Grand Theft Auto IV’s (GTAIV) intricate and involving storyline has drawn comparisons to Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. You playin’ with me? Yes, well, there are a lot more cars in GTAIV. And the game’s protagonist, a Serbian immigrant named Niko Bellic, has neither a clean license nor a clean conscience. Despite the increased focus on the thematic and shooting action, most of GTAIV’s single-player missions still mandate mastery of a wide range of vehicles. From the start of the first mission, to the usual drug deliveries, to driving a big rig filled with explosives through city streets, Grand Theft is pistonhead catnip. As you’d expect, car chases and street races present some of the game’s toughest– and most rewarding– challenges.
While the simulated car’s simulated physics are more realistic than previous GTA iterations, that’s a bit like saying Sam Wiggle is a better singer than Greg. GTAIV’s driving dynamics are still more Roadrunner than road-worthy. A sharp handbrake turn at 30mph can set a car on its side. Hardly real world reflective. Or, as Travis Bickle might say, I could tell by the way they related there was no connection whatsoever.
Assuming you don’t hail a cab, the game begins behind the virtual wheel of a crappy-looking late 80s Buick look-a-like. All the cars in GTAIV look like real-world automobiles, with subtle and no-so-subtle “enhancements.” No points for guessing what a “Coquette” or “Dukes” would like to be when it grows up. Just in case a manufacturer might get upset about ripped-off whips engaging in criminal activities, GTAIV’s programmers occasionally hedge their bets by morphing two cars into one. The “Infernus” combines a Lamborghini Gallardo front end and a Pagani Zonda butt. Like the game itself, the $1.5m cut-and-shunt is strangely satisfying.
Each car offers specific driving dynamics: front wheel-drive cars understeer. All wheel-drive SUVs feel heavy in corners, and then pull strongly out of them. In this game, weight matters. In a “Patriot”, the only things that will scare you are big rigs, walls and tiny trees. More importantly, driving skill is (now) a critical factor; poor drivers will suffer immensely through the many vehicular missions. That goes double for the multiplayer races. The old turn-and-handbrake technique is no longer sufficient. Multi-tap subtlety is required to negotiate a bend “just right.”
Dab hands will opt for the first person view from behind the windshield. That’s where the sound of the stereo is drowned out by engine roar (or sputter, if you’re driving some old junk). Talk about aural sex… While the powerplants’ sonic signatures aren’t as faithful as, say Gran Turismo, they’re even more addictive. SUVs have booming big-block V8s, flat 6s wail and tasty imports provide plenty of turbo whine. The radio doesn’t stand a chance. It’s a bit of a shame; a multitude of stations offer some wikkid variety, from DJ Iggy Pop to NPR-style talk radio.
The game’s main mission is good for removing at least 30 hours from your life. Side missions can take up an additional 10 hours, hidden jumps and hunting for “flying rats” notwithstanding.
Despite some poor textures up close, the graphics are where it’s at. The game’s main appeal resides in its setting and the clever dialogue, not its racing qualities. Humorous touches abound, entrance and delight. Liberty City’s Statue of happiness holds a cup of RF’s favorite brew. Even without excessive caffeination, driving around is a buzz– enough to make random meandering almost as much fun as the game’s trademark violence. Bonus: the weather changes randomly, including rain and fog, which alter a car’s handling.
Rating:
Overall, 5/5 stars. Other than repetitive missions, it’s a real show stopper.
As a racing game: 4/5 stars. Gran Turismo and the Forza series are far superior. Then again, if you’re an aspiring gangsta– and who isn’t?– this is the place to be.
Bonus: the weather changes randomly, including rain and fog, which alter a car’s handling.
Fog alters a car’s handling?! Good review though, I’ve had this since it came out and it’s seriously stonking great fun, the dialogue is indeed superb, the city feels properly alive and atmospheric, and the Gears of War style cover system makes combat way more satisfying than GTAs of olde.
One of my most gratifying moments playing GTA4 was driving the Firetruck and Armored Car around Manhattan smashing all that was before me.
