GTA IV

Re: GTA IV

Holy shit if this stuff on TV isn't hilarious! It's going to be sad when I go through all the shows they have. I just watched "I'm Rich" on CNT and nearly pissed myself. Rockstar should keep making this stuff and release editions of "Liberty City TV" on DVD. I'd buy it.

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I scored with Michelle after 2 dates on the PS3... Then on ther third date, I asked her to come up, and she told me off... lol

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I just got the same thing.
and for some strange reason said I "did something" and didn't want to see me for awhile.

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Same here, John. (XBox360 version). I guess that's a random thing. I didn't do anything "wrong" with the lovely Michelle.




P.S. What's your XBox360 gamer tag? I'd like to add you.

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Quick thoughts about GTA IV:

Graphically this game is unstoppable. Many times on missions I find myself stopping to just look around.

Definately not as fun as Vice City. That is still my favorite(characters, missions etc.) and actually I didn't expect that to change. You can't buy property in this game....what's up with that?

Beating people up is not fun anymore and quite slow going. I don't care that much except when a cop has you cornered, and you don't have a weapon handy.

Great game, but I don't understand how IGN rated this a perfect game when the 2 previous GTA title were even more fun to play.

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Try this.
When you want to do something with Roman(like darts, bowling)
Pick up Roman with a motorcycle and hear his reaction to you about picking him up with a motorcycle.
VERY FUNNY.

I LOVE the rainy day days.
Just love driving around with the radio on
driving around and seeing the city and people in the rain.

Also, I love walking around the city and looking to the left or right and seeing people in their windows shutting the blinds or turning the lights off/on.

I still think beating people up is fun.
I just had fun beating up a Rabbi.

Should we schedule a multi-player session soon?

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I spent a good few hours playing yesterday and I have to say
that I am liking the game a little more, but it does seem to get
very repetitious. I'll explain in a second.

The driving I have down pat. I can even drive responsibly while
drunk. Nothing like following a cop car all the way back to
Michelle's house. You even tap their car and you are arrested.

Speaking of Michelle....

Gone on two dates with her. The second date I took her to
the bar thinking that I'd get her drunk and then take advantage.
Turns out I was the one who got drunk instead.

Getting tired of constantly having to rescue Roman. The one
mission I am stuck on is rescuing him from loan sharks in the
park and then chasing their vehicle. I always lose their vehicle
and I have to repeatedly play that mission over and over again
in the midst of trying to score with Michelle. This is where it
gets repetitious. All the city driving back and forth is about as
tiring as driving in my own car all day.


Absolutely. Going to be a bit tough with the two separate platforms
though. I played a little multiplayer the other day and it was kind
of cool, though not as fun as COD4. Basically you run around
in constantly changing locales finding guns, getting run over by other
players, etc.

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Yup, this is where I'm stuck, and will probably be stuck there forever. I'm just not coordinated enough to successfully round corners at the speed necessary to complete the mission.

This is typical for me with the GTA games, I get stuck early in the game, and just spend my time tooling around until one of my better coordinated friends unlocks the rest of the game and gives me a "saved game" file so I can enjoy the rest of the terrain.

So, I turned off the cell phone, jacked a motorcycle at the airport parking garage, and am just tooling around the city for now.

In "Vice City," I was never able to complete the mission where I had to enter the country club without weapons and kill the mobster on the golf course. Even with a cheat that allowed me to get in WITH weapons, his goons always surrounded my golf cart, and if I was lucky to make it past them, it was never in time to catch the boss.

In "San Andreas," I got stuck on an early "drive-by" mission, and was never able to see the entire game map until a friend's game save unlocked it for me.

I don't even remember where I got stuck in GTA3...

Has everyone ridden the subway? I think it's exceptionally well-done, except it seems you get charged based on the distance you travel, which kinda sucks when Niko only has about 30 bucks on him...

Re: GTA IV

...and, Don, it's that sort of "stuck on play" that makes you migrate
away from the game and go to another. If I can't beat it today I
will probably just use GTA4 for online play. Much simpler.

They should have just let you bypass that mission yet penalize
you as a result.

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I would like that, but I think you and I (and maybe several others in this thread) are a bit older than the demographic that video games are "intended" for. Your average teenager usually has a lot more free time they can devote to this sort of game, and I think a feature like that would be too "tempting" to resist using too often, then they would start complaining that the game "sucked" or was "too easy."

I'd prefer if there were no "timed" or "chase" missions, but I guess it's the whole point of the game, isn't it? I think what I need is a "Sunday Drive Auto" game...

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That's it! I quit GTA4.

I could not beat the Roman in the park scene and
what makes matters worse is that instead of just
letting me repeat the game play in the park I have
to keep going back to getting in the car and making
the drive.

