Misc Gaming: Aspiring hope for Grand Theft Auto

By Alpha

(beeg imerican teeeeties)

A few months ago, I finished Grand Theft Auto IV. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. It probably is the game I have played the most on my 360. I never followed the hype or promotion of this game, and initially, I really wasn’t planning on buying it. I ended up purchasing it though, just to rekindle the old memories I had of raising hell in Grand Theft Auto III . I never finished GTA III, so I thought I’d do the same with IV. Do a couple missions here and there, throw in some codes, and for the rest of the time I’d just go insane, sandbox style.

My original intent eventually subsided. With Grand Theft Auto IV, I really became more interested in actually finishing and playing out the story, then just raising cane like I did in the previous Grand Theft Auto games. Rockstar definitely put out some effort into improving this franchise. Not only did they shift focus to the story and the missions, but they also polished up, added, and removed different game mechanics and elements to make the game much more enjoyable. Although Grand Theft Auto IV was definitely a step up both technologically and in depth from the other games in the series, it is still not without it’s faults.

Grand Theft Auto IV gave me great hope for the interactive future of stealing cars, killing people, and picking up sluts. I’d love to see this franchise improve and possibly even fairly earn that 10 spot from mass game reviews. I doubt that anyone at Rockstar will ever read this, but as for Grand Theft Auto V and the future of this series, here is what I’m hoping for.

Misc. Media – Sightseeing in Liberty City

by Beeslo

(Will eat for work)

A lot of us have already taken in the majority of Liberty City’s tourist spots, gazing at the enormous metropolis that Rockstar created for its gamers. Did you find the “heart” in the “Statue of Liberty?” Weird, isn’t it? But I dunno how many people have actually noticed the insane amount of detail Rockstar has put into their virtual city. Have you noticed them all? Well if you aren’t familar with NYC, then chances are you probably missed them. But not to worry, one man took the time to showcase many of New York City’s tourist locations and compared them to their virtual counterparts. Below is just one of the many amazing comparisons and at times, it gets hard to tell which is real and which is virtual. Check out the rest HERE!

Under the Knife Special: Grand Theft Auto IV – Panteraftw’s Take

by Panteraftw

(Officially Beeslo’s Bitch)

Welcome to my Under The Knife special of GTA IV. Beeslo did a good job with his take yesterday, but I’ll be touching upon different points. Enjoy!

I’ll start off by stating my favorite thing about this game: the atmosphere. I simply cannot play Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, or San Andreas and receive a similar experience after playing GTA IV. None of those games delivers that same feeling of immersion; rather than merely placing you in a cold, flat city with faceless morons walking back and forth on a single block, GTA IV creates not only a detailed map and environment, but a certain polished atmosphere that makes you truly feel as if you are roaming New York City (though it is named Liberty City in the game).

This is partly due to the excellent graphics and surprisingly consistent framerate, but I think it goes beyond that. It’s that perfect combination of impressive visuals, creative filters and effects, excellent sound design, smart AI, and thorough programming that truly makes this game what it is: an epic must-own game.

Under the Knife Special: Grand Theft Auto IV – Beeslo’s Take

by Beeslo (wishes his phone was as cool as Niko’s)

Welcome to the Under the Knife Special for Grand Theft Auto IV! What makes this so special? Well for one, its freakin’ GTA IV! And on top of that, you will be getting not one review but three reviews given by myself, panteraftw and HassMD followed by a special “nitpick” review by Kaiserhawk.

Misc. Gaming – Man Attempts to Break GTA World Record! 25 Hours!!!

by Beeslo

(Number of World Records defeated = zero)

I’ll make this real quick. Starting at 5PM (Pacific), L.A. based webshow host “Jim” (of bushleague.tv) is attempting to set a new world’s record by playing the new Grand Theft Auto IV for 25 consecutive hours. At 6PM today, we will know whether or not he survived driving around Liberty City for over a day in real life (wonder how many days will have passed in game?).

Apparently live web feeds and updates are being provided at the website.

Also it should be noted that a real paramedic has been requested to stand by in case 25 hours of hooker killin’ makes him…well…dead.

Source

 Live video can be seen HERE!

 

 

Stabbity Stab Stab, GTA IV, Waiting Line, Dude

By Alpha

(Head back to Animal Village)

While waiting in line for GTA IV at a gamestation in South London, a hooded man who was also waiting stabbed a passing 23 year old man repeatedly. 50-100 people were waiting in line while the asshole convicted his crime and many of them contacted the police. The victim was found a short distance from the gamestation and was taken and treated at a hospital for multiple stab wounds.

The cops are currently looking for a

light skinned black man aged about 21, 6ft 5ins tall, of medium build wearing a light grey hooded top

Source

Trailer Anatomy – Grand Theft Awesome! (a GTA4 Special)

by Beeslo (carjackin’ people since 2001)

Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer Special

“But Beeslo, some of us geeks don’t like movies. We are anime and videogame addicts, what gives?”

