and I get carded to buy a game?! The system is in place to keep this out of kids' hands. The parents choose to ignore them and then bitch. Well no shit, you bought a game with the contents clearly on the back for your 13 year old kid.

Yeah, I hate today's "it's not my fault" society.

[TC Weidner]

huh? you can shoot a cop in the face,  but your worried about a hand job?  comeon,  this is an adult game, hookers are a part of real life.

This company basically prints money with its game, they know what they are doing.

can we let go of our puritan ways already?  its been 400 yeras

[gellar]

That's the thing.  It's an 'adult' game with an extremely juvenile and unnecessary addition.  That sort of thing panders to the 18 year old, not the 28 year old.  Not this 28 year old anyway.

gellar