Grand Theft Auto IV Comments by Tom Bramwell

ZOMG! It's GTA 4 on PC 0_0

Mercenaries 2 is still more fun :p

I've still not bought GTAVI since what I've experienced was a bit sterile and boring, but if my PC is up to this I'd probably give it a look. It won't be though, my machine isn't up to that much.

once again the best GTA4 experience will be in PC, the only not so positive thing about it, is that its coming out way after the consoles release (i never understood that shit, if its multiplatform, it kinda should have been released at the same time for the 3 platforms, like COD4 and many other titles)... i finished the game in my PS3, but i will be getting this for the PC as well.

Most over-rated game this year. Sure its fun, but its just the same old same old now.

"Windows, in Games for Windows."

:D

One of the best games of the year IMO and anything *but* overrated IMO. Nice that PC owners will finally get the chance to experience and with visual and gameplay improvements.

@DoctorZoidberg

I thought the same as you, there didn't seem to be anything to do in the game I hadn't done before.

"(which we will of course be doing next month)"

lame.

Well written article, Tom. Lots and lots of info. Although I must agree that GTA4 was a step down (in my humble opinion) when compared to GTA: San Andreas. Sure ragdolls are cool for two minutes.. but I am still playing San Andreas occasionally while I have no urge to go back to GTA4. There just isn't anything to do in that game except missions!

Most over-rated game this year. Sure its fun, but its just the same old same old now.

Whereas I thought 3, VC and SA were dull, overrated and uninspiring, yet GTA 4 was the best non-Shenmue game ever created.

@DoctorZoidberg

You found it same-o same-o??? I found it a GTA lite.

Rockstar literally cut out 90% of the extra stuff outside the main mission storyline where past GTA's would have had me playing through the game up to around 70-100 hours of pissing about doing "stuff", GTA IV stopped dead when I finished the storyline at about 20-25 hours, and i am extremely annoyed that none if any of these glowing reviews mentioned this.

Games for Windows Live = No Sale

I'm not falling for that again. EVER.

@Zomoniac

What did you find dull in gta3:xxx that you didnt find dull in gta:4? The only differences I saw were slightly better graphics and online play.

GTA4 was a shit looking, terrible handling, incredibly boring game on consoles.

Now on the PC it will be shit looking, have terrible handling and be incredibly boring but in sharper focus.

@DFawkes

"Mercenaries 2 is still more fun"

+1 - it's brilliant!

No quick save button? Not gonna bother then... I hate replaying missions.

GTA4 couldnt live up to the hypetrain. Its not even close ot the brilliance of SanAndreas imo.

For Ł24.99 you cant really complain..

Might pick it up, should look amazing on the PC...

Wonder if MODS will be supported - Im sure they will eventually

"(which we will of course be doing next month)"

awesome.

So buying this (again)

Yes, that'll mean I have it on Ps3.. 360, and the PC.

If it's on Steam I'll probably pick it up, if not ... there's too many other great games to play atm.

i cant see why they bothered to make a PC version, everyone has already played it, so what if the graphics are a bit better, I would rather play on my plasma on my nice comfy couch thanks very much

"i cant see why they bothered to make a PC version, everyone has already played it, so what if the graphics are a bit better, I would rather play on my plasma on my nice comfy couch thanks very much"

...

Most nonsensical comment ever. I haven't played it, and plan on playing this version on my TV. So there we go.

Hyper-overrated game. It's a good game and that's it. As solid an 8/10 as you'll ever see.

@ Apologie: The PC versions of the GTA3 games came out way after the console ones too. It's just the way of the world...

I'm just hoping that PC GTA4 doesn't have any bugs like that excruciating sound bug in PC San Andreas

Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaints Roooooooooooooooooooooooow 2!

Very happy about this. I traded in GTA4 for 360 for cash once some PC details came to light. It just feels right on PC to me, none of this console nonsense.

Looks like I've made the right choice based on what I'm hearing, film editor sounds great though probably not something that will be used to its fullest potential by most users.

I didn't think GTA4 was an amazing, perfect 10/10 game, I've always been a relative critic of the GTA series in its 3D incarnations believing some of its flaws/shortcomings are often overlooked by games media rather unacceptably. Nevertheless, I do want to finish the game and it's a great setting to just fuck about in and for me the best platform for fuck about gaming is without a doubt the PC, and ditto for fuck about multiplayer, which should be a lot of fun and is something I could never get going on xbox live due to my suspect wireless network. Hopefully some great mods are made for it too.