I am also disappointed there is no GAME SAVE at any
point you wish to do so.

I am just getting bored. Time to move on.

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I understand your frustration. I am a huge GTA fan, and to be perfectly honest the missions(If I have to do one more "follow the car" mission, I'll scream) in IV are mostly boring.
It's mind boggling that a game this beautiful is so average. If it doesn't pick up soon, I may just trade it in at Gamestop.

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Not having the ability to save your game at any point is probably my #1 pet peeve about games in general (aside from the ones that DO let you do that, of course!). I can accept not being able to save in the middle of combat, but come on!

There's just no excuse at this point. If Oblivion lets you do it, then I don't see why ANY game couldn't.

Re: GTA IV

A different GTA IV question:

How does one perform a "wheelie" on a motorcycle in this game? I realize you have to get the bike up to a certain speed but how do you lift the handlebars (i.e. which control on the controller do you pull, push, press or ??) I've looked at all the control diagrams and I can't seem to find out what the control sequence is for a wheelie.

Thanks in advance.

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Pull back or forward on the left stick to control your positioning on the bikes.

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Thanks, Brian!

Off to the airport to do some wheelies.

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The beginning of the game is a bit slow, which is why OXM gave it a 9.5 apparently. It supposed to get better as the game goes on... after Little Jacob.

Which is actually where I'm stuck. I have rescued Roman, popped Michelle many times and rescued Little Jacob. I have Little Jacob, Demitri on my phone as well as Faust (I think his name is).

The problem is when I bring up the map, nobody is listed there. I lost LIttle Jacob somehow, when he is supposed to be an arms supplier for me. I call everyone (except Michelle) and get an answering machine. I can's seem to hook up with anyone anymore (again, except Michelle) and therefore I don't seem to get missions anymore. Did I do something wrong? Do I need to start over? If anyone can lend assidtance, it would be much appreciated.

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When you bring up names on the phone list, instead of calling them, highlight 'job' (works for Roman and LJ) and run some errands for them. Eventually, you should get another mission. Also may want to check your messages to make sure there's not an option for 'retry mission'.

The campaign does get stagnant at times, but is starting to get better. Even the life of the game seems to get more evolved as you carry on. Radio commercials, News alerts, passerby conversations, more cars available to jack.

As far as the car chase after saving Roman on the playground, it took me a few tries, but got it eventually. You don't have to ride the guys ass, just try to prevent him from getting too far out in front. Eventually he pulls over and tries to loose you by climbing some stairs into a warehouse. However, I must agree in that the 'chase' missions are frustrating and can eventually take the fun right out of things. Especially since like you guys, I don't have all of the time in the world to keep replaying them.

Not sure if you guys have tried the Cops N Crooks online game mode, but if you have enough buddies online with you, this can be very fun. One team is the cops, and one team are the crooks. The crooks have to make it to the escape way point, while the cops chase them and try to eliminate them. Hilarity often follows.

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Did you complete the Vlad series of missions (culminating in him getting whacked)? I was running Little Jacob missions and Vlad missions concurrently for a while and I ran into the same problem that you did with LJ disappearing off the radar (literally!). I even tried to go back to some earlier saves to pinpoint where LJ hangs out on the map and then apply this to a later save but to no avail. LJ still was a phantom.

"Hung Out To Dry" was the Vlad mission that caused me a lot of problems because I kept losing the damn laundromat guy in the car chase. But it was a learning experience and eventually I cornered him and won the mission. Then the rest of the "Vlad" series of missions were rather straightforward and introduced some other concepts like train riding, ladder climbing, roof jumping and branched decision making (let live or let die). When Vlad finally met his maker and I progressed on to the Dmitri/Michael missions all of a sudden I got a message from Little Jacob so I guess he's ready to wheel and deal.

I agree with those who are tiring of the car chases, especially since us "older" types don't have the game reflexes that we had 30 years ago. Some closer "saves" would be handy - especially since GTA 4 doesn't offer easy/normal/difficult modes but a "one size fits all" approach. However, in defense of the car chases, etc. these are not meant to be sail through exercises but learning experiences. The challenge is actually some of the charm to me. And if you get frustrated and just want to "sandbox" explore all the islands you can always dial up all the cell phone cheat numbers to make you immortal, unlock all islands, etc. etc. You just forfeit the ability to accumulate Achievement points during any "God Mode" play - which is perfectly logical given the circumstances.

And for those of you who are bailing out on GTA4 because of being stymied - give it a chance. The world really begins to open up and there are some amazing missions, side missions, interactions, etc. to be enjoyed.

