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suckes

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 15
Date: July 10, 2008
Author: Amazon User

You cannot fly planes,small city,horrible car control. Just wait until san andreas stories comes out (if it does).

awesome game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 8
Date: April 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The game's graphics are great.
I love the stealth feature from cops. (example: hiding in ally ways, ducking behind corners, staying in the dark at night to elude the spotlight)
More realistic way of stealing cars (example: breaking windows, car alarms going off, hotwiring)
Great city, great game.

I am a conservative reviewer but this time couldn't find a reason to not to give five star

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 8
Date: May 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Every one knows that this is the game where all the production and development team deserves a big pat on their back.

In my review I will talk and focus on -ve reviews given to this game. After reading through all the -ve reviews, here as well as other websites, I have come to conclusion that the such reviewers are pretty amateurs or newbies in the video gaming world. The good thing in reviews is that thanks to release of this game on all platforms now PS fans are not trashing XBOX fans and vice versa and the whole focus is on the game it self instead of console wars. Although I would like to hear if GTAIV performed well on XBOX or PS or equal.

The game is very vast and caries the honor of being the pioneer in roam freely & do whatever virtual world concept, i.e. GTAIII. GTAIV does face a challenge that how much free roaming and flexible this new world is. Definitely GTAIV has provided the best virtual world ever but it sometimes increases the anxiety or enthusiasm for gamer to expect more than the game can offer. For instance a lot of time while playing I have wished that I could go into that building/shop and see whats inside or I could flirt with a hot girl on the street more. But keep in mind the developers are not God that they can provide 100% virtual world.

This game shows clearly that how fast and keen human being is in developing almost another virtual world within this real world. We have created simulations of almost every process involved around modern human being i.e. virtual Stock Exchange, virtual wheather forecast, Second Life etc.. pretty soon you will see a release of Grand Theft Auto where millions of gamers will be simultaneously playing in only one centrally hosted Liberty City just like second life. Currently the limit is 16 under multiplayer and Liberty City shuts down when the person hosting the game closes the game.

Grand Theft Auto: The Interactive Movie

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Having loved the GTA series from the first top-down iteration through the most recent San Andreas, I waited anxiously for the newest incarnation. I pre-ordered and bought an XBox just to play it, and so far I have been quite impressed. It takes some time to sink in, but the the game is deep, and there is enough here to keep any fan engrossed for a long time to come. However it immediately pulls you in and keeps you comfortable through artful pacing, an amazing story, and ingenious use of missions as gameplay tutorials. This game has the polished feel of a movie, while mostly retaining the huge, open ended sandbox appeal that is a hallmark of the series. Changes have been made away from the cartoony style of its predecessors to a much more realistic feel, and this adds a freshness. A quick breakdown of the elements:

Story: Hands down the best storyline of any game I have played to date. Funny, involving, creative, it has the feel of a good movie. Cutscenes are superb, and make the characters really come to life.

Environment: The new Liberty City is gritty and often dark, but really comes alive due to the amount of people and places that are available. The sprawling mess of San Andreas is gone, replaced by a much tighter world which, although still large, contains much more nooks and crannies of gaming goodness.

Combat: Combat has been revamped and is overall much improved. The addition of a cover system is great, and combat feels much more realistic overall.

Controls: One of my few major gripes is with the controls. "Standard" is new set of controls, as it enables you to take advantage of all the new features of GTAIV, however it takes quite a bit of getting used to from a old-school fanboy perspective. "Classic" retains the driving system of the previous games, which is great, but you quickly find yourself doubling up on buttons and missing out on many of new features.

Overall: Great single player game, with the addition of multiplayer GTAIV is going to a very serious contender (if not a shoe-in) for my Game Of The Year.

Blood and Fire

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

There are two things that really stick out above anything else with this game: Blood and Fire. The blood, when you run into someone, their blood DRIPS off the grill of your car. When a car explodes, the fire is so so realistic that you believe it was filmed from a real life explosion. Graphics are amazing. The detail to every little thing from breaking random windows, to cracking a wall when you drive into it. Adds more of a realism to the game. I'd suggest this to anyone who is used to the GTA series and know how the missions work. I'd also suggest this to the video game voyeur who is curious about what the hype is about. Believe the hype

