GTA IV reviews are clearly fair and balanced

[MrAngryFace]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24356918/

It will be a great shame if the inevitable hubbub overshadows the epic, revolutionary nature of “GTA IV.” The developers, Rockstar Games, have crafted a wildly ambitious game world complete with an engrossing story of an immigrant's rise to power, unforgettable characters and expertly honed gameplay. It will be weeks, if not months, before I get my fill of “GTA IV.”

One of the game's greatest feats is getting us to care about the choices Niko makes in the game. Calls would come in on Niko’s cell phone (an ingenious gameplay device) and I'd feel genuinely bad about blowing off Roman’s invitation to go to a strip club. This is clearly no simple video game.

Every bit as impressive as the emotional bonds forged is the setting for “GTA IV.” Liberty City has been under construction since its previous appearances in “GTA III” and “GTA: Liberty City Stories,” and it looks more like its real-life inspiration than ever. Steam rises from manholes,  and the streets are coated with grime and the skyline is dotted with easily recognizable landmarks.

In these times of over-priced, underwhelming games, “GTA IV”’s single-player campaign, clocking in at between 30 to 40 hours, is a huge, deliriously enjoyable epic.

This guy needs to have sex with Roman already. One of the many reasons I won't bother picking this game up. The fans really ruin it for me. Its the 'Nintendo Game' for Sony fans. 360 fans aren't nearly as obnoxious about the game.

[Phoenix Dark]

WoW mail box>Niko's cellphone

[MrAngryFace]

ITEMS THAT GIVES QUESTS AM INGENIOUS

[duckman2000]

Steam rises from manholes

Indeed

360 fans aren't nearly as obnoxious about the game.

Well, give it time. Xtards won't get truly, obnoxiously excited about it until they catch a glimpse of something that they can pay extra for.

[MrAngryFace]

maybe if ms releases a gta steering wheel

[Eel O'Brian]

unbiased review-in-progress for MAF from Eel after playing a couple hours

GOOD

- characters are well done, i really like the main character, writing seems better than past gtas i have tried
- so far, less "hahaha lookit that an ad for DOOKIE brand chocolate bars" type humor
- gps system, thank you for finally giving a shit about letting me know where i'm going rock*
- the phone really is useful once you get used to it
- map is laid out clearly and is easy to use to set waypoints
- nice mix of music

BAD

- driving is hopelessly busted, fucktard AI cruising the streets doesn't help, i'm all over the place like a crazy person, don't these people make a driving game, why can't they get this right
- melee combat is tedious
- fucking bowling dating minigame, hope the strip club one is better
- passenger characters won't shut up when you're driving
- graffix

it's the same gta with a few neat and helpful features, hardly revolutionary

haven't tried online yet, but that might be where the innovation in this game lies

[Eric P]

ITEMS THAT GIVES QUESTS AM INGENIOUS

weren't those in the first gta game?

[Grecco]

Driing is utter shit in this game.

[Flannel Boy]

unbiased review-in-progress for MAF from Eel after playing a couple hours

GOOD

- characters are well done, i really like the main character, writing seems better than past gtas i have tried
- so far, less "hahaha lookit that an ad for DOOKIE brand chocolate bars" type humor
- gps system, thank you for finally giving a shit about letting me know where i'm going rock*
- the phone really is useful once you get used to it
- map is laid out clearly and is easy to use to set waypoints
- nice mix of music

BAD

- driving is hopelessly busted, fucktard AI cruising the streets doesn't help, i'm all over the place like a crazy person, don't these people make a driving game, why can't they get this right
- melee combat is tedious
- fucking bowling dating minigame, hope the strip club one is better
- passenger characters won't shut up when you're driving
- graffix

it's the same gta with a few neat and helpful features, hardly revolutionary

haven't tried online yet, but that might be where the innovation in this game lies

How did this game get perfect scores from almost every media outlet?

[hyp]

maybe the outlets want their names attached to the ads that include review scores.

"IGN sez GAME OF THE GENERATION!"

"LAMESPOT - IMPECCABLE."

[Eel O'Brian]

^that, and fanboyism

it's not a terrible game, and it does improve on a couple of things, but it is by no means groundbreaking

if you liked previous gta games you will like this one, if you were ambivalent this won't make you a believer

i might be singing a different tune when i try multiplayer tonight, but that's how i feel about the sp so far

[AdmiralViscen]

So far I think I liked the others more. Every action in this game is so abominably slow.

[AdmiralViscen]

Duh.

[Eel O'Brian]

based on 2 hrs of gtaiv gameplay, i think so

[Howard Alan Treesong]

GTAIV is as good as Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3

[Don Flamenco]

, don't these people make a driving game, why can't they get this right

They can't get their driving game right either. 

[Robo]

The article on Reuters makes me want to puke:

Judging from early reviews, "Grand Theft Auto 4" -- the latest version of the hit franchise made by Take-Two's Rockstar studio -- appears on track to be the best-rated video game ever and one that could cement video games as a serious art form.

