Serious Beef with GTA4... and Gamespot

[BladeVenom]

Zero Punctuation is still working fine. He actually gave it a positive review, at least positive for him.

 

[Baked]

I spoke too soon. They had some coding problem. It's working for me again.

 

[Eeezee]

Vice City had more story than GTA3, and San Andreas had even more story than Vice City! What are you complaining about?

Ah, a Saints Row fan. It appears that everyone either likes GTA or Saints Row. Personally, I think Saints Row is a piece of shit.

IGN and Gamespot are definitely subject to the whims of advertising campaigns ($$ is the bottom line), but GTA4 is a good game. You might not like it, but that doesn't mean the reviews are wrong, they just disagree with you.

I think Saints Row sucks. That doesn't mean YOU were paid off. The only advantage Saints Row had over GTA San Andreas was better clothes shopping and car customization. Oh boy! I can't wait for the next Barbie Dress-up game to come out! :roll:

Giving any game a 10 is ridiculous, but all this proves is that the number on any review site is MEANINGLESS. I've seen some really shitty games get great scores, and I've seen some great games get poor scores. The number doesn't mean anything, and this is just more proof.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: jbourne77
I sold my copy of GTA IV back to the shop two days after I bought it. I can't for the life of me figure out why it's getting such praise. Does Rockstar have dirty photos of these people?

The game is BORING. The graphics are pedestrian at best. The combat control downright sucks ass.

If I were rating the game, I'd give it an 8.5, tops. If you've played GTA III, you've played GTA IV... and the combat in GTA III didn't make me want to hurt myself.

:thumbsup:

 

[CKDragon]

I liked both Saints Row and GTA4. GTA4's graphics technically and artistically destroy SR, but honestly I'm so sick of the gray/brown/gritty look in video games these days that I would actually prefer the brighter colors of SR or GTA: Vice City.

Of course, that says nothing of the other ridiculous bugs, graphical and otherwise, that plagued Saints Row.

As I said, I beat GTAIV earlier this week and now the more I reflect on the main story and continue onto playing the post-story portion, the less I think of it. I'd probably give it closer to an 8 now. Bring back Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti!

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Saint's Row has better graphics? lol stop reviewing things.

I'm with you on this one. Saints Row, while somewhat entertaining has some huge graphical issues. Flickering textures, distortion when it rained, etc. And gameplay-wise while it was the most blatant ripoff of another game in history it just wasn't nearly the game that the GTA games. The humor wasn't funny, they only cussed for the sake of cussing, not because it actually fit into the dialogue...

I've not even played GTA 4 yet, but 3 and VC were enough to get me hooked on the series. SR I coulda lived without...

 

[CasioTech]

lol after jeff gerstman and that russian guy left who was balding with the glasses and funny voice, I headed on over to GT.com

 

[DivideBYZero]

BULK BEEF!

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
BULK BEEF!

alternator size?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: randay

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
BULK BEEF!

alternator size?

>10lb

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk

Originally posted by: tdawg
Personally, I don't understand the gripe about the camera when in a car. Just move the right stick until the camera moves up to your desired height. I've personally had no problem adjusting to the camera in car or on foot.

I'd go so far as to say that these people just aren't very good at video games. The camera can get a little crazy if youre in tight spaces with people all around you shooting at you.. however, if you've gotten yourself into that situation then you're doing something wrong already anyway..

It's just not a natural camera angle, and when you adjust it with the stick as soon as you let off the right analog stick it goes back to where it was. I did when it I first got the game, and when I had a friend play he did too - I didn't say anything and he never saw me play. I'd say that indicates a (small) problem.

BTW, I mentioned it in my other post, but my semi-review is up at my blog in my signature. I'd just copy and paste it in here but it needs the pictures. Don't take it too seriously; while they're my gripes with the same, I overblew them a bit

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Auryg
It's just not a natural camera angle, and when you adjust it with the stick as soon as you let off the right analog stick it goes back to where it was. I did when it I first got the game, and when I had a friend play he did too - I didn't say anything and he never saw me play. I'd say that indicates a (small) problem.

I've never adjusted the camera angle, I'd say it's just personal preference.