A very strong GTA title

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Welcome back to Liberty City GTA fans and welcome Niko Bellic. A Russian immigrant that is running away from his past, or is it because he is trying to find someone, or possibly his cousin Roman talked him into moving (I will leave that open to not spoil the game). Starting off I noticed the difference in the controls mechanics of the game. I little adjustment from the older versions but takes little to no time to get use to. I also noticed the difference in driving, controls as well as speed is a factor of the vehicle that you choose. Feeling more simulated in this version I find it to be a great add to this version. With the upgrade to the graphics it gave the new and improved Liberty City a real gritty humid feel to the game.
I found that the size of the city as a bit much to handle at first but with the beauty of being able to call a cab it very helpful when you need to navigate through the city. I noticed a lack of labeling the map on this version of GTA (unlike the previous games which everything accessible was labeled). But calling up Roman or other friends, dates etc. you will find that the map will light up with locations.
With the deep and detailed storyline and dialog you may find it easy to get sucked into Niko's world. But one thing I have always loved about the GTA series is the humor they add to the game. Take a few minutes away from the game and watch tv, or listen to citizen's phone calls, etc. You will find out that there are a lot of hidden surprises that will have you laughing from time to time. I do hear of issues of the game freezing up which forces the player to loose there current status. I personally have not experience this issue but can say hopefully Rockstar send a patch for download to stop that problem.
While game play with the weapons are great I find it hard to get use to the hand to hand combat. there is a bit of lag between throwing punches and setting up combos but may not effect the gamer that likes to use weapons instead of hand to hand combat. But with the intense law enforcement added to GTA IV you may find that breaking the law and adding stars may get very frustrating. But with achievements like like three minutes with a four star rating that should give you a warning about messing with the police.
I do strongly recommend this game to adults but give this message to parents planning on buying this for the little ones. Pay close attention to the game and what the seller is telling you about it and read the reasons for the M rating. With it's strong language and content you may not want your children exposed to this much. I still recommend the game over all but of you feel that this may do more than just be a game to your child than stand clear of this title.

(4.5 stars) A worthy installment in the series.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 08, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game doesn't quite live up to the "10/10" standards (I don't think it's "fair" to ignore the few flaws this game has, which I won't get into - read other reviews for those), but the reasons some people are giving this 1 star reviews are pretty ridiculous. Obviously, the game has some differences compared to other games in the GTA franchise. I don't think it was reasonable to expect Rockstar to carry the same old GTA patterns over to next-generation consoles, but the changes made have not been enough to make this unworthy of being called a Grand Theft Auto game... in fact it is unmistakably Grand Theft Auto, with some improvements (and subtractions). The way I prefer to think of the difference between San Andreas and IV is the difference between The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Oblivion. Both are excellent games, but the latter seemed to sacrifice some of the "vastness" and extra little things to do in the previous game for favoring new gameplay elements: New combat system, more accessible means of locating and arriving at objectives, improved level of realism, etc. This does not make it a more shallow experience, it makes it a different experience. If you want more of the same old GTA games, restart III, Vice City, or San Andreas. If you want a fresh, new, interesting, and involving addition to the series (which could very well be just a taste of things to come in the series, considering the new areas Rockstar seems to be exploring in the way of multiplayer, future downloadable content, "realism," and single-player nuances), then try this game out. You won't be disappointed.

The GTA series gets a "reboot"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Outside of Halo 3, GTA IV is perhaps one of the most hyped games of this generation; in fact, some would say it was overhyped. Glowing, almost slobbering previews from the press helped create expectations that could never be met. The question is, now that it's out, how does it stack up?

First of all, I have to note that there have been both a lot of "revisionist" positive reviews that tell us that less variety and content (as compared to GTA: San Andreas) is somehow a good thing, and a lot of excessively negative reviews that gloss over the positive changes this entry has made. The truth is that while the game could've been more (and needed to be if it was to truly win all the perfect reviews it got), what we got was far from a poor or skimpy game. And it all starts with the city.

Like the first game in the GTA III trilogy (GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas), GTA IV takes place in Liberty City, a fictional, crime-ridden metropolis. This time, however, Liberty City is a much bigger place than before. The scale of the environment compared to your character is much larger than before, and the maps you may have seen of Liberty City don't really convey this. In addition, things such as the level of detail, lighting, and other graphical effects have been pumped up more than a little. Night-time now makes the same area you saw in the daytime look completely different than before, while the lighting and weather engine upgrades make every day a potentially unique experience, and really accentuate the early morning and late afternoon periods with some dramatic effects. People are now animated much better than before (and are affected by the new physics engine), and the whole game has an interesting look that's almost akin to impressionistic oil paintings. The game environments are divided into 5 districts, which are distorted and compacted versions of real life counterparts: Broker (Brooklyn), Dukes (Queens), Bohan (the Bronx), Algonquin (Manhattan), and Alderney (Eastern New Jersey). Unlike the disappointing (and buggy) True Crime: NYC, the areas have been streamlined and altered enough so that you don't end up driving through endless, identical, flat, square city blocks put in there just because they're present in real life. Fans of the original GTA III will see a few familiar-looking sights, as Broker's elevated train tracks and brownstones will bring back memories of Portland. Other than that type of basic similarity, Liberty City is a whole new animal.

