Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV Dated April 29th)

[Neil Koch]

The GTA character art often doesn't match the actual character models, so I wouldn't read much into it.

[agbulls]

Actual update from Game Informer:

The latest news from good ol' GI is actually some really good stuff. And by stuff I mean junk. OK, here are the details on Grand Theft Auto IV that have been revealed:

* The protagonist's name is Niko Bellic, which we believe is Croatian or Serbian.
* Multiplayer is set to be announced.
* You can use a cellphone to call your contacts.
* Apparently there are no planes because there is only one city in the game.
* You have a lot of choice over what you want to do. You still have to take orders from people during missions, but you can also choose how you want to spend your time, e.g "I want to hang out with him, or her... I want to go see this guy 'cause he always has something to do..."
* The story unfolds in a number of different ways. R* is giving people more freedom, more choice and more sense of control over their destiny - the structure of the storyline is quite different to previous games.
* The demo which Game Informer played was for the Xbox 360 version of the game.

[Anthony1]

Actual update from Game Informer:

* The demo which Game Informer played was for the Xbox 360 version of the game.


can you say...... lead sku?

[djsquarewave]

can you say...... lead sku?
SKOOOOOO~ (http://www.insertcredit.com/archives/001670.html)

*cough*

Some of these bullet points are rather curious. What will a (presumably) nonlinear story do to those people who want to 100% everything?

...and what the heck does "multiplayer is set to be announced" mean? That they said it's there but they disavow its existence even though they said it's there? Or it's not implemented and the rep said it'll be going in but not to say anything?

Some of these things make me far more worried for the future of this game as something I'd actually want to, you know, buy.

[Neil Koch]

I haven't gotten my GI yet, but I read in another forum that only the 360 will have downloadable content.

Also, as to why multiplayer hasn't been confirmed yet - apparently the map will be as big as San Andreas, but just one city. Anyone who's played the multiplayer stuff on LCS or VCS know what a pain it can be to find your opponents, and those cities are going to be like 1/10th the size of this new one.

[ShenmueFan]

SKOOOOOO~ (http://www.insertcredit.com/archives/001670.html)

*cough*

Some of these bullet points are rather curious. What will a (presumably) nonlinear story do to those people who want to 100% everything?

...and what the heck does "multiplayer is set to be announced" mean? That they said it's there but they disavow its existence even though they said it's there? Or it's not implemented and the rep said it'll be going in but not to say anything?

Some of these things make me far more worried for the future of this game as something I'd actually want to, you know, buy.



SKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU........ :puke:

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I haven't gotten my GI yet, but I read in another forum that only the 360 will have downloadable content.

This would make absolutely no sense if they do this. You have the opportunity to entice people to buy the game and have more downloadable content afterwards. Why alienate the PS3 users? I understand if they did different downloadable content for both systems, but NOTHING for the PS3? Hmmmmm

[GrandAmChandler]

Game has been dated April 29th:

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/01/24/1459256&from=rss

-GAC-

[heybtbm]

I can't wait for this damn game. The excellent gameplay previews that IGN and Gamespot posted yesterday (Jan 23) makes the following 3 months that much more torturous.

[Nesmaster]

The next 3 months are going to be complete torture, but the feeling I get when ripping into a game like this after months of waiting is unmatched by anything other than sex itself. I think the date will stick this time, and with rumors of Mercenaries 2 being delayed AGAIN I want something to do until that comes out.

[heybtbm]

rumors of Mercenaries 2 being delayed AGAIN I want something to do until that comes out.

Mercenaries 2 is now on track for August 25th. It's a blessing in disguise if you think about it. Plently of time to savor each game to its full extent.

[Nesmaster]

Mercenaries 2 is now on track for August 25th. It's a blessing in disguise if you think about it. Plently of time to savor each game to its full extent.

Except Saints Row 2 will probably come out around then, as well. :P

We're just getting too many sandboxes this year.

[heybtbm]

We're just getting too many sandboxes this year.

There's no such thing as "too many" sandboxes. Bring 'em all on.

[Joker T]

I am really looking forward to GTA IV, hope it isn't too glitchy.

