Call me crazy but, to me, the best Grand Theft Auto was GTA2 for the PC. Why? It had a really fun online multiplayer mode. I didn't mind the overhead view; heck, that made lots of games (Fallout, X-Com, and Syndicate included) perfect. Sadly, post-Windows 98, the game stopped working (without some sort of hacks, that is). Grand Theft Auto IV seems to be going back to the roots of the game while throwing in the things that made GTA3 so great.
Now, as many of you know, single-player games rarely hold my attention so, for me, a brunt of my time in GTA4 will likely be spent in the multiplayer mode; that is, if I still pick up the Limited Edition game. There are hardcore GTA fans forming the line as we speak. I will take my chances and try to pick up the game tomorrow. If they don't have the LE version, I'll take it as a sign and either not get the game at all or forego the cool swag.
In any case, GTA4 is all the buzz now and the cynical gamer in me says there is no way it will live up to the hype. I feel the game will be a good temporary excursion and diversion at best. If you're like me and single-player campaigns do not do it for you, you may feel the same way. But wait.. There is some hope!
Since the game is already in the hands of a few lucky people, a lot has been leaked. The multiplaye modes do seem quite promising. It's not merely free-roaming and co-op modes. There will be free-for-alls, team deathmatch, and objective game modes as well. One of the modes that really appeals to me is Mafiya Mode (it's actually called something else but let's just stick with this for now - it's short and sweet. I like the concept of multiple teams working together to complete objectives. According to many sources, you get to use your in-game cell phones in this mode to communicate with team members or trick gullible enemies into going off-track from their goals. I really dig team objective gameplay (which is why I do a lot of Search And Destroy in CoD4) so this alone makes me have a little more faith in GTA4 online play.
The other multiplayer game modes do not seem to make much use of the cell phone but that can be a good thing. The interesting thing is that GTA4 creates a fluid open world (or at least the illusion of it) by foregoing a traditional opening menu and starting you off where you last saved. From there, your cell phone becomes a device for contacting friends and launching the various game modes. I am glad that Rock Star really went with a robust multiplayer system and not a very grass-roots thing.
For the old-school GTAers, there will be plentyo f races, car thefts, and destruction. The ADD/ADHD gamers will be happy to know that Free Mode is indeed a reality so you can run around and do whatever you want, or you can get creative and create your own objective-driven game modes. Some of the suggestions for Free Mode include touring Liberty City, checking out the local hookers, going bar-hopping, searching for easter eggs, and trying to out-run the law at six stars. This game will be a dream come true for those that like to keep themselves busy with lots of options.
While I am keeping my enthusiasm in check, I am curious about the multiplayer. It's been so long that I've been hearing the rumors of the various features. Hearing that they are the real-deal is great. I'm also happy to hear about the exclusive XBox 360 content cause, quite frankly, my Sony fanboy friends are getting way too annoying with their silly brand loyalty. It's almost cult-like how crazy they get about their games. Let me tell ya': Metgal Gear Online is cool but nothing to write home about. It's basically Vegas 2 sprinkled with features from other popular FPS games, if you ask me.
Getting back on-topic, Grand Theft Auto IV promises a lot. I have to wonder how much it will actually deliver. I know that, even if I enjoy it, CoD4 and Vegas 2 will still be my main bread-and-butter but, seeing how I have a lot of fanboy friends in my clan, NoF, I'll be sucked into the friggin' game one way or another. Haha... Well, see you guys on GTA4 at some point - back to work for me so I can be ready for some gaming fun later! =oD
Comments
I had an interesting experience going to pick up my Special Edition copy of GTA4. I refused to make the line that people formed the night of the release at like 6AM. It was raining and there were WAY too many fanboys talking about hot coffee and interactive strip clubs. Kinda scary, if you ask me...
I went into my local game shop the next morning and they had plenty of SE copies left. The lines were long but I played it smart and went downstairs to get on the shorter line. Meanwhile, all the PS3 people had a line going out the doors. Many of the not-too-bright 360 peeps got on that line too.
I paid downstairs within a few minutes and simply walked up to the counter upstairs, showed my receipt, and got my GTA IV Special Edition. Done. One guy didn't like the speedy service I got and made a scene. This is where things get fun...
Picture your typical ghetto hood rat latino trying to go glam (yes, he thought he was some sort of rapper or reggaeton star). He walks up to the counter with a receipt in his hand. His swagger says it all: he wants to start a fight.
Mr. Ghettofabulous proceeds to ask the little Chinaman behind the counter, "Isn't there a line here?" The game shop employee proceeded to humbly say, "Yes, but he already paid for his game." The dude got mad and said that he did too but I reckon he only paid for part of the game and what he wasn't understanding was that I already made a line downstairs. I proceeded to explain this but he wasn't getting it so we both ignore him and I walked away with a big smile on my face and my GTA4SE box. LOL
The entertaining part about it is that the dude lost his spot on the line trying to be a tough guy. I mean, really.. What sort of question was that?? Obviously there's a line so just ask what you really want to ask: Can I pick up my game now, since I paid in full as well?
Some guys are real douches. This is the type of fanboy that gives gamers a bad rep. These are the very guys that flame people on XBL and drop the N-bomb and other racial slurs all over the place. Sadly, that's a major portion of the GTA populice: the ghetto hood rats that actually think crime is cool.
There was a pretty diverse crowd waiting for their GTA4 fix yesterday but, for the most part, I felt like I was on a line for the hottest hip-hop club in the city. LOL.. Just thought I'd share that anecdote with you. It's nice to have memories like that to tie into a game - that's what really makes your experience memorable, if you ask me!
As they say in the ghetto vernacular, "Gotta love da haters!" Dude wanted special treatment too. Hey, it's not my fault I know people that work in the store. Maybe if he learned some manners, he'd find people being more accomodating for him too. ;o)
Anyone have any Grand Theft Auto 4 launch day stories to share?? =oD
CanadianEh