And as a result, you're also given new game mechanics to survive. The most notable are the aiming system (allowing for both autotargeting using an instictual flick of the right stick combined with the triggers, and a manual aim similar to Gears of War), and the cover system (which allows you to take cover behind a large percentage of objects, including cars). This transforms firefights from the almost random shootouts of the past into more dynamic, entertaining, and tactical encounters. You also have a cell phone, which is a big part of the game. GTA IV relies heavily on your relationships with characters, and you'll find yourself both calling them, and getting called by them. The downside is that these calls are a bit too frequent, especially when you just want to wander around, and cause mayhem (although you can put the phone on sleep mode), and ignoring phone calls can have consequences for the goodwill you'll be trying to maintain with these people. Car physics have been altered, and while it can be hard to adjust to, I actually like the handling better in this game than prior installments, as using the handbrake results in some truly great cornering. Both swimming and climbing over objects are still in the game, with swimming simplified, and the climbing mechanic developed more fully than before.

As Niko Bellic, an Eastern European veteran of an unnamed war who is lured to America by his cousin's exaggerated promises of success, the player is given both a reason for being an expert at combat, and a great starting point for the story. The characters are some of the best the series has seen, whether it's your likeable, debt-ridden cousin Roman, the hilarious Brucie (I can't even begin to describe him), or "community activist" Manny. There are also some "random missions" that are triggered by your choice of whether to spare some of your mission targets throughout the game. Furthermore, the new wanted level system (in which the police have a specific search radius you must escape, as opposed to the random cop spawning of the past) makes the chaotic gunfights of both the story missions and extracurricular chaos less of a potential buzzkill when the cops take notice. The story is further enhanced by features such as a number of parodic TV shows you can watch, a functional in-game Internet (complete with all manner of spot-on websites), and other social entertainment, such as comedy clubs, a cabaret show, and even the ability to get drunk with a friend or a girl (with a swaying camera effect not designed for the easily nauseated).

The bad news is that some of the variety and content that you've come to expect is MIA. While the new, two-tiered vigilante system is great, for some reason, you don't get any money or other rewards from it. Standbys such as ambulance, firefighter, and even pizza delivery missions are missing, while the taxi missions are not only only present for a short period of time, but are also a pain to start. While I wasn't a huge fan of a number of those side missions, they did add to the variety of the game. Also, while the new Liberty City isn't that incredibly small compared to San Andreas (the consensus appears to be that it's about 60-75% the size of San Andreas), the fact that it's mostly urban areas lends a bit of monotony to the experience (even if there's identifiable and distinct looks to the various areas, and plenty of trees, parks and beaches). You won't be finding any flyable airplanes here, and the variety of helicopters is markedly lower than in San Andreas. I also miss the flamethrowers from past games, and despite what the apologists may say, the jetpack from San Andreas would've been a cool carryover to this game.

Despite these (and other) issues and the game's overhype, the game is still a real gem. I've gotten past the 50 hour mark, and still haven't finished the game. There's also a multiplayer mode that I haven't played myself, but sounds fun for people who are into social gaming. As far as the version to get, I chose the Xbox 360 version mostly due to the ability to have a custom soundtrack, which wasn't present on the PS3 version (at least at launch- for all I know, there could be a downloadable update). Beyond that, the choice of version appears to come down to nitpicking graphical differences, what console you feel more comfortable with, and whether you care about the exclusive downloadable content that the 360 version will be getting (there is also supposed to be DLC for the PS3 version). In the end, while this isn't the "greatest game of all time" that people claim it is, it really is quite good, delivers the best urban-focused crime game experience out there, and worth the price. It may not knock San Andreas off its throne due to its scaled back ambition, but it could well be at the same level. For the first time, a game really has created a city that feels like, well, a real modern city. Highly recommended.

Excellent

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: May 16, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Ive been playing this game for a week and its great. Ive never been a fan of the GTA series, but I had to buy this 10/10 game (plus my hands hurt too much from Guitar Hero). It is really well made, character development is not only realistic, but fun and intriguing. This is definately one of the best released video games in history.

An Interactive Crime Drama

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 08, 2008
Author: Amazon User

As an interactive crime drama, GTA IV is second to none. Never before have gamers been presented with such substantial content in the areas of character development and plot. Armed with motion capture technology, superb voice actors, and a budget literally unheard of in the video game industry, the developers have crafted a story experience that goes beyond anything seen in a game before. Here are characters that rear up on the screen, rippling with life. The plot has several very interesting twists which have a functional impact on the rest of the game, and some of these twists are brilliantly foreshadowed (Michelle's apartment, for example) as a reward for players with astute powers of observation.

