I just now finally got to sit down and play a little bit. 12 hours after I pick it up from the guy, I finally get to get started. heh. What a day it's been. My overall impressions of the first 20 minutes are fairly positive but with some minor issues. Keep in mind, I do pretty much all my gaming on a GTX 670 and i7 930@4.0 pc. First thing that jumps out at me is the framerate seems to drop occasionally in some places. It's by no means bad, but I'm so used to most games running at 60fps that I really need to get used to 30fps and sometimes less. I don't know how to really judge the framerate. Compared to Forza Horizons locked 30fps, it feels significantly less fluid in motion. Obviously there is about 10 times as much stuff happening here as in Forza and they are completely different genres. The graphics are quite fantastic compared to gta4 console versions though. Based on the ridiculously small sample I've had, I'm very impressed by what Rockstar have pulled off on the 360.
Car handling is something I'm going to have to get used to apparently, because I'm all over the fucking road. I honestly can barely drive from point a to b without hitting virtually everything in my path. My vehicle was completely destroyed by the time I made it to my first destination. I feel like there may be some real depth to the driving especially if there is a leveling system for it as I've seen mentioned, but damn do I suck badly at it.
Voice acting is quite good, as is usual from a Rockstar game. I can't say I really care for any of the characters yet. They seem like a rather unlikable bunch so far, but that is how I have felt about most GTA characters. I don't want to bring up that other franchise who just also released an open world game, but I just had so much fun playing as my Cockney voiced ridiculously over the top badass President of the United States in SR4, that it's jarring to go back to an open world game that takes itself so much more seriously. Still, I have no complaints about the sound quality and voice acting so far.
Shooting mechanics feel quite good compared to gta4. I didn't play Max Payne 3, so I don't know how similar they are. They feel solid that's for sure. I'm headed back to do a couple missions and will post more impressions in a while. I wish I had a way to stream for you guys. I only have my Galaxy S4 and nobody to even hold it while I play. It seems that there is a flood of videos hitting, so hopefully those can tide you guys over. So far game seems really solid and I think you guys will be happy. One thing I can say though, is that the inevitable PC/XBone/PS4 versions are going to be fucking amazing if the jump is as big as the jump from gta4 console to pc. This game world really begs for 1080p or better and 60fps. Still I'm very impressed with what they've achieved on the 360. More to come.
