INB280 Game Analysis: Grand Theft Auto IV (PC)

Game Summary

The GTA series has always held a special place in my heart, more specifically the place I reserve for bitter loathing and contempt. And it’s nice to see GTA: IV is no exception.

Game analysis

It hard to explain, but of all the GTA games I’ve played, I’ve never actually felt myself enjoying them. Part of it is the story i.e. they all the same. Ok so sometimes you’re a betrayed U.S marine and sometimes you’re the banished son of a mobster family and sometimes you’re an obscure eastern European immigrant, but look at the Plot of any GTA game and it will always have you, starting on the bottom rung of the crime world, working your way towards revenge whilst forming your gang, selling drugs and running down as many pedestrians s you can get away with.

Which brings me to my next point game play. As a sandbox game GTA: IV’s game play is unstructured and relies heavily on the player to explore the world and create their own fun, however running down grannies on hijacked motorcycles quickly looses its appeal, after which your left with the story missions. And they’re all just variations of go her and kill every one, go here and steal shit or go here, steal shit and kill everyone.

And of course I couldn’t go through a GTA review without mentioning Auto aspect. Ok I admit the driving sections in GTA: IV are fun. Especially when the pigs are all over your ass and driving becomes a high-speed chase through backs streets. Unfortunately the fun of high-speed police chases isn’t enough to forgive the games other faults.

Conclusion

GTA remains a mystery to me, how a game that is so simplistic and samey could possibly be so popular is beyond me. come on Rock-star the least you could do is try and mix up the setting and plot. Although I hear their upcoming L.A. noire is going to be just that. So instead of cops and gangsters in liberty city it’s the detectives and mobsters in 1950's L.A., however I wouldn’t blame you if you end up holding out for mafia II instead.