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[Mr. Sam]

HD TV bought, sound system in check. Now all's I need is a PS3 and GTA IV.

Wow, you're really going out of your way to play GTA. Me? I'm no-nonsense, SD TV, a year-and-a-bit-old 360 and some lube. Wait, forget that last part.

 

[newsguy]

I'm a tech whore. I've been playing since the original xbox on an HD front projector. I will say this, a sound system for these games makes a difference. The sound effects or listening to the music in surround is nice.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

New article from mtv. Haven't read it yet so I don't know how much new information is in it.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1583276/20080312/id_0.jhtml

Damn, that's twice. Tolito is gonna be piiiiissed.

 

[newsguy]

The blackmailer was hanging out near a fountain in a small park, though the game didn't indicate exactly which person milling about in that area was him. Instead, Niko received a text message on his ever-available cell phone. With a few presses of the controller, we could call the texted number, causing the blackmailer's phone to ring. Once the call commenced, the goal was to walk Niko through a crowd of people, looking and listening for someone talking on their cell phone. We heard him first and eventually stood face to face, with Niko's and the blackmailer's phones to their ears, their voices echoing through the phones and the virtual thin air. The blackmailer almost ran. Niko's gun stopped him. And then Niko ran from the cops. Mission just about complete.

You're kidding me.

 

[stephentotilo]

Damn, that's twice. Tolito is gonna be piiiiissed.

And I'm taking out on you, because you mis-spelled my name.

 

[Captain Pants]

And I'm taking out on you, because you mis-spelled my name.

Holy Tolito!

 

[Sato Koiji]

Please PLEASE let there be japanese Yakuza or chinese triads missions avaiable. PLS!!!

Matter of fact...I would welcome the idea to get unique items after you finish all jobs for the Yakuzas as an example...you get a Katana!!!

Like unique items which would fit the spirit of the gangs.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

And I'm taking out on you, because you mis-spelled my name.

Aw, FUCK.

But I hear you, brother. That's why I always ever post a highlight 'graph and a link.

ME: FRIEND OF THE ONLINE WORKING CLASS.

 

[stephentotilo]

I told ya in the OP! There's no arrow on top of your targets and you have to be crafty to find em! Who's to say you couldn't just kill every person in the vicinity?

I wonder if there's stealth kills?

No idea. But in the docks missions I played yesterday only your main target was represented by an icon on the mini-map. All other enemies, even when they were shooting at me, didn't have icons. Like I said in the piece, it seems like Rockstar is trying hard to avoid applying the standard gaming iconography.

 

[newsguy]

I told ya in the OP!

Yes, I remember about this, and this mission was referenced a long time ago, but being able to hear the feedback when you're standing next to the person on a cell? :O

 

[stephentotilo]

How were the controls? Did the game feel good?

I had no complaints about the controls. They felt good, as I wrote in my article. Way better than the controls of Vice City or even San Andreas.

 

[Zep]

six weeks? Well that depends on when R* ships the game

 

[Mr. Sam]

I'll be getting my copy from my local Argos, no pre-order required - it's definitely not one of the first stops for gamers and I'm fairly certain doesn't even take pre-orders, but will definitely stock the game.

 

[notjackbauer]

kind of a sick question for totilo-

In Manhunt, if you shoot someone in the head with a shotgun, it leaves a gaping hole in their skull and chunks fly everywhere. In San Andreas if you head-shot someone close range with a shot gun, their head just disappeared and blood spurted out.

What's the case in GTAIV?

 

[X26]

kind of a sick question for totilo-

In Manhunt, if you shoot someone in the head with a shotgun, it leaves a gaping hole in their skull and chunks fly everywhere. In San Andreas if you head-shot someone close range with a shot gun, their head just disappeared and blood spurted out.

What's the case in GTAIV?

speaking of manhunt, it would be awesome if the smiley's were in the game in some capacity

 

[kylej]

speaking of manhunt, it would be awesome if the smiley's were in the game in some capacity

They should've put an unlockable Cerberus outfit in Bully or San Andreas.

 

[X26]

They should've put an unlockable Cerberus outfit in Bully or San Andreas.

6th star = Cerberus

:O

I can't imagine it would be hard to implement a cheat that makes swat guys look like cerberus, would be neat it would

 

[newsguy]

kind of a sick question for totilo-

In Manhunt, if you shoot someone in the head with a shotgun, it leaves a gaping hole in their skull and chunks fly everywhere. In San Andreas if you head-shot someone close range with a shot gun, their head just disappeared and blood spurted out.

What's the case in GTAIV?

I'm a big fan of awesome headshots, and I know we won't see that crazy head disappearing thing this time around. The push for realism surely won't allow it. The bad news is, not one of the previews have mentioned beheading of any nature. I'm starting to theink there just won't be beheading, ala saint's row.

