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[oconnomiyaki]

Years ago, I wrote this.

It’s a compelling narrative, a social commentary, a virtual world, a sandbox, and ultimately a compelling example of video games as a medium reaching maturity.

Yet, now, like pretty much everyone else, my opinion is... s'ok. I went back to play it recently and couldn't, which isn't a good sign of it being like Dickens. (Seriously, lol.)

Like everyone else, I'd bought into the hype. I was also at a stage in my life where I wanted games to mean something, for my life to mean something, so I was eager to hold something aloft and say: "Look! Art." We're only human.

But that score sits there today influencing the revered (joking) Metacritic score.

With that experience, it makes it really hard to take any of these reviews seriously -- especially Sessler's. In fact, the sycophantic hyperbole makes me wanna play the game less.

Let's see what people think in 6 months.

 

[Scrabble]

How is it not?

I'm not talking literally about the gameplay, obviously. We aren't all skydiving out of blimps while shooting guns on the way down.

In terms of the satire they execute on and the overall setting of the games how is it not?

because lol itz a video game, not a piece of literature written a 100+ years ago.

 

[Guevara]

Do people seriously think GTA is a "window into our culture"?

Rockstar has been trying to make GTA about social commentary probably since the first game. Read the interviews and they go on and on about it.

But no one plays these games for social commentary, and most of the satire comes across as retarded humor (The MetLife building is now the GetALife building, get it?, the scooter is called a FAG-gio, GET IT?) and references to a subset of crime movies kids in college like. People play these games for scale and mechanics. Everything else is noise.

 

[QaaQer]

Do people seriously think GTA is a "window into our culture"?

Sadly, yes.

 

[ironcreed]

OT.

Nope.

End OT.

It will stand out more when you cherry pick objects and compare them in a gif. On the whole, I will not even notice shit like this while I am playing. All of the PS3 footage I have seen looks and runs great. No worries on my end.

 

[Eusis]

Well, those numbers definitely are encouraging, but I'll wait until I dig into the game some before really reading them. If I'm getting it right away I feel I may as well just dive in mostly blind then see how my experience matches up with the reviewers afterwards.

 

[Dennis]

Comparison gif

If this is not OK or not the thread for this let me know and I will remove it.

 

[HawksWinStanley]

Clearly it is a desperate 360 fanatic, this game looks best on Ps3 why would Rockstar showcase the game for the first time ever reveal...on a lower quality version? Come on.

360 gamers got the port this time, its that simple

I guess I thought they revealed everything on PS3 because of the marketing deal in place.

But it seems like impressions and screenshots aren't exactly pointing towards that being the better version.

 

[Y2Kev]

because lol itz a video game, not a piece of literature written a 100+ years ago.

Hey, you are drooling on yourself.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

So the choice is blurry ass textures or slightly blurrier textures

 

[Dennis]

Do people seriously think GTA is a "window into our culture"?

Everything I know about America I have learned from GTA.

 

[brandonh83]

360 version waters its plants better than the PS3 version.

 

[LTWheels]

I think the fact the gta isn't made in America helps to create its charm and exaggeration.

 

[thuway]

OT.

Nope.

End OT.

If this is the level of nitpicking that folks are up in arms with, than next generation will be delicious .

 

[LiquidMetal14]

It will stand out more when you cherry pick objects and compare them in a gif. On the whole, I will not even notice shit like this while I am playing. All of the PS3 footage I have seen looks and runs great. No worries on my end.

Basically. If people let a gif like that make their decision then so be it.

 

[pretty done]

Too much hype, sorry Kamiya but I'm gonna have to skip 101 for this.

 

[ironcreed]

Comparison gif

If this is not OK or not the thread for this let me know and I will remove it.

That is better. It seems like at a distance the 360 version has a bit of an edge, but objects up close look about the same. Other than that, both versions seem fine.

 

[Jest Chillin]

Are there day and night cycles? Because in that full screen comparison it looks like the shadows are different by being a slightly different time of day...

 

[Pinko Marx]

Do people seriously think GTA is a "window into our culture"?

In a way, yes.

 

[Defunkled]

Too much hype, sorry Kamiya but I'm gonna have to skip 101 for this.

Play both! 101 is so damn good.

 

[codhand]

OT.

Nope.

End OT.

who cares, i mean really.

 

[Burgess_101]

Just give me the PC version please.

 

[Americanmushroom]

Can we discuss about wether or not Rockstar paid for good reviews or is it bannable? serious question

 

[Pinko Marx]

Are there day and night cycles? Because in that full screen comparison it looks like the shadows are different by being a slightly different time of day...

Every GTA has had day and night cycles.

 

[AOC83]

Comparison gif

If this is not OK or not the thread for this let me know and I will remove it.

Looks like the IQ on 360 is even worse than on PS3. Man this game needs 1080p and decent AA so bad, it would look glorious.

 

[codhand]

Just give me the PC version please.

