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[Big-E]

Now that I have finished the game I can add that the ending was not very good. I think I am done with this game now barring the odd multiplayer game.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

It really is flat out amazing that indeed it's so garbage when The Warriors and Bully came before it

And here I was thinking rockstar's side games were experiments for GTA IV. Heck they didn't even borrow cool things from GTA PS2. Well they added the relationship stuff :\. I'm going to max my relationships and turn the phone off. I doubt I'll ever need their service again anyway. The backup gang would be good if there were turf war situations but I can't even seem to start a fight unless I shoot my pistol and some random guy come out of a truck with his pistol. Little Jacob would have been nice if he parked right at my feet. The gang can seem to find their way to me, I don't like this type of realism (LJ having to park in a back alley).

 

[fortified_concept]

This is the way I see things: yes GTA IV was overrated as far as the hype would leave you to believe, but you know what matters in the end? It is still a damn fine game. Those of you expecting some crazy life simulator are just destined to be disappointed. To those of you willing to play a game with a better than average story with great graphics, an awesome presentation, and an even better main character, you will be satisfied greatly. I blame the media for blowing up what is a great game into something unrealistically perfect. Believe me, this is the first GTA game I've played this long into the story mode. Griping on the individual pieces of the game that you don't deem worthy while overlooking the amazing work as a whole is just being stupidly picky. I'm the first person to be a Rockstar apologist, yet I still am enjoying immensly GTA IV and commend Rockstar for their work. Play the game, ignore the hype, and enjoy.

You know what? I'm a presentation whore so I'd be fucking thrilled if the game had trully advanced in that area. But imo it hasn't. Aside from the slightly better story and music in a couple of cutscenes there's nothing better in this one. The movement of the characters in the cutscenes is exactly the same as the other three (if this crap is mocapped I'm the Pope) and the extremely useless and boring dialogues are still there. Actually 75%+ of the dialogues is completely useless annoying crap unrelated to the main story. The only thing that really stands out in the presentation of this game was the intro.

The game is outdated in every single category. Gameplay, presentation and graphics which although are next-gen they have the same flaws the previous games had and they're really not impressive at all. Changes are very superficial and honestly SA was a far better and complete game (although still just an expansion pack of its predecessor). So yes I'm dissapointed partly because the game was overhyped but also I really think the game is mediocre by today's standards. Plus the fact that I played the other three games and I have a low tolerance for games serving me the exact same crap again and again makes it feel very repetitive to me.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

I stayed away from the hype thread so thats probably why I don't feel as burned as everyone else in here. Its a good game. People were just expecting a lot.

 

[gamerx]

You know what? I'm a presentation whore so I'd be fucking thrilled if the game had trully advanced in that area. But imo it hasn't. Aside from the slightly better story and music in a couple of cutscenes there's nothing better in this one. The movement of the characters in the cutscenes is exactly the same as the other three (if this crap is mocapped I'm the Pope) and the extremely useless and boring dialogues are still there. Actually 75%+ of the dialogues is completely useless annoying crap unrelated to the main story. The only thing that really stands out in the presentation of this game was the intro.

The game is outdated in every single category. Gameplay, presentation and graphics which although are next-gen they have the same flaws the previous games had and they're really not impressive at all. Changes are very superficial and honestly SA was a far better and complete game (although still just an expansion pack of its predecessor). So yes I'm dissapointed partly because the game was overhyped but also I really think the game is mediocre by today's standards. Plus the fact that I played the other three games and I have a low tolerance for games serving me the exact same crap again and again makes it feel veryrepetitive to me.

I can only imagine the horror u go through each time a hyped game becomes as u say overhyped.

 

[SaggyMonkey]

GTA sorta sucks because it doesn't work with Rock Band's drums. Damn you Harmonix!

 

[suikodan]

I really love the game so far except for the relationship thingy. It's really getting on the nerves! Sometimes, I have to spend a day dating with friends. Okay, now I'm getting there by taxi (with fast-travel) which helps but I find it annoying.

