GTA IV vs GTA Fan - How Rockstar Ruined GTA

GTA IV has been met by near unanimous praise by critics, including VideoGamer, but all isn't well in the hardcore GTA fan camp. Disgruntled reader John from Croydon contacted VideoGamer.com with his complaints earlier this week, after spending time with what he expected to be a game he'd be playing for years.

Having put thousands of hours into the GTA series over the years, including playing through GTA 3 twice, Vice City six times and San Andreas three times, he's more than qualified to offer his opinion on what many are already claiming is the game of the year. Read on as a GTA fan goes head to head with GTA IV and reveals what a growing number of GTA fans think of Rockstar's latest game.

[Mike134nl]

I do agree that the auto aiming does need to prioritise, though I only use it when searcing for possible enemies. But that is as far as my complains would go.

[socomnick]

For multiplayer they should get rid of autoaim all together. Its for noobs.

[MURKERR]

i dont agree that rockstar should remove auto aim altogether, they did the sensible thing and let gamers decide whether or not to use it in a multiplayer game if you dont like it dont join a game where the people are using it, not everyone is experienced at aiming theres alot of casual gamers who have just now jumped into this 'gen' because of gta.

which means they need time to get the hang of things

[Feihc Retsam]

That's what this game is...

All of the exploits that you used to be able to do actually RUINED the experience for me in past games.

It's kinda like getting an infinite money cheat, or GOD mode in a game. Yeah, it's fun for a bit, but the lack of a challenge quickly takes the fun out of the experience for most players. I know it does for me.

This games has a lot of things that are the product of the developer paying great attention to detail. I like the fact that this games requires the player to be cautious to succeed. I feel like the old games were way too easy because of how overpowered your character was.

Most of the complaints I just read sound like those of an un-skilled / lazy player.

I personally enjoy a good challenge, and I think the game features some fantastic improvements.

[Drekken]

TOTALLY Disagree with autoaim as a choice is good. I HATE IT. I spend more time jumping from room to room finding the one room without a noob leader with autoaim on.

They should at least make it an option to search out rooms WITHOUT it on... OR Make it off by default. Autoaim RUINS the multiplayer experience.

[TresTrendu]

I hated the previous versions of GTA, but i love this game. First GTA i have felt compelled to buy and i am glad i did.

[Genesis5]

I with you Tres. I never played any of the other ones but this one just looked so damn good. I playing it and I love it. I have no regrets with this purchase.

[ZeroXMD]

Some games have bad transitions. One thing that made GTA great was it's arcady feel. I love GTA4, but I also loved GTA3-SA. I like the new direction, but I miss the Old GTA feel, which they have all but did away with. This is GTA, not GT or Forza. The driving, while i'm getting used to, still pisses me off. It makes chases seem like more trouble than they are worth. The cops reactiveness is just strait annoying. Rampages aren't as fun as they used to be and I find myself running across the street, but getting bumped, not hit, by cars going as fast as I would be walking and loosing like 1/3 to 1/4 of my health by flipping onto their cars or flying a few feet. In the scene where you chase down Vlad, i found it IMPOSSIBLE to catch up to him because you have no traction on any car. the E-brake is mostly useless or only used for stopping, which even then, it takes forever, even going at half speed in a slow-medium speed car. All his complaints are warranted. True fans feel like noobs when they pick up this game. So I feel with this guy. It's one thing to re-invent, but it's another thing to make a new game with the same title as the old, but still expects you to do the same things as the old.

It's funny how alot of people react towards people who are mad at some games. It's an overused reference, but i'm going to use it because it's valid. Halo 3 wasn't very different than halo 2. The only changes to the gameplay were the x button and reload controls. It added a few new weapons and such, but that was about it. People still gave it 10s though and say, "it didn't need to change". Halo 3 is fun, but it still feels like an expansion on halo 2. SO IMO it didn't deserve the 10s or 9's it got. So I don't see how you guys can call this guy an idiot for expecting what he did. GTA4 is alot different in alot of ways from SA and prior, but there are just TOO many differences.

Like I said, GTA4 is great, i like it, but I feel with this guy and share alot of his views. I just don't see how you guys can just call him an idiot like that. GTA was awesome because it was easily accessible and had arcady fun with it's own driving mechanic that encouraged the stuff you did in it, but this one feels like you have to be an elite at the game to do anything. As for the auto-aim, quit complaining about it. GTA has always had auto aim, and it always will. You could always use it or you could choose not to. I use a mix of both. I don't rely on it, but I still use it when necessary and like it. I was in multi last night and played like 6 Deathmatches, the first 2 with auto aim and the rest without and still got first in both types, except for one which was a 3 way tie in kills but I was in 3rd because the other 2 had more money. If you want a game that makes u rely on aiming skills, play a FPS and shut up. If not, enjoy the game and stop bttching.

[gameraxis]

i never played the other GTA's so never havening been "spoiled" if u want to call it that i think this game is the funnest game I've played in years!!!

its like I'm playing a part in a goodfellas movie or something LOVE IT LOOOOOOOOOVE IT

[Lifendz]

good post man. Whenever someone elaborates their arguement, explains where they're coming from, and does so without coming across as a rabib fanboy I listen. I agree with you. This game is different. Is it still a 10? Yes. But it's so different from GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas that I can see why some are saying it shouldn't carry the name. I look at it as the evolution of GTA....the driving is a different story.

Take the mission you spoke of. Say you're in a sports car at the time. You'd catch this guy easy. But if you're in some hoopty cab then maybe it's not so easy. The difference between a good car and a bad one has never been as wide as it is in this GTA.

And you can't take corners like you used to. I love getting a good speed going in Brooklyn but I know that I have to slow down greatly to make my turn. Realistic? yes. But not necessarily what I wanted in GTA.

Maybe Rockstar will patch some things in so people like you and I don't feel quite as alienated. Maybe an Arcade mode option for the cars so they handle like they used to.

[jadenkorri]

played 3 hrs, got bored, im sorry,but i played gta 3, never got bored, gta vice city, never bored ever, even after completing every side quest i could still go play it, gta san andres great game, never bored, true gta experience...popped in GTA 4, looks fantastic, driving controls terrible, autoaim locks on randomly, cops are uber strong, escape is retarded, you can lose cops at 4 stars not a problem, liked the classic pay N spray...yes i know its still there but no cops can be in sight...i ma disappointed in the game for now, i will pick it up and play more, just right now, no urge too...its sad when ive played through gta 3 more times than i can count, vice the same, san andres, only once...

