Gamertell

I have never really been a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series. While I have played most of the past installments, I have never been able to get past the bad stories, horrible AI, poor graphics and the fact that Rockstar releases a game so full of bugs that, at times, it is impossible to play, most of all San Andreas if you are playing it on the PS2.

In recent weeks, however, I have been eagerly awaiting the latest game in the series to make its next-gen debut.

Due to be released on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 on April 29, 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV will take fans back to Liberty City, but don’t expect this most recent game in the incredibility successful series to be everything you remember. Expect much more.

While Rockstar or Grand Theft Auto hasn’t ever really been known for their graphics, GTA IV’s visuals are the most drastic departure from the previous games, with more realistic texturing, excellent physic and more natural animation, GTA IV is by far the best looking game of the entire series. When the first videos of GTA IV were revealed in 2007, some feared that the more serious nature of the graphics meant the game was losing its humorous edge. While that edge certainly still intact, the more mature feeling to GTA IV certainly is a loud statement from Rockstar that GTA is truly ready for next-gen consoles.

GTA IV is being developed with the Rage Engine, which is responsible for the improved graphics. Not only does the city look and feel different but is meant to be played different. GTA IV isn’t as large as San Andreas, the previous console title in the series, but according to the Offical Xbox Magazine, Liberty City will be deeper and more complex with extremely detailed city streets and neighborhoods that are based around the five boroughs of New York City.

Many of New York’s buildings are reproduced in GTA IV, such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty, but of course they all have their own twist to them. Players will get to explore entire buildings, more so than allowed in any of the previous game in the series. There is much more ground to cover this time around.

GTA IV will feature a combat system that allows players to take cover behind cars, walls or any other object in the environment. From there they can take protective aim at enemies and blind-fire. The lock-on system has been also redefined, allowing players to have more control over where and what they shoot, without having to worried about an annoying locking system.

A few grander elements that have been a stable in all previous series are still a predominate feature in GTA IV, namely the weapons and vehicles. All of the classic features that have been introduced in previous titles, from motorbikes, cars, military vehicles, boats and aircrafts are all back in their splendid glory. Weapons run the gambit from pistols, Uzis, AK47s down to everyone’s favorite, the RPG. Let’s just hope this game supports the same classic cheat codes to unlock them all.

Like previous games, expect a number of famous faces, or voices, to make guess appearances, although an official list has not yet been revealed.

GTA IV‘s story this time around is meant to be more immersive and non-linear, one that will give players the option to choose the order they want to do the missions in and can start new missions while in the middle of your current one. That greatly increases the player’s freedom to explore this new Liberty City as the player wants.

By far the most important and welcome addition to GTA IV this time around is the integration of full multiplayer and online play, both through Xbox Live and the Playstation Network.

The multiplayer is open-ended and allow up to 16 players and 15 different modes of game including deathmatch, racing,  cooperative single-player mission and free mission mode. Two other multiplayer modes are Mafia, where a player tries to complete an objective before opponents, and Cops ‘N’ Crooks, where a team of police officers must stop the opposing team of crooks from escaping.

Gamers will also be allowed to customize their player with a number of character options including face, hair, sex and clothing and compete in both ranked and unranked matches. If you choose ranked matches, your reward will be cash that can be used in the single-player game.

According to IGN, there is still some issues with bugs, AI and environmental glitches, but Rockstar still has time to fix these minor issues before GTA IV is released.

Read [IGN] Also Read [Offical Xbox Magazine] Site [Grand Theft Auto IV] Site [Rockstar Games]

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