 

[KingJ2002]

getting on the phone after a mission is done... your just assed our if there's enemies around or the cops are chasing you and your outside the car.

 

[EverSoTrendy]

Getting busted by the cops because I got a phone call.

 

[Xenon]

I really love the game so far except for the relationship thingy. It's really getting on the nerves! Sometimes, I have to spend a day dating with friends. Okay, now I'm getting there by taxi (with fast-travel) which helps but I find it annoying.

Do you have to spend time with them? I just ignore em. Maybe if they'd pitch in for cab fare or pick me up once and a while, Id go out. Fucking users.

 

[ausoff2]

-Helicopter is no fun to control.

Totally disagree.

 

[Struct09]

Do you have to spend time with them? I just ignore em. Maybe if they'd pitch in for cab fare or pick me up once and a while, Id go out. Fucking users.

You don't have to, and you can even avoid them getting mad at if you don't want to. Accept their requests at first, and then call them back. Niko will say he can't make it, and they won't get mad.

 

[AgentOtaku]

You don't have to, and you can even avoid them getting mad at if you don't want to. Accept their requests at first, and then call them back. Niko will say he can't make it, and they won't get mad.

I thought you could do this to, but it actually doesn't always work and you'll still get the negative points

....I've just stop bothering with the whole dynamic as it adds nothing to the game in the long run. Meaning that, the "perks" that you eventually unlock have never saved my ass nor shaved off time/added convience

some examples:

- You call Roman for a Taxi and by the time it shows up, several have passed you by that you could have already hailed. Not to mention the instant the game autosaves after a mission, you can immediately load that save and be back in your apartment

- Little Jacob sells weapons....cool, but you still have to drive to him and he doesn't sell everything. Sure he sells gear at a discount, but by the middle of the game, you'll constantly have more money than you know what to do with so it's pointless

 

[OatmealMu]

I'm what I assume is the final mission. I've already reached the mission once before, but out of frustration I loaded up an earlier save and decided to try the other path. Unfortunately, the second part of the mission pulls the same kind of bullshit that made me load up an old save.

It's like the Bourne Conspiracy devs designed the mission. If you fail to reach a given point on time, you fail and have to redo the shootout. This is frustrating as the player is given no indication that they're essentially under a time limit. Bourne, at least, understands that these kinds of gameplay elements require checkpoints. I fee like I'm being punished for not being telepathic. If the designers can't be assed to give players checkpoints, missions should not be designed like this.

I should've known things were going to be rough after my first playthrough.

Spoiler

After falling off the helicopter, I quickly made my way to the nearest boat. I figured Dimitri would start shooting rockets at me, as in the other variation of the mission, and I was right. What I didn't expect was to be hit by the very first rocket. I watched in horror as Niko sloooooowly walked to the drivers seat before being blown up. Didn't even have time to start the boat.

 

[∀ Narayan]

The only thing I can complain about, right now, is that I can't fucking save anywhere and anytime I want.

EDIT: Also -- why the fuck are there multiplayer achievements? This game has horrible multiplayer. Obviously, I'm never going to get these achievements. STUPID!

 

[undrtakr900]

I hate that the jumping is still automatic/wonky and you can't adjust your jump path(even slightly) once you're in the air. Also the combat still feel clunky and not that fun to fight.

I also hate how if call the cops on a pedestrian the cops can't shoot the blind side of a barn(??), but as soon as I do something illegal all of a sudden the cops activate auto-aim and take off half my health in a few seconds.

I love the new wanted-star-circle system but dammit there are too many cops around!
I'm slowing pulling out the driveway and light ding a cop car(which conveniently spawned right behind me!) at 5mph and I get a wanted star.

But most importantly I hate that they got rid of the RPG leveling up system, that was my favorite part of San Andreas.

1. The GPS. It makes learning the city's layout harder because you're always looking at it. Good thing you can turn it off.