And on a side note "sandbox games" seems like a strange term to me, I kinda prefer "free-roaming".

[heybtbm]

And on a side note "sandbox games" seems like a strange term to me, I kinda prefer "free-roaming".

I think most developers and reviewers are calling them "open world" games. "Sandbox" should probably be on its way out.

[Nesmaster]

There's no such thing as "too many" sandboxes. Bring 'em all on.

Perhaps I should have said more than usual. They can give me 50 in a year and I'd probably try them all.

I usually call games like this part of the "open-world genre", I don't know why I said sandbox before. :P

[Streetball 21]

Sweet, cant wait. Hopefully it will be better than GTA San Andreas. I wonder if there will be a collectors edition?

[Nesmaster]

Sweet, cant wait. Hopefully it will be better than GTA San Andreas. I wonder if there will be a collectors edition?

Announced long ago. Includes lockbox and key, keychain, duffle bag and an artbook. Soundtrack too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/Nesmaster/grand-theft-auto-iv-200706261154345.jpg

[Joker T]

The Collectors Edition looks pretty cool to me, better than the Legendary Edition for Halo 3..

The lockbox seems wierd though.

[Nesmaster]

The Collectors Edition looks pretty cool to me, better than the Legendary Edition for Halo 3..

The lockbox seems wierd though.

And considering it's only $20 more than the regular edition, it beats Halo LE in terms of value too.

[Trevelyan]

Just found this link explaining a GTAIV & PS3 bundle pack that plans to be released (In Europe anyhow) :D

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/retail-confirms-playstation-3-gta-iv-bundle.

I'm planning on buying a console for this game, I still don't know what I am going to do. Also, I stumbled across this piece of news...

http://kotaku.com/383455/pirated-ntsc-gta-iv-leaked-online-early

Oo ar me hartys. thar be Fools gold a foot on that ther bay.

[heybtbm]

Has anyone seen the in-game footage? Rockstar has a tight leash on Youtube right now, so that place is pretty much a bust. However, Gametrailers.com had some incredible (off-screen) videos yesterday. This game is going to be legendary. It's the first game I've ever considered waiting in line to pick up at midnight.

The reviews so far are indicating this could be the best video game ever made. I love pre-release hyperbole...then again, from what I've seen so far, it's very possible. It blows my mind that they could make an open world game look this good.

[gepeto]

And considering it's only $20 more than the regular edition, it beats Halo LE in terms of value too.



The price I believe is 89.99 30 more. I still think it looks good well see.
Better than Altair that piece of shiznit.

[GrandAmChandler]

SPOILER VIDEO:

http://www.wegame.com/watch/GTA_IV_real_gameplay_x360_today_not_Saint_Row/

-GAC-

[98PaceCar]

Is the limited edition really going to be limited or will it be another Halo Legendary which is still on the shelves around here?

[digitalpress]

SPOILER VIDEO:

http://www.wegame.com/watch/GTA_IV_real_gameplay_x360_today_not_Saint_Row/

-GAC-

Is that really GTA IV? It doesn't look very good, granted it's taken from an angled television and contains mostly just driving around but the jeep he takes in the beginning is all over the road like he's driving a moon buggy. The framerate looks a little weird at times too. Not what I expected.

[carlcarlson]

I haven't been following this game at all because I've got a ton of 360 games yet to play. I saw a commercial for it the other day though and was pretty disappointed. I was hoping it was for one of the "Stories" games, and not IV because it looked like the exact same thing I've already done numerous times on the PS2. And what's with the main character being some skinny white kid? I thought we were supposed to be playing an immigrant or something? Is this indeed more of the same or did the commercial leave out all of the good stuff?

[Vectorman0]

I haven't been following this game at all because I've got a ton of 360 games yet to play. I saw a commercial for it the other day though and was pretty disappointed. I was hoping it was for one of the "Stories" games, and not IV because it looked like the exact same thing I've already done numerous times on the PS2. And what's with the main character being some skinny white kid? I thought we were supposed to be playing an immigrant or something? Is this indeed more of the same or did the commercial leave out all of the good stuff?

