The game is incredibly easier then its predecessors, but definitely makes more sense in its placement.

Fyren

Man, I was all worried when I got to that one because of this - got it first time no problem. It was a bit of a lengthy police chase, but nothing that bad.

LongDarkBlues

I'll be on again at Midnight with first impressions...

stussygalore

stereoa

mindf1ow

Amun-Ra

thedap

Best. Response. Ever. xD

thePhildown

Seconded. Man, only 16 more hours till midnight!

Dijkie1337

ThisCharmingMan

What does this mean? Do you not believe that a game can be 'perfect' (by whatever standards that means), or do you mean that it's as close as any game has come to being perfect to date?

Mordy

Jawajoey

NKato

banmojo

Ryanraven

pooster

I'm hoping to have a similar experience. I've never been a GTA fan, but something about the trailers for this one have captured me.

Couple that with all the previews and reviews citing greatly improved graphics and controls, and I'm feeling even more like I have to check this one out.

I just hope it isn't riddled with all the bugs and glitches of GTA's past...

GorbyGipper

I'm trying to keep the majority of the game a big surprise, but after seeing IGN's 10/10 rating I had to peek a parts of reviews to see what other people were saying.

unmarkedone

Example of pop in on the 360 version: [a.imagehost.org]

Kyle81

CaptLtrl

eastx

Damn. That's what I was worried about. I like GTA, I like tough missions, but they seem to have a way to find the most controller-throwing ways and I don't have the chops anymore, or the time to get them back.

Oh well, glad I didn't preorder then.

Slatz_Grobnik

aevanko

Spoony Bard

Ezekiel06

kylo4

Lmao. I always failed that mission with 1 guy left on the top of the train. It was so fun though, going through all those different terrains.

pooster

galactus5000

Brian Crecente

gamecrazychris

[www.metacritic.com]

slyzxx786

LOL it wouldn't be Grand theft auto without it!!! All the missions are supposed to be hard like that; once you actually beat them, you get a big sense of accomplishment.

Vidril

Bergerac

superdynamite

jspeed04

man_in_gauze

man_in_gauze

FoxHoundADAM

LemonproX

cksthree

Poison

Although i'v been trying to do some online play but there doesn't seem to be too many people on. I guess because it's not out yet. But if anyoen wants to play on 360, please let me know

ArmyofJuan

Last_Raven

Michael McWhertor

artofwar420

NKato

KM91

Sigma-D

One sentence of your review really stood out for me, "Sandbox-style, ultra-violent games like Grand Theft Auto aren't typically my thing, but GTA IV has made me a fan." I really, really don't like the violent open world games with a shitload of driving (on the other hand, I love stuff like Oblivion, which is open world). I haven't liked ANY of the GTA games. I didn't like Crackdown. I hated The Godfather (the game) and still think Saints Row is the worst game I've played on the PS3, Wii or 360 (and I've played Spider-Man 3). Taking that into account, do you think this game is different enough -- good enough -- to make a convert of someone with my dislike of these sort of games (I don't mind the violence as I've played all the others and am a huge fan of survival horror, Gears of War, Bioshock, etc.)? Anyway, hopefully someone can answer this. If not, I gave it a shot.

Sloopydrew

CrustaceanFreak

j14rk1n

Great review, nonetheless!

Sigma-D

Mattz

TearsandScreams

Witzbold

slyzxx786

I'm interested in the hard missions, especially. I completed the previous iterations to 100%, but wouldn't necessarily refer to myself as a 'hardcore' gamer. While some of the missions were frustrating, I didn't find any of them remotely impossible. The worst ones for me were the ambulance missions - I sort of dread and eagerly anticipate an analog to those in IV, if they exist. I'll hate doing it, but once completed that rush of accomplishment will be euphoric.

Gah! I'm doing the earthworm squirm in anticipation. Amazon sent me a notice this morning telling me my copy has been shipped - which kicked my nerve endings into high voltage.

zovietsquid

Hylian

As an aside, how much is rumble important to your gaming experience?

Cruithne

You have to live in the city to understand why shooting them will be so satisfying. Little fuckers.

marissa_melee

And about blasting apart games that fail: I don't do trade-ins, because as you said, it prevents the manufacturer from getting royalties. I personally think that if a developer can get a larger piece of the industry pie, they can at least put some of that money towards developing subtitles.