[thesummerofgeorge]

This guy is full of it, I find the realism is great. People who complain about the driving need to spend a little time practicing, cause once you get the hang of it it's way better, the cars don't fly around, some people dslike any challenge in gta 4 they want an unrealistic game where you are the super hero center of the universe where you win the world and everything in it at the end, usuallly people who don't like story mode and just wanna rampage... I mean this guy says he couldn't play through the story cause it was no fun....I finished the story mode the other day and am literally itching for more. The unrealistic gta is clearly the opposite direction the creators are going with it, it's not like they didn't say that before the game came out. And by the way the cops aren't too harsh and it's pretty sweet how he flies through the windshield when you crash into a structure that doesn't move. what would you expect to happen?

[RJ2000]

Realism is what people complained about in GTA-SA. You win some you lose some. Do a lot of you people realize you are contradicting yourself from what was said about the last GTA? I dont think a lot of people get that.

Granted I wanted realism but did not think it would be this intense. I have adjusted and I love it all over again. I have to say this is the complete game I have ever played.

[Jack Meahoffer]

There are Star Wars fans crying about the prequels and Transformer fans crying that Optmis Prime shouldn't have flames painted on his chest.

While this guy is certainly entitled to his opinion the vast majority of "hardcore GTA fan camp" love the game. I know I do.

It is by FAR the best open world game ever created. There is no question.

So stop your crying and practice your driving skills. Just because its realistic now and your 8 years of experience driving is thrown out the window. Get over it. Man up and practice and soon you too can drive in GTA IV without wreaking into everything. Its called a brake. Use it.

[thewhoopimen]

I actually agree with him. While this is certainly the most "detailed" GTA to date in terms of graphics. I feel like the city is so empty and staid comparatively. There are less game extras to do and less motivation to explore the city b/c of 'stricter' mechanics. It would be interesting if you could interact with the denizens besides beating/klling them. In Andreas, there was a gang territory mechanic that was kind of fun.

[Silellak]

Except the Star Wars prequels sucked, and GTA4 is incredible.

Everyone who complains about the gunplay is wrong. Simple as that. Gunfights are 5 bazillion times better than any GTA before it. Use cover and free-aim. It's not that hard.

Gunfights take strategy, rather than "run forward and hope you have enough armor/health to survive".

[Jack Meahoffer]

Everything about the game is more realistic requiring more thinking from the driving to the gun fights. These whiners basically wanted San Andreas 2 rather than a true next gen reboot.

[Lunch]

I've been reading some of the user reviews on it,and one in particular stood out: http://www.n4g.com/reviews/...

Very good read,I disagree with him on the Fun Factor score but he pretty much hit on all the points

[cp68]

From GTA fans summing up features on GT forums:

Additional transportation means
Jet skis
Jetpacks
Bicycles
Quads/ATVs
Mini-bus
Tramways
Light aircrafts (Dodo!!) / Hydroplanes
Hot-air balloons
Parachutes
Tanks (Rhino!)

Additional shops / places
Clothings (including jewelry)
Hairdresser
Mobile phones
Weapons (chainsaw, flamethrower, swords..)
Vehicle/Weapon customization
Night clubs offering different music each
Home furnitures

Multiplayer
FIX: Push to talk on microphone
FIX: Climbing ladders, entering vehicles
FIX: Stop loading the cinematics from online modes, once is enough
FIX: Stop loading back to single player mode if the server fails
FIX: Glitch at airport when riding a car under the plane, we travel
underground
FIX: Glitch to see inside unaccessible building
FIX: Out-of-the-map glitches
FIX: Spinning car glitch when it falls on the side
FIX: Free falling but no dying glitch when car hits the blue box
FIX: Vehicle repair glitch
Bike races
Fully customizable character
Ability to get drunk
Ability to play pool, bowling, darts
Ability to use any weapon + have full aiming control while on passenger seat

Other
FIX: Remove the damn SIXAXIS TUTORIAL from the cellphone
FIX: Visual problems, such as blur
FIX: Invisible characters glitch (often these ghosts attack us, we can't fight back)
FIX: Floating car spawn glitch
FIX: Entering vehicles glitches, sometimes niko keeps turning around the car for 10-15 seconds before he decides to enter it
FIX: Entering cars while on phone. It's possible to answer the phone in a car, and exit the car still using the phone. However it's not possible to enter a car while on the phone
FIX: Auto-aim, often it doesn't switch from one character to the other
FIX: What's all the money we got for?
Ability to run while talking on cellphone
Ability to swim underwater
Ability to use the Bus for public transportations
Ability to listen to radio on-foot
Ability to listen to our own mp3s from the XMB, a great feature for that could be niko owning a mp3 player
Ability to screen-capture and to instant replay/record
Ability to play games on Niko's cellphone
Ability to use an umbrella when walking under the rain
Ability to purchase homes and garages
Ability for cars to use windshield wipers when it's raining
Ability to decide manually select the car color at Pay'n'Spray
Ability to access the dashboard view at any time
Ability to have a view inside the car when doing a car wash
Ability to get drunk/play pool at home
Ability to manually turn lights indicating we're turning left or right
Ability to watch planes taking off and landing. All we see at the moment are planes on final approach or on initial climb
Ability to rob houses
Ability to play golf/gokart/use theme park attractions (online and offline)
Ability to watch games at stadium
Ability to drive the train
Ability for army helicopters to launch rockets
Ability to sit on a chair and watch the pole dances at strip clubs
Ability to look at pictures you take with your phone
Ability to manually configure and save camera angle positions
Ability to have the GTA2 camera
Bring back the pizzaboy, courrier missions
Mouse / Keyboard compatibility

[kewlkat007]

incorporate any of that?

So how did they drastically improve over the last game then?

That's a lot of sh^t. Some simple things in there as well. I guess this list sorta looks between the Hype.

[Skynetone]

i dont under-stand why they changed the driving mechanics it was perfect

i havent picked up the game yet but ill have it when my local shop gets it back in, {i have fifty credit with that shop so ill be waiting}

[Drekken]

You get bubbles from me for that list...

