A Defense Of GTA4

[Strafe Mcgee]

I've recently been working on a dissertation about the press' representation of videogames in the mainstream media, and have been thinking a lot about GTA4 recently. GTA4, for me at least, is probably the best game of this console generation. The only games which compete with it are Bioshock and Fallout 3.

So why am I writing this now? Because I'm fed up of the backlash against GTA4 , mostly caused by it failing to live up to the hype of perfect review scores in the minds of gamers and comparisons to Saints Row 2. So, lets take a look at the what the game does right:

Attention To Detail
GTA4's recreation of New York is an utterly compelling area to drive around. The beautiful rendering of New York city is packed with detail and for the most part runs smoothly on the Xbox 360, which is an impressive feat in itself. The world is also full of the satire and jokes which GTA is famous for. Even now, a year after it was released, I'm still discovering jokes on the sides of buildings and in the names of companies which I hadn't noticed before. Even getting in a taxi and being taken for a drive around the city is a pleasant experience simply because it allows you to examine the care and attention that has been taken in bringing a virtual world to life. The GPS system, the television adverts which relate back to the rest of the world, the radio which refers to your and other peoples actions, the chat between characters which changes every time you repeat a mission... All of these touches combine to create a more detailed and realistic world than anything else ever seen in a game.

Realism
Initially it is difficult to get used to the way the cars handle in GTA4. After the gloriously ridiculous handling of the cars in previous games, realistic handling, suspension and control is a bit difficult to get used to. This is a major barrier point for GTA detractors, since they are used to jumping into a car in an openworld game, holding down the accelerator and letting rip. It took me a while to realise it too, but that's not what GTA4's driving's about. The improved physics engine actually encourages driving more akin to games like PGR4 than Burnout, which, when you realise it makes the game's driving much more crunchy and enjoyable. Using skill to navigate through the city successfully becomes enjoyable in itself, and makes all of the carnage much more satisfying. Though I will admit, they should have toned down how much force it takes to propel you out the windscreen.

Story
This is something that GTA4 really doesn't get enough credit for. Niko is easily one of the most compelling protagonists in gaming simply due to his realism as a character. He is sympathetic, genuinely nice to those he cares about and regrets many of his actions throughout the game. How many other games can you talk about which have a character that actually goes through a development curve throughout the progress of the game? Beyond Good and Evil is one of the few that I can currently think of, though I'm sure that you guys will be able to conjure up some more.

These are the main things that the game does right, in my opinion. I have to go and study now, but feel free to challenge me, I'm up for a good debate about GTA

 

[Spyalt]

Yes its realistic woop dee doo. If I want realism I open my door and walk outside. A game should never sacrfice fun for realism as GTA did.

You lot done flaming me yet? Mmkay

 

[Ancientgamer]

Yes its realistic woop dee doo. If I want realism I open my door and walk outside. A game should never sacrfice fun for realism as GTA did.

But it didn't, it was more fun than any other GTA.

There, I said it.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Its not a bad game, in fact its quite good, but in the world of Crackdown and Saint's Row 2, GTA no longer rules the free roam action game genre.

 

[Jeronus]

GTA 4 took a little getting used to but once I got the hang of things. Everything became more fun.

 

[DYin01]

If I want realism I open my door and walk outside.

Worst argument ever. Realism adds to the immersion of a game and adds to the feeling you're doing stuff in a living breathing world. It's a lot more thrilling to do stuff you can't do in real life, but still have the experience as if it was in real life.

 

[Avida]

In responce, attention to detail goes out the window when you get above ground level, i didnt give a toss about niko and even though i got used to the driving it still didnt feel like an improvement - my favorite mode of transport in any GTA game was probably the bike in SA, and that wasnt even the slightest bit realistic.

But really, in GTA4 I played the game, in previous GTAs I played IN the game, and thats all there is to it.

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

GTAIV did those things right, but it did other things very wrong.

Like for instance, combat. Or even just walking (honestly, when a game lets me maneuver a semi-truck more skillfully than a pedestrian it screwed up big time).