 

[Tr4nce]

I had no complaints about the controls. They felt good, as I wrote in my article. Way better than the controls of Vice City or even San Andreas.

So ehm, exactly HOW alive did the city of Liberty feel? Is it a huge step forward from previous GTA's? Do you really have the feeling you're in a living, breathing city when you play the game?

 

[notjackbauer]

I'm a big fan of awesome headshots, and I know we won't see that crazy head disappearing thing this time around. The push for realism surely won't allow it. The bad news is, not one of the previews have mentioned beheading of any nature. I'm starting to theink there just won't be beheading, ala saint's row.

yeah, i think you're probably right. manhunt is really atmospheric and disturbing, and head-chunks may not jive with GTA's open-world innocent-pedestrians vibe. they'll do something cool, but probably just not as graphic.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

6th star = Cerberus

:O

I can't imagine it would be hard to implement a cheat that makes swat guys look like cerberus, would be neat it would

I keep reading that as 6 Stars gets you chased by the Smoke Monster off LOST, but then, I'm me.

As promised, here is a shitty cameraphone picture of The Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens.

R*'s Take:

It's currently undergoing some construction so those wooden archway doors are all the way open. When closed they function as seen in GTA4.

 

[n1n9tean]

yeah, i think you're probably right. manhunt is really atmospheric and disturbing, and head-chunks may not jive with GTA's open-world innocent-pedestrians vibe. they'll do something cool, but probably just not as graphic.

A single bullet-hole with a thick stream of blood rolling down the face for hand guns (like in the mass-appeal Hollywood action flicks). Shotguns will turn faces into red, textured walls of flesh and blood.

Something like that.

 

[plaidtopia]

I keep reading that as 6 Stars gets you chased by the Smoke Monster off LOST, but then, I'm me.

:lol

 

[notjackbauer]

A single bullet-hole with a thick stream of blood rolling down the face for hand guns (like in the mass-appeal Hollywood action flicks). Shotguns will turn faces into red, textured walls of flesh and blood.

Something like that.

Sounds right to me. Do you know or are you speculating?

 

[newsguy]

Sounds right to me. Do you know or are you speculating?

It's speculation. The screenshots never show bulletholes in enemies who've been shot. That really would be ace though. A headshot with a sniper rifle should be accompanied by a satisfying explosion.

 

[Tr4nce]

From GTA4.net:

Word is coming through that the popular German magazine, Games Aktuell, will have the first details on GTA 4's mutliplayer system in their next issue. The issue is due to go on sale on March 19th, so expect more information around them. GTA IV will feature multiplayer game modes called "Team Deathmatch", "Cops n' Crooks", "Deal Breaker", "Bomb da Base" and "Hangman's Noose", amongst others which we hope to learn about soon. We understand that the magazine got to play two of these modes.

Awesome

 

[n1n9tean]

Sounds right to me. Do you know or are you speculating?

No, I'm just speculating on what would make the most sense and fit best within the new GTA world; IF there will, in fact, be no beheadings.

 

[Scopebob Sniperpants]

I hope that 6 stars turns into a scene from Bad Boys.
But only if they say things like:
YOU FORGOT YO BOARDIN PASS!!!

I'll also accept Robocop, John Mclaine or Let Li.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

6 stars = Crackdown agents

 

[X26]

final wanted level has you being chased by a mibatsu monstrosity driven by claude with vercetti and cj riding along doing drive-by's on you

or so I hear

 

[stephentotilo]

kind of a sick question for totilo-

In Manhunt, if you shoot someone in the head with a shotgun, it leaves a gaping hole in their skull and chunks fly everywhere. In San Andreas if you head-shot someone close range with a shot gun, their head just disappeared and blood spurted out.

What's the case in GTAIV?

no idea. what kind of person do you think I am?

the game didn't seem that bloody. the violence was more apparent in how people crumpled when you shot them. or, for example, after I shot one guy who was standing on a fire escape, he fell off it, but then clutched onto the bottom of it with one hand. the poor guy wasn't dead yet, but I had to shoot him again for him to lose his grip. oh, and when I got shot near a window and then walked inside the building where people had been shooting at me from, my guy's blood was on the fractured glass -- though that wasn't permanent and the texture snapped back to a clear glass after a little bit

 

[newsguy]

for example, after I shot one guy who was standing on a fire escape, he fell off it, but then clutched onto the bottom of it with one hand. the poor guy wasn't dead yet, but I had to shoot him again for him to lose his grip.

Now that's sexy. And that's the kind of person I am. I think that's damn sexy.

 

[stephentotilo]

So ehm, exactly HOW alive did the city of Liberty feel? Is it a huge step forward from previous GTA's? Do you really have the feeling you're in a living, breathing city when you play the game?

