Metareview -- Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, PS3)
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Apr 27th 2008 at 1:45PM }
- GameInformer (100/100): "There so much more to appreciate about this game. Its dynamic mission structuring, remarkable sound design, wealth of side content, amazing animation, the list goes on and on. Long story short, I never thought I would see this much content in a game. Grand Theft Auto IV doesn't just raise the bar for the storied franchise; it completely changes the landscape of gaming. Once you play it, you won't look at video games the same way again."
- GameDaily (100/100): "Finally, the wait for a true GTA multiplayer experience was well worth it, and the online game modes (mostly variations on deathmatches, car races, car races and self-contained co-op missions) add a lot of value to an already jam-packed game. Multiplayer is not as integral part of the game as it was to, say, Halo 3 or Call of Duty 4, but the ability to play over the entire city map is brilliant. Online matches are accessed right from the game via the call phone, and we'll have a more in-depth take on the game's multiplayer offerings once the game is released and the servers are fully populated."
- GameTrailers (98/100): "Grand Theft Auto IV is the sex, drugs, and rock and roll of video games. It's a little less brave and intimidating this time around, but it's also the most refined and polished game in the franchise's history. This kind of sheen is generally reserved for titles with a much smaller scope. It's been one of the marquis games in the industry for years and the addition of a killer multiplayer component puts it over the top. Few games manage to deliver on the hype, but this is one that does." (GT video review after break.)
Gallery: Grand Theft Auto IV
- Eurogamer (100/100): "GTA IV is the 10/10 you were expecting. Almost everything you do in Liberty City would be good enough to drive its own game, and the best parts would be good enough to outrun the competition, but the reason it works so well is that Rockstar has made a game that requires no patience to play. This, as much as its usual coherency and the best script in the series, is what makes GTA IV the best openworld game yet, and why it will take something miraculous to rob it of game of the year status."
- Gamespy (100/100): "To be totally honest, it would be very easy to write another 2000-odd words on this game, as we haven't even delved into the hours of television you can watch, the amazingly detailed virtual Internet, the strip clubs that you can visit, the ultra-realistic vehicle physics, and so on. Suffice it to say that Grand Theft Auto IV is a game that could keep anyone busy for a long, long time. Although its got plenty of excellent features, it's ultimately the storytelling that makes it an instant classic, a game unlike any we've played before. As is the case with many great books and movies, you'll want to know what happens to the characters after the game ends, and one can't help hoping that all of their American Dreams comes true."
Check out more GTA IV GameTrailers vids here
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Rabidkeebler @ Apr 27th 2008 1:48PM
Time to ban gametrailers for giving the game a 98
Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 27th 2008 1:51PM
They should have just sprung for the 10. I agree.
Sam406 @ Apr 27th 2008 3:00PM
I generally defend GameTrailers, but I bet the 98 is just to act smug and not give a 10.
I mean, I don't want to repeat the 8.8 Zelda fiasco, but hell, GTA4 deserves it.
Osiris @ Apr 27th 2008 4:20PM
The game is hardly perfect.
For one, the walking controls are just as dodgy as ever and you'll find yourself walking in all kinds of directions unintentionally.
Also, I was disappointed but they've not implemented any skills (i.e. pistol skill, swimming skill) ala San Andreas.
I've also found it very hard to understand Niko's obsession with earning money no matter the risks; I've found nothign to spend it on other than weapons!
10/10 is just reviewers submitting themselves to the hype.
It's a great game, definitely mid 90's, but there is no such thing as perfection.
Schmobu @ Apr 27th 2008 5:07PM
Your fucking shitting me right, I heard that the San Andreas changing main character system was removed, but are you serious that We can only buy weapons, I had very high hopes for this game.
I could never give a game a 10/10 That means it is absolutely perfect, and every game ever has at least one major problem with it.
Halo 3, Crap ally AI, Arbiter given gay sidekick role No inventive Weapons.
Mass Effect, you call this gameplay.
Gears of War, is it over already.
I put them 3 down cause they all got 10/10 by alot of reviewers and did not deserve them.
Schmobu @ Apr 27th 2008 5:19PM
Sorry about the double, post, but this game is now legally the best game of all time, it beats out Zelda ocarina of time by like 2 points
Joshua @ Apr 27th 2008 5:53PM
I HONESTLY don't understand the appeal of GTA. I'm completely dumbfounded by these scores.
