Ben-DutkaI wonder what Sony is going to do to keep the PS4 excitement high after Microsoft announces the new Xbox this month…
One detail about Grand Theft Auto V is concerning me
There's no doubt that Grand Theft Auto is one of my all-time favorite franchises. I'm not sure how many total hours I invested into GTAIII, Vice City , San Andreas and GTAIV, but it's easily over 300 hours.
And one of the reasons I've always loved it is because you're this lone wolf, this one man army with an entire city as your playground. You don't ever worry about anyone else because it's just you. So when I heard that we'd be hiring AI squad mates for heists in GTAV, I was immediately irritated. I really can't stand RTS games and while GTAV certainly isn't a strategy title, outfitting units and commanding them in the field sounds suspiciously like Rainbow Six or something. I'm sorry, I just have no interest in working with others or – as a consequence – worrying about others when I'm playing GTA.
I know some gamers really think it's a great addition, and it adds dimension and depth. I'm not arguing that. But I think we've already gotten plenty realistic enough, haven't we? I loved GTAIV but a part of me missed the crazy over-the-