OK, since my folks on Ars Ludica are covering the matter in every possible way, I’d like to share my 2 cents here, just to revive the blog that is witnessing the most long hiatus of his history, due to my precarious health conditions.
You know, I’ve been one of the biggest detractors of GTA III (and its many variants). From this point of view, GTA IV is another game, even if it remains faithful to his own roots. What GTA IV does better is to be a game that a real mature player can enjoy. There are a lot less gangsta jokes and stereotypes, expecially in the leading roles.
Niko Bellic is a survivor and states over and over that crime is not his life, he’s in Liberty City for revenge or, in my book, for justice. He embraces crime because he needs connection, work and to stay alive. He has apparently no choice, but the game is surprisingly good to let you make the right choice even in the worst circumstances.
The distinguishing point from the past crap, it’s the script. It’s so good that the experience is intensely cinematic and you’re caught more often than not to crave for another episode, more than mission. It’s like Sopranos, with a tint of noir and lots of social critics. Something you wouldn’t expect, basing your judgement on the past teenage-teasing GTAs.
Technically, the game is a bit of a let down, aside cut-scenes animations (with poor lighting and shadowing) and a really good physics engine (with lots of limitations in the area that borderlines animations and physical interaction: you can’t seem to be able to close a car door or open an house door without bumping into it, which is cheap), the game is not really turning tables on graphics. The engine does a lot better on creating a believable, lively and realistic enviorment, instead of indulging on the small graphical details, like realistic trees or better shadows (maybe the less solid aspect of the whole game).