As an experience, the game is top-notch. You start up the game, walk out to your apartment's balcony, and the sun rises, its faint rays glimmering through the rising dust from the corrupt city whose sky scrapers shoot up all around you. Your cell phone rings. It's Francis McReary, a crooked police chief who swears he's a good guy who just keeps making mistakes, mistakes like buying drugs from a sleazy dealer who's now threatening to blackmail him. You're his "clean up guy"--you fix his mistakes and in exchange he doesn't send you to jail. You call a taxi by whistling and pay him to take you to meet up. As you drive through traffic, the cab driver makes conversation, drawing from a massive base of fully voice-acted dialog. He drives according to the rules of the road, stopping at intersections, waiting for green lights, yielding, merging.

The cutscenes are expertly crafted with full motion capture and emotive expressions. Some of these cutscenes are literally 5-10 minutes long. Is this necessary from a purely game-mechanical point of view? No. But it lets us develop real relationships with these characters. As the game progresses, you will actually feel as if you *know the characters*. Every person has their funny quirks and unique habits--you will learn the quirks of the characters in this game. That's how powerful the characterization is here compared to other games in the past. Is it cinema quality? Perhaps not quite, but it's approaching there. Is it more than we've ever seen in a video game? Definitely.

Initially you find your cousin being beat up by loan sharks whom he owes money, so you help him out by giving them a beating themselves. You immediately are pulled into a criminal underworld, doing contract work for various crooks throughout the cities, some of them nobodies destined for prison, others brilliant crime lords making millions living in luxurious mansions with an army of grunts below them. You will quickly build up a long list of contacts whom you may call at any time to ask for work, ask for favors, or invite to go out on the town and go to a gentlemen's club or perhaps a comedy club. And these side activities aren't just carelessly tacked on. In fact, it is astounding the amount of effort and money that went into some of them, especially the cabaret club and comedy club, where you will witness fully digital stand-up acts with beautiful motion capture and material and voice overs taken from some famous professional comedians (so it's not just impressive technically; it's actually *entertaining*).

A recent advertisement for the upcoming Saint's Row 2 attempt to disparage the game for having these side activities and for giving your relationships with other characters in the game world such emphasis. Without any comment on how good a game Saint's Row 2 may be, this advertisement fails to see that these social networking activities built into GTA IV are what push this game beyond being a mere video game to being a work of true interactive drama.

Some people have said the driving controls are poor. This couldn't be further from the truth. They are simply more *realistic* compared to previous GTA games. This means you can't take a turn at 60 MPH anymore. You actually need to learn to use the brake in this game. I personally love the new physics, which come into play all throughout the game and in almost all your interactions with the environment, not just while driving.

This having been said, the game isn't perfect. The new cover system for combat is definitely a step in the right direction, but it's clunky and sometimes difficult to pick out the target you want. Indoor combat is especially tricky due to some awkward controls. Further, the game's astounding design has one major flaw: the saving mechanics. If you fail a mission, you have the option of replaying it without having to load, but you still lose all your weapons and ammo if you were arrested, and if you died you have to pay a (rather large) hospital fee. Simply allowing you to save during a mission would fix this issue in a single clean sweep, but Rockstar doesn't allow this for some reason.

Finally, GTA IV doesn't have as many random things to do as soem previous GTA games. It's not as good for mindless sandbox-style rampage gameplay as San Andreas and Vice City were. As an explanation I propose the following speculation. This is the first game in a new "generation" of GTA games. Hence, Rockstar had to spend a lot of money and time building a new core game engine. Consider the third generation of GTA games. GTA III had few "extras" because the developers spent their time on the new 3D engine. With Vice City, they used the extra time afforded to them by having an engine already made and perfected to add in a lot of new features like planes and skydiving. I propose that the GTA games following this one will continue this trend.

But even without all the sandbox activities, the game elevates itself to a height truly hidden in the clouds compared to previous GTA games. Those games had great sandbox gameplay, but not much else. Here we have characters, we have story, we have plot twists, we have emotion. In short, here we have a humorous, often witty, parody of American culture and politics at large. The people who say this game is the fall of American morals are the same as the people who said that Swift actually wanted to eat human babies. They mistake a parody which uses immoral acts as a narrative device as an advocation of such immoral acts and consequently miss the entire content of the work. Anyone who plays this game and understands it might just be disgusted with the modern American lifestyle enough to change their own habits. Of course that's a bit idealistic, but it does illustrate that if you were to derive any morals from this game, it's that crime is *not* the way to go and that the crazy American standard of living is not something to be taken for granted.

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