Yeah, yeah. Okay, well now seems a good time as any for us to take a break from the movies that grace the silver screen and focus our scalpels to videogame trailers that appear on our small 16″ TV’s in our parent’s basement. Its hard to say that GTA4 hasn’t been on everyone’s minds lately. First it was delayed last October and we were told we’d have to wait about 6 months for initial release. Thankfully for me, that 6 months went by rather quickly and tonight we will all be able to taste the goodness that is GTA 4! For those of you out there that felt like tonight couldn’t get here quick enough were treated to many trailers, clips and tv spots for GTA4 that were released over the past few months, which in the end only accomplished you wanting it all the more. Now thats great marketing.

Well here you go! Someone took the liberty of merging all four of the trailers into one video…someone made my job a lot easier!

Trailer #1 – “Things Will Be Different”

Our first vision of Liberty City, we are treated to many scenes showcasing the scenery. Nothing much more than that, but at the same time…anymore would have blown our minds. I remember when this came out, a lot of people (myself included) thought that this was in no way in game footage but instead a pre-rendered trailer a la Call of Duty 2. Man, were we wrong and thats what makes this brief trailer amazing. Bonus points if you can guess the homage being paid in the trailer when comes to the direction and music selection.

Final Grade: A-

Trailer #2 – “Looking For That Someone Special”

Another brilliantly done trailer, this time we are treated to a little more of our main protagonist in the game. Once again we are shown nothing but in-game shots (along with some cut-scenes) that just dazzle the eye and salivate the mouth. The music in this trailer also does a terrific job matching the themes and tone of the game.

Final Grade: B+

Trailer #3 – “Move Up Ladies”

Very much like Trailer #2, “Move Up, Ladies” features more of the main character but also starts to delve a little into the plot of GTA IV. The action scenes are appropriately edited with the music and the plot is leaked at well timed instances. We still know not a lot about the plot other than Niko has come to America due to false promises given by his cousin. Obviously he find that he’s gonna work hard to find his American dream.

Final Grade: B

Trailer #4 – “Everyone’s a Rat”

This final trailer leads into more cut scenes, but sadly it offers nothing new as far as plot goes…so I guess you’ll find that all out when you play it tomorrow. However, we are treated to a lot of awesome action scenes which are oddly edited to some Eastern European music. To me its all sorta anti-climatic. It does make you want to play the game, but it doesn’t leave you with frothing fevor to break into a GameStop before midnight and steal a copy. So I’d have to say its a rather weak final trailer.

Final Grade: C+

Well so there you go. Something to tide you over for…oh…at least 2 hours. See you in line!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this Trailer Anatomy…What? Part 2? Yep, there’s gonna be a Part 2.

Wish Come True: Miracle Surgery – Episode 2

by Link
(Enjoys hearing the sound of his own voice.)

(DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST NAO!!!!)

On today’s episode, we discuss:

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Gaming News

Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People

WiiFit

Samba de Amigo Wii

We Cheer

GTA IV

Mario Kart Wii

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Anime News

Eureka 7 Movie

Captain Harlock Korean Live Action Movie

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagaan Movie

Ghost in the Shell: 3D Live Action Movie
Death Note Live Action Movie – American Release

Spring Anime Listing

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Be sure to leave lots of feedback on the forum, and expect another episode on April 27th! Remember, if you’d like to be a guest on the show for April 27th’s podcast, just drop me, Link, a PM on our forums.

Bonus Game: Can you name those tunes used in the podcast?
Whomever guesses the most gets a shout out in April 27th’s podcast! ^_~

Notes from Last Week’s Podcast:
- iansanity made up the IrateGamer news. It is not true.
- Nobody guessed all the songs from the last podcast, a few people were close, so we changed the rules for this week’s game.

An Early Review of GTA IV…

by Beeslo

(Do I have friends in high places or what?)

I was about to go to bed before I happened upon an article a good friend of mine wrote for Ain’t It Cool News based out of Austin, TX. I recall talking to him last week, inviting him over for a poker game but he revealed to me that he was going to be busy in California for the site. What he was going to do over there, he did not say. Now I know. That bastard was going to play Grand Theft Auto 4!

Within his lengthy article found HERE, “Monki” talks about all the incredible moments found in just the first 2 hours of playing. Apparently, the amount of detail in this game is unbelievable. At one instance during his gameplay, he happened to walk near an intersection with a traffic light that just turned red. At that moment, a cab rear ends a car waiting at the light. What happens is nothing short of incredible. The cabbie and  the other motorist get out of their respective cars and start yelling at each other. Soon the fists begin to fly and the two of them vent out their inner road rage. Eventually the police show up, break up the fight, put the cabbie in a patrol car and the other motorist returns to his car and drives off. This all happens while bystanders watch and other motorists angerly honk and shout for being held up. None of this was staged but was one of the many random moments that happens in Liberty City.

Monki also got a chance to sit down and play the multiplayer aspect of the game which also just sounds incredible. Be sure to read the article…