GTA IV  Preview for Xbox 360

- Luke, Staff Writer

Monday, April 09, 2007

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Title: GTA IV .............................................. System: Xbox 360 .............................................. Genre: Action/Adventure .............................................. Publisher: Take-Two Interactive .............................................. Developer: Rockstar Games .............................................. Release: 10/16/07 .............................................. Online: Yes .............................................. ESRB: Rating Pending (RP) .............................................. After weeks of agonizing waiting, the GTA IV trailer was finally released on the 29th of March. Anybody ,and everybody wanted a piece of the action, and rightfully so. The GTA series has become world renowned for its stylish, but effective gameplay. The concept of a new game running on consoles of unbelievable power is a frightening, but tantalizing prospect. After viewing the trailer, it is easy to see just why 'things will be different' in this brand new title. First and foremost, the game takes place in the all too familiar landscape of Liberty City. However, although many landmarks will be instantly recognizable to fans of the series, a vast majority of it will not be, as Rockstar has developed the city from the ground up. There will be a magnitude of new places to visit, as well as the aforementioned usual haunts. One example quickly demonstrated in the trailer was a bustling contemporary view of Times Square, with added GTA-esque posters, and civilians. Literally dozens of people can be seen walking along the street, with trademark New York taxis zooming past the roads. Aside from the obvious references to an alternate city, this particular section had all the feel and presence of the real thing. It should be incredibly interesting when Rockstar are able show more of the game. This time round, scale will have a massive impact of the world. Just watching the trailer makes you think about just how big the game is. Buildings tower above the streets, with outstandingly well designed spires, and office buildings being the centerpiece of the view. Bridges in particular are four or five times bigger than they were in any other GTA game thus far. The scope of everything in the game world is unbelievable, and it is going to be a real joy discovering every inch of Liberty City. Although the trailer didn't really show much of the game aside from the setting, we do know tidbits about the new main character. Stepping off a ferry, we can obviously make the assumption that he is an immigrant, and that is only enforced further given his coarse, Russian accent. Whilst not being the badass thug we have come to expect from the series, we can see he is a man of a dark background, as he makes references to having killed and sold people. It is not yet known whether any actual character customization will be allowed, but it is a safe bet for some degree to be included. Regardless, you can be sure that Rockstar will do their best to really make you connect with the character you are given. Graphically, the game is stunning, especially given the scale and scope of the city. GTA IV runs on Rockstar's RAGE engine, the same engine which ran Rockstar Presents: Table Tennis for the Xbox 360. That was a graphical masterpiece, and so is this. Even more so , as the game has to render everything at a much larger rate. Buildings are very well designed, and have some stunning texture work. Characters are also very impressively detailed, with skin in particular being a main point of attention. Likewise, the lighting has been given a complete overhaul, and features some fantastic high-dynamic range effects. Shadows will cast realistically, and the sun will give a beautiful orange glow off everything as it starts to set. The visuals are made only more stunning given the fact that the game isn't even completed yet. If you thought GTA IV was simply going to be a rehashed, but good looking upgrade to the previous installments, think again. Rockstar has gone all out to showcase their amazing talents in this particular genre. Make no mistake about it, GTA IV WILL be the biggest game this year, behind Halo 3. If Rockstar delivers on what they have set out to do, it will quite easily be the biggest and most successful GTA game yet. that is a prospect that is too good to be true.