You should apply at rockstar and work on that patch ASAP!!!

Just remove Autoaim from multiplayer. If you need help in learning to aim, use it in single player... Leave MP for the big boys!

[Proxy]

Those things would be great in a more expansive world. Who's going to jet ski in the polluted waters of LC? ATVs have no place in the city. Hot air balloon floating between the sky scrapers, not likely. The city isn't big enough for a plane, but I guess you could always fly over the endless ocean. Also, additional shops and places aren't all that useful IMO.

I did like the bicycle idea, as I'm sure you'd see many of those in a large city. Bubble for your list, but most of it seems a little silly to me. Jet packs? Are you serious?

[Jack Meahoffer]

San Andreas took GTA III and Vice City and threw in the kitchen sink. GTA IV isn't about topping the list of features from the last game. The style and scope of the game is totally different. Having every single features from the past games is NOT required to be the best open world game ever made.

The artists at Rockstar know what their doing. To second guess them is like questioning Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

Stop your whining and enjoy the great game they've provided us.

WAAAH the PS3 version has a sixaxis tutorial on the cell phone menu... I like my virtual cell phone interfaces to be clutter free. WAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm going to cry about it online.

[thisguywithhair]

Sounds to me like you guys wanted a game that was completly revolutionary, breaking all bounds of known limits. While at the same time being extactly the same as tht game that came before.

People are complaining that the driving is hard, I agree. But then I played for more than 5 min and got used to it. Now I only crash when I am trying to get away from two stars or more as I must move faster than normal. But then those same people go on to say how good it is that the game is more realistic in its presentation. You can't have it both ways.

As for the jetpack, are you kidding me? That was the worst addition that any game has ever brought out. The only reason I can think of is that they promised so many new vehicles that they could't think of any to realistically add in.

For the people complaining about lack of long straightaways to gain speed, when was the last time you were driving around Toronto or New York and was able to do that? Besides, it is so easy to go in between cars that you can easily gain spped as long as you actually try and learn how to drive.

[cp68]

double-post bug

[Varsarus]

I was disappointed that you couldn't go on planes, really enjoyed going on them in San Andreas

[speed]

I've spent countless hours in all things GTA as well and though I'm only a few hours into GTAIV I'm impressed. The improved graphics, great dialogue, and improved AI are just a few reasons. Long live GTA!!!

[AllroundGamer]

i hope more articles like these will appear by GTA fans, because they really stripped off lot of features from the game, like they were trying it to make more casual and boring.

[permutated]

Couldn't agree with you more.

It's GTAIII with less features and better graphics. Big fuc%ing deal.

[tweaker]

I'm disappointed in GTA4 as well. I hope more truth articles come out. I'd say in my opinion, that it didn't live up to its hype.

[Dpa]

What a whiney b!tch this bloke is.
GTA4 is much better than San Andreas. I would much rather a realistic lifelike world than the ability to beat people with a plastic fallace or do an unrealistic jump on a bmx.

San Andreas was over the top.

Granted GTA4 isn't perfect, yes there are some alterations needed and a fix here or there to the far from perfect (but huge improvement) cover / shooting system.

[BlackCountryBob]

This kind of criticism was always gonna happen. By doing something a little different they made the game worthy of a sequel, if all they did was remake San Andreas in HD then why bother. The new developments make the game worth its existence and the same is true of other rebooted games that get criticised by 'fans' like Burnout.

Different doesn't always mean worse.

[pp]

The only console that ruined gta4 was ps3,may be next gta5 rock star will make it xbox360 EXCLUSIVE

[THE TERMINATOR]

pp
In your dreams
The other way round i think. Its been rumoured to be PS3 exclusive.

[DomUltra]

Do you actively block out information, Rockstar said that GTA 4+ - 5 won't be on Xbox 360 unless they solve the data storage problem, dumbass.

PP says the dumbest shіt and it's not only once in a while, it's constantly all the time.

[Jack Meahoffer]

GTA V is RUMORED to be PS3 exclusive.

I'd venture to say GTA V won't come out on this generation of hardware anyway so fanboy posturing over it is pointless.

There will be expansions to GTA IV this generation and the next true sequel will be on next generation hardware and Sony will get some GTA love if they don't wait 10 years to bring out the PS4.

Stop trying to call people out with your fanboy rumors spun into fake "facts".

[Leathersoup]

I'm really having problems understanding Rockstar's logic on this one. If MS puts out a 360 with Blu-Ray only a handful of people are going to have that console and they will receive maybe 5% of the sales that they received for this iteration of the game.
If they don't put the game out for the 360 at all they'll be losing all of the revenue that they would have received.

If the solution would be for Rockstar to require the Xbox to have a hard-drive in order to play, one game disc and one data disc (purely for the purpose of loading onto your hard drive). I'd be ok with that.

[Ali_The_Brit]

dont make fun of pp, his mother dropped him alot when he was a baby then he drank a bottle of stupid juice. pitty the poor poor fool, let him sit in his room with his RRoD xbox all day and call it the greatest thing ever

[Ali_The_Brit]

and by the by pp, GTA STARTED on the PS, and you can bet your sweet ass its gonna finish on a PS, because aint no 360 gonna be able to handle GTA V

[RiceBoy]

dude your trippin' without "playstation" there would be no gta. did you think about that? gta5 a 360 exclusive you are trippin. i have a ps3 and i have no problems with any of my games xcept gta4 it crashed kuz ther was something wrong with gta4 servers online so basically all i had to do to fix it was sign out of psn so gta4 wont crash on ps3 other than that i dont have to worry about xbox 360s "infamous" rrod. ps3 doesn't need 360's exclusive downloadable content, everyone whos playin' gta4 right now are mostly playin the multiplayer games. who needs new downloadable chapters when theres the online gameplay which is a whole different experience from just single player.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

360 fans get GTA IV plus... episodic content #1/Vice City and episodic content #2/San Andreas by that time the new Xbox will be out and GTA V will be Xbox exclusive. Think GTA IV freezing PS3 consoles is bad now, just think what GTA V would do. It would make the PS3 explode like Sony's laptop batteries. http://youtube.com/watch?v=...