Though, Valve implemented subtitles in Half Life 2 in just two weeks because of the 100% integrated Closed Captioning code they installed into the Source Engine from the ground up. (Which is a rule of thumb: If you want to appeal to all audiences, always integrate subtitle support early in development.)

NKato

Jackel2072

I'm still apprehensive as to whether it will live up to the hype.

SPni

squirrel_enix

Having instant lock-on in multiplayer is going to make or break the online experience for me I think. If all that is require d to frag someone is to hit LB and tap upwards for a headshot, ala crack down, then it's going to really destroy the skill and timing elements to the online combat.

This is the one concern I've got.

.digiwalsh

kingross

I think any of us prefer full refunds but you have to make the best of the situation. On top of that is you are that upset about a game by selling it to a store and them reselling it to someone else you potentially prevented the manufacture from getting royalties from one more NEW retail game sold.

On another note I hope your partner never breaks up with you.

pROvIs

The rest sounds gravy though, but I wasn't really expecting anything less. I think everyone knew this game was always going to be great, it doesn't make sense for a GTA game to be anything less.

Absent Blue

This comment alone has made me consider buying the game.

This is probably my least favourite genre, but if someone who similarly dislikes the genre loves the game, then maybe it really is that good.

Marlor

kommanderk

And they say there are no conclusive links between real world violence and video games :-p

pROvIs

Oh, and one little detail: sometimes you'll see something subtitled in gray (as opposed to the standard white). That gray stuff's being said in a foreign language, but it's translated to English in the subtitle. I've got subtitles turned off now after having them on for a while, and that's the one thing I miss. Occasionally a character will shout something in Russian, and it was nice understanding what they were saying. A little bonus to using the subtitles.

Bishmon

NKato

NKato

"My life is made up of text, letters and numbers. When I don't get them, I get really, really freaking mad."

NKato

I found out the same thing bishmon did i know someone with a copy. I hope you have fun with this game.

slyzxx786

I spent most of the day yesterday playing the game. I've got a buddy who works in a retail store and he got a copy of the game early.

Bishmon

M

Oh, and just so you know, the subtitles are turned off by default, so you've gotta got in the menu under the audio options and turn them on. You might end up missing out on the subtitles on the first minor cutscene, because I'm not sure you can get to the menu until after that, but the cutscene is just a basic, "Here's Niko, here's him arriving in Liberty City" thing.

Bishmon

@Bishmon: Hmm. Where did you learn this?

NKato

I can understand frustration if you are hard at hearing and/or deaf but wouldn't you be getting some of the "$60 dollars you paid to preorder" back if you were selling them/trading them in instead of shooting them? I hope this doesn't carry over to other things that enrage you. If it makes you feel better write Halo3 on a DVD-r and shoot that and save yourself some cash.

pROvIs

mescalineeyes

is Kotaku planning on hosting a live play session on JustinTV?

Sandbox_Emperor

Just to expand on my previous post, I'm 99% sure that all story dialogue is subtitled both in and out of cutscenes.

There's also some other non-important dialogue that pedestrians and such will say. I'm not sure if that stuff is subtitled.

As for other things that would affect you, a lot of stuff is dependent on your cell phone. That's how you receive a lot of missions. But all the cell phone conversations are subtitled, and there's even an on-screen indicator noting when your cell phone is ringing (a little phone next to a person's name for a call, or a little envelope next to a person's name for a text message).

Also, you can hop on the internet in the game and there's a lot of stuff to read, which is a great way to help immerse yourself in the story and Liberty City.

All in all, I can't think of anything that would even hamper you slightly in really enjoying the game.

Bishmon

NKato

Well, I shot the discs to make an example, and to remind myself not to get caught up in the hype ever again. If GTAIV fails, I'll be sure to record the shooting range debacle. :P

NKato

your right i`ll try and help see if i can also find an answer for you.

slyzxx786

And while I feel bad for your situation, destroying games that don't have subtitles and THEN complaining that you don't have much disposable income makes you sound like an asshole. Why not trade the games in for store credit somewhere? Or maybe gift them to a friend?

Anyway, hope GTA IV has good subtitles so you can enjoy what looks to be a fantastic game!

Kazzahdrane

NKato

*groans softly, rubbing his face*

Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to get this particular, tiny-teeny tidbit on GTAIV?!

