Ben-DutkaWe can't be too far away from a Grand Theft Auto V unveiling, and I've been wondering about how Rockstar will approach this new project.
While I will always maintain that GTAIV is one of the best games of the generation, I understand the rift it caused between long-time hardcore fans of the franchise. People complained about the inability to do crazy arcade-y stuff and weren't too keen on the more authentic atmosphere; in other words, I think people sort of connected with the almost cartoony aspect of previous installments.
Of course, they were only that way due to a lack of hardware and technology capability, which is why we saw the darker, grittier, more realistic GTA entry on the next generation of consoles. The developers have always said they wanted to make it a more complete, atmospheric experience; they wanted to lose the idea that GTA was almost like a caricature of big-city, over-the-top violence. However, what if that's what the fans truly desire? What if they want something more like Just Cause , which features some seriously insane gameplay thanks to a totally un realistic grappling hook? But at the same time, don't the hardcore gamers want extra realism in other games, like shooters and action experiences…?
I mean, given the technology Rockstar has at their disposal now, I think they have a choice. I'm just wondering how people would respond to something like Vice City 2 , with all the same silliness, only…prettier. I imagine it has to be quite the topic of conversation amongst GTA aficionados; just look at what happened when GTAIV arrived. It was a little different in terms of atmosphere and style, and it really didn't go over well with some fans who sorta went, "hey…this isn't GTA."
I said something similar at first but I quickly came 'round to the correct way of thinking: "hey, this isn't GTA…it's a much better GTA." Granted, my favorite will probably always be Vice City but that's just because I'm an '80s fiend (very subjective, I know). But what say you? What should Rockstar do with GTAV? Got some ideas?