AHHHHHHHHH! MY FACE MY FACE IT'S GONE AHHHHHHHHHH! SOMEONE GET THE OTHER HALF OF MY FACE, IT'S OVER THERE STUCK ON THE WALL AHHHHHHHHH! MY FACE.

[RiceBoy]

"by that time the new Xbox will be out and GTA V will be Xbox exclusive" - ms has to remake the xbox in order for them to keep up with the ps3? how shameful... the only reason why gta4 froze on ps3 is because gta4 servers were jamming up and all you had to do was sign out of "psn" for it to by pass the gta4 servers so you can play without crashing. gta5 will never be an xbox exclusive...

[midgard229]

i agree 100% with this guy, gta4 sux, a few things are better but the things that made gta fun is gone. WHY the F isnt there military? i dont give a crap if it isnt realistic for them to be there, its fun running from tanks, dodging explosives, having spiked floors that screw ur car up. now the cops mindlessly chase u and its easy to escape even 6 stars. no parachute but u can go on sky scrapers? whats the sense of that???

honestly the best thing bout the game is the TV. the shops suk, the weapons are boring and basic. autoaim sux it aims at everything but target. u cant drive fast in the game so fast cars are usless, ur better off with a slow car since theres so many corners and freakin Light post!!!

i hate the game, what ever happened to kill frenzy's and flame throwers, katana's and all the fun stuff? running in the mall. blah this game blows i get madder thinking bout how good it used to be back in san andreas

[AllroundGamer]

feeling the same way, GTA RIP :(

[mistertwoturbo]

It's okay, for me I loved GTAIV for the fact that it was Grand Theft Auto FOUR. Not GTA 3.5 with the exact same gameplay as the others with HD graphics. (Looks at Halo 3)

[protekjv]

The game is not perfect, but I hope R* will add the features that GTA: San Andreas had, as DLC. We shall wait.........

[JadeTyrant]

do you even play video games? Do you know anything about the gaming industry? How old are you? I can never make any sense out of what you say.

[poos3]

OK IM HERE TO SPEAK FACT OK WHEN I GOT GTA 4 I WAS BOWED AWAY I GOT THE 360 VERSION BTW THE GRAPHICS amazed me or what it was a sandbox the game is amazing inm this game from the riving shooting gameplay compared to previous gta titles is wayyyyy better but then the major dispoint while i was playing gta 4 i wished that they had kept sandadreas and not released it and brought it out using this enw engine and dall it gta4 as sandares aprt from every thing ive mention above trumps this game im sorry sanadreas the story line and feel of the city and the immersiveness is unmatched only warcraft has mad me more adddicted to a game to sum it up gta 4 is amazing buit the major problems is that rockstar has already made a better game called gta sanadreas imagine sandadreas never being released and comeout on the ps3 and 360 with all the things we seein gta 4 it would prolly be the best game ever made.

[Jdoki]

GTAIV has a good story, but has lost a lot of the incidental fun stuff.

I recall reading an article (in Edge magazine I think) where the developer said he hated the term Sandbox game. Maybe Rockstar wanted to ensure the game was more story focused and less sandbox. I know a few people who ignored most of the story in previous GTA's because they were happy just running around shooting stuff up and enjoying all the little fun things you could do.

I love GTAIV, but I'm not sure it deserves the massive scores it's been getting. From a purely 'fun stuff to do' point of view GTAIII and Vice City are my favourites.

[crimsonfox]

i must say there where things that the game did not offer that i believe make GTA,GTA i mean ive beat it twice for the endings and i have to say i was disappointed at somethings but some of the other features made up for it but having a GTA with no missions where you sit down and shot and someone else drives and the cop or whatever cars are flipping around and other ridiculous things and why couldn't they have more than 5 shops for clothes i mean how much did they spend 100 mil come on they needed alot more then what they had I'd say the internet made up for it but I'd be lying it's alright but nothing to write home about there just not funny and i have to say this gta just isn't funny but...it does have it's points i guess i just need to listen harder but i will still give this game 10/10 because it's still the best game this year until metalgear and well see how gears turns out although i have a feeling it'll all be graphics like the first one

[iistuii]

Don;t get me wrong , i love the game but you cant give graphics a 10 with all those jaggies, cant wait for it to come on PC too so i can turn on the AA.

[Coke-a-Cola]

And I am about 25 hours into the New One . I am not a Game Critic ....that is to say it is not my profession to dissect every nuance of a title , but , let me say ...........so far this game has captured My imagination.

You know ........ Reluctant to stop playing and Falling asleep with the controller in my lap at 3:00 am .............. then waking with a start as the rumble kicks in.

I am on a kind of thrill ride that is bound to lead Me on a very long and Playful journey.

The level of immersion is second to NONE........ Feel it.

NOTE : I just had to add ......my latest greatest Game has been Uncharted ......Bloody Amazing .......4 times so far .

Better graphics than gta......great story .....great everything .
But I would still rather choose GTA 4 . I would be in bad shape if I actually had to choose though.

[dachiefsman]

oh gezus pass the tissues....GTA IV has been as much fun or maybe more so than the other GTA ips......

I mean what the hell did you expect topless angels to come down from heaven once you put the game into your console....this guy is as annoying as fan boys...oh wait he is one....

[marichuu]

I think he speaks the truth most of the time and especially about the driving part.
The cars react like you're driving on ice on the moon, there's nothing realistic about taking corners/breaking in the game.. hell, I've done better on ice than these cars do on a sunny day.

[dachiefsman]

well i guess i don't take things as serious as some people....after all it is a game....

[marichuu]

Yea, but that's not the point.
Why would they remove/change something that was perfectly fine for 3 games? Sure, trying something new is always great, but what's the point in making it worse on every level?

[dachiefsman]

my point was so things change and I didn't think they were so bad....other than the driving being difficult...I think this game is fun as hell....maybe I am a sheeple, but each time I turn on the console with this game...I am enjoying the ride...

[astronautbread]

I for one, really enjoy the "new" GTA. Sure there's some things I miss; bicycles, planes, robbing stores, etc. But, enjoy all the new mechanics, and as for your problems with driving and shooting,"your doing it wrong". It's a new system with new rules it takes time to master them. You can't just run in thnking it will be the same...