I recommend just turning Both the GPS and MAP Off(just icon blips), that way you're forced to look at what's in front of you and you learn the city better. I also turned the map off int he older GTA's.

The controls and camera. What's the point of letting you control the camera with the right stick if it is going to reset its position whenever you move? And why do I have to hold X in order to run? If I wanted to walk, I should be able to do that by slightly moving the analog stick.

You know I never thought of this till you brought it up that should've been a standard since Mario 64.

 

[JBuccCP]

I also hate how if call the cops on a pedestrian the cops can't shoot the blind side of a barn(??), but as soon as I do something illegal all of a sudden the cops activate auto-aim and take off half my health in a few seconds.

You know this bugged me as well. On one of the assassination missions I died a couple of times, so I called the cops on them and figured I'd let them do the work for me. Two cops showed up as the guys were shooting at me (I hadn't shot at them yet) and started to shoot at the bad guys. They took cover behind their car and traded shots for like five minutes and eventually the bad guys killed both cops.

What bugged me was that they didn't call for backup, didn't bring in swat, a helicopter, nothing. If I had done that half the LCPD would be on my ass.

The problems is the cops still aren't really acting like cops. They're still you're own personal terminators waiting for you to screw up to take you out. In the next one I'd like to see more cop behavior. I want to see them move civilians back, block off areas, put tape around crime scenes. I want them to treat other bad guys the same as me.

 

[HolyStar]

While most of these are kind of nit-picky bitch-fests, there are some complaints I have, mainly.

1. WHY THE FUCK CAN I NOT WATCH AMERICA'S NEXT TOP HOOKER? I SWEAR, WHY BOTHER PIMPING THE CRAP OUT OF A SHOW YOU CAN NEVER WATCH. I EVEN HAVE THE THEME SONG AS A RINGTONE, AND I CAN'T FUCKING WATCH THE SHOW.

Also, the game needs more Brucie. He was like the one cartoony guy they did for this one, and he was amazing. IMO, the next GTA needs to be less serious.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I really love the game so far except for the relationship thingy. It's really getting on the nerves! Sometimes, I have to spend a day dating with friends. Okay, now I'm getting there by taxi (with fast-travel) which helps but I find it annoying.

Yeah, I would like it if the relationship level got to a point and stayed there, not decrease. Hate that I end up having to use an entire "in-game" day to go on dates/activities with people to maintain their ability. I know Rockstar wants to show off their dialogue and such, but forcing it like that kind of gets in the way.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

While most of these are kind of nit-picky bitch-fests, there are some complaints I have, mainly.

1. WHY THE FUCK CAN I NOT WATCH AMERICA'S NEXT TOP HOOKER? I SWEAR, WHY BOTHER PIMPING THE CRAP OUT OF A SHOW YOU CAN NEVER WATCH. I EVEN HAVE THE THEME SONG AS A RINGTONE, AND I CAN'T FUCKING WATCH THE SHOW.

Also, the game needs more Brucie. He was like the one cartoony guy they did for this one, and he was amazing. IMO, the next GTA needs to be less serious.

Most, nit-picky? Really? They seem to slap me in my face anytime I try to play the game for fun, and not missions.

 

[psycho_snake]

Missions where you have to drive to a location and cant take a taxi, so if its a hard mission and you fail it several times, you have to drive there again and again and again.

They really should have included checkpoints.

 

[BakedPigeon]

No PC version.

 

[Talladega Knight]

While most of these are kind of nit-picky bitch-fests, there are some complaints I have, mainly.

1. WHY THE FUCK CAN I NOT WATCH AMERICA'S NEXT TOP HOOKER? I SWEAR, WHY BOTHER PIMPING THE CRAP OUT OF A SHOW YOU CAN NEVER WATCH. I EVEN HAVE THE THEME SONG AS A RINGTONE, AND I CAN'T FUCKING WATCH THE SHOW.

Also, the game needs more Brucie. He was like the one cartoony guy they did for this one, and he was amazing. IMO, the next GTA needs to be less serious.