J. Eubanks @ Apr 27th 2008 7:58PM
Ratings systems are often relative, not absolute. A 10/10 does not mean that a game is perfect. What it means is that a 10/10 represents the best example of a game within a genre or a group of similar games. For example, if a reviewer were to give Mario Paint an 8 and Mega Man a 6, it doesn't mean he/she thinks Mario Paint is a better game than Mega Man; he/she means that Mario Paint does a better job of accomplishing its intended goals and is a better game in its oeuvre that Mega Man does and is in its. Reviewers giving GTA4 a 10 aren't saying it's perfect; they're saying it's setting a new standard.
ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 27th 2008 8:24PM
SO we ban websites that actually have the balls to not fall for the hype and actually tell the truth about a game.
This game doesn't deserve a 10...period.
IGN and these other websites are just riding R*'s dick and probably getting some money on the side for it.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 27th 2008 8:56PM
Wow when I want to hear someone's thoughts on a game they haven't played I guess I know who to go to now
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Apr 27th 2008 9:04PM
I'd have rated it a 42. By the way, got Douglas Adams to autograph my copy of 'Mostly Harmless' when I was young lil dude.
Can't wait for this game to come out! For Wii60PS3ers, this is a pretty huge week what with Kart and GTAIV!
Jamie @ Apr 27th 2008 9:55PM
10/10 DOES NOT mean perfection. Perfection is unattainable. And it would be senseless to have 10 point scale without using the whole thing.
A ten should only represent a game of undeniable quality.
embassy @ Apr 27th 2008 10:54PM
: sigh :
i swear this happens to any game that gets universal praise. you get the same retards who associate 10/10 with being 100% god-like, flawlessly perfect, who make it their duty to proclaim to the gaming massess that "nothing is perfect" like they just fucking parted the sea.
get the fuck over yourselves and have a nice seat in reality.
does this happen in any other entertainment industry?
do people flip out when films or albums get 5/5 stars and what-not?
i would hope not.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 27th 2008 1:50PM
So 1 of 2 things will happen when gamespot reviews it.
1) They'll give it a 10 and everyone will scoff at them
2) They'll give it anything under a 10 and everyone will scoff at them
Best of luck to you gamespot I know you'll make the right choice!
Benny @ Apr 27th 2008 1:55PM
Maybe someone will get fired too!
rivaldi22 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:10PM
Maybe Gamespot will get fired.
EihBeir @ Apr 27th 2008 2:12PM
Sweet God, I hope someone gets fired.
Trev @ Apr 27th 2008 4:27PM
Who's left to fire?
giantenemycrab @ Apr 27th 2008 7:42PM
Who cares what Gamespot says at this point?
Cal @ Apr 27th 2008 9:06PM
The advertisers
Gamer98 @ Apr 27th 2008 1:53PM
9.8!!! GT is going down....HARD.
Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 27th 2008 1:52PM
Seeing this live up to the hype makes exponentially more hype for this game to live up to. I expect perfection from GTA IV, or gtfo.
Chimp @ Apr 27th 2008 1:53PM
"While the PS3 and 360 versions of the game are functionally identical, the PS3's visuals sport noticeably smoother edges, along with a warmer color palette that makes everything look slightly more realistic." + less pop-ins.....where'd that car come from?!?!
dsub @ Apr 27th 2008 3:46PM
Hmmm.
What shall I choose?
A warmer color palette or exclusive DLC?
I totally can't play games with cool color palettes. It just ruins the experience.
Considering that most of the 10/10's have come from 360 versions of the game, I'd say a warm color palette is definitely NOT a reason to skip the 360 version.
eddyk @ Apr 27th 2008 4:12PM
A warmer color palette ???
just tune your TV dude !!
Ally @ Apr 27th 2008 4:59PM
Didnt IGN say in their review that the 360 version had Better colour? :S
i quote from bottom of page 5 of IGN'S review
"The 360 has richer colors, but the PS3 has better anti-aliasing making it look a little cleaner"
Seems we have conflicting reviews on this :S
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Apr 27th 2008 8:52PM
"I totally can't play games with cool color palettes. It just ruins the experience."
You continue to be a dunce.
unfriendly_cat @ Apr 27th 2008 1:54PM
Dear GameTrailers, WTF is a 'marquis game'?
Rabidkeebler @ Apr 27th 2008 1:55PM
please tell me you are being sarcastic
Mr Khan @ Apr 27th 2008 1:59PM
Means its a game that's synonymous with gaming itself
You've got your Madden, Guitar Hero, Mario, Halo, and your GTA, that sort of thing
unfriendly_cat @ Apr 27th 2008 2:01PM
A 'marquis game' would be a game played by french noblemen; an interesting concept for sure.