It seems to me that John maybe needs to play Saints Row 2. That may be more up your alley. GTA is headed in a different direction than you wanted, and it seems it's trying to fit in-between it's competitors (rip-offs, whatever) Saints Row and The Getaway. I think it's doing it nicely. If you're unhappy, maybe it's time to check out some of the other series...

[cpuchess]

I played San Andreas on the PC but hated it because of the mouse+keyboard crap. I really like GTA4 though, and disagree with this guy about Saints Row being better. I have played Saints Row repeatedly since it's been out and it feels pretty empty in comparison. I do agree that the Police are a little to touchy, you can't even practice fist fighting without getting into trouble. I wish they would make an AO only version so the strip bars are like real strip bars, now that would be cool...

[budbundystyles]

Looks like someones dying do be "that guy".

[gladiatory2k]

I had high hopes for GTA4. I like the game, don't get me wrong, but it still feels like a step backward from San Andreas. San Andreas was good for the different things you could do. I also felt like I was taking over a city. This seemed a good step up from Vice City where you were BECOMING scar face. GTA4 just feels like a delivery boy. I miss being able to take over businesses to get a steady cash flow going. I miss being able to at least change my character's fighting style. I also miss being able to drive at high speeds through the city without having to have a choice between spinning out or running into the far wall.

I have said it in a couple of other threads, this game just makes me anxious for Saint's Row 2. Sure the graphics are cartoony, but, to me, it now seems as if the first Saint's row was the spiritual Successor to the GTA series, going to the next logical step in that series. The character was YOURS, the story was YOURS, and the game has the same aspects of empire building VC and SA had. It may not look as pretty, but I am going to have to wait till August to get my true GTA fix in.

Don't get me wrong, GTA is a great game, and I love playing it, but I still feel like I was just playing GTA 3 and the fun I had with VC and SA was just a dream. I just think GTA s flaws has left a gap wide enough for Saint's Row, Mercenaries, and all the other "GTA" clones to step in and feed a public that only got it's appetite whetted by the latest foray into Liberty city.

[thisguywithhair]

San Andreas (IMO) was a complete waste of time. It was such a cartoony parody of what GTA used to be that is wasn't even funny. GTA IV has gone back to its roots in terms of realism while moving forward in terms of realistic gameplay.

So what if you actually have to try to win these missions instead of just running and gunning while losing almost no health. So far the only missions I have had real trouble with are the ones that I did just that. I didn't succeed until I started to move slower and be more cautious in my attempts. Just think ahead, move slowly, and try to anticipate where the enemy may be and you will succeed.

[neonchez]

most of the reasons this guy lists for hating gta4 are the reasons why i love it. the game it not perfect, no game is, get over it. the driving is a little off but i like the threat of flying through the windshield. the possibility of being flung from the car stops me from stealing a Hummer or one of the big trucks or buses and plowing through traffic after a target. which makes the difficulty of the car chases go up significantly.

i don't agree w/ his complaints about the cops either. i've shot ppl in the middle of the street w/o alerting the cops tons of times, you just have to make sure there isn't a cop around.

my biggest complaint is the lack of side missions and other things to do. one of my favorite things about SA was the property buying, casinos, horse races, fighting for territory, all the race missions, just tons of stuff to do. GTA4 has none of these things, at least as far as i've seen.

oh, and i don't like the radio in GTA4. instead of having a few stations w/ hours of music and dialogue, they made more stations w/ very little to listen to. i bet i heard every bit of what was on the radio the day i bought the game. and the music they do have...not so good.

[thisguywithhair]

Territory fighting was fun. I would play for hours at a time just to make sure that I would be able to get as much money as humanly possible from my neighborhood. The pnly thing I didn't like was that gangs would attack me even after I completly eliminated them from the map.

[omodis420]

I believe that the music not being good is more reflective of the music of the modern day setting the game is based in. I do love the reggae station though.
The talk radio is hilarious!

[Extra Guy]

Although this game is fun, IMO San Andreas was way better. People complain about there being too much space, well yes there were a lot of seemingly empty regions, however when you look close they were full of things to look for and extras. Here are a few assumed empty areas: Mount Chilliad (the challenge, the ramp, the parachute, bigfoot etc), the Badlands (races, angry farmers, ghost cars etc), the desert (lil' probe inn, area 69, body bag place, twilight zone, the dam, satellite dishes etc) and not to mention the random crap like: leatherface, the creepy wheelchair by the lake, radioactive well, the caves and so forth. It's this kind of stuff that really made that game a lot of fun and added to the replay value. Also the main characters in San Andreas were hilarious, for example the part where you think they all die in a car explosion after being chased by the helicopter or the early scene at the cluckin bell.

To me it's those kinds of moments that helped to make the game what it was, without them along with the list above me GTA4 really hasn't lived up to my expectations.

[sleepbox]

I agree that SA is the best GTA even still. It was and still probably is my fav game of all time. GTA4 takes a lot of tension away that was present in the other GTAs.

The multiplayer is a blast and anyone saying otherwise is full of it.

Saint's Row is by far the best GTA clone but that's just what it is: a clone. It feels completely soul less compared to the GTA series.

[SandboxGuy]

Oh man i agree. From the moment i started playing the game i knew something was off. The stiff way niko moves compared to the saints row characters. The awful handling of the cars. What happened to all the clothing? They got some hideous boring options. You cant go in any police stations to cause havoc. WTF? I expected to be able to go inside the airport terminal and watch people check in their luggage and about theie business. You cant do that. The planes dont even land or take off!! LOL. This is the first gta game were the lack of the usual things you could do in past series is not available. Where the hell is rikers island? no stadiums? Saints row 2 is offering everything that i thought this game would offer. Could rockstar at least give out a code where you can change characters? I dont want to be a middle aged eastern european. Saints row 2 gives you the option to be whatever you want. I thought you could go inside the prison to cuase havoc. you cant do that. only outside. Im officially getting on the volition bandwagon becuase i like the direction they are heading in sandbox games.

[rhood022]

I don't know about the rest of you, but reading what this GTA 'fan' wrote left me with one impression:

This 'fan' needs to spend less time complaining about what the game misses and spend more time reading books and bumping up that IQ.

I mean geez, that was painful to read.

