Sunday, March 23, 2008
10 things to do when you get GTA IV [part 2]
4. Set stuff on fire
The little pyromaniac in all of us will love the amazing new flame and explosion effects in GTAIV. Cause enough damage to a car and it'll burst into flames. Initially you'll just see a few flames licking up out of the bonnet and around the tires, but the flames will spread quickly and it's often possible to see the unfortunate occupants jump out of the car and flail around as they desperately try to put out the fire engulfing them.
It is possible for several cars to catch fire, eventually exploding in showers of flames and carparts, with huge plumes of smoke rising from the wreck. Best. Explosions. Ever.
Oh, and in case you weren't already buzzing from the sound of that you should be impressed to hear Niko was. Notice the attention to detail as after the explosions had gone off you will hear the game making that post-explosion ringing sound you'll really hope you never get to hear in real life.
3. Nail the new drive-bys
If there's one thing Saints Row got right it was the whole '360 aiming while driving' mechanic and you'll be happy to see a modified version of it appear in GTA IV. So long as you've got either a pistol, an Uzi or some grenades you can hit LB while driving to smash the window with your elbow and aim weapons through it. Just like previous GTA games you can control the camera with the right stick, while steering with the left, allowing you to aim your guns at enemies in any direction.
The best thing about this new aiming technique is that you can catch up to and gun down running enemies much easier now that you don't have to line the side of your car right up beside them. You'll be capping some running enemies pretty easily on your first attempt but you'll probably tagg a random person with our pistol by accident. But don't expect him to just let you go. He'll pull out an Uzi and opened fire on our car. Damn GTA and its frustrating (but totally awesome) unexpected AI outbursts.
Naturally you'd turned this random thug's intervention to your advantage by ploughing our car into him, getting out and grabbing his Uzi, then using it to cut through the remaining enemies you were chasing.
2. Cooking grenades
As well as the traditional Uzi and pistol drive-bys it's now possible to throw grenades out the window to make a mess of any vehicles on your tail. By glancing behind you while driving (clicking the right stick in) you can judge how long you need to cook the grenade so that it will explode right under the cars trailing you. Taking out enemy vehicles with a single well-timed grenade toss feels great and looks absolutely spectacular thanks to those sexy new flame effects.
If there's one thing Saints Row got right it was the whole '360 aiming while driving' mechanic and you'll be happy to see a modified version of it appear in GTA IV. So long as you've got either a pistol, an Uzi or some grenades you can hit LB while driving to smash the window with your elbow and aim weapons through it. Just like previous GTA games you can control the camera with the right stick, while steering with the left, allowing you to aim your guns at enemies in any direction.
The best thing about this new aiming technique is that you can catch up to and gun down running enemies much easier now that you don't have to line the side of your car right up beside them. You'll be capping some running enemies pretty easily on your first attempt but you'll probably tagg a random person with our pistol by accident. But don't expect him to just let you go. He'll pull out an Uzi and opened fire on our car. Damn GTA and its frustrating (but totally awesome) unexpected AI outbursts.
Naturally you'd turned this random thug's intervention to your advantage by ploughing our car into him, getting out and grabbing his Uzi, then using it to cut through the remaining enemies you were chasing.
2. Cooking grenadesAs well as the traditional Uzi and pistol drive-bys it's now possible to throw grenades out the window to make a mess of any vehicles on your tail. By glancing behind you while driving (clicking the right stick in) you can judge how long you need to cook the grenade so that it will explode right under the cars trailing you. Taking out enemy vehicles with a single well-timed grenade toss feels great and looks absolutely spectacular thanks to those sexy new flame effects.
1. Go nuts with a rocket launcher
Messing about with a rocket launcher was already pretty great in the previous GTAs but it just feels so right now. Squeeze the trigger and a rocket will tear through the sky, leaving behind it those insanely cool spiralling trails of smoke, before it slams into your target (probably a car) causing unprecedented destruction as panels, doors and tyres explode violently in all directions. Did I mention you can also blindfire rockets? Bet you'd want one now.
Closing Comments
Rather than focusing on a list of new bullet point features Rockstar has introduced GTAIV by giving us a series of progressively longer and more detailed visits to Liberty City. Each time you return you'll discover how the new elements like Euphoria animation have far broader implications than you would have originally realised.
GTAIV has strengthened and deepened the believability of its world far beyond any of its competitors and in doing so has revitalised the landmark series. Instead of using next-gen tech for purely cosmetic changes Rockstar has used its tech to amp up the realism of all aspects and in doing so has created an experience that just feels right.
Messing about with a rocket launcher was already pretty great in the previous GTAs but it just feels so right now. Squeeze the trigger and a rocket will tear through the sky, leaving behind it those insanely cool spiralling trails of smoke, before it slams into your target (probably a car) causing unprecedented destruction as panels, doors and tyres explode violently in all directions. Did I mention you can also blindfire rockets? Bet you'd want one now.
Closing CommentsRather than focusing on a list of new bullet point features Rockstar has introduced GTAIV by giving us a series of progressively longer and more detailed visits to Liberty City. Each time you return you'll discover how the new elements like Euphoria animation have far broader implications than you would have originally realised.
GTAIV has strengthened and deepened the believability of its world far beyond any of its competitors and in doing so has revitalised the landmark series. Instead of using next-gen tech for purely cosmetic changes Rockstar has used its tech to amp up the realism of all aspects and in doing so has created an experience that just feels right.
posted @ 3:59 AM
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