I played it for a while, but about half-way through the game, I just lost interest. It really did get too repetitive… and I also ran out of free time to play, but that’s another matter.
I traded it in, but I’ll probably buy it again later. Driving in that game was great fun.
What a good game. I disagree with the review of the driving physics, though. Of course it’s no Gran Turismo, but with the exception of the world’s best race driving simulation, I say this one is top-notch when it comes to simulating city driving. You can’t turn when you’ve locked the brakes. You can’t actually take 90 degree city block turns at 70 mph. SUVs will flip when you pull the handbrake at speed. And crappy cars handle weirdly – floaty, slowly, numbly, depending on your choice of clunker. Escaping cops, even one, is a nightmare in an econobox, but it’s strikingly easy in a Ferrari. I’ve never really encountered a game that reflects real-life conditions like this.
The non-driving parts are great fun, too.
Here’s a fun tip: Grab a rwd car and mash the throttle and brake at the same time to do a big smoky burnout. Use the steering to do donuts and leave skidmarks all over. Do it for too long and the tires explode. This also works with stretch limos and fire trucks. Less realistic but more hilarious.
What is really sad is that GTA IV has more realistic driving physics than the most recent need for speed game.
just lost interest. It really did get too repetitive… and I also ran out of free time to play, but that’s another matter.
I do agree that missions are more repetitive than previous iterations, but the simple fact that if you drive with somebody and re-try the mission, you’ll get a different dialogue (I counted 3 on a particular mission) makes up for that. Starting the review with Taxi Driver is not random. While as a game, it sometimes suffer from a few details, it’s one of the best stories ever told in a game.
What a good game. I disagree with the review of the driving physics, though.
I’d actually say it’s the only game that offers the possibility of real-city driving (I really don’t count Burnout, as it does not offer a real city at all). That said, I don’t feel handling is very realistic. Movie-like, yes. Fun, yes, but realistic, in the sense of Forza-like accurate? No. But as you say, it does a fine job of reflecting city-situations. As as a part-time New Yorker, I can tell you it does a pretty fine job of recreating the conditions of NYC….
GTA 4 was the worst handling game I’ve played in a while.
The cars drive like shit and on top of that, sometimes the character’s movements are too difficult to determine when near edges of buildings. The character actually steps forward by himself when you don’t want him too. Especially in multiplayer online games.
The helicopter controls suck balls compared to Vice City. Why is there no Hydra jet for multiplayer fighting? why can’t the helicopter lock onto cars?
I played this game, beat it and put it on the shelf. San Andreas was alot better.
If you upgraded san andreas to HD quality everything and put it on 360 – that game would be ten times better than this crap. Nickoli sounds like Borat.
@flashpoint: it really boils down to scope. GTAIV is far more of a story than San Andreas which, while cool and having great voice acting, was just too chaotic and extreme to be believable. GTAIV is more of a movie, and it does pay for it in the gameplay department. Although I haven’t played Saint’s Row 2, I heard that it fills that niche that the GTA series left.
As for me, I got immersed in the amazing atmosphere of GTAIV, and don’t regret it.
Multiplayer is fun, but rapidly limited, except for free roam and the GTA racing. Pure racing is pwned by Forza, and the shootout modes by the Call of Duty series.
As for handling, see the debate above: it’s really not that bad. The character could be better, but cars do the job well.
Antoine.
I don’t believe that.
the story of GTA4 was straightforward. You arrive, get in trouble with the mob and do hits…its the same exact thing on each game.
Frankly, San Andreas had much more exciting missions – as well as more of them.
I’ll never forget the mission where I had to drop from a small plane and sneak into a Citation to kill everyone on board. The 360’s technology could make San andreas ridiculously better.
I agree that GTA4 is a great game. And I agree that in many ways, San Andreas was greater. I miss the sense of unbridled chaos that could be had in past games. Rampages, silly cheats, etc. Now that I beat GTA4, I still play it from time to time, mostly to crash cars in cinematic slo-motion mode. It seldom disappoints when Niko flies through the windshield.