Can we discuss about wether or not Rockstar paid for good reviews or is it bannable? serious question

gonna be a Take 3 at this rate

 

[jet1911]

I've watched stream during the last two days and both version looks the same.

Clearly it is a desperate 360 fanatic, this game looks best on Ps3 why would Rockstar showcase the game for the first time ever reveal...on a lower quality version? Come on.

360 gamers got the port this time, its that simple

Man, you really are transparent.

 

[ironcreed]

Can we discuss about wether or not Rockstar paid for good reviews or is it bannable? serious question

Or, you know, maybe it is just a great game? It's either too low or it's too high. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

 

[mf luder]

Too much hype, sorry Kamiya but I'm gonna have to skip 101 for this.

I'm afraid this is going to be most peoples choice as well which saddens my heart.

 

[Nymphae]

http://gamingbolt.com/grand-theft-a...-screen-comparison-indicate-little-difference

Love the cherry picking here. In that link none of the pictures look nearly as bad as that tree comparison. I think both versions look great.

Then again, I played Bayonetta on PS3 and didn't loose my shit, so what do I know?

 

[Robot Pants]

That escapist review is so wrong. Soooo wrong.

 

[Loudninja]

So it depends son what type of trees you like for which version you want.

Hahaha

 

[MikeE21286]

Has anyone commented or seen dithering in the shadows? That bugged the hell out of me in GTA IV

 

[nib95]

Looks like the PS3 version looks better in some parts, the 360 better in others.

Take this comparison. 360 has the blue lights on the wheel, but the PS3 version has better textures bottom left and on that weird bricking in the centre.

PS3 top, 360 bottom.

 

[Broder Salsa]

What the fuck is that black stuff on top of the ferries wheel carts?

 

[Savitar]

Those scores are expected.

Didn't except any backlash since if some did they'd lose out on future reviews and previews and that's too big a hit to really take.

Plus the games are usually pretty solid...if they're THAT good is another story but that's the debate isn't it.

 

[Watkins]

FZ.se (swedish gaming site) gave it 4/5 Here

+ "Packed and detailed" simulation
+ The variation that three characters bring
+ The robberies and heists are intense!
- Sometimes tiring and vulgar satire
- GTA conventions the series needs to leave behind

 

[codhand]

What the fuck is that black stuff on top of the ferries wheel carts?

thanks for spotting that

preorder canceled

 

[Dennis]

What the fuck is that black stuff on top of the ferries wheel carts?

Console graphics.

 

[UrbanRats]

Everything I know about America I have learned from GAF.

Fixed.

Florida is like Mad Max level scary.

 

[QaaQer]

hmmm, rpg mechanics for driving + slowing down time while driving, disappointing.

The best thing about GTAIV was mastering the driving. Sux for me I guess.

 

[Mechazawa]

Do people seriously think GTA is a "window into our culture"?

Sessler's line at the end of his review was some of that delicious cringe that I knew was coming with the advent of another GTA release.

Christ.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Can we discuss about wether or not Rockstar paid for good reviews or is it bannable? serious question

I don't think there is much about that to discuss. Unlike the GTA4 review process the reviewers weren't sequestered in hotel rooms with Rockstar reps breathing down their necks the entire time.

 

[Robot Pants]

hmmm, rpg mechanics for driving + slowing down time while driving, disappointing.

The best thing about GTAIV was mastering the driving. Sux for me I guess.

Only for one character dude. The other two don't get that, and driving with them is harder

 

[BFIB]

I think the fact that people are looking at the small details, compared to the apparent differences in GTA 4 and RDR, really can't go wrong with either version.

As for the reviews, about where I thought they would be. Why isn't it midnight yet!?

 

[QaaQer]

Only for one character dude. The other two don't get that, and driving with them is harder

great to hear. thanx.

 

[Dennis]

FZ.se (swedish gaming site) gave it 4/5 Here

+ "Packed and detailed" simulation
+ The variation that three characters bring
+ The robberies and heists are intense!
- Sometimes tiring and vulgar satire
- GTA conventions the series needs to leave behind

Amazing so many site complain about the vulgarity and swear words.

It is an M-rated GTA game.....are you really going to deduct points or make an entry in the minus column just for that?

Its like buying an AO game and being offended at the pornography.

 

[Wensih]

I wonder what the consensus will be in a year or two. GTA IV got the same level of praise from critics, but is now sitting at a 7.5 aggregate user score on metacritic. I've heard from many fans that it's not the greatest either.

GTA V does look much better, and I'm excited to play it eventually.

 

[NEOPARADIGM]

Has anyone commented or seen dithering in the shadows? That bugged the hell out of me in GTA IV

From what I've seen in streams (95% 360 version), they're about what you'd expect. No miracles. Unquestionably WAY better than IV though.

 

[Burgess_101]

What the fuck is that black stuff on top of the ferries wheel carts?

GTA V was made with the spray can tool in paint.