GTA IV

[stray]

At this point I am kinda disappointed with this game. It just feels like it is a batch fuck of stuff taped together. On their own, the separate parts are all piss poor. I think the presentation is great and the game looks fine, but it just plays like ass and I am kinda over the whole open world aspect of it. Especially if it less interactive than the last game was. The lack of activities like the ambulance/ tow truck/ fire fighting/ working out, vehicle upgrading, skills upgrading, stealth kills, weapons, bicycles, gang control, blah blah blah. They removed a lot of shit. Add to that the crappy controls, the camera sucking balls especially indoors, the fighting feeling like fucking shit, it just smells of shit.

It is really a shame that despite all this, I still put it in. it just feels that this game, more than others kicked me in the ass hard after the hype wore off.  

There's a part of me that agrees with you. They did remove some shit.

Funnily enough, despite my conversation with Vel, the multiplayer is the best part so far. It's pretty fun, in a spastic kind of way.

[Morfiend]

At this point I am kinda disappointed with this game. It just feels like it is a batch fuck of stuff taped together. On their own, the separate parts are all piss poor. I think the presentation is great and the game looks fine, but it just plays like ass and I am kinda over the whole open world aspect of it. Especially if it less interactive than the last game was. The lack of activities like the ambulance/ tow truck/ fire fighting/ working out, vehicle upgrading, skills upgrading, stealth kills, weapons, bicycles, gang control, blah blah blah. They removed a lot of shit. Add to that the crappy controls, the camera sucking balls especially indoors, the fighting feeling like fucking shit, it just smells of shit.

It is really a shame that despite all this, I still put it in. it just feels that this game, more than others kicked me in the ass hard after the hype wore off.   

There's a part of me that agrees with you. They did remove some shit.

Funnily enough, despite my conversation with Vel, the multiplayer is the best part so far. It's pretty fun, in a spastic kind of way.

I did a few MP matches with WAP earlier tonight. Was pretty fun. I was lagging a bit due to my roommate uploading 2.5gb worth of jpgs to his website (dont ask). Anyway, we had one great moment when we joined our first game, and both of stepped out in front of an oncoming car to make it stop, and the fucker (NPC) ran us both over and killed us. We had a good laugh about it.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

Yeah, what I played of the MP was half decent. It felt really, really random. I am sure that with a good group it can be fun but if you try a quick match it is like entering the thunder-dome. People just go crazy on there and skill doesn't seem to play a roll in that shit.

[NiX]

So am I to believe I should be setting up multiplayer again? It went well with R6.

[Bunk]

Yeah, what I played of the MP was half decent. It felt really, really random. I am sure that with a good group it can be fun but if you try a quick match it is like entering the thunder-dome. People just go crazy on there and skill doesn't seem to play a roll in that shit.

I played a bit over the weekend with the same group of people for a few hours. When the same pair wins 80% of the time, it becomes fairy obvious that skill has an impact. That being said, playing with a random pickup group is certainly random. I jumped in to a team game, hopped in to the passenger seat of a car, and had my team mate promptly race accross town away from the battle at 100 mph and take a stunt jump in to the ocean.

[Mrbloodworth]

The lack of activities like the ambulance/ tow truck/ fire fighting/ working out, vehicle upgrading, skills upgrading, stealth kills, weapons, bicycles, gang control, blah blah blah.

The Taxi thing is in, need to bee really good friends with romain. The vigilante is also there it seems, hop in a cop car, park it, and press (i think) r1, this should let you access the police network, and a most wanted list. I am half suspecting that most of that gameplay is there, its just moved to the "Friendship" system and unlock able that way..not sure however.

Some of that above was i think really only for the sanadreias (sp) one.

[Bunk]

So far Ive done some Vigilante, done some cab rides, and stolen some cars for Brucie. I know Jacob offers custom missions as well.

A lot of the little things are hidden until you unlock them. My current girlfriend for example is a nurse - I can phone her up for medical advice when I'm hurt :P

[Sauced]

Finally played enough single player to dip into this thread without too much spoiler-fear. Yes, I know, fearing "spoilers" in a GTA narrative is kinda retarded, but humor me.

Despite the many invite failures with Schild, et al, I've been playing mostly online.  I really with the "levels" were persistent.   I should have unlocked the 4th tier of junk by now, but instead I'm still trying to get the 2nd.
 