I just wish that someone would create a game with the scope, depth and interaction of GTA4 without all the "adult" themes so I could show my grandchildren. Right now I can fully understand why there is a "Mature" rating for GTA4 (anyone who doesn't really hasn't been paying attention) but the concept of the gameplay really should be available to those under 18 on an "official" level (not that I'm suggesting that a GTA4 for Kiddies be produced.)

This is obviously the largest selling entertainment product in the history of all entertainment industries (Movies, Books, etc.) for a reason. It Rocks! And a huge amount of resources went into its creation (someone said over $100 million). I wonder who will take up the challenge (and the gamble) to create a title using the same principles and gameplay with a more "mainstream" rating.

I am by no means a prude (and I'm enjoying the hell out of GTA4 as an adult) but I see a great untapped market at the moment. I guess the industry walks before it runs. (And yes, I realize that there are some tamer games out there with marvelous worlds - some even are graphically superior) but GTA4 has raised the bar exponentially in terms of an overall immersion. With falling prices for speedier processors I can't wait until the next improvement in gaming comes along.

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I turned the "cell phone" off yesterday, jacked a motorcycle, and just went tooling around the area that's open to me. It's unreal how beautiful the game world is. I love the billboards, and don't think I've seen the same one twice.

I spotted a makeshift ramp at a construction site and made what I thought was a spectacular jump. I was absolutely sure I would be killed. There was slo-mo from four different angles, and jump was made from what appeared to be at least 500 feet. I landed PERFECTLY in traffic without damage to myself or the bike, and was silently applauding my success when I was "greeted" with the message "Not Good Enough." MAN, was I bummed...

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Is anyone else killing the 200 pigeons scattered all through out Liberty City?
I've only found about 5 of them.

It drives me crazy when I hear the "cooing" and can't find them

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Pretty good PS3 vs Xbox 360-comparison here:

Grand Theft Auto IV: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Special Article // None /// Eurogamer

The base resolution for this game seems to be actually 640p for PS3 and 720p for Xbox 360... (Plenty of talk into other forums about this)

Re: GTA IV

Hello All,

I found the problem of why I was "stuck" as I had to go to Faustin to do a mission. The "F" was on the radar but not on the map so I had to use that to find him. Once completed, Roman and Little Jacob appeared on the map again. Thanks to all who lent assistance.

After reading a few of the tips on line, I decided to restart the game to better manage my money and start paying attention to the pigeons, which apparently, you are supposed to kill. I am farther than I was before and the game is getting pretty addictive.

For Ron and others who are having trouble in the fighting and defense department.... if you go across the street from your first apartment there is a baseball bat you can pick up. This helps quite a bit when you have to defend Roman. Also in the same area but above on the billboard ledge, there is armor there you can get for further protection. It's a little tricky to get but there is a you tube video that demos hows to get it. Search on it and you'll find it.

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I briefly tested the game and I have to say that I´m not a huge fan of this type of game (last GTA-game that I truly played was probably "GTA2",though, so... ). So I kinda understand why some people don´t have energy to play this game through. It´s not that there´s nothing that *wrong* with the game (it looks great etc), it´s probably just that the "genre" and "style" are not that close to my heart.

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Just watched the YouTube video HERE

Thanks for the link, but, you gotta be kidding me. Who the hell
would have ever figured out that elaborate stunt and who has time
to go through the obstacles of obtaining the vest.

I did find the bat the second day playing the game.

My biggest gripe is the fact that you can't save the game right
at the point where you wish. I'm forever stuck on having to rescue
Roman at the park and I no longer wish to go through the initial
drive there just to save him. It's gotten so repetitive for me that
the game is no longer fun. I'm playing other things now.

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I agree with you. The practice of providing only "checkpoint saves" is irritating and stupid, however, you are going to have to get used to it if you intend to play many games. You would not believe how many games use only the "checkpoint save" as a feature. Ubisoft is especially bad for the practice.

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But you can save anytime you want in a safehouse.

Also, if you don't want to be "stuck" in a mission, can't you just fail it and choose to replay it later if you wish?

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I just got the game a couple of days ago, never played a GTA before, it's pretty fun. I don't understand some of the complaints here though, the game saves itself after each completed mission, if you haven't completed a mission then what is there to save?

Ron, you can take a taxi to any location in the game and skip the driving. Though I had to repeat that mission a few times too and it always started me off by the park, so that's a little weird.

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A lot of people justify the checkpoint save concept by claiming that games are too easy if you can save at any point.

My response to this is not communicable via family-friendly language.

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If you do your "flying rats" hunting at night, then one excellent clue (as with dropped weapons, ammo, etc.) is that the pigeons glow in red.

This helps identify locations. Sometimes you need a sniper rifle (picked up in the first Elizabet mission) or non-standard weaponry to reach the birds.