Two months, man, two months. Maybe more, but the last two months I've been trying to get specific, concise, confirmed information on the subs.

And two months ago was when I plunked down my pre-order.

(The reason I'm mad about Assassin's Creed was that I picked it up because I got so hyped up about it without doing research first...then after finding no subtitles at all, I researched and found an article about the devs saying they didn't have time to add them in...17 billion dollar industry, and no time to add a trivial thing such as subtitles compared to bug-quashing? BOLLOCKS!)

-NK

NKato

Kikouken

Brian Crecente

mescalineeyes

There are definitely subtitles outside of cutscenes. When you're talking to people on your cell phone or talking to people out in the world, there's subtitles.

I'm not sure exactly how exhaustive the subtitles are, though. I've only had one mission that involved a shootout where I had an ally on my side, and I don't remember if there were subtitles when he was yelling out to me or if I even had subtitles on at the time.

But yeah, there's certainly subtitles for at least most of the stuff out of cutscenes, I'm just not sure if every single line of dialogue is subtitled.

Bishmon

KosherInfidel

thinred

Sam Smith

Brian Crecente

Crecente, I don't mean to be a rude asshole, but god-damn. Read my prior post on this page, please, and then give me an answer, because I'm getting sick of trying to get a straight-up answer about something I take seriously.

For your information, I'm deaf, and I'm starting to hate gaming because nearly 50% of the game studios ignore subtitling as a game development option or add in shoddy subtitling (or none at all) and say "We didn't have time" as a pathetic fucking excuse!

(I am still mad about Assassin's Creed, btw)

-NK

NKato

phantomlink

mescalineeyes

Brian Crecente

Why are subtitles so important to you? While I agree they can be cause of strain (Dead Rising), but is it enough to warrant destruction of games?

rabidkeebler

Brian Crecente

Brian Crecente

I'm that kind of skeptical asshole who has to go against the flow of popular opinion in almost every instance, so we'll soon see if my skepticism is warranted.

That said, that was an excellent review. I read the whole thing, which is saying a lot because it's probably the most reading I've done in the last two months. Thanks!

Big World

falco91

I think you missed the 11/10 review.

rochec

Ignorance's Enemy

JimElNino

OK, people. I am getting angry, and aggravated!

I'm tired of beating around the bush. I've sent emails to Rockstar. I've tried contacting some of the Kotaku editors about this. I've tried contacting other editors, too. Hell, anyone off the top of my head that could have received a review copy.

What am I trying to find out? SUBTITLES.

For the love of Jesus' Golden Left Testicle, If I'm going to plunk down a $60 preorder for a game I think might be able to break the monotony I've been experiencing in the world of video games,

I'd LIKE it if people would at least provide information on the extent of subtitling support! The last thing I want is to play another Assassin's Creed. (You'll know what I'm talking about if you play it and try to find subtitles with your volume muted)

Halo 3 was another purchase I had made in the past, and it disappointed me for the singleplayer experience because there were no subtitles outside the cutscenes, which left me unaware of battlefield circumstance changes.

The discs for both games are now in pieces on the floor at the local shooting range. I make it a point to literally waste any game that fails to meet my expectations and leaves me feeling robbed of any percentage of my money.

Sixty dollars is a lot of money to me - considering that I am barely making any disposable income for myself.

So, Kotaku,

I want answers. And I'm getting sick of beating around the bush. If I have to take out a loan to buy an airline ticket to visit Rockstar North and beat the answer out of them, I will.

-NK

NKato

Brian Crecente

rabidkeebler

If only I was on a PC, then your assumption might work.

rochec

Brian Crecente

Nice job.

Spoony Bard

I guess I will nerd out and go in at midnight...damn you R*, damn you.

KosherInfidel

Shame I have to make time for college too. ;P

Wuffles

'Tis the sound of many an F5 key being pressed over and over again.

:)

Spoony Bard

So if you could fix that, I'd appreciate it. Nice review, though.

ubiquitous

meltyman

Drake Lake

The cars are much heavier. You actually have to brake going into a lot of turns. It's also not nearly as easy to handbrake around corners.

