IGN: First web GTA IV review, another perfect 10
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Apr 26th 2008 at 3:30PM }
The seven-page, five-thousand word review (and accompanying video review, after the jump) praises the game's art style, the immersive backdrop of Liberty City, the "Oscar quality" story and the "refined" gameplay. The enamored reviewer even commends some of the quirky extra features included by Rockstar, such as Niko's multipuropse cellphone, or the in-game use of alcohol: "You don't have to drive drunk," the reviewer exclaims, "but it's fun to give it a try." Great, now we can look forward to public backlash towards the game's DUI-endorsing write-ups, as well.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
playwhutyalike @ Apr 26th 2008 3:36PM
Is it Tuesday yet?
How about now?
How about now?
How about now?
theturtle363 @ Apr 26th 2008 3:38PM
Nope still Saturday
playwhutyalike @ Apr 26th 2008 3:42PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aacman007 @ Apr 26th 2008 4:26PM
I know how you feel, chief... I can't take it, bro...
JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 26th 2008 4:31PM
DON'T TeASE ME, BRO!
superaktieboy @ Apr 26th 2008 5:24PM
still saturday?
hmm
how about now then?
tr1cky tpr @ Apr 26th 2008 5:31PM
Suckaz! It's midnight over here, so it's sunday for us!
rv @ Apr 26th 2008 5:30PM
gamertags thread anyone?
John @ Apr 26th 2008 3:38PM
Ah feck. I really want this game. But if i get it=no revision for GCSE's.
GunForHire @ Apr 26th 2008 3:43PM
That means you're not old enough to be playing the game...
Tsk tsk tsk. The ESRB press releases do nothing! Nothing!
Benny @ Apr 26th 2008 3:43PM
If I get this, no revision for A-Levels. No university. No LIFE! :(
Co @ Apr 26th 2008 5:04PM
How does ANY game get a perfect 10 when the reviewer even points out which version has less pop-in than the other? Am I missing something?
Benny @ Apr 26th 2008 5:39PM
Yes, you are:
"A 10 doesn't mean a game is perfect -- it means a game is pushing boundaries, expanding a genre, and doing many things to a level so far above and beyond its competitors that they overshadows any flaws. Certainly, GTA IV has some issues, the most noticeable being the occasional flaw in the cover system, but there are many more pieces of GTA IV that are better than anything I've seen from a game in the past decade. We don't give 10s often -- just to games that merit the score."
From the end of the review.
Co @ Apr 26th 2008 5:43PM
I guess I should keep in mind it's all subjective. Which, in turn, renders this reviewer's score meaningless.
Ben Hobbs @ Apr 26th 2008 6:29PM
So everyone's point of view is meaningless, because its not yours?
His opinion means more than your simply because he reviews games for a living, whilst you probably do not.
Get yourself a professional job in the game reviewing industry, get invited to be the first to review possibly the most anticipated game in the world, give it a 2.0 or whatever (subjectively) and then we might listen to what you have to say, whilst moaning about your subjectiveness.
KeenCommander @ Apr 26th 2008 7:31PM
True enough, but if one version is better than the other than the lesser version should receive a lesser score because the superior version has already set the new standard and thus compared to it the lesser version would be an inferior product, even if it's genre pushing relative to the other version. I suspect I know the answer, but which version had more pop-up that we're talking about? Yup, I wrote that without reading the reviews - the same idea is true no matter which one was better or worse.
Benny @ Apr 27th 2008 12:35PM
It wasn't pop-up, it was texture pop-in, and it was on the 360. The reviewer also mentioned that the PS3 has slightly better anti-aliasing, and the 360 has slightly richer colours.
I don't get why that would take away from the fact that GTA:IV is supposedly a masterful game whichever console it's on. Would an endnote saying "X360 score: 9.9" really make you feel all that better, over something so insignificant?
Jaklar @ Apr 26th 2008 3:42PM
"Curiously non-embargoed"? What's curious about it? That an obvious deal was brokered between IGN and Rock*? You think they would have been allowed to run their review two days before everyone else if it had received a 7? Why is that every other site on the net has to wait until Sunday to post their review, but IGN goes up last Friday?
Game "journalism" is such a crock of crap that I can't believe anyone thinks any of these sites have an ounce of credibility. Worse, sites like Joystiq and Kotaku, and everyone else, just keep playing the PR game by playing ball with software companies.
So why isn't everyone breaking embargo now that IGN has gone up? Because your poor little relations with the companies you supposedly report on, whose products you supposedly review, would be threatened. No more nice 5 day, all-expense-paid trips to S.F. to play GTA IV for an "unbiased" review.
No other industry gets away with this s**t. Gamind media has no balls, and PR companies have all the power. Wasn't that way in my day.
Doom3killer @ Apr 26th 2008 3:43PM
ummm its gotten more reviews. there r even some that broke embargo and were 10/10
Doom3killer @ Apr 26th 2008 3:44PM
also, listen to the special ign podcast were they discuss GTA IV for one hour. it explains everything
playwhutyalike @ Apr 26th 2008 3:44PM
I personally don't give two poops what any game site says about anygame. Renting is my review. But, GTA IV is one of the few, for me, that is a straight buy right out of the store.
Is it Tuesday yet?
Rollins @ Apr 26th 2008 3:46PM
I'd agree, except for the fact that IGN hasn't been known to give out perfect 10s all that often and all other reports have basically suggested that this game is the second coming of Christ. Until I read something to the contrary (or play it and decide otherwise), I'm inclined to take their word for it.
DangerMouse @ Apr 26th 2008 3:50PM
"I personally don't give two poops what any game site says about anygame."
