Not entirely new news, but if you missed out on reports from GDC on the next instalment of the GTA series, then here is what you have to look forward too.
The latest instalment of the Grand Theft Auto series by Rockstar looks set to be one of the biggest releases this generation. The game features improved graphics, new gameplay features and a whole lot more, making it a living, breathing city that is absolutely amazing to witness.
The main character is Eastern-European hard man Niko Bellic, who has arrived in the USA hoping for a new life. GTA IV returns to Liberty City, which has had a major overhaul and is the most detailed GTA world yet. Liberty City now consists of four boroughs, plus the area surrounding the city, for players to explore.
In terms of size, Liberty City is huge. It is said to have more city streets than any other game in the genre. To go through Brooklyn and Central Park it is rumoured to take around 10 minutes by car. The majority of buildings in the game can be interacted with, though you cannot enter every one. You can interact with most of them by either climbing onto rooftops, up stairways, through fire escapes or partial interiors, making this the most interactive environment to date.
The pedestrian population in GTA IV becomes more dense depending on the space you are in, and don’t expect them to walk around doing nothing. If they see you with a gun in your hand they aren’t going to like it, and anyone with a phone can report you to the police. Also, if you are late for meetings, or fail to do errands or help someone, they will get upset with you. If you do, however, perform these tasks well, you will be rewarded with things that can help you in the game, such as weapons, vehicles and the like.
The pedestrians in the game also like to put up a fight. If you try to carjack someone without a gun, don’t expect the driver to give up the car easily,; in fact, they may even beat you up. Each person in the game is said to have their own unique personality and lead a life of their own. When stealing a car it is not just a simple case of going up to it and opening the door anymore - when breaking into stationary vehicles you must first smash the window with L1 and then you need to interact with the car’s wiring before it will even start.
The games controls are very similar to previous games, but now you can press circle to punch and square to kick, with the R1 button used for cover in intense shoot-outs. Niko has three speeds of movement, basic walk, light jog and fast sprint. It’s rumoured that you can also climb certain areas by using the square button in a similar way to Assassins Creed.
Technology features a lot in the game with Niko using a mobile phone with contacts; also to keep up to date on missions. The phone can be accessed by pressing down on the d-pad. It’s also rumoured that Niko can use an internet cafe to access the web. Mini-games have always featured heavily in the series and this new title contains plenty of them, including bowling and darts.
This is looking like one impressive title and we for one can’t it for it to arrive. To check out the latest clips from the game head to GameTrailers and the official site for a map of Liberty City and some of the games main characters.
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