[Kleptic]

agreed...I for one don't mind the driving...the faster cars handle well, and the slower cars don't...that is fine...blasting around in a banshee or an infernus is just as much fun as any PS2 GTA imo...

and the cops...you can still get away with ruining guys for no reason...it just depends on what neighborhood you are in...there is that funny guy that keeps yelling about you sinning (across the street from your second safehouse in Bohan)...I would walk up to him with a shotgun everytime and execute him...only got a star once...do that in the middle of algonquin, where there are cops on every corner, and they will see it...

and I much prefer the new wanted system...the evading police sight lines is awesome compared to the older games...even in a mission with 3 stars on you, its just intense enough to keep you on your tows, but is very fair about letting you get away...in GTAIII...you could have 1 star for 10 minutes driving around looking for the stupid badge to make it go away...1 star in GTAIV is an inconveniance for 30 seconds...

whatever...big titles like this always get whiners...where I understand some complaints (the freezing, etc.)...calling it not fun is ridiculous...

[Mighty Boom]

Cry me a river. The game is awsome.

[harv052]

I only agree with the "side missions"...Having places or stores to buy would have been welcomed...More side missions....

[PS360PCROCKS]

Oh STFU! This guy is a nitpicking loser who wants no realism whatsoever. It's still GTA and it's still fun as hell, I laugh CONSTANTLY. this guy is gay

[sleepbox]

Would the "fan" like some cheese with his whine?

Seriously, I've been playing GTA since the original on PC (in fact, played the demo first) and GTA4 is far and away exactly what the GTA series needed. Period.

[PoSTedUP]

hahah i stop reading when he said the driving isnt realistic, i almost played the gta series as much as him, so i have a good say in what gta is good, the driving is more fun than ever, if you learn how to drive then you can drift around corners as fast as you want. hes probly just a lil kid who dosent know the concept of the E break. gta series itsnt to please lil kids, its for adults, thats why its more relistic/graphic than ever. you kids should keep your opinions to your selves, because you dont know what a good game is. o and xbox better tighten up or they wont be getting gta5 on their console! i herd it from the man who created the game that the ps3 version looks better.

[RiceBoy]

i think thats full of crap if the "GTA fans" like the old arcade style drving and all the physics then go back to the old gta and stop b*tchin about the whole new physics in gta4. i find nothing wrong with gta4 except that they dont have bicycles anymore... -___- other than that how boring would it be being a ps3 or xbox360 owner and having the same f*ckin game physics as the last gta? if your the racer type gamer you know as well that you can take corners alot faster if you get in the right apex.

[PoSTedUP]

for real, i just read the whole thing now. i shoot a cop once in the chest hes dead, the cops turn up in 10 seconds because seconds is converted into minutes. if you dont like the driving then please never touch ANY of the gran turismo games EVER, your not worthy. their are hidden weapons i found like 4 and i just got the game.if i knew you i would slap you silly, your not worthy to be a part of the gta series yo. so dont bother buying getaway3 and mafia or la noire, because these games arent for kid, this is serious adult stuff here ppl. you want a fun game go play pokemon. because the way you wrote that article, thats what it seems you would be into.

[The Closing]

This game is almost exactly the same as the last 3, and a step back from the last game, and it's getting praised like it's something revolutionary, which it's not at all. Crap gameplay be it poor shooting, poor cover, poor combat, lousy driving, hell walking is even lousy, and the missions are still extremely repetitive. Such a over hyped noob game for people who don't know good gameplay if it hit them on the head.

[ICUP]

I am very disappointed with GTA 4, it feel like GTA 3.5

all the great feature in SA and VC have been remove

GTA 4 is more of story driven and REAL and not about fun like SA and VC.

[xTHRASHx]

while the story and general gameplay are cool with me i miss the "screw-around-ability&quo t; that previous GTA's had. I spent a lot of the summer of 06' messn around in San Andreas jumping out of planes with a parachute, riding atv's and just having fun. But that is kind of absent from the latest version. Im actually suprised that i even care that much because since ive got my 360 ive become a more story driven gamer, i want to have good gameplay and all but the story needs to be immersive. So i didnt really think i would care if GTA took a more story direction in GTA4 but i do. I mean gta is known for the aimless fun you can have and since its gone i feel a little sad. Now the game is still awesome but i traded in Halo 3, Gears of War and a controller for this game because i felt i would play it all summer... now im not so sure.

[avacadosnorkel]

2 games and a controller for this GTA? I feel bad for you. But had Microsoft not got the game on the same day Sony did, you probably wouldn't have got ripped off.

Blaim Microsoft.

[Angelitos]

Its more realsitic, thats what I like. Also, there are few things I would of improved and wanted on the game.

[ScottEFresh]

Shut up and go play San Andreas.

[DomUltra]

Actually I probably will myself, I find it to be alot better than GTA4, but some how, SOME WAY Gta4 is just THAT MUCH better /sarcasm.

[Groo]

Sounds to me like the guys b!tch!n in this article about how they don't care about realism and loved the old games better should start playing the Dynasty Warriors games if they don't like change. I love this game the way it is. And btw, auto aim isn't a problem if you lightly tap the L trigger, or turn it off on multiplayer...

[FCOLitsjustagame]

Guy had quite the whine. I cant say as I agree with any of what he said but I guess we all like different things. From what he said though I am pretty glad I never played the other GTA games.

[_Q_]

Bikes are there bike anywhere? I want bikes and stats back because with stats atleast you could get better with whatever you liked to drive. BTW I said in an earlier forum that giving this game a perfect score was ridiculous and that perfect games are games that you can't trade in...well I'm selling gta4 right now on craigslist and ebay cuz its deadweight in my game collection and I see others doing so too.

[killtheaquitted]

john needs a tissue and a tampon

[eborring]

I have not played GTA3 before I got 4 and I have only played 4 for 20+ hours, so my opinion may not be fully formed. But I will say that I agree with him on a lot of points.

From playing GTA knockoffs I would say GTA4 is not a sandbox game. There are really no "options" for you, I would liken it to No More Heroes or Mafia. They are kinda like sandbox games in that you can drive around a huge world but in reality they are linear because the only thing that moves the game forward are a linear progression of story based missions. GTA has a lot more side missions than either of those games but I thought there would be divergent missions progressing the story in addition to the divergent choices within the missions. Maybe I need to play it longer.