I agree so much. I've been burned too many times on dogshit that reviewers have considered very good. They must play so many shitty games that another one slighty better is a breath of fresh air. I don't even bother reading them anymore. I do check out gametrailers video reviews though. If i bother to check reviews anymore, they're from gametrailers. In HD of course.
Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 26th 2008 3:58PM
Rollins.
The second coming of Christ? Ocarina came out in ten years ago. That would make this the third coming, which it isn't. Over hyped.
License to ill @ Apr 26th 2008 4:12PM
"Over hyped" yeah right buddy...
Obie @ Apr 26th 2008 4:14PM
While I am willing to give the game the benifit of the doubt, it is true that game reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt. Don't trust IGN? Fine, just wait for the 1up and Giantbomb reviews and then make up your own mind.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 26th 2008 4:25PM
Overhyped says the wii fanboy who has to endure rehash after rehash of the same boring franchises. GTA 4, despite the number, is going to be almost an entirely new experience with everything they added.
Cesaria (SSBB: 3136-6466-5083) @ Apr 26th 2008 4:33PM
I like all the systems and all kinds of games. Let me ask you, is Prime a rehash of classic Metroid? Is Galaxy a rehash of classic mario? No. They're totally original.
playwhutyalike @ Apr 26th 2008 4:47PM
Hey, look everybody, tmacairjordan87 brought something totally flamey to the picnic. Again.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 26th 2008 4:51PM
Just responding to the one who started it a few above mine, but you seemed to have missed that as usual
Eric @ Apr 26th 2008 4:58PM
Wow. He's an angry elf.
stracenska @ Apr 26th 2008 5:02PM
IGN has proven to be to me the most reliable site for honest reviews. The proof? Assassin's Creed. That game had so much hype and IGN (particularly Hilary Goldstein) weren't afraid to give their honest opinion. While other sites like Gametrailers.com gave it a 9+ score, IGN gave it a 7.7. I played the game and found I agreed with every point he made. It was a very average and flawed, pretty, but flawed game. And assomeone else pointed out, listen to the podcast they did where Hilary explains in detail what makes the game so great and why he wasn't a fan of past GTA's.
Rollins @ Apr 26th 2008 6:38PM
@Cesaria
Galaxy may not be a rehash of classic Mario, but it definitely treads on much of the same ground as Mario 64 did.
Zsavior @ Apr 27th 2008 6:27AM
Your babies I can haz them pwease! Seriously /salute to you my friend, you may get flamed but damn it, I am glad somebody said it.
Benny @ Apr 26th 2008 3:42PM
Wow. This looks amazing.
(Didn't watch it all though, for fear of ruining the first-play jaw drop).
John McPoop @ Apr 26th 2008 5:31PM
This is going to be awesome ... GTA IV Tuesday and MGS 4 coming in June ... Oh boy I can't wait for these two games
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 26th 2008 10:10PM
yea i said i wasnt going to watch any videos for fear of spoiling it, but i have zero will power apparently lol. it looks great and i dont think it really spoiled anything honestly. just what the graphics and animations look like outside of the trailers.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 26th 2008 3:42PM
I spy with my little eye, something.......green. Anyone care to guess?
Jaklar @ Apr 26th 2008 3:56PM
If you're insinuating that I'm envious, you're wrong. I'm simply speaking as someone who has been on the media side of this business for nearly 20 years now, having co-founded the original Online Gaming Review (OGR.com) back in the day, having worked at Next Gen magazine, having written 20+ strategy guides for Prima, Sybex, Brady and Gamespot Gameguides, not to mention 1,000's of reviews, articles, features and interviews.
I'm simply complaining about the state of embargoes and how detrimental it is for journalists. It's even worse now, as embargoes have mutated into Tiered Embargoes, meaning site X & Y get to go up two days before everyone else. And everyone else has to take it, for fear of reprisal.
holyice7 @ Apr 26th 2008 3:46PM
Perfect score, eh? Maybe IGN will get their logo on this box, too.
Doom3killer @ Apr 26th 2008 3:47PM
its their first 10 in 9 years (for console games)
MN Guy @ Apr 26th 2008 7:09PM
Practically everyone who has played and/or reviewed the game has been incredibly impressed with it. IGN is a very reputable review site. I think this is just a case of a game kicking all sorts of ass. Just reserved mine and can't wait until Tuesday.
Tom @ Apr 26th 2008 10:30PM
They did give Jade Empire a 9.9 though...
Mr Khan @ Apr 26th 2008 3:48PM
I think this will play out a lot like Super Mario Galaxy, where it will wind up sitting as THE #1 game of all time for a while, then some slow reviewers will pitch it a few 95s and 90s, and it'll drop down to rank two or three
Might not, though. Someone has to *permanently* unseat OoT at some point
Saria the Cat @ Apr 26th 2008 4:13PM
I disagree and am personally offended about your opinion to unseat OoT, possibly the most perfect game of all time, if there ever was one.
...*end fangirlism*
Exo @ Apr 26th 2008 4:17PM
they didnt say it was better then zelda, they said best since, meaning nothing since zelda has been worthy of this much praise.
Saria the Cat @ Apr 26th 2008 4:01PM
Somehow I am skeptical about the "perfect ten." I'm excited about this game, too, but...Come on, Bioshock got a 9.7 and Twilight Princess a 9.5 from them. That would make this game God, and I don't know if the GTA genre deserves that.
Doom3killer @ Apr 26th 2008 4:05PM
10/10 isn't "perfect" its extremely good. every place states that no game will ever be "perfect"
jynxycat @ Apr 26th 2008 4:16PM
A 10 rating is listed as virtually flawless, according to their rating bracket.
Doom3killer @ Apr 26th 2008 4:17PM
VIRTUALLY flawless. but not fully