That's been my only complaint so far.  Well, that and the "sign off from PSN before launching the game" bullshit.  I wish more people played Cops n' Crooks, a friend and I managed to find 6 others who stuck with us for about 2 hours yesterday for some good 4 on 4s.  Seems like a lot of the pickup games are dumbass "Deathmatch to $50000" time-wasters, full of people grinding for new Pants.

[WayAbvPar]

Just got the XBL achievement 'Low Point'. I am amazed at how invested in the storyline I am becoming. Big props to Lil Jacob for his assistance in East Hook, btw 

[LK]

I think Saints Row did it a lot better with avatar customization for Multiplayer.  I still miss how I dressed up my hip hop asian gangster.  This one isn't as detailed, but I'll take that over the fact that Liberty City is the multiplayer level.

[Morfiend]

I found it odd that there is much more customization in the singleplayer part of the game. My opinion is that they will release more character models as paid DLC.

[Velorath]

I found it odd that there is much more customization in the singleplayer part of the game. My opinion is that they will release more character models as paid DLC.

From what I found out by looking around gamefaqs, you get more customization options as you rank up.

[LK]

Well I hope I get exponentially more because the options I'm getting at Rank 2 are shit.

They don't have the same level of detail as Saint's Row did.

[Morfiend]

I found it odd that there is much more customization in the singleplayer part of the game. My opinion is that they will release more character models as paid DLC.

From what I found out by looking around gamefaqs, you get more customization options as you rank up.

What is this Rank you speak of?

[LK]

As you earn cash in Multiplayer Ranked games, it's tracked like experience.  Earn a certain threshold and you rank up, up to 10 ranks.  More customization options are opened up as you level up.

[Morfiend]

As you earn cash in Multiplayer Ranked games, it's tracked like experience.  Earn a certain threshold and you rank up, up to 10 ranks.  More customization options are opened up as you level up.

Wow, how come I never heard about this? Where can I track my progress?

[Sauced]

It's the star next to your name in the games list.

Does XBox live actually persist the $ over sessions?  I didn't think it was just a PSN problem - seems like they have it session-only until the Social Club tracking app is done.  I assume.

[LK]

UI isn't very hot.  In the lobby it should show you how much cash you have in the bottom left.  After you finish a match it will indicate how much you need for the next level.

[schild]

Isn't very hot is an understatement. The entire multiplayer section is total dick and they should be ashamed.

I take back my solid 9 having had to deal with the online portion and give the fucker an 8.

[Sauced]

During a deathmatch last night, there was a text message saying "SoAndSo suggests Team Deathmatch".

I should probably play the tutorial to figure out how to do this, since I have no damn idea how to interact with others during the match other than pressing L1 to scream "FUCK YOU YOU FUCK", which has now become part of my vernacular.

[Velorath]

As you earn cash in Multiplayer Ranked games, it's tracked like experience.  Earn a certain threshold and you rank up, up to 10 ranks.  More customization options are opened up as you level up.

Wow, how come I never heard about this? Where can I track my progress?

If you go to the leaderboards you can see how much you've made in each mode, as well as your rank.

Isn't very hot is an understatement. The entire multiplayer section is total dick and they should be ashamed.

In what respect do you think it's dick?  Just asking since so far the only problem I've had in what little time I've played it, was everyone being booted one time when we tried to start a game.

[schild]

I don't know, let's start with a game search function and a server browser. Then maybe we can add features that every other reasonable multiplayer game has to date. It'd be one thing if the ranking didn't matter. Then you'd want blind matching (a la Metal Gear Solid Online), but no, the ranks don't matter at all and I can't pick a game that looks palatable to me. And 9 times out of 10 I can't find a game at all. Odd considering MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OWN IT.

[Velorath]

And 9 times out of 10 I can't find a game at all. Odd considering MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OWN IT.

That is odd.  I haven't had any problem finding games yet.

[schild]

And 9 times out of 10 I can't find a game at all. Odd considering MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OWN IT.

That is odd.  I haven't had any problem finding games yet.

Yep. In fact, I stopped using my wireless thinking it might be the problem. But no, still couldn't get anything wired. I'm pissed. Maybe people just don't play deathmatch. WHICH ISN'T LIKELY.

