This originally started as a response to a news article here, but I realized it was too long so I just made it a blog post. I'll warn you now this'll probably be a long one. This isn't gonna be damage control or anything, no BS, just pure honesty. In a previous blog I said I loved GTA and GTAIV. After further observations, I think I just kinda like it. Probably.
GTAIV became the first midnight launch I've ever went to. And I'll say I actually enjoyed my experience. We were freezing and looked stupid, but it really seemed like a big gaming event and I was glad to be apart of it. I got my copy in my hands and I was extremely happy. I showed my copy off to all the people waiting in line still and they all stared at it. On the bus ride home I looked over the case hoping I don't die before I get to play it. I got home, opened it, popped it in my PS3, played 3 missions, took the disc out, played motorstorm, went to sleep. The end.
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Anticlimactic? Yes, yes it is. The game didn't hold my interest very long. And with a lackluster multiplayer I had to look to other games to cure my boredom. And frankly that's just sad. When I bought uncharted, ratchet, and call of duty 4, I played them the entire night. When my 360 owning friends bought halo, they played it so long they were late for school. But the day I bought GTA4, I was already playing motorstorm before I could even get tired.(And remember, I bought it at a MIDNIGHT launch). The game is just simply put, disappointing. Some weird ideas for why it's disappointing has been floating around lately and I have something to say about them.
Myths:
1.GTAIV had too much hype for ANY game to meet
-Sorry, but this is just plain wrong. Halo 3 had to be the most rediculously hyped game of all time, but if you ask the majority of 360 owners, they say they love the game. Call of duty 4 has trumped it so far, but most 360 owners will most likely return to halo 3 after they get tired of call of duty 4. It's not just the hype, if this was just some new IP I'd still consider it pretty meh.
The fact that it's GTA is the only reason I've given it as much of a chance as I did so far. Had it been some other game I'd have been much harder on it. With all the 10/10's it got, at first I thought something was wrong with ME for not liking it. But after hearing other people speak about it, I know I'm not the only one.
2. You're just looking for something to dislike about it.
- This comment is chocked full of fail. Why the hell would I WANT GTAIV to be disappointing? First off, it's a game for BOTH the PS3 and 360. So no fanboy spin is involved obviously. The game being bad is bad for BOTH parties. Secondly, Most gamers have been anticipating this game since before either console launched, I've been trying my hardest to love this game, but I seriously just can't. Some days I play it and I do some missions and really like it, but then after the mission is over I just turn off the game. I can only play the game at most, for about an hour at a time. If that.
3. You're a GTA elitist and refuse to let the series grow.
-This comment has been injected with fail serum. I hate to say this, but you can quote me on it...
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a better game than Grand Theft Auto IV.
...There I said it.
San Andreas has way more to do. GTAIV actually TOOK OUT a lot of things which is blasphemy for GTA. San andreas has car modification, property buying, a bigger map, more clothing options, way more diverse environments, and is just way more fun to play. GTA IV seems to take 1 step foward and 3 steps back. It makes things more realistic and adds alot of "oh, thats pretty cool" things, but then takes away everything that keeps you playing the game.
The story in GTA IV is definetly better this time which I am incredibly greatful for however. The missions are also very very creative. This is why I said I loved GTA IV before, because sometimes I do. At the core however, it's a step down from San Andreas, and this is something I really never wanted from GTA's next gen step. This is all just my opinion though, I'm sure some of you disagree and I hope to hear your responses.
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i kind of agree, GTA SA was a very good game but i also like GTA IV.
I look at it like this.
I'll acept the fact that they have removed
- Character customerisation (no gym and fewer shops in GTA4)
- Ambulance, pizza delivery missions
- Planes
- Gambling
- A few more things liekt he mountain bike race etc..
For the fact that they have added
- Multiplayer
- Cover system
- A more immersive city
- Better graphics
- Better story
- Better side missions
I think they removed the chaff and added some great improvements
I am really pissed the military are not in this one though
i agree gta sucks
At first I was a little disappointed. That is, until I started exploring the city further. Walking around liberty city drunk is awesome. Explosions are awesome. The driving was pissing me off at first, but now I have it down. Also I am thankful for the driving. I never used to play games like GT, and Forza because I hated the "realistic" controls. Now I am looking forward to trying these games out again. Online is awesome by the way. Cops and crooks rules!!!
Basically I understand what you are saying, but politely disagree
I have said it in other comments. I think GTA is a big step back too....I do miss the sense that I am building an Empire. I really don't care about the loss of rampages or BMX racing. I do care about the loss of the empire building aspect of GTA. I loved Vice City, because after everything was said and done, you WERE the man. You could own a strip club, taxi company, hell even a car dealership. San Andreas had you owning a gravel pit, controlling neighborhoods, every good little thing a budding father of a criminal empire would want.
GTA 4 feels more like playing a movie. I have had fun in the game, it is just not the descendant of San Andreas. The game is certainly fun to play, but some of the FUN aspects are gone, possibly in an attempt to be able to fit the textures, voices, and environments that make the game feel more cinematic than video game.
If you want what was lost in GTA, give Saint's row a try. On the surface, it's a GTA knock off, but it is more like San Andreas than GTA 4 is. If you only have a PS3, wait for Saint's Row 2...it is due to come out in August.
Yeah I'll give saints row a shot when it comes out.