"'Grand Theft Auto IV' is a violent, intelligent, profane, endearing, obnoxious, sly, richly textured and thoroughly compelling work of cultural satire disguised as fun," The New York Times said.

Based on more than a dozen reviews compiled by Metacritic, a widely tracked aggregator of gaming reviews, the version of GTA4 for Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 game console has scored a perfect 100, while that for Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360 achieved a 99. (robo note: LOL xfags)

"Rockstar's magnum opus is a modern-day masterpiece that could change the way the world views video games," gaming news and reviews Web site GameSpy wrote, awarding the game a perfect five-star rating.

"You'll quickly come to realize that the nuanced story telling and presentation is on par with the finest films by directors like Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola."

These people must hate themselves.

[Joe Molotov]

Crackdown blows; xfags only get hard over it because it's XBOX EXCLUSIVE OMG!! Real gamers don't care about shit like that, which is why they praise GTA IV.

[Powerslave]

every freaking time... every time I think that GTA evolves or changes completely Rockstar pulls out the same shit with slight updates again.

[Bildi]

The worst thing is that Ocarnia of Time is no longer the highest ranked game on Gamerankings.

 
 
 
 

Fuck GTAIV.  I cried when I had to leave Saria behind.  This is a fucking outrage.

[Oblivion]

GS gave it a 10 too? Holy shit..

[duckman2000]

The worst thing is that Ocarnia of Time is no longer the highest ranked game on Gamerankings.

Meh, that game has just benefited for being released at a time when standards for games were quite low, and standards for game critics even lower.

[demi]

GS gave it a 10 too? Holy shit..

No it was originally a 9.5... then mysteriously changed to a 10

[Joe Molotov]

The worst thing is that Ocarnia of Time is no longer the highest ranked game on Gamerankings.

Meh, that game has just benefited for being released at a time when standards for games were quite low, and standards for game critics even lower.

GTA4 being unanimously declared best videogame in the history of mankind would argue that those times are still here.

[Bildi]

Meh, that game has just benefited for being released at a time when standards for games were quite low, and standards for game critics even lower.

No it benefited from being THE GREATEST GAME OF ALL TIME and now some nobody Russian immigrant has knocked Link off his well-deserved throne.

I can't believe I didn't get a screenshot of Gamerankings before this gross injustice befell us, so now I have only my memories to console me.

I'm off to play Saria's Song on my piccolo.  I just want this pain to go away.

[Don Flamenco]

The worst thing is that Ocarnia of Time is no longer the highest ranked game on Gamerankings.

 
 
 
 

Fuck GTAIV.  I cried when I had to leave Saria behind.  This is a fucking outrage.

oh noes a 10 year old Nintendo 64 game got dethroned.  The nostalgia of neckbeards world wide is in jeopardy! 

I'm not saying GTA4 definitely deserves that spot, but c'mon, OoT is no longer deserving of it, gaming has evolved a lot since then.

[duckman2000]

The worst thing is that Ocarnia of Time is no longer the highest ranked game on Gamerankings.

Meh, that game has just benefited for being released at a time when standards for games were quite low, and standards for game critics even lower.

GTA4 being unanimously declared best videogame in the history of mankind would argue that those times are still here.

Well, yeah. Reading impressions from people playing the game, it doesn't really mesh with what's written in these "reviews", so it'd appear as if gaming journalists (lol, rite) have once again allowed themselves to simply ignore flaw because, hur dur, it's like an awesome game and shit. That doesn't change the fact that Ocarina of Time is pretty much crap by today's standards.

[Don Flamenco]

The graphics + framerate ratings were all very overblown for sure...I'm scared for the 360 version if the PS3 version supposedly has an edge on it.   It's not a solid 30fps and shit just seems blurry all the time when you're driving (probably the 630p + upscaling doing that.)   


I'm enjoying the gameplay, not "OMG 10!!!" level, but it's fun.  Like the past GTA games, the environment and culture of the city are the real winners here.  PC version can't come fast enough.

[MrAngryFace]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

[Don Flamenco]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

I proudly take the "hahaha, I read books, you're all shmucks" stance when I see people praising stories in games, but no, this is pretty good so far.  If there's anything I can say, I know Niko won't suddenly discover he's "the one" and start defending Liberty City's mana flow from the frowning androgynous nazi fucktard brigade.

Not to say it'll end up being original or Oscar-worthy, but it'll stay interesting, I'm sure.

[Phoenix Dark]

unbiased review-in-progress for MAF from Eel after playing a couple hours

GOOD

- characters are well done, i really like the main character, writing seems better than past gtas i have tried
- so far, less "hahaha lookit that an ad for DOOKIE brand chocolate bars" type humor
- gps system, thank you for finally giving a shit about letting me know where i'm going rock*
- the phone really is useful once you get used to it
- map is laid out clearly and is easy to use to set waypoints
- nice mix of music

BAD

- driving is hopelessly busted, fucktard AI cruising the streets doesn't help, i'm all over the place like a crazy person, don't these people make a driving game, why can't they get this right
- melee combat is tedious
- fucking bowling dating minigame, hope the strip club one is better
- passenger characters won't shut up when you're driving
- graffix

it's the same gta with a few neat and helpful features, hardly revolutionary

haven't tried online yet, but that might be where the innovation in this game lies

How did this game get perfect scores from almost every media outlet?

