Grand Theft Auto IV

GTA IV is worth the hype in my book. It is similar to the other games in the series (not a bad thing), but the graphics are much improved and the acting/storyline are outstanding. The missions are fun, but if you get bored you can always grab a shotgun and raise hell at any moment. This game just feels big. I remember driving my car off the bridge into the water, crawling out the window, swimming around and just staring in awe at the night sky with the city glowing in the background. Just an all around amazing experience.

I highly recommend that people rent this game before buying. I honestly dont get why its rated so high. I was so bored while playing this. The controls are difficult and when you walk the screen always jumps to the wrong direction. Fighting multiple opponents is so awkward. I stopped playing it because i was so bored. I first had to pick up some girl and take her bowling. Then after that i had to take my cousin to a strip club where you have to fight multiple opponents. It wasn't fun at all. It also froze on me a couple of times and I had to try to restart the ps3.

I don't know how some review sites can give this game a perfect 10 rating. It is a great game, but far from perfect. The PS3 version suffers from several technical problems that have been pointed out here ad nauseam. One patch has already been released, and hopefully future patches will fix the rest of the problems. As for the game itself, it's one of the best ever. It's definitely a solid "9", but far from a 10. If you can wait awhile and avoid the hype, you may be better off waiting until most of the major problems are fixed. Online play has been partially fixed, but it still isn't perfect.

The best way to compare this game to Vice City or San Andreas is like comparing Burnout to Gran Turismo.If you're just looking to have some fun(with the help of things such as jetpacks and crazy car stunts)Vice City and San Andreas will destroy your social life.But if you're looking for a more realistic experience GTA4 and Gran Turismo would be your choice.Personally I'm the type of guy who would rather play Vice City & Burnout,which is the reason why I've been having a hard time agreeing with the majority of reviewers on this one.

I'll start with the good first.I don't want people reading this to think I'm bashing this game,because overall it is really good.I just don't think it's as perfect as some websites are making it out to be.

The first thing that will really make your eyes open is when you arrive in Liberty City.The city has a life of its own,and it's unlike anything I've ever seen in a game before.Having lived in New York for ten years I really appreciate all the work Rockstar put into the city.
Another strong point for this game is the story.It reminds me of something Martin Scorsese or Michael Mann would direct.The pacing is perfect and you'll run into all sorts of characters throughout the entire map.
The graphics and sound are also impressive.You and the city move around with absolutely no clipping or lagging.The sound effects are incredible.It really helps the city come alive,and the weapons (especially the M16 & AK) sound like the real deal.

Rockstar also borrowed some ideas from games like Gears of War when it came to covering and aiming.While being able to cover was a huge step forward for this series,I still had some problems with aiming.There are a lot of missions where you're inside closed areas (such as warehouses) and you have at least half a dozen guys firing at you,and it doesn't help when the aim is still locked on a target you already killed.

And for a interesting addition,this game allows you to go bowling,drinking (you name it) with friends you meet up with throughout the game.While it may seem cool,I found this to be pretty annoying by the time I was about halfway through the game because my cell phone would be constantly ringing.If you don't choose to hang out with all of them they start losing respect for you little by little,but if you do choose to say yes every time they call the game gets repetitive in a hurry.Besides,I can watch TV or going bowling with friends in real life,so I don't understand why it plays such a large role in this game.But I guess if you're a fan of mini games like pool you won't seem to mind as much.I just feel like it can interfere with the actual missions too much.

The only thing that really gets on my nerves about this game is the driving.This goes right back to my Gran Turismo/Burnout comparison.Some of the car chase missions nearly drove me nuts because I'd take a sharp turn and my car would lose all control while the target escaped.I don't know why most cars control like a school bus,but I hope it's fixed for the next installment.Oh,and good luck making a U turn.90% of the time you'll end up smashing your car up or hitting a cop thanks to the camera.Steal yourself a nice sports car or a bike every opportunity you get,because they're the most stable ride.

Again,I hope people won't take this as a negative review.I just know everyone and their mother has heard all the great things about this game,so my goal was to be a little more down to Earth and point out the things gamers may or may not like about GTA4.If you like realistic games,this is right up your alley.If you don't but you're still itching to play this just know there will be a learning curve.

I've been driving all over town and found no chinese, thai, portuguese, or indian restaurants..where's the ethnic variety that nyc, or liberty city, is known for? there are no comic book shops, dvd stores, or exotic auto dealerships. There are no options to edit my facials, physique, or customize my automobile. You complete all these missions but your character is still the same, albeit added wardrobe, weaponry, and useless statistics, but no rpg elements to gradually build defense (e.g., kevlar vest, padded ninja outfit, acrobatics, etc.) or enhance fighting attributes. The unremarkable and awkward fist-fighting controls are probably the biggest drawback. How cool would it have been to include martial arts abilities like ninjitsu, grappling, or roaming around town with a katana? Also, the car hijacking feature is nice, but the toughest resistance i got from the victim was a fist fight. and you can't even break into any buildings or apts..when i try to shoot or punch a window, i get the feeling i'm hitting a movie prop! i've given it a shot for the first several missions, but my patience has run out.

3 stars for decent cut scenes, mission variety, and letting me carry a shotgun and cruise town in a chopper (and you can't even shoot a weapon while riding or driving!)

10 out of 10? I don't think so.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, the ps3 is not worth a quarter fraction of your biweekly salary. There are no unique games that distinguish it from xbox 360. GT 5 prologue? it's got only 70+ cars, and is currently $10 overpriced! Blue-ray dvd? overrated. online play? xbox live is better.

Yes, I can feel your anger... Let The Hate Flow Through You!!