I agree with the author about with the realism vs. reality dichotomy. I feel the game is trying to be realistic in its graphical portrayal and think the more realistic it is the better it could be. But a lot of things go off the deep end when it comes to reality and he brings up many good points.

I don't think it is close to a 10/10 game, but then again I would probably rank every game lower than the scores they get because I am a harsh critic. I still think it is a really fun game.

[Asurastrike]

I like auto aim. I don't play GTAIV online for it's competitive play, I play it to blow things up and have fun. If I want a competitive game I play Counter Strike or Call of Duty 4.

[avacadosnorkel]

This GTA is like a daytime soap opera. Hit the snooze button and wait for Saints Row 2. At least that should be funny.

[599 US Dollars]

lol. not reading this garbage.

[Wil Wheaton]

today i was cruising through liberty city and i was thinking man i wish their was some rampages like kill 20 cholos with the flamethrower and the cover system is really clunky and annoying and the targeting needs to prioritize and when you use the right stick to switch between targets it could be faster but all in all these are minor grievances and the new additions really add alot to the gta formula and i think it has deserved the 10's its recieved....

[omodis420]

That was the biggest run on sentence ever.

I do agree with you though.

[foozen]

I have to say I loved all GTA's so far this one has disappointed out of the box. First things first though why does a delayed title with the money, resources and knowing it’s going to shift units come out with fundamental bugs in it? Anyway that’s for another argument though adds to my disappointment.

Many people have commented on the lack of features and how sparse the city is for doing stuff. I'm 25% into the story and am starting to feel it too. The story line is not hooking me in and I'm not watching the cinematic's anymore, I'm trying to get through the story till something big happens. There is no sense of achievement yet. Other GTA's got you building empires etc... Visually it cannot be knocked though and there is some small\nice touches like your car getting dirty over time (if you can keep one!) etc... etc...

Getting on subject though I feel there is two/three possible reasons for GTA lacking features\off story things to do.

1. The big one! R* has produced the first truly full DLC world? You can see them round there big meeting rooms. How can we make more money than we do? How can we exploit this world we have created? Let’s give everyone a basic £45 (UK price) membership to the GTA IV world via a disc. You'll get a few cars, a few shops and a few places to eat and one story. Now let’s start and open a R* DLC shop in Liberty City!!!! Niko can walk in (via a patch or Sony's Home for PS3 users) to this DLC shop and us the consumer can purchase the rest of the game! With this we can customise our LC worlds with what we want! You want those rampages? You want those miniguns? You want your tank back! R* will want to hear what we want because they'll sell it back to us!

2. Before I say this it’s not a criticism of the XBOX360, it’s all been said before and I do not want to dig that all up again. Is GTA IV sparse due to space constraints on the XBOX? Has everything been taken up by those visuals? Anyone know how big the image is on those DVD\Blu Rays? Same size as that rip off copy on the net, 6.4GB? I assume it’s around 7GB to support DVD and is the same size for the PS3. This is a shame if so because we have the 50GB Blu Ray and PS3 HDD we could have had more! PS3 users will have to wait for GTA V to get what are hardware is capable of supporting.

3. R* want the game to grow up? Did R* think that crowds it was going to pull where looking for something more visual but with no real substance?

This is my opinion but GTA hit a peak with San Andreas the depth to world was immense and maybe a little overwhelming at times with the things you could do. GTA IV is a DLC dream and also an advertiser one too. But I'm afraid you'll not find me in the queue at the R* store. I paid my £45 I want my full GTA IV game please. I hope DLC doesn't take off for this game (sorry) I like to know when I purchase a game and at those prices that the I get the complete game not a launch pad for R* or whoever to sell me more.

[t-0_ot-]

ahh boo hoo.. I just started and I love the game.. I agree the last GTA's were a bit funner since it wasn't as realistic, but doesn't mean 4 isn't fun.

[Surviver]

no side missions or hidden weapons?
What the hell?

Weapons are all over if you look.
That was lame.

And ever meet a random character?
Side missions.

You can deal drugs, taxi and stuff.

Stop complaining
Some points were valid...but
The crashing through the windshield is quite fun.

[cjg23]

Man there are too many b**** ass "gamers" now. Any game you play prime example COD4 little b**** ass fa*s complain hacks when they get rolled in a pub server this is the same sh*t just play the f*cking game and enjoy it. Nothing but f*g*ot ass bit*hs in the gaming community now.

[eborring]

so because people use their brains to think about what they are doing instead of blindly following the latest trends, they are a b**** ass? i don't think anyone here is complaining that the game sucks because they are frustrated at the level of difficultly (I assume that is the analogy you are trying to make with the getting "rolled in a pub server" commment), I personally think the game is too easy in some instances.

I can still enjoy something even though I talk about its flaws.

[Xcal2k3]

I actually enjoy the driving now that ive gotten use to it. As far as there being corners every few yards... ITS NEW YORK, you never see anyone in new speeding, unless you want to ram into someone. The fun factor you speak of, i agree, its kinda missing and most of it is due to the fact that each little thing grants you a wanted star, if you shoot in the air, you get a wanted star, than once the cop arrives and actually sees you shotting in the air, you get 2 stars and thats when they open fire... WTF. I was shooting pigeons for christ sakes! Ive already completed the game, and most of my fun in previous GTAs happen after i beat the story via completing side missions, killing sprees and such. But you cant have a decent killing spree on GTA. Thats what GTA is heavily based on or is well known for doing. I can shoot a whole block up, killing everyone in sight and not gain no more than 2 stars on previous GTAs. On this one.... I shoot 3 people and i have 2 stars, cops fueled by steroids taking me down Universal Soldier style, and it deviates your main priority, which is to fool around and have fun, you have to drive out the radius, theres no longer star icons to pick up to decrease wanted stars, you have to leave your set task to run the hell away. 5-6 stars on previous games use to be tons of fun, TONS, on here, its suicide, PURE suicide, YOU WILL DIE. I still love this game though and im re-playing the story again as well ^_^.

My only gripe is the Cops, cops need to chill...