Bishmon

You are asking for patience two days before GTA IV will ruin my life? Doubtful.

rochec

PSN: noliferuin

I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. There's bound to be someone who's angry at his dad out there.

rochec

Car handling comes down to a new physics that they are using. Cars do handle differently, but it is more chocked up to realism, as well as the roads being more real (poor districts have poor quality roads). It is supposed to be more like a real racing game than GTA SA, which only had basics for handling and speed.

rabidkeebler

Haha, yeah he did. My bad, I'm an idiot, and still sleepy.

dead_red_eyes

Spoony Bard

Brian Crecente

BC, thanks for the great review and all the upcoming coverage - it's like the Halo 3 release but for a game I actually care about this time!

the-hypnotoad

Ignorance's Enemy

No I know, but I read how well the new targeting system works in your preview in the paper.

Guess I just expected more detail than your preview. Obviously people are pretty hyped for the game, most of the stuff is common knowledge.

rochec

Enjoy everyone, I'm going to go to work and when I get back I may find a nice corner to cry in...

Slackerchan

Candlejack

From everything I've read, the differences come down to this.

Graphics:
Overall, the PS3s graphics are supposed to trump the 360s. Less pop up/fade in, better anti-aliasing, smoother textures etc.

Controls:
The PS3 does make use of the sixaxis motion, but by all accounts it pretty much sucks. Plus you have a mandatory tutorial.

Downloadable Content:
Supposedly the PS3 is supposed to get some type of content, but no one knows what it is compared to the 360s supposed "extra island" (Still don't know if it is an official extra island or what).

rabidkeebler

3inst3in

slyzxx786

-Some of the characters are a bit over-the-top. That's certainly the same as it was in past GTAs, but GTA has never been this realistic, so it's kinda unfortunate to not see all the characters make that same step towards realism.

That being said, I've been struck by some of the humanity in the characters. Thanks to the tremendous writing, voice acting, and facial animation, the characters are surprisingly capable of evoking emotions. There's a lot of hilarious moments (like when you first call your cousin to invite him to a strip club), but there's also a number of poignant moments. And beyond those moments, it's very easy to like some characters, and it's very easy to dislike some characters, without those emotions ever feeling too artificial.

-The only other issue I have is an element of the graphics. And surprisingly, playing it on the 360, it's not the pop-in. There's some of that, but it's largely inconsequential. Sometimes when you get some speed going in a car, some traffic will pop-in up ahead, but it's certainly never bad enough that it makes driving any more difficult. The more egregious instances of pop-in are low-priority stuff like patio furtniture at the edge of the screen, etc.

The issue I have is with the shadowing under overpasses and elevated train tracks and such. The shadows look like they have that Mass Effect grain filter applied, but only on those shadows and on a larger scale. For me, it's the one graphical element that ever pulls me out of the experience.

Also, I've never seen the PS3 version, so I don't know if the shadowing is the same.

Anyway, those are the only two complaints I have. Otherwise, it's seriously extraordinary. From the little things, like certain animations that will surprise you or the stories on the internet in the game, to the big things, like the amazing writing and the great action, Rockstar nailed this.

Bishmon

3inst3in

Brian Crecente

Brian Crecente

You basically just covered everything we already know!

rochec

3inst3in

Ignorance's Enemy

Cchrist

Islandkiwi

vonfaustus

I'm with you there. I'm deffinatley picking up both ends. I've got the 360 on order, and when the PS3 version is cheap, I will pick that one up as well.

rabidkeebler

Lasting Appeal is what gets me on these games

expansionsss

3inst3in

SAKY

vuhal

Witzbold

d1gw33d

SAKY

penhalion

Bernard McGraw

Maldron

WallaJoy- Snorlax?

d1gw33d

Whoops, just saw moclippa's comment, sorry for that.

Cake_Eater

Bernard McGraw

j.howlett

ajay42

Cruithne

CarnivalofTime672

I believe there was a system comparison promised sometime last night? That's honestly the part of the review I was really looking forward to as I'm still on the fence about which version to buy.

Cake_Eater

moclippa

Ignorance's Enemy

Senen

Brian Crecente

Ignorance's Enemy

TheUBERspectre

I read it in about 2 minutes, it's real short. IGN's review was like 7 pages.

Anyway, with all these positive reviews, I'm glad I preordered it!

SubKamran

Can't wait to play

JimElNino

peAr_nectAr

Still liking the straightfoward review style.

johnny_ultimate