HOW alive? hard to say. there are definitely more people on the streets and sidewalks. and more major things seem to be happening around you that don't involve you -- for example, an ambulance was whizzing through traffic while I was driving somewhere; it had nothing to do with what I was doing but made the game world feel more lively

I think the biggest distinction for new players will be the amount of detail in the world. There's just more stuff -- everywhere. Inside buildings there is more furniture, more things on the walls. In the street there are more street cones, and garbage. In the alleys there are dumpsters. On the sidewalks you've got hot dog vendors, groceries people dropped. And so much of this stuff can be knocked around. It doesn't feel over-the-top, like they're trying to show off a physics engine. It just feels like a city full of stuff.

Will that having any meaningful impact on gameplay? Hard to say

 

[newsguy]

Will that having any meaningful impact on gameplay? Hard to say

You said in the article that the new physics were obvious in some aspects. The guy hanging from the fire escape allowing you to shoot him may not be a "meaningful" impact, but it's pretty amazing that it makes the A.I look like they have a strong sense of self preservation. BTW, thanks for taking the time out to give impressions, we love every little bit of info.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

HOW alive? hard to say. there are definitely more people on the streets and sidewalks. and more major things seem to be happening around you that don't involve you -- for example, an ambulance was whizzing through traffic while I was driving somewhere; it had nothing to do with what I was doing but made the game world feel more lively

I think the biggest distinction for new players will be the amount of detail in the world. There's just more stuff -- everywhere. Inside buildings there is more furniture, more things on the walls. In the street there are more street cones, and garbage. In the alleys there are dumpsters. On the sidewalks you've got hot dog vendors, groceries people dropped. And so much of this stuff can be knocked around. It doesn't feel over-the-top, like they're trying to show off a physics engine. It just feels like a city full of stuff.

Will that having any meaningful impact on gameplay? Hard to say

Man. With all these new obstacles and the new police system, taxi missions are going to be hell.

 

[MMaRsu]

I'd love to get a HDTV for this game, but I'd be lucky to get this game on launchday to be honest..money problems

 

[Dolphin]

I'd love to get a HDTV for this game, but I'd be lucky to get this game on launchday to be honest..money problems

You and I, we're in the same boat.

 

[Loudninja]

stephentotilo is does the driving good?

 

[newsguy]

stephentotilo is does the driving good?

From his article.

Cars handle more realistically and more distinctly, depending on the type, making driving feel more true to life.

 

[stephentotilo]

stephentotilo is does the driving good?

are you possibly asking me if the driving is good?

yes. the vehicles I drove all controlled more distinctly from each other than I had remembered in GTAs past. there seemed to be more physics in them, in terms of suspension and whatnot. Fishtailing is much more disastrous for pedestrians, I can tell you that. And throwing Molotov cocktails from your car will probably be a new favorite GTA pasttime for GTA fans.

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

 

[Loudninja]

are you possibly asking me if the driving is good?

yes. the vehicles I drove all controlled more distinctly from each other than I had remembered in GTAs past. there seemed to be more physics in them, in terms of suspension and whatnot. Fishtailing is much more disastrous for pedestrians, I can tell you that. And throwing Molotov cocktails from your car will probably be a new favorite GTA pasttime for GTA fans.

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Thanks, I always like the driving in GTA games, just wanted to know

From his article.

Sorry, I did not see that article, I will read it, thanks

Edit:surprise?I wonder what it could be?

 

[MMaRsu]

You and I, we're in the same boat.

heh it's good to know i'm not the only one..

but don't forget I'll sell anything to get this game on launchday :lol

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Transformers?

 

[Goreomedy]

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Wheel support?

 

[MrCompletely]

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Dashboard view!

 

[kylej]

Maybe I can get enough cash for an hdtv by then?

I'd love to get a HDTV for this game, but I'd be lucky to get this game on launchday to be honest..money problems

You and I, we're in the same boat.

it's ok you guys can live vicariously through me

 

[newsguy]

Transformers?

Wheel support?

Dashboard view!

Watch him say cars have horns.

 

[BobFromPikeCreek]

Watch him say cars have horns.

But not just any horn! One of those hilarious Texan horns! Every car has one.

 

[Salazar]

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Sequestering content is clearly infectious.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

are you possibly asking me if the driving is good?

yes. the vehicles I drove all controlled more distinctly from each other than I had remembered in GTAs past. there seemed to be more physics in them, in terms of suspension and whatnot. Fishtailing is much more disastrous for pedestrians, I can tell you that. And throwing Molotov cocktails from your car will probably be a new favorite GTA pasttime for GTA fans.

there's a neat surprise about the driving that I didn't put in my article. I'm writing up a blog post about it now. Give me a few minutes and it'll be live. I'll let you guys know

Can you talk about Niko's animation? Is it as good as the previews say?