[MisterNoisy]

That is odd.  I haven't had any problem finding games yet.

360 version, I take it?

[Jeff Kelly]

So I had a chance to play a few more hours now.

The friendship management part is extremely annoying

You have to keep your friends above 80% like and respect in order to use the special features and every time they call you and you refuse the values drop again.

They call you much to often. At least once per gaming day anyone of your friends calls you for some activity sometimes another calls you while you are on an activity with the first. To cater to them it takes you at least 10 minutes of real time (pick them up, drive them to the destination, do something and drive therm back)

This gets old fast. Also you do not get any good stuff when doing the side missions and most of the old side missions like ambulance, taxi or fire fighter don't even work anymore. In previous games you got free weapons, armor or health upgrades for doing those missions. Now you only get money.

Also even when you turn up brightness and contrast the game is way to dark.

[MisterNoisy]

So I had a chance to play a few more hours now.

The friendship management part is extremely annoying

You have to keep your friends above 80% like and respect in order to use the special features and every time they call you and you refuse the values drop again.

They call you much to often. At least once per gaming day anyone of your friends calls you for some activity sometimes another calls you while you are on an activity with the first. To cater to them it takes you at least 10 minutes of real time (pick them up, drive them to the destination, do something and drive therm back)

This gets old fast. Also you do not get any good stuff when doing the side missions and most of the old side missions like ambulance, taxi or fire fighter don't even work anymore. In previous games you got free weapons, armor or health upgrades for doing those missions. Now you only get money.

Also even when you turn up brightness and contrast the game is way to dark.

Go into your cell phone menu and turn 'Sleep Mode' (which suspends incoming calls from the NPCs) on at any time the game will allow you to do so.  It keeps the friendship management stuff down to a dull roar.  The only time that option is locked out is during actual missions.  You can kill it pretty much any other time and it's the first thing I do after the game loads.

Also:  Woo - patch inc for PS3

[Bunk]

A lot of the mini games are still there, but accessed through your friends. I do find the calls from them annoying (especially when immediately followed by a "Help! they are shooting at me, cousin!" call from Roman), but you do have the option of suspending them. If you just want to drive around without any timed events happening, go in to your Cell options and put sleepmode on.

I don't know if the side missions give you more in the end for completing them, but they do have levels like before, so they might. I've completed level 2 taxi missions and level one vigilante for example.

You want bonuses for doing things? Get Carmen as a girlfriend, it's worth it.

Just got my safehouse in Algonquin - much more convenient having an internet connection in your safehouse.

[Murgos]

Also, if you don't want to go get a cheeseburger with Roman every five minutes you can accept the call and make a 'date' and then call him right back and cancel with no hit to the relationship.

You get the plus when you accept, there doesn't seem to be a minus for canceling plans (well, not displayed on the screen anyway).

[Viin]

So what's better now, bitches? PS3 or 360?

[photek]

So what's better now, bitches? PS3 or 360?

360. Always have been and will be. I own all consoles and was a fucktard for buying GTA4 on PS3 cause some guildies told me it had better graphics and ran smoother, Im all about pretties and flowing gameplay, but MP part of 360 is superior.

[Mrbloodworth]

So what's better now, bitches? PS3 or 360?

Also:  Woo - patch inc for PS3

 

[photek]

So what's better now, bitches? PS3 or 360?

Also:  Woo - patch inc for PS3

 

Yay for this, even though I haven't had any freezes. Still I'm considering purchasing the 360 version for MP solely cause Live > PS3, but dunno if my singleplayer process affects MP in any way so I'll wait and check around.

[schild]

Neither one has a server browser. They both suck equally. Multiplayer will always be a crapshoot because of it. See, at least in COD4, I know what servers are 'good' and 'bad.' No dice here, even though rank doesn't matter... AT ALL.

Also, I'm pretty sure the 360 has a power point presentation when you first turn on the game. I know they were trying to be clever, but they failed so hard, it wasn't near as elegant as the title screen with the full res movies playing in FF12 or Crisis Core.

[Valmorian]

What I want to know is, why can't I freaking play Pool, Darts, Bowling, etc.. with other players in free mode!?  They didn't even think about that?? What the hell?