IMO, GTA IV is too cartoony still. I wish they'd do away with all the low brow humor and innuendos. It really contrasts badly with the serious plotline and drama.

 

[Mister D]

IMO, GTA IV is too cartoony still. I wish they'd do away with all the low brow humor and innuendos. It really contrasts badly with the serious plotline and drama.

Or maybe they should stop trying to be all "serious, realistic drama" and go back to the silly over the top storylines of the past games since they clearly don't have the skill to do a sensible, realistic storyline. Half the shit Niko does in the game makes no friggin sense.

Niko: I am remorseful immigrant who regrets doing bad thinks in past.
Some Dude: Kill this guy for whatever the fuck reason.
Niko: Sure, I will do this even though it makes no sense for my character.

The attempted realism killed the fun of the game for me. This is the first GTA where after finishing it, I don't spend months dicking around and wreaking havoc. It's just not fun for me.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Or maybe they should stop trying to be all "serious, realistic drama" and go back to the silly over the top storylines of the past games since they clearly don't have the skill to do a sensible, realistic storyline. Half the shit Niko does in the game makes no friggin sense.

Niko: I am remorseful immigrant who regrets doing bad thinks in past.
Some Dude: Kill this guy for whatever the fuck reason.
Niko: Sure, I will do this even though it makes no sense for my character.

The attempted realism killed the fun of the game for me. This is the first GTA where after finishing it, I don't spend months dicking around and wreaking havoc. It's just not fun for me.

This is the problem for me. How can you screw around when police are all over your back if you fire one shot, or a car blow up after you entered the reduce wanted level cheat causing the level to go back up. The codes also prevent a lot of fun. No unrealistic fun stuff, just bare bones codes, no locked wanted levels, no super jumping, no nothing.

 

[raYne]

This is the problem for me. How can you screw around when police are all over your back if you fire one shot, or a car blow up after you entered the reduce wanted level cheat causing the level to go back up. The codes also prevent a lot of fun. No unrealistic fun stuff, just bare bones codes, no locked wanted levels, no super jumping, no nothing.

Can't help you with anything else, but if you just want to screw around you could always just start a MP free roam and have the cops off. Then you could play alone and do whatever you want without worrying about them.

As bonuses:
-You also don't have to mash the A/X button like an idiot just to run because you're playing the "MP" where you don't have to do so. Holding the button is fine.
-Ammo/items/health are all over the place and highlighted on the radar.
-You can drive your vehicle over a health item to fully repair it.
-Invite people for more screwing around.
-Unlimited respawns with no money penalty for dying.
-No annoying characters calling you every 5 mins.

On the downside, you can't play the minigames, but meh...

 

[BobsRevenge]

I don't like that its so long that I lose my will to finish it when I'm only half way through it.

 

[Mau ®]

Tapping X to run is fucking ridiculous IMO.

Hand to Hand Combat is shitty. I dont remember past GTA's combat being that shitty. But at least you can lock on a target!

 

[AgentOtaku]

Or maybe they should stop trying to be all "serious, realistic drama" and go back to the silly over the top storylines of the past games since they clearly don't have the skill to do a sensible, realistic storyline. Half the shit Niko does in the game makes no friggin sense.

Niko: I am remorseful immigrant who regrets doing bad thinks in past.
Some Dude: Kill this guy for whatever the fuck reason.
Niko: Sure, I will do this even though it makes no sense for my character.

The attempted realism killed the fun of the game for me. This is the first GTA where after finishing it, I don't spend months dicking around and wreaking havoc. It's just not fun for me.

+1

 

[undrtakr900]

You know this bugged me as well. On one of the assassination missions I died a couple of times, so I called the cops on them and figured I'd let them do the work for me. Two cops showed up as the guys were shooting at me (I hadn't shot at them yet) and started to shoot at the bad guys. They took cover behind their car and traded shots for like five minutes and eventually the bad guys killed both cops.

What bugged me was that they didn't call for backup, didn't bring in swat, a helicopter, nothing. If I had done that half the LCPD would be on my ass.