That is the question. San Andreas got many perfect and near perfect scores too, despite having BLATANT control problems

[Bildi]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

I hear ya.  They probably also never played Ocarina of Time up to where Link says goodbye to Saria. 

[MrAngryFace]

haha

[MrAngryFace]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

I proudly take the "hahaha, I read books, you're all shmucks" stance when I see people praising stories in games, but no, this is pretty good so far.  If there's anything I can say, I know Niko won't suddenly discover he's "the one" and start defending Liberty City's mana flow from the frowning androgynous nazi fucktard brigade.

Not to say it'll end up being original or Oscar-worthy, but it'll stay interesting, I'm sure.

You can say that, but im not talking about your opinion. Every mention of the story in reviews is ridiculous.

[Smooth Groove]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

I proudly take the "hahaha, I read books, you're all shmucks" stance when I see people praising stories in games, but no, this is pretty good so far.  If there's anything I can say, I know Niko won't suddenly discover he's "the one" and start defending Liberty City's mana flow from the frowning androgynous nazi fucktard brigade.

Not to say it'll end up being original or Oscar-worthy, but it'll stay interesting, I'm sure.

You can say that, but im not talking about your opinion. Every mention of the story in reviews is ridiculous.

But I thought the story was Oscar quality? 

[Don Flamenco]

All this shit about the story makes me wonder if they read BOOKS

I proudly take the "hahaha, I read books, you're all shmucks" stance when I see people praising stories in games, but no, this is pretty good so far.  If there's anything I can say, I know Niko won't suddenly discover he's "the one" and start defending Liberty City's mana flow from the frowning androgynous nazi fucktard brigade.

Not to say it'll end up being original or Oscar-worthy, but it'll stay interesting, I'm sure.

You can say that, but im not talking about your opinion. Every mention of the story in reviews is ridiculous.

everything in these reviews is ridiculous.  the hype machine is fully revved.

[CajoleJuice]

Man, PC version is gonna be so good, though.

[AdmiralViscen]

The article on Reuters makes me want to puke:

Judging from early reviews, "Grand Theft Auto 4" -- the latest version of the hit franchise made by Take-Two's Rockstar studio -- appears on track to be the best-rated video game ever and one that could cement video games as a serious art form.

"'Grand Theft Auto IV' is a violent, intelligent, profane, endearing, obnoxious, sly, richly textured and thoroughly compelling work of cultural satire disguised as fun," The New York Times said.

Based on more than a dozen reviews compiled by Metacritic, a widely tracked aggregator of gaming reviews, the version of GTA4 for Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 game console has scored a perfect 100, while that for Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360 achieved a 99. (robo note: LOL xfags)

"Rockstar's magnum opus is a modern-day masterpiece that could change the way the world views video games," gaming news and reviews Web site GameSpy wrote, awarding the game a perfect five-star rating.

"You'll quickly come to realize that the nuanced story telling and presentation is on par with the finest films by directors like Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola."

These people must hate themselves.

 

Why did the media pick this game to gush over? Were the graphics of VC and SA too crappy for them to embrace?

[Bildi]

I'll don't really get why reviewers engage en masse in extreme gushing.  I guess they like to get caught up in their own hype and help further the industry they work in?

Unless we're talking RE4 which seemed to be almost universally loved by message boards both when it came out and nowadays as well.  There's never been a backlash so maybe it does deserve the scores.

[demi]

Man, PC version is gonna be so good, though.

If they can mod good car control

[FancyFeast]

[youtube=425,350]w8ZXaJx4BtY[/youtube].

[Smooth Groove]

Man, PC version is gonna be so good, though.

If they can mod good car control

it's possible.  A nicer framerate should also make driving easier. 

[demi]

[youtube=425,350]w8ZXaJx4BtY[/youtube].

How is that not better than GTA4? People can be distinguished mentally-challenged fellows sometimes.

[AdmiralViscen]

If you have a Dreamcast fetish I guess

[Mupepe]

Crackdown blows; xfags only get hard over it because it's XBOX EXCLUSIVE OMG!! Real gamers don't care about shit like that, which is why they praise GTA IV.

oh you sad little man.  you don't even know what fun is.

[demi]

Joe Molotov is a fatty who bought a hentai RPG called Mana Khemia

SMH at this real gamer shit, you are no better than himuro

[drew]

Crackdown blows; xfags only get hard over it because it's XBOX EXCLUSIVE OMG!! Real gamers don't care about shit like that, which is why they praise GTA IV.

oh you sad little man.  you don't even know what fun is.

That had to be a joke post.  Crackdown was great.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

GTA4 is better, though 

[close]