Hear me out on this. That was a Gamestop branded commercial, and I am guessing Gamestop had Rockstar change the main characters appearance for this commercial specifically for their target market.

[Leo_A]

I thought that video looked decent, I didn't see any frame rate issues and I think the weird handling you noticed only happens after his vehicle gets damaged. And he's driving a top heavy vehicle at high speeds, so its not going to be handling very well.

[briskbc]

Video of driving, shooting, missions and police chase.

http://www.wegame.com/watch/GTA_IV_gameplay_april_23_2008_ingame/

[Nesmaster]

Video of driving, shooting, missions and police chase.

http://www.wegame.com/watch/GTA_IV_gameplay_april_23_2008_ingame/

Definitely not GTA IV.

[briskbc]

My bad. Apparently it's Saints Row. I never played it.

[digitalpress]

I thought that video looked decent, I didn't see any frame rate issues and I think the weird handling you noticed only happens after his vehicle gets damaged. And he's driving a top heavy vehicle at high speeds, so its not going to be handling very well.

OH STOP FANBOY!

"A top heavy vehicle"? C'mon. Watch the car before it's damaged. Watch the framerate as it cruises down the street. That's not supposed to happen on a 360 game. I never saw that happen on NFS: MW or Forza or Burnout or even CARS.

[Leo_A]

heh

I'm no fanboy, I don't have this preordered and don't intend to purchase it until its twenty bucks someday, and I doubt I've progressed further than about 20% in any previous GTA (That one being Vice City, I'm barely into any other).

I just plain didn't see the issues you were talking about. I can't go back and check since the video was removed, but I didn't see any frame rate issues (Doesn't mean they're not there, my eyes might be more tolerant of such issues than yours are), and the car handling looked like traditional GTA to me, its always been rather floaty and arcadey.

[Nesmaster]

IGN video review (as well as text review) up, with some NICE in-game footage. They scored it a 10, the first 10 since Ocarina of Time. (EDIT: Soul Calibur in 1999. Wrong is me.)

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/827/827005/vids_1.html

...Any IGN insider here at DP want to Rapidshare the HD version of the review? :P

4 MORE DAYS I'M GOING TO DIE.

[digitalpress]

IGN video review (as well as text review) up, with some NICE in-game footage. They scored it a 10, the first 10 since Ocarina of Time. (EDIT: Soul Calibur in 1999. Wrong is me.)

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/827/827005/vids_1.html

...Any IGN insider here at DP want to Rapidshare the HD version of the review? :P

4 MORE DAYS I'M GOING TO DIE.

Now THAT looks MUCH better than the previous video link. Alright, I'm excited again. Thanks for sharing!

[Sudo]

Is there a limit to how much you can upload with a free account? The video is about 232MB, I'm willing to do it if there's no size limitation.

[Leo_A]

IGN video review (as well as text review) up, with some NICE in-game footage. They scored it a 10, the first 10 since Ocarina of Time. (EDIT: Soul Calibur in 1999. Wrong is me.)

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/827/827005/vids_1.html

...Any IGN insider here at DP want to Rapidshare the HD version of the review? :P

4 MORE DAYS I'M GOING TO DIE.

Been more than that. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons both got 10's from IGN in 2000. Link's Awakening got a 10 from IGN a couple months after Ocarina launched.

[Nesmaster]

Is there a limit to how much you can upload with a free account? The video is about 232MB, I'm willing to do it if there's no size limitation.

Rapidshare supports 100 mb per file, so you'd have to split it.

http://www.rarlab.com/

If you're still willing. :)

[Sudo]

Rapidshare supports 100 mb per file, so you'd have to split it.

http://www.rarlab.com/

If you're still willing. :)

Yeah, I checked Rapidshare after I made the post and saw. I have it uploaded in three parts, enjoy:

part one (http://rapidshare.com/files/110434569/gta4_review_042508_wmvhd.part1.rar.html)
part two (http://rapidshare.com/files/110441120/gta4_review_042508_wmvhd.part2.rar)
part three (http://rapidshare.com/files/110442292/gta4_review_042508_wmvhd.part3.rar)

[Nesmaster]

Thanks a lot Sudo, I appreciate it! :)

[Joker T]

I am very excited for this game, it looks like a revolutionary game.