The problems is the cops still aren't really acting like cops. They're still you're own personal terminators waiting for you to screw up to take you out. In the next one I'd like to see more cop behavior. I want to see them move civilians back, block off areas, put tape around crime scenes. I want them to treat other bad guys the same as me.

Exactly! I waited like 5 minutes for something to happen too, they both just hid behind the car randomly shooting. So I took it upon myself to take out the guy, thinking I would get a good citizens award instead I got a wanted star :/

That would be great watching a gang war(w/ police) shootout unfold(w/good AI), then being able to intervene at your discretion, with resulting benefits depending on who you help.

Hand to Hand Combat is shitty. I dont remember past GTA's combat being that shitty. But at least you can lock on a target!

Past GTAs did indeed have shitty combat, only different now is they they added more moves but kept the clunky. Oh and thanks to the wonky controls lock-on isn't as helpful as it should be.

 

[GQman2121]

The multi player is pretty much broken for me. It takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for me to find a group of people who actually want to play a challenging online shooter and not a cluster fuck of who can hold down two buttons the fastest.

How the can anyone seriously play this game online when all anyone want to play with is auto-aim?

On the rare occasion that I'm gifted with being the host, I'll disable auto-aim and put the blips on FAR. Almost instantaneously when the game starts people begin dropping out like the pizza deliver guy is at the door.

It's pathetic really that people are so lazy and content with the default settings that they openly cry about having to work to kill someone.

It's a real shame too because the online portion of the game is so much better than people want to give it credit for. It could be so much more than it already is, but the community just doesn't want to have it............

 

[HolyStar]

Am I really the only one pissed off that they pimp stuff that you can watch stuff on tv, and you can't? Thing is, they make those fake shows seem more interesting than the stuff they have looping on tv.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Can't help you with anything else, but if you just want to screw around you could always just start a MP free roam and have the cops off. Then you could play alone and do whatever you want without worrying about them.

As bonuses:
-You also don't have to mash the A/X button like an idiot just to run because you're playing the "MP" where you don't have to do so. Holding the button is fine.
-Ammo/items/health are all over the place and highlighted on the radar.
-You can drive your vehicle over a health item to fully repair it.
-Invite people for more screwing around.
-Unlimited respawns with no money penalty for dying.
-No annoying characters calling you every 5 mins.

On the downside, you can't play the minigames, but meh...

Yea not being able to use codes and enter key buildings and other things is why I don't create havoc in MP mode. But I guess I should try it. I'd probably be frustrated that I have to wait for a particular weapon to respawn or drive across the island to pick it up.

Am I really the only one pissed off that they pimp stuff that you can watch stuff on tv, and you can't? Thing is, they make those fake shows seem more interesting than the stuff they have looping on tv.

The tv was boring to me. The radio also, and I usually like the funny things on 3d GTA radios. This one just wasn't interesting. Brucie was in radio segments but OG loc was funnier in his radio cameos.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

The multi player is pretty much broken for me. It takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes for me to find a group of people who actually want to play a challenging online shooter and not a cluster fuck of who can hold down two buttons the fastest.

How the can anyone seriously play this game online when all anyone want to play with is auto-aim?

On the rare occasion that I'm gifted with being the host, I'll disable auto-aim and put the blips on FAR. Almost instantaneously when the game starts people begin dropping out like the pizza deliver guy is at the door.

It's pathetic really that people are so lazy and content with the default settings that they openly cry about having to work to kill someone.

It's a real shame too because the online portion of the game is so much better than people want to give it credit for. It could be so much more than it already is, but the community just doesn't want to have it............

I played GTA4 full time with manual aim. It seemed so easy for people to kill me in MP so I figured it was just me not being able to aim like a hawk in 0.4 seconds. I just stopped messing around with MP. And it's not just the player's fault for getting used to auto aim. Rockstar shouldn't have allowed auto aim and had a better online system. Random host, broken party system, and other mess is what messes it up.