 

[slevin8989]

In gta4 everything seemed like a chore i had to take people out take them to dinner and so on it was too realistic i play games to get away from reality not to relive it

 

[Avida]

If I want realism I open my door and walk outside.

Worst argument ever. Realism adds to the immersion of a game and adds to the feeling you're doing stuff in a living breathing world. It's a lot more thrilling to do stuff you can't do in real life, but still have the experience as if it was in real life.

Immersion is so horribly ovverated - Yeah it CAN make or break a game, but that doesnt mean that it does, or that it'll even help.

 

[Pandalisk]

Its a brilliant game and i found it very fun, for about a week maximum and then i just played online with friends, but the point remains that Realism DOES NOT sacrifice fun in a game, Fun is a matter of opinion,and then you have the swarms of people that jump onto the "i hate" band wagon.

 

[Spyalt]

If I want realism I open my door and walk outside.

Worst argument ever. Realism adds to the immersion of a game and adds to the feeling you're doing stuff in a living breathing world. It's a lot more thrilling to do stuff you can't do in real life, but still have the experience as if it was in real life.

*sigh* Just because you want an argument doesn't make everything people say into a personal challenge. What I said was my opinion and that cannot be wrong so shut the hell up.

 

[Leefank137]

I liked GTA IV it was like living a gangster movie.

 

[Captain_Caveman]

GTA (the first one) was the best imo because it was the most revolutionary. Also they had real names for cars lol.

GTA4 was the second best because of how far they brought the immersion and realism. Also the story was the best. A lot of people complain you cant get haircuts or "bling out" your car etc.. I think that's ridiculous. Go play saints row if you want that stupid crap.

Vice City i liked just because it had an awesome soundtrack. Though i stopped playing it after a couple people close to me died. Killing people senselessly didn't really seem like much fun when you're dealing with real loss.

 

[Ancientgamer]

Basically, people don't hate it because it's a bad, or mediocre, or even slightly above average game, they hate it because it's more than san andreas set in new york with current gen graphics. Basically more of the same, which ironically people would be complaining about had they done just that.

 

[willard3]

Good start. Most people complain about the driving, but they're also the people that play NFS and Burnout a lot. (I love Burnout, for the record.) But GTA4's driving is much more functional than say, Forza or PGR, because you can actually take corners at some amount of speed. It's realistic like a simulator, but not at the expense of fun.

I thought the story was all right, but it's a character-driven story, not a plot-driven story...this is where people start disagreeing. Mass Effect is a plot-driven story...the characters are incidental to the overarching plot. GTA4 focuses on the characters and their personal dealings, rather than a generic "save the world" thing.

Plus you get to see Niko flip completely the fuck out a couple times, which is a jarring contrast to his normal laid-back approach.

 

[Captain Spectacular]

Realism isn't always a good thing though. Yes the game is beautiful and you can tell a lot of attention went into each aspect of the game but when it came to it the game can make you feel so bogged down by this side crap that just isn't fun. I don't wanna have to stop half way through a mission to pick up a phone call from my cousin asking me to hang out with him. To me having to pick up phone calls, pick up your friends, do errands for them, drive them to do "fun" activities, and repeatedly checking my emails just became too much of a nuisance. It felt like a relationship sim where I had to keep everyone happy when all I want to do is play the game at my own pace.

 

[Pseudonym2]

I've said this before but it really bothered me that GTAIV was criticized for not having enough silly wacky fun. That's like criticizing Half Life 2 for having terrible RPG elements. The game goes for a more realistic pulpy adventure that makes all the explosions and car chases more exiting.

You can ignore the friends by hitting b twice.

 

[Shapsters]

Its not a bad game, in fact its quite good, but in the world of Crackdown and Saint's Row 2, GTA no longer rules the free roam action game genre.

I agree, sure it's a great game, but they ultimately just didn't have enough fun. I actually haven't played SR2 yet but I have played Crackdown and it's extremely fun.