 

[Ultima200]

Without a doubt GTA4 is the most over hyped and overrated game of all time (beating out God of War 2 by a margin). I have been playing the GTA serious for over 11 years since GTA was released for the PC and I have played through all of the latest incarnations and I was so unbelievably disappointed with GTA4. I dont feel like writing a god damn book about why this game is over hyped but I will say that the graphics and FRAMERATE are absolutely atrocious and pathetic considering this is supposed to be a next gen game. That I can put aside since the serious has always been known for being a whole generation behind in terms of graphics. The controls (never played the PS3 version, only xbox) are very mushy feeling and just feel awkward to use. I live in NYC and have for years. LIBERTY City in GTA4 is nothing at all like NYC in ANY way. The details are left out and instead of NYC, I feel like I am roaming around Providence RI at 3 AM. I can keep going on and on for a few hours about the issues and letdowns of the latest GTA but I will not feel any better. Bottom line, the game needs to take a revolutionary direction as it did with the first 3 in the serious, rather than just updating with mediocre graphics and a physics engine that has been in existence for years.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: Ultima200
Without a doubt GTA4 is the most over hyped and overrated game of all time (beating out God of War 2 by a margin). I have been playing the GTA serious for over 11 years since GTA was released for the PC and I have played through all of the latest incarnations and I was so unbelievably disappointed with GTA4. I dont feel like writing a god damn book about why this game is over hyped but I will say that the graphics and FRAMERATE are absolutely atrocious and pathetic considering this is supposed to be a next gen game. That I can put aside since the serious has always been known for being a whole generation behind in terms of graphics. The controls (never played the PS3 version, only xbox) are very mushy feeling and just feel awkward to use. I live in NYC and have for years. LIBERTY City in GTA4 is nothing at all like NYC in ANY way. The details are left out and instead of NYC, I feel like I am roaming around Providence RI at 3 AM. I can keep going on and on for a few hours about the issues and letdowns of the latest GTA but I will not feel any better. Bottom line, the game needs to take a revolutionary direction as it did with the first 3 in the serious, rather than just updating with mediocre graphics and a physics engine that has been in existence for years.

Pretty much everything you said was incorrect, I'll leave it at that.

 

[Ultima200]

Originally posted by: Modeps

 

[Ultima200]

Why dont you elaborate???

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: Ultima200
Without a doubt GTA4 is the most over hyped and overrated game of all time (beating out God of War 2 by a margin). I have been playing the GTA serious for over 11 years since GTA was released for the PC and I have played through all of the latest incarnations and I was so unbelievably disappointed with GTA4. I dont feel like writing a god damn book about why this game is over hyped but I will say that the graphics and FRAMERATE are absolutely atrocious and pathetic considering this is supposed to be a next gen game. That I can put aside since the serious has always been known for being a whole generation behind in terms of graphics. The controls (never played the PS3 version, only xbox) are very mushy feeling and just feel awkward to use. I live in NYC and have for years. LIBERTY City in GTA4 is nothing at all like NYC in ANY way. The details are left out and instead of NYC, I feel like I am roaming around Providence RI at 3 AM. I can keep going on and on for a few hours about the issues and letdowns of the latest GTA but I will not feel any better. Bottom line, the game needs to take a revolutionary direction as it did with the first 3 in the serious, rather than just updating with mediocre graphics and a physics engine that has been in existence for years.

Pretty much everything you said was incorrect, I'll leave it at that.

Except the framerate issue. 96% of the time, it's perfect. That other 4% of the time though, ugh. I lost a mission at one point where I stole a car and ran from some guys, and I was flying through an outdoor boardwalk or something smashing tables, lights, mowing down pedestrians left and right, and the framerate dropped through the floor and I lost control. When it sped back up, I was dead.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: Ultima200
Without a doubt GTA4 is the most over hyped and overrated game of all time (beating out God of War 2 by a margin). I have been playing the GTA serious for over 11 years since GTA was released for the PC and I have played through all of the latest incarnations and I was so unbelievably disappointed with GTA4. I dont feel like writing a god damn book about why this game is over hyped but I will say that the graphics and FRAMERATE are absolutely atrocious and pathetic considering this is supposed to be a next gen game. That I can put aside since the serious has always been known for being a whole generation behind in terms of graphics. The controls (never played the PS3 version, only xbox) are very mushy feeling and just feel awkward to use. I live in NYC and have for years. LIBERTY City in GTA4 is nothing at all like NYC in ANY way. The details are left out and instead of NYC, I feel like I am roaming around Providence RI at 3 AM. I can keep going on and on for a few hours about the issues and letdowns of the latest GTA but I will not feel any better. Bottom line, the game needs to take a revolutionary direction as it did with the first 3 in the serious, rather than just updating with mediocre graphics and a physics engine that has been in existence for years.