[nordberg]

I pass the 3 GTA for Ps2 at 100% amd i don't think after passing San Andreas at 100% anyone can say GTA4 is better...

The game is HD and have the same size (thanks xbox360 for that :( ) than San Andreas meaning the city have less features. 2 really fun feature missing: driving school (+bike plane boat) and stadium!!! why the hell R* cut that but keep girlfriend for sample...

Anyway, GTA4 still better than the first GTA3, close to vice city in single player and have multiple player, still great game.

[rayzorn]

the one complaint i cant believe is anyone talking about the radio stations. i played 3, vice and sa and i loved the radio. but the selection sucks this time around unless you like rap or rb. man i love rock, heavy metal, alternative, or country and they have none of them that rock station they got sucks balls.

for the most part i do like the game. but they really push you to do quests with the cell phone seems like i cant just drive around and cruise without missing out on stuff. also not sure but someone up above says no flame throwers. is that true. hope not i loved them. they better not got rid of the moltov coc-ktails.

[GroovyMcCool]

you can put your phone into 'sleep mode' and stop the mission-related calls, if you want to :)

[Truplaya]

the radio is brilliant on this one, it even updates and gives you news reports of what you've done. The music isnt as good as Vice City but it is good. Rock is available on LCHC too, well i think its rock, i dunno. I flick around the stations and listen to them all.

[PoSTedUP]

id rather play gta3 than san andreas

[JasonX43]

Is that my baby nephew? No, it's just somebody that needs to stop crying and get a life! Look, GTA 4 isn't perfect, but Rockstar and Take-Two didn't ruin the franchise so this guy can stop whining about it!

[Citizen Cook]

I loved the fact it was more realistic!
I want Vice City 2 (the Xbox 360 EXCLUSIVE Pack) to be even more exclusive!

Oh, and i think we all know GTA 5 will be on the next gen and not this one... and i think we all know it'll be Xbox EXCLUSIVE!

HA HA HA HA!

[GroovyMcCool]

i really like GTA IV, enjoy the driving and like the story. i think the multiplayer games are a bit crap though.

me and my mates were really looking forward to bowling together online on the game as some previews promised. can't blame rockstar for what journalists write, i suppose, but it's still disappointing.

[Big Jim]

Rockstar didn't ruin the series, but they didn't fix any of the problems with the camera and the combat that the GTA series has always had, and fixing the camera and the aiming should have been their top priority. Give me GTA4, but with saint's row's combat and camera and that game would have been a 10.

[yanikins111]

Article ever.

[Truplaya]

i like the fact that GTA4 is more realistic. If people want arcade driving and madness they should just go and play Crackdown

[Tha Beast]

It's sad that some gamer's can't just buy a game and enjoy it. There's always a small group of haters who always need to point out things that most of us really don't care about!

[N2NOther]

Some of you have some funny complaints...You miss being able to take over the city? Cool, go play those games...This story isn't about that. A fact that has been publicized long before this game hit shelves? You don't like the driving? Do you suck at gaming? It took me all of 1 hour (if that) to get the mechanics down and with few exceptions, I can finish missions on 1st or second attempt...Any game takes practice to get certain mechanics down...Every GTA has been that way...

No, it's not like San Andreas...Which is partly disappointing because San Andreas was easily the last gen's bets GTA, but this game is leaps and bounds better in so many other ways...

The targeting is fine...Yes, it sometimes targets farther enemies...Welcome to GTA. Every 3D GTA game suffered from this problem...I adapt and I do fine...I've only died from shooting missions maybe 10 times and I'm 70% done with the game...The people complaining must really suck at this game.

[yess]

this is not GTA, its driv3r.

[Tyetan]

This is the first entry in the franchise that I've actually enjoyed for more than an hour. I think it's because the difficulty has been increased and the game feels more skill based. I enjoy the new challenges that the physics bring to the driving and appreciate the realism and attention to detail. I think the reason this guy is so angry, is because he sucks at video games in general. Rockstar injects a little bit of challenge and this guy cries about it because he wants everything to be easy or automatic.

[jeenyus]

Having put thousands of hours into the GTA series over the years, including playing through GTA 3 twice, Vice City six times and San Andreas three times, he's more than qualified to offer his opinion on what many are already claiming is the game of the year.

~~~

^^^ I LOL'D.

I finished GTA III and GTAVC more than 10 times each,knew almost all dialogues by heart.Finished GTASA only 2 times,but spent lots of hours on it.GTA VC was the best one.

THAT..until GTA IV.This one wipes the floor with all previous GTA's as it should have been.I'm on my second play on it,choosing all the other options (6 times).Only 2 decisions of those 6 really influence the game story.

The guy that complained is another GTA IV,attention manwhore we also see on the news.Why not make another GTA IV article to get hits ? Do piss off.

[DARK WITNESS]

well from what i have played so far here is my $2....

I still think its a great game, one of the best and a true example of what can be done with the hardware available. something most other dev's have not.

i would still give it a 10/10. I am with ign on their view of what a 10/10 game is. it does not mean its perfect, but its a step up.

i don't know if i would say it is better then the other gta's so far.

i am only about 45% through, so can't pass full judgement, but so far i would say it is equally as good as the others.

I think if vice city and san andreas had the benefit of the next gen power and visuals they would be the better games. I think the overall progress of the stories and the size of the missions in those games felt better.

my only real faults with this game are the controls. i think the set up could have been a bit better. There are some things i wish had stayed more traditional like having weapons at your safe house when you get the hidden packages. I have found about 40 of the packages so far and unlocked nothing.

i also wish they had the garage from saints row. thats the only thing i miss. being able to add a car to your garage and knowing that even if you mash it up, you can go back it get the same car, you will just need to fix it up.

still like i said, to me 10/10 is not about being perfect. it is the most fun i have had so far with all these next gen games and it dose do a lot more then anything else i can think of.

hell, i would give it a 10/10 just for little jacob and brucie...those guys are awesome !

also for having an afro beat station ( i am half nigerian ) Femi kuti is a legend !

just remember this is only the first one. they have got the engine running it perfect, from the physics to the lighting and animation. so the next gta games will be more about the content.

i don't really understand how people can complain about not having enough straights to get your speed up. The second island is full of long roads... you just need to be a good driver and good at weaving through the trafic.