You might be thinking about a 'marquee game'.
Mr Khan @ Apr 27th 2008 2:05PM
lol
el serpiente @ Apr 27th 2008 2:07PM
Oui, ze marquis vill nevegggh plei zees filsee game. Veih is mai fromage y vin?
Benny @ Apr 27th 2008 2:08PM
Unfriendly_Cat is right. Let's be friends.
Delgado @ Apr 27th 2008 2:16PM
Hahah oh man that was funny. And people thought they were making fun of you.
Ethan @ Apr 27th 2008 8:40PM
A game played in a big tent.
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 27th 2008 1:58PM
from http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/869/869381p5.html:
PS3 version looks better, has the graphical edge.
PS3 version has far less pop-in.
PS3 version has better anti-aliasing making it look a little cleaner.
Because GTA IV can preload onto the PS3 hard drive, the in-game loads are faster than the 360 version.
GTA IV SIXAXIS motion sensing info from http://ps3.ign.com/articles/869/869541p7.html:
you can control boats, bikes, cars and helicopters. according to IGN, motion sensing only works well with boats.
the mini-games, particularly bowling, handle well with the motion sensing.
you can reload guns with a quick flick of the controller.
and ofcourse the motion sensing controls are optional.
Chimp @ Apr 27th 2008 1:59PM
We'll be voted down :D
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:06PM
the truth must be told! =)
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:06PM
Did you also read that kotaku says that the motion controls in GTA are some of the worst in any ps3 game and are entirely useless?
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 27th 2008 2:07PM
Yes Curmeo but they have to deduct points for
No LIVE
No Achievements
Motion sense aside, supbar controller versus 360's
I might end up buying both versions as I did with COD4, if my sons keep bugging me enough. Just from the review video I watched I was hearing too many ooooohhhs and ahhhhsssss like you wouldn't believe, lmao!
Benny @ Apr 27th 2008 2:12PM
Just what we need: someone to turn this into a system war thread.
Thanks Curmeo for your heartily relevant contribution.
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:20PM
to tmacairjordan87: reviewers will always have different opinions. i just summarized what IGN thought of the motion sensing controls.
to Fenix: "no LIVE"? you mean no paying $50 per year for the same basic online gameplay functionality! oh shit im getting ripped! achievements? dont care. i dont need motivations to play a game like GTA IV. and im sure as hell not gonna pay 50 bucks a year just for the sake of achievements! "subpar controller"? thats subjective, my friend. i prefer the DualShock 3 to the 360 controller any day of the week, twice on sunday.
Huey2k2 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:27PM
I think the real question here is, who cares?
You're getting essentially the same experience no matter what system you play it on... So if you have a 360 or a PS3 get the game and love it, I'm so fucking tired of these useless fanboy flame wars.
Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 27th 2008 2:30PM
"I think the real question here is, who cares?"
people who own both systems or people who cant decide which system to buy for GTA IV. the IGN info in my post will help them make a more informed decision =)
Slaziman @ Apr 27th 2008 2:47PM
That really sucks. So I either get the worse looking version or I get the version without some exclusive episodic content and achievements.
suuuux
Knight Marquise @ Apr 27th 2008 2:55PM
Curmeo...
Sorry I forgot to list you as one of the hardcore SDF fanbots. List updated now, thanks comrade.
HighFiveJesus @ Apr 27th 2008 3:12PM
slow down there cowboy, some of that is trivial at best.
No LIVE
No Achievements
Motion sense aside, supbar controller versus 360's
By not having live, you aren't missing any actual gameplay that you can't have over PSN. Gameplay.
If you are REALLY into achievements, then i guess its a valid point, but its not like you can't do em in the PS3 version either, you just don't get a stupid little icon next to your name.
subpar controller is relative to the user, and veterans should actually be very comfortable with the idea. Third person games haven't universally been acclaimed to have the one true controller anyway. FPS, sure, but not stuff like this. You shoulda dropped the exclusive content as a point, although since it will cost extra, its not canon to prove which 60 dollars is better spent.
Huey2k2 @ Apr 27th 2008 3:25PM
Guys look:
8==================>
MY E-PEEN IS BIGGER THAN YOURZ OMGZ.
rv @ Apr 27th 2008 5:43PM
8====================================================================================>
dont think so