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This thread has been linked to the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'.
Got the game yesterday morning and have clocked 6 hours and 4 minutes thus far. Haven't attacked the missions properly as of yet, only done 11 at the moment.
To get the negatives out of the way, I think this instalment more than any has highlighted how far the series can actually go with PS2 hardware, the introduction of extremely basic ragdol, the even bigger environment and just the general clutter around the streets cause the game to have a fair few slow down issues. There is a lot of aliasing on the buildings and the textures look extremely flat, I expected this though after all the talk on how big the areas were going to be.
I agree that they have made the playing areas too big which has opened up fresh problems in other areas. The popping and clipping has reduced massively which is a bonus - having said that I would have been happier putting up with this with the addition of higher resolution textures but as it stands it does look like a transitional period sort of game that will be used as a bench mark for the next GTA title.
Having said that I have to say that yes it is the best in the series, even more so than GTA 3. The story, voice acting and general presentation is spot on, possibly the most impressive voice acting and scripting that I have ever seen in a game. The whole black/ghetto/hood theme is unbelievably good and I must say I am actually immersed with the characters and the in game cut scenes.
The audio is truly astounding from both the radio stations and the in game voice overs. Where as with Vice City there was a great need for custom soundtracks the likes of Easy E, Dre, Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli lending tracks to the game pretty much cover the sort of music I would put in there anyway.
The addition of basic ragdol doesn't really give the game a massive advantage at this stage but it is a foot hold for the GTA series which will hopefully be taken on another step with better hardware. A lot of the on foot sections have been ripped from Manhunt, the stealth, the opponent’s damage meter changing with the colour, the ability to perform stealth kills providing you have the correct weapon, all these additions definitely add to the game and make the foot sections highly enjoyable.
Possibly my favourite addition is the ability to climb walls and fences properly which does open up the way you can approach areas and increases your chances of escaping gang gun fights and enemy territories. This is mainly possible thanks to the ragdol engine but it is by far the most used feature for me this time around.
Good to see they have reverted back to GTA2 with the gang respect meter, makes that final last gasp run to the hood a hell of a lot easier when you 3 stars and upwards on your wanted meter. This is extremely satisfying due to the fact that any gang members who see the police chasing you down will get their pieces out and start shooting on them to give you cover.
This tattoo/clothing/hair options are also yet another welcome addition as it doesn't really detract away from the main game in a way that Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball did. A long with this addition the ability to play pool is also very addictive and despite not being a stellar game in itself is still a great money earner and a good way to pass the time as you are waiting around for something else to happen.
Spent a lot of my time in the Gym with the weights and the bike as I am trying to get the more tedious aspects of the game out the way early on, have managed to max out my power and stamina meter and I keep popping back in every other day just to make up on the strength I lose.
Tied in with the above I have found the Bike skills and driving skills amongst other new upgradeable stats to be yet another reason why this has improved over the previous two next generation GTA titles and also a very addictive past time. I believe these work so well because of the fact that it gives you the time to explore the entire map whilst still seeing an improvement to your bios/character.
The swimming idea, guess what? Yet ANOTHER improvement to last years game, no longer do I have to steal a car with 3 people in only to drive them of the cliff to find that I too will die, great addition to the game which also enables you to get around the islands without needing a boat or helicopter.
I haven't unlocked the bridge yet leading to the airport in the South-West so I am unable to comment on how well the planes and helicopters handle in comparison to Vice City but on the basis of what I have seen and played up to press Rockstar North have made a truly stellar title.
It isn't quite a 9.9 scoring game (IGN off mark once again) due to the obvious short comings with the visuals. Every other aspect of the game however is pretty much damn near perfect.
Ask me again in 200 hours, I am pretty confident this time around I will still be enjoying this one months down the line!
To get the negatives out of the way, I think this instalment more than any has highlighted how far the series can actually go with PS2 hardware, the introduction of extremely basic ragdol, the even bigger environment and just the general clutter around the streets cause the game to have a fair few slow down issues. There is a lot of aliasing on the buildings and the textures look extremely flat, I expected this though after all the talk on how big the areas were going to be.
I agree that they have made the playing areas too big which has opened up fresh problems in other areas. The popping and clipping has reduced massively which is a bonus - having said that I would have been happier putting up with this with the addition of higher resolution textures but as it stands it does look like a transitional period sort of game that will be used as a bench mark for the next GTA title.
Having said that I have to say that yes it is the best in the series, even more so than GTA 3. The story, voice acting and general presentation is spot on, possibly the most impressive voice acting and scripting that I have ever seen in a game. The whole black/ghetto/hood theme is unbelievably good and I must say I am actually immersed with the characters and the in game cut scenes.
The audio is truly astounding from both the radio stations and the in game voice overs. Where as with Vice City there was a great need for custom soundtracks the likes of Easy E, Dre, Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli lending tracks to the game pretty much cover the sort of music I would put in there anyway.