A 10/10 from IGN is ridiculously impressive too.

[fuchikoma]

I honestly can't remember the last time I've been so excited about a game.

[heybtbm]

I honestly can't remember the last time I've been so excited about a game.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[jcalder8]

I've got my pre-order in but I wasn't that excited about the game until reading the review last night on IGN. I never kept up with what the game included but after hearing all about it I can't wait to play.

[carlcarlson]

That does look pretty sweet. I'm not as excited as some of you are, but I definitely will own this within a year. The multiplayer should be fun.

[Oobgarm]

First IGN review I've read in a long time.

I need this game, NOW.

[diskoboy]

God dammit - will someone please make it Tuesday, already!! :D

I want that lockbox!

[evil_genius]

So do we think the duffel bag is gonna come in the lockbox or vice versa?

[Nesmaster]

So do we think the duffel bag is gonna come in the lockbox or vice versa?

Everything's in the lockbox.

[SkiDragon]

I haven't really been following this game, and I only recently decided I might get it. So, can the entire game be played multiplayer or just certain modes?

[Nesmaster]

I haven't really been following this game, and I only recently decided I might get it. So, can the entire game be played multiplayer or just certain modes?

There is a co-op mode, but it's not full story co-op. As far as I know there's only the one mode with one mission that can be played as co-op, something to do with escorting the mob boss. Then there's race mode (2), deathmatch, cops n crooks, free roam, team based modes and a few others. All modes have the entirety of Liberty City open to everyone, with loads of toggle options. GTA (single player) is a game that really needs to be experienced by yourself and at your own pace. I'm glad Rockstar thinks the same way. Players itching for full fledged co-op play will have to wait until the last week of august for Saints Row 2 and Mercenaries 2.

NEAR 2 YEARS OF WAITING, AND WE'RE DOWN TO 48 HOURS. WOOHOO!

[CelticJobber]

This game looks like it'll be great, but its already stirring controversy as FoxNews did a feature on it earlier. It was just the usual stuff about how it should be sold behind counters and kids shouldn't have access to it. They also referred to it as "Grand Theft Audio" several times. LOL

The only thing that really concerns me a bit is that I think the soundtrack might be a total disappointment. From the list circulating online, it seems to be the worst GTA soundtrack since GTA Liberty City Stories.

[Sudo]

This game looks like it'll be great, but its already stirring controversy as FoxNews did a feature on it earlier. It was just the usual stuff about how it should be sold behind counters and kids shouldn't have access to it. They also referred to it as "Grand Theft Audio" several times. LOL

The only thing that really concerns me a bit is that I think the soundtrack might be a total disappointment. From the list circulating online, it seems to be the worst GTA soundtrack since GTA Liberty City Stories.

I agree with soundtrack part. If the list on Wikipedia is accurate, then it's an epic failure, IMO. I think I've heard maybe 3 or 4 of the songs on there total, only one of which (Smashing Pumpkins - 1979) I'd care to listen to.

[CelticJobber]

Someone on Gamefaqs posted these scans showing the full soundtrack, it seems like the Wikipedia list is accurate. Unfortunately...

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc162/kev25b/gtamusic1-1.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc162/kev25b/gtamusic2.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc162/kev25b/gtamusic3.jpg

I haven't even heard of most of the artists.

[dcx516]

ive been playing this game since friday and i have to say it is fucking amazing. Rockstar really out did themselves with this one. The visuals are stunning. I couldnt believe that how much detail they put into the game. The multiplayer is kind of confusing at first but i think people will eventually get used to it.

[heybtbm]

For the last month, I've been preparing for GTA4 by finishing a bunch of games that were almost beat, but not completely. I wanted to buy GTA4 on Tuesday with a "clean gaming slate", so to speak.

Has anyone else been doing this?

[RadiantSvgun]

For the last month, I've been preparing for GTA4 by finishing a bunch of games that were almost beat, but not completely. I wanted to buy GTA4 on Tuesday with a "clean gaming slate", so to speak.

Has anyone else been doing this?

Yeah, but only with stuff like Ninja Gaiden and Assassin's Creed. I need those RPGs to last the summer.