Pretty much everything you said was incorrect, I'll leave it at that.

The idea of someone playing "the GTA serious" made me laugh the first time I read it. Then it came up again and I was shocked. The third mention drew a CK frown.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: Auryg
It's just not a natural camera angle, and when you adjust it with the stick as soon as you let off the right analog stick it goes back to where it was. I did when it I first got the game, and when I had a friend play he did too - I didn't say anything and he never saw me play. I'd say that indicates a (small) problem.

I've never adjusted the camera angle, I'd say it's just personal preference.

I agree with Auryg, I was constantly adjusting the camera angle. None of the built in angles were high enough for me while driving. Maybe it's from playing Forza 2, Crackdown, Just Cause, or PGR3 a lot recently. I have never had any issues with the driving camera in those games.

It's surprising that many of these 3rd person shooter/platformer/driving games do not allow you to adjust the camera angle permanently in the options menu. Sort of like how Madden games have allowed you to customize the camera viewing angle over the years.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: CKDragon
I agree with Auryg, I was constantly adjusting the camera angle. None of the built in angles were high enough for me while driving. Maybe it's from playing Forza 2, Crackdown, Just Cause, or PGR3 a lot recently. I have never had any issues with the driving camera in those games.

I typically use the hood view, never understood the point of the external view when driving.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: CKDragon
I agree with Auryg, I was constantly adjusting the camera angle. None of the built in angles were high enough for me while driving. Maybe it's from playing Forza 2, Crackdown, Just Cause, or PGR3 a lot recently. I have never had any issues with the driving camera in those games.

I typically use the hood view, never understood the point of the external view when driving.

Because when driving, I have peripheral vision, mirrors, and the ability to quickly turn my head to see what's around me.

When driving in the hood view you lose all those things. You have tunnel vision, no mirrors to see beside and behind without taking your eyes of the road in front of you, and while there is a button to quickly look behind you, an immediate change of view is disorienting when compared the visual feedback you get as you turn your head to look behind you. Instead of a panoramic sweep giving you 180 degrees of information, you're given an instantaneous view of the 40 degrees behind your car.

Given that, the hood view is far less realistic than the close external view. There are games which have an in-car view (which I'm disappointed that GTA4 doesn't have, given the graphical detail put into the cars) which provide a rear view mirror and buttons which swing your view to the left or right, but they're usually racing sims. GTA really should have something similar if it's striving for realism.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Because when driving, I have peripheral vision, mirrors, and the ability to quickly turn my head to see what's around me.

Turn Niko's head left and right while driving if you really need that. I've had no trouble driving around at stupid speeds with the hood view. It only fucks up when you have the car with the massive intake.

Stay alpha bro!

 

[randay]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: CKDragon
I agree with Auryg, I was constantly adjusting the camera angle. None of the built in angles were high enough for me while driving. Maybe it's from playing Forza 2, Crackdown, Just Cause, or PGR3 a lot recently. I have never had any issues with the driving camera in those games.

I typically use the hood view, never understood the point of the external view when driving.

ghost ride the whip!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: CKDragon
I agree with Auryg, I was constantly adjusting the camera angle. None of the built in angles were high enough for me while driving. Maybe it's from playing Forza 2, Crackdown, Just Cause, or PGR3 a lot recently. I have never had any issues with the driving camera in those games.

I typically use the hood view, never understood the point of the external view when driving.

Seriously? You don't understand the point of being able to see what's going on around you more easily?

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: mugs
Seriously? You don't understand the point of being able to see what's going on around you more easily?

It's GTA, not a driving simulator. I can drive perfectly well without an external view of the car which actually makes me feel more disconnected and less immersed in the game. If the internal view was too restrictive, e.g. too much dashboard and not enough view, I'd be forced to switch to external but it's fine.