The addition of basic ragdol doesn't really give the game a massive advantage at this stage but it is a foot hold for the GTA series which will hopefully be taken on another step with better hardware. A lot of the on foot sections have been ripped from Manhunt, the stealth, the opponent’s damage meter changing with the colour, the ability to perform stealth kills providing you have the correct weapon, all these additions definitely add to the game and make the foot sections highly enjoyable.
Possibly my favourite addition is the ability to climb walls and fences properly which does open up the way you can approach areas and increases your chances of escaping gang gun fights and enemy territories. This is mainly possible thanks to the ragdol engine but it is by far the most used feature for me this time around.
Good to see they have reverted back to GTA2 with the gang respect meter, makes that final last gasp run to the hood a hell of a lot easier when you 3 stars and upwards on your wanted meter. This is extremely satisfying due to the fact that any gang members who see the police chasing you down will get their pieces out and start shooting on them to give you cover.
This tattoo/clothing/hair options are also yet another welcome addition as it doesn't really detract away from the main game in a way that Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball did. A long with this addition the ability to play pool is also very addictive and despite not being a stellar game in itself is still a great money earner and a good way to pass the time as you are waiting around for something else to happen.
Spent a lot of my time in the Gym with the weights and the bike as I am trying to get the more tedious aspects of the game out the way early on, have managed to max out my power and stamina meter and I keep popping back in every other day just to make up on the strength I lose.
Tied in with the above I have found the Bike skills and driving skills amongst other new upgradeable stats to be yet another reason why this has improved over the previous two next generation GTA titles and also a very addictive past time. I believe these work so well because of the fact that it gives you the time to explore the entire map whilst still seeing an improvement to your bios/character.
The swimming idea, guess what? Yet ANOTHER improvement to last years game, no longer do I have to steal a car with 3 people in only to drive them of the cliff to find that I too will die, great addition to the game which also enables you to get around the islands without needing a boat or helicopter.
I haven't unlocked the bridge yet leading to the airport in the South-West so I am unable to comment on how well the planes and helicopters handle in comparison to Vice City but on the basis of what I have seen and played up to press Rockstar North have made a truly stellar title.
It isn't quite a 9.9 scoring game (IGN off mark once again) due to the obvious short comings with the visuals. Every other aspect of the game however is pretty much damn near perfect.
Ask me again in 200 hours, I am pretty confident this time around I will still be enjoying this one months down the line!
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ßulle†† wrote:
> Yes. Once you have taken over a territory, it becomes yours and the
> only gangs you'll find in that area will be the Grove Street crew.
> Occasionally it will be attacked by other gangs and you'll have to
> defend it though.
The sad thing is that when you get to a certain mission in the game your Gang members dont hang out and the whole of Los Santos is taken over by the Ballas meaning no Drive-bys, Warfares etc.
Maybe the gang comes back or soemthing but at the moment there are none to be seen and the whoel of LS is Ballas territory.
> Yes. Once you have taken over a territory, it becomes yours and the
> only gangs you'll find in that area will be the Grove Street crew.
> Occasionally it will be attacked by other gangs and you'll have to
> defend it though.
The sad thing is that when you get to a certain mission in the game your Gang members dont hang out and the whole of Los Santos is taken over by the Ballas meaning no Drive-bys, Warfares etc.
Maybe the gang comes back or soemthing but at the moment there are none to be seen and the whoel of LS is Ballas territory.
Cool.
Yeah, you defend agains**t 3 waves of enemy and afterwards it lets you know that you have killed the las**t gang member. It earns you a sh*t load of respect and you will also own that area.
Jus**t target your own gang members near the hood and press up on the D-Pad.
Jus**t target your own gang members near the hood and press up on the D-Pad.
Yes. Once you have taken over a territory, it becomes yours and the only gangs you'll find in that area will be the Grove Street crew. Occasionally it will be attacked by other gangs and you'll have to defend it though.
You also make money by owning territories too, a bit like the businesses in Vice City.
You also make money by owning territories too, a bit like the businesses in Vice City.
Does that mean I won't get shot at as much if I claim more areas?
Cool.
Cool.
Yeah the whole gang and territorial aspect rocks.
It's what's currently taking my time up, just wasting Ballas and the other gang (yellow on the map) and regaining their territory as our own.
Sweetness.
It's what's currently taking my time up, just wasting Ballas and the other gang (yellow on the map) and regaining their territory as our own.
Sweetness.
Noticed something else last night that I hadn't used yet. I was aware that your own gang members would protect you if they saw you been shot at but the ability to rally them up and go into other hoods and do drive-bys?! It was freaking hilarious. Stole a Van from the docs late at night, went back to the grove, picked up 3 gang members and drove around the whole map just killing other gangs. Also had a gang warfare where you have to defend against a few waves of gang members. Absolutely top draw stuff!
HA.
Ninjax wrote:
> having said that you are right you did say it was good and i
> apologise.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
> having said that you are right you did say it was good and i
> apologise.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
having said that you are right you did say it was good and i apologise.
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