[skaar]

There is nothing wrong with having a ton of "no-name" artists on the soundtrack. There is EVERYTHING wrong with no complete story mode co-op. I've been waiting for this one to play through with my friend and now we get this!?

Weak.

[Nate Nanjo]

So, is the special edition going to be worth it? I'm still debating on getting it or just picking up the regular instead.

Considering, I'd probably never use the extra stuff.

[Nesmaster]

Gametrailers.com now has a TON of HD videos, as well as an HD review. Getting them as we speak.

Gametrailers 9.8/10. :)

[mnbren05]

Tomorrow is going to be a long day and I'll be distracted during my classes counting down the hours. Put my pre-order down at GameStop (since Game Crazy made me wait about 2 hours to get my Halo 3) and I plan to play the game for a good few hours. Thankfully I have no classes Tuesday, geeze they had to make the launch a week before finals grrrr. Oh well I'm still eagerly anticipating the launch.

[diskoboy]

Gametrailers is the lowest score I've seen, thus far.

It seems to be getting perfect 10's across the board.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/27/metareview-grand-theft-auto-iv-xbox-360-ps3/

[Nesmaster]

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/grandtheftauto4

Perfect thus far. I doubt it'll stay at 100, but I have a feeling it'll top The Orange Box and BioShock. (both at 96)

Less than 27 hours until I hope to get my copy. If not at midnight, 7:30 AM Tuesday. ~34 1/2 hours.

[exit]

Well I had completely no interest in this game, but a friend convinced me to get it and I'll probably pick it up tomorrow. It's really the multi-player that I'm interested it, but if they can bring back the magic GTA3 and Vice City had, I'll be happy with it.

Since we have very few copies for the PS3, especially compared to how many we got for the 360, I'll either drop my work around 11 to score a copy, or just simply stash one behind the games nobody will ever touch. Really the only advantage of working in retail and in electronics.

Also what's the complaint about the soundtrack? From what I remember GTA3 didn't have well known artists on it at all, that really didn't happen until Vic City when they had an all 80s soundtrack. I honestly would rather have some fake bands made for the game, or just some unknowns, since that's really what helped set the atmosphere for GTA3.

[Drag0nsfyre]

Team Xbox (http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1501/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV/p1/) posted It's review as well. with a 10 :) :cool:

OOps Just seen that posted on the metacritic link.

[segagamer4life]

man this game is going to be sweet, I am excited for both the single player and multiplayer modes of this game... see you all online. :-)

[diskoboy]

13 hours to go.

*sigh*

[mnbren05]

About 7 and a half left, the waiting is killing me. On a side note, a guy a know from college claims he got a copy early and is playing it on his 360. He isn't worried about reprecussions as his account was already banned for achievement cheats. Not sure I believe him, but these last few hours are taking forever.

[Nesmaster]

Just over 8 hours if I can get it at midnight, otherwise it's 15 1/2. I can't believe how SLOW today is going, sheesh.

[segagamer4life]

yeah today was dragging at work, but I sadly will be getting this tomorrow and have to wait until tomorrow after work.. :-(

[zemmix]

I have a feeling that the rest of this week will be pretty dead on my Warcraft server.

[diskoboy]

4 hours and 15 minutes left.

I'm getting giddy, already.

Theres not even gonna be an XBLA release, this week, because of this game. Knowing my luck, I'll bring it home, and my 360 will red ring, right when I fire it up.

[zemmix]

Twas the night before GTA IV and all through the dorm,
not a student could sleep, anticipating the following morn.

With their laptops a'glow they laid awake in their beds,
while visions of ghostriding motorcycles danced in their heads.

All papers were turned in weeks before due,
and all absences saved for this gaming debut.

The hallways were empty, the RAs were gone,
they camped out at Best Buy 'til it opened at dawn.
So I stared out my window and gazed at the stars,
dreaming of beating pedestrians and stealing cop-cars.

---------------------

Not mine but I thought it was pretty good.

[Nesmaster]

bought another Special Edition, just so I can get it at midnight. Waiting for Tuesday 7:30 AM would NOT bode well.