However I'm not particularly au fait with this games for windows bullshit. Will multiplayer require some sort of subscription fee? Will dedicated server support be available?

I also didn't realise it was so close to release. I was thinking around June next year we'd see it. Pleasant surprise.

So, what about LAN?. If that POS GfWL kills LAN, I'm not buying it.

Whats wrong with Games for Windows Live?

The advantages of Microsoft's unifying software, achievements and friends support available on hardware that doesn't break down every three minutes? Yes please. Just give us an out of game client (which this game is supposed to bring).

There's a lot of negativity spread by 'old school' PC gamers who are scared of joypads and anything that isn't easily pirated. Don't fall for that.

I would rather play on my plasma on my nice comfy couch thanks very much

Comments like that wind me up no end.

1. connecting a computer to a HDTV is a peice of piss.
2. So because you don't have a need for GTA 4 on the PC, no one else does?

Anyway I'm the others who said GTA 4 was pretty over rated. It was a pretty decent games, but just felt like more GTA3/VC/SA, did nothing particularly new or innovative. Drive here, kill him. Rinse and repeat for 4 games.


achievements and friends support available on hardware that doesn't break down every three minutes?

Huh? How does GFW effect hardware reliability? Anyway the initial problem was they charged money for it. Few games support it. And crucially Steam is better, established, well supported and fairly popular among gamers. Incidently Steam isn't pirate friendly either, stupidest argument ever. So to sum it up GFW is up against Steam, but not as good.

"connecting a computer to a HDTV is a peice (sic) of piss."

Aye, that's all well and good (and I'd agree, to a certain extent). Now try operating a mouse and keyboard on your lap whilst lounging back on a couch.

Well, mouse and keyboard can be put on a coffee table or tray easily enough, but for GTA IV I'd just use a 360 pad anyway.

One more comment about how overrated this game is, and I'm going to pay to have sex with you, then beat you to death after we're through. Go blow your load all over Saints Row 2 with the rest of the unwashed.

What skillian said.

To be honest I don't see keybaord and mouse any more of a pain in the ass than many of the peripherals available these days such as racing wheels and drum sets.

I tried a mouse and keyboard in front of my telly with BF2142 and SupCom, but couldn't get comfortable with it. Each to his own I suppose, my bro demonstrated that I can plug a wired 360 controller into my PC and play games that way. Handy, that. But then, if I'm going to use a pad I might as well play the 360 anyway so 360 -> telly, PC -> monitor on desk.
Surely playing with a mouse and keyboard will make driving a nightmare, due to the absence of analog sticks and triggers?

"Huh? How does GFW effect hardware reliability?"

Because it's GFWINDOWS, not 360 :p

And yeah, Steam is better established, but expect more on GFW now that it's free to devs. I do like Steam too, just a pity it's shop is a bit more expensive cause of current exchange rates.

But then, if I'm going to use a pad I might as well play the 360 anyway so 360 -> telly, PC -> monitor on desk

Mine goes:

PC--->monitor upstairs on desk
|
|------>telly downstairs

Cables go through the ceiling but I get the best of both worlds, plus all the delights of internet video and music on the TV in the living room.

But generally I agree with you about the KB+M, so I play KB+M games upstairs and racers etc. with the pad. I've been looking for a shooty game I can play with the pad, so I'm hoping this (or SR2) might be it.

edit: diagrammatical adjustments required.

i cant see why they bothered to make a PC version, everyone has already played it, so what if the graphics are a bit better, I would rather play on my plasma on my nice comfy couch thanks very much

Yeah, but you're also a bit of an idiot. So don't try too think too much about what other people might prefer, it'll only make your little head hurt.

Decent game, of course, but nowhere near as good I thought it'd be. Yeah, the city looks great, but where's the interactivity? In gameplay terms most certainly a step back for the series. Worth playing though, just not deserving the near perfect plaudits.

Is there gonna be a decent camera angle when in the car this time? Rather than on-a-slant-blurry-wonky cam?

that video editing thing, what a monumental waste of effort. Surely none but the loneliest could be bothered with such a thing.

Controlling Traffic Density is awesome. Quadcore will rock there, I imagine.

"that video editing thing, what a monumental waste of effort. Surely none but the loneliest could be bothered with such a thing"

I agree, the time could've been spent on making something far more productive. Were gonna be seeing a spate of WoW style not actually funny comedy films being made in-game now.