But really, the multiplayer portion with actual goals isn't too fun, but the open multiplayer is where the meat is. Get a few friends together, and just roam around the city. It's how GTA was meant to be played, IMO.
Besides GTA II, i never played a GTA that makes me WOW on graphics. I play GTA games for the gameplay. And if it has to have half the graphics quality for a better gameplay I think it's better.
I am ok with square fingers and some blurring, but i will have to wait until PC version of it :/
It's funny how influential this games have been. Rick Dark, from TnB released 9000+ Usernames and Passwords, JUST because someone told him the ending of GTA IV =/
What's the gaming world come to?
total respect to Joe. 9/10, not 10/10. you just gone up in my books man! good review, and having played it on PS3, one i'd agree with. at the end of the day, this is GTA all over again.
Originally Posted by Mentai I agree with Hustler. To me, game consoles aren't quite next gen, they got pretty close, but they're just not quite as sharp they could be and omg popin/limited framerates. Then again 360 is nearly a couple of years old now...
Oh and beyond good and evil had great art design, I wish there were more games like it.
and thats why the pc is superior. (well, there are other reasons as well). shame the port will be a cheap 1 - 1, a year late and not taking advantage of what the pc has on offer.
Personally I'd say the game is a 9/10 for the single player element and it strolls comfortably to a 10/10 when you factor in the multiplayer which is incredible fun, whether you're indulging in a race or giving a three-man shoeing to a fallen cop. I'm not one for fanboyism and I'm normally pretty harsh with games, but honestly I find it hard to rationalise GTA 4 not getting a ten, at least in terms of any meaningful relative comparison. Maybe the PC version might score lower if it doesn't get a graphics facelift, but that's horses for courses. GTA 4 has some problems, sure, and it has some limitations to what you can do, but the actual meat of the game is eyewateringly good. I can't see any possible alternative to GTA 4 as the best game on the X360 and that's not even like a close call, I mean by X360 standards Halo 3 or Bioshock is a classic. I mean you've got to consider the comparative weakness of other titles when looking at a game like GTA 4 on a system like the X360.
Thing I would say with it is that if it had no flaws at all, if the controls were somehow better, the graphics a little better- whatever, then ten out of ten would not be high enough, you'd have to give it ten and kick everything else down a notch or two.
I know in the face of such overwhelming hype it's easy to want to swim upstream but unless you're working on a scoring system where 10/10 is completely unachievable then I don't see how GTA 4 could reasonably be considered a deficient game. I'm all for criticism where it's due, but I don't think 9/10, given the other games that have rated that score, is a fair reflection of just how much win there is in GTA 4.
I've always felt that why should i waste monon a console which is already last gen as opposed to what they mark it as, in my opinion i've always seen PC's as the next gen hardware that gets dished up into consoles and with regard to GTA i've always prefered the texture increases and framerate boosts ect that the PC versions always bring to the table and i'm sure that rockstar will take into account these texture issues when the port it, i personally look forward to GTAIV on TRUE next gen hardware
Especially the part about saying that too much content as being a problem... I don't agree with that at all i'm afraid :|
Do agree on the graphics though, when you first start the game my first thoughts are always "eeew! jaggies and blurryness" but you do get used to it and not notice it at all a minute or so later.
Only real problem i've encountered so far is the fact that people will ring you up to go out bowling or whatever, whilst you're halfway through a mission, meaning you have to decide between declining and annoying the person who rang you up or failing the mission
i also agree on the final score as well, whilst it's undoubtedly a very good game, it's not perfect, so 9/10 seems about right
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexB GTA > Portal. Portal is one of the most over-rated games ever!
Lies! Portal isn't overated, it deserves all the praise it gets :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrb_no1 note: does the car handling change with experience or anything, as they were just awful as jo described in the review?
Depends on the car i feel, the crappier the car, the crappier the handling :p So just find a nice car and keep hold of it!
Originally Posted by Hovis Personally I'd say the game is a 9/10 for the single player element and it strolls comfortably to a 10/10 when you factor in the multiplayer which is incredible fun, whether you're indulging in a race or giving a three-man shoeing to a fallen cop. I'm not one for fanboyism and I'm normally pretty harsh with games, but honestly I find it hard to rationalise GTA 4 not getting a ten, at least in terms of any meaningful relative comparison. Maybe the PC version might score lower if it doesn't get a graphics facelift, but that's horses for courses. GTA 4 has some problems, sure, and it has some limitations to what you can do, but the actual meat of the game is eyewateringly good. I can't see any possible alternative to GTA 4 as the best game on the X360 and that's not even like a close call, I mean by X360 standards Halo 3 or Bioshock is a classic. I mean you've got to consider the comparative weakness of other titles when looking at a game like GTA 4 on a system like the X360.
Thing I would say with it is that if it had no flaws at all, if the controls were somehow better, the graphics a little better- whatever, then ten out of ten would not be high enough, you'd have to give it ten and kick everything else down a notch or two.
I know in the face of such overwhelming hype it's easy to want to swim upstream but unless you're working on a scoring system where 10/10 is completely unachievable then I don't see how GTA 4 could reasonably be considered a deficient game. I'm all for criticism where it's due, but I don't think 9/10, given the other games that have rated that score, is a fair reflection of just how much win there is in GTA 4.
totally see where you're coming from here actually...but when you think about it, games like world in conflict only got 9/10 (on bit-tech) because they too lacked that extra innovation to push it further than any game before it. I guess you could ask bit-tech to introduce a "9.5/10" but then that's just being picky, and really, if a game gets 9/10 then it's gonna be worth playing, even if it doesn't get that extra point to give it a 10. I think portal and the half life are one of the very few games I myself could honestly give 10/10. that and the entire doom series.
Maybe 9.5 is more fair, but the scoring system is stupid enough as it is. Unless you can objectively quantify the decimal points that turn a 9.4 into a 9.5 or 92% and a 93% then there isn't a point. The score is there for an at-a-glance only - the bulk of the opinion and thought process goes in the text. If you read that then you don't ever need the score to be honest.
Originally Posted by Major If a game doesn't look like Crysis, it doesn't mean it looks like ****...
You got a point there, however once you get used to Crysis-like graphics it's kind of hard to go back... Any way, I'm not such a graphics whore as you might think. I loved what they have done with the UT3 engine in Bioshock, not the same case for Turok :(
For me, GTA has always been about healthy gansta-like fun, not jaw dropping graphics... Besides, all the ports that I've played so far seem to have dumbed down graphics (not the case for Assasin's Creed which it's totally the opposite case - son of a b**** requires more beef than Crysis itself)
In the meantime I'll be here waiting for what I hope will be a good PC port (once again Bioshock comes into my mind). I'm pretty sure we're all expecting AA features, better resolutions, and even more polished graphics than the console versions. By we, of course I meant PC GAMERZ!
Originally Posted by CardJoe Maybe 9.5 is more fair, but the scoring system is stupid enough as it is. Unless you can objectively quantify the decimal points that turn a 9.4 into a 9.5 or 92% and a 93% then there isn't a point. The score is there for an at-a-glance only - the bulk of the opinion and thought process goes in the text. If you read that then you don't ever need the score to be honest.
Aye, as Yahtzee says (and I paraphrase): You can't apply an objective rating to a subjective evaluation.
Scores are a guide and nothing more.
.. of course they aren't "next gen" graphics anymore... we are 3 years into "current gen" so naturally things are starting to look "ok". In another year or so there will be whispers of Xbox 720 and PS4.
I think the graphics on this game look fine. When it rains and some one flies over in a helicopter and throws up some spray as you do a perfect powerslide around a corner....or when you are out in a boat and the waves roll and reflect the lights of the city.. it can look really nice.
The blur thing is a tad ugly, but me and my friend were playing about round the airport, we were jumping helicopters, when you see your friend driving fast in a car as a blur in the distance and then swoop down and try to smack them at speed as they leave the ground... it looks pretty dam cool.
But the thing that makes the graphics in this game amazing is the fact you can go down a random alley way or behind a house in some random part of town where nothing happens in the game at all.. there's no reason for that area to exist.. but you find it's completely different from all the other parts of the game, things have been placed there and stuff has been modelled/designed. The fact the game is that massive and they've taken the time to do that to such a fine degree.... is amazing.
Originally Posted by Hugo Aye, as Yahtzee says (and I paraphrase): You can't apply an objective rating to a subjective evaluation.
Scores are a guide and nothing more.
I do agree that the graphics aren't mind-blowingly good, but they are well done and fit the aesthetic of the game. I really like sunset where everything gets an orange hue :) Agreed a bit on the brown and I'm surprised you didn't mention the darkness...the game is very dark and hard to see in places which is a bit off-putting.
What some people don't seem to realise though (and this isn't aimed at the article), is that graphics DO NOT make a game. Crysis looked fantastic but I found it very dull and repetitive compared to a lot of decent FPS.
Now this is aimed at Joe (not that he'll be too bothered :p). I really think you're a little down on the hugeness of the game. It's fantastic and I love being able to do a lot of the side stuff straight away. When it comes to games nowadays I'm slightly more casual than I used to be so GTA IV is perfect for me. I can pick it up and play it how I want: perhaps doing a mission or two or perhaps just mowing down pedestrians :D
I love the fact you can go and watch a comedy show or some funny TV: that's what makes the game so damn awesome. Sure, you have to stop playing as such, but if your playing you can hardly watch TV at the same time
Anyway, good review overall - 9 is deffo a fair score although I rate it a little higher than you for content, plus if you read then score's not really the point of a review is it? :)
EDIT: and I wasn't a huge fan of Portal either although it was fun for a quick go :)
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But really, the multiplayer portion with actual goals isn't too fun, but the open multiplayer is where the meat is. Get a few friends together, and just roam around the city. It's how GTA was meant to be played, IMO.
I am ok with square fingers and some blurring, but i will have to wait until PC version of it :/
What's the gaming world come to?
Come on..... COME ON.....
and thats why the pc is superior. (well, there are other reasons as well). shame the port will be a cheap 1 - 1, a year late and not taking advantage of what the pc has on offer.
Thing I would say with it is that if it had no flaws at all, if the controls were somehow better, the graphics a little better- whatever, then ten out of ten would not be high enough, you'd have to give it ten and kick everything else down a notch or two.
I know in the face of such overwhelming hype it's easy to want to swim upstream but unless you're working on a scoring system where 10/10 is completely unachievable then I don't see how GTA 4 could reasonably be considered a deficient game. I'm all for criticism where it's due, but I don't think 9/10, given the other games that have rated that score, is a fair reflection of just how much win there is in GTA 4.
Page 3 - para 10 - 'Besides, most of the time you’ll be just be cruising around' - remove 'be'.
:( :(
Especially the part about saying that too much content as being a problem... I don't agree with that at all i'm afraid :|
Do agree on the graphics though, when you first start the game my first thoughts are always "eeew! jaggies and blurryness" but you do get used to it and not notice it at all a minute or so later.
Only real problem i've encountered so far is the fact that people will ring you up to go out bowling or whatever, whilst you're halfway through a mission, meaning you have to decide between declining and annoying the person who rang you up or failing the mission
i also agree on the final score as well, whilst it's undoubtedly a very good game, it's not perfect, so 9/10 seems about right
totally see where you're coming from here actually...but when you think about it, games like world in conflict only got 9/10 (on bit-tech) because they too lacked that extra innovation to push it further than any game before it. I guess you could ask bit-tech to introduce a "9.5/10" but then that's just being picky, and really, if a game gets 9/10 then it's gonna be worth playing, even if it doesn't get that extra point to give it a 10. I think portal and the half life are one of the very few games I myself could honestly give 10/10. that and the entire doom series.
no no, the cake is a lie ;)
You got a point there, however once you get used to Crysis-like graphics it's kind of hard to go back... Any way, I'm not such a graphics whore as you might think. I loved what they have done with the UT3 engine in Bioshock, not the same case for Turok :(
For me, GTA has always been about healthy gansta-like fun, not jaw dropping graphics... Besides, all the ports that I've played so far seem to have dumbed down graphics (not the case for Assasin's Creed which it's totally the opposite case - son of a b**** requires more beef than Crysis itself)
In the meantime I'll be here waiting for what I hope will be a good PC port (once again Bioshock comes into my mind). I'm pretty sure we're all expecting AA features, better resolutions, and even more polished graphics than the console versions. By we, of course I meant PC GAMERZ!
Great job, great website
Aye, as Yahtzee says (and I paraphrase): You can't apply an objective rating to a subjective evaluation.
Scores are a guide and nothing more.
I think the graphics on this game look fine. When it rains and some one flies over in a helicopter and throws up some spray as you do a perfect powerslide around a corner....or when you are out in a boat and the waves roll and reflect the lights of the city.. it can look really nice.
The blur thing is a tad ugly, but me and my friend were playing about round the airport, we were jumping helicopters, when you see your friend driving fast in a car as a blur in the distance and then swoop down and try to smack them at speed as they leave the ground... it looks pretty dam cool.
But the thing that makes the graphics in this game amazing is the fact you can go down a random alley way or behind a house in some random part of town where nothing happens in the game at all.. there's no reason for that area to exist.. but you find it's completely different from all the other parts of the game, things have been placed there and stuff has been modelled/designed. The fact the game is that massive and they've taken the time to do that to such a fine degree.... is amazing.
Blasphemy!!!
On topic: Another great review Joe, thanks! Of course being a PC gamer, I will have to wait quite a while before playing this. :(
Yahtzee?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation
What some people don't seem to realise though (and this isn't aimed at the article), is that graphics DO NOT make a game. Crysis looked fantastic but I found it very dull and repetitive compared to a lot of decent FPS.
Now this is aimed at Joe (not that he'll be too bothered :p). I really think you're a little down on the hugeness of the game. It's fantastic and I love being able to do a lot of the side stuff straight away. When it comes to games nowadays I'm slightly more casual than I used to be so GTA IV is perfect for me. I can pick it up and play it how I want: perhaps doing a mission or two or perhaps just mowing down pedestrians :D
I love the fact you can go and watch a comedy show or some funny TV: that's what makes the game so damn awesome. Sure, you have to stop playing as such, but if your playing you can hardly watch TV at the same time
Anyway, good review overall - 9 is deffo a fair score although I rate it a little higher than you for content, plus if you read then score's not really the point of a review is it? :)
EDIT: and I wasn't a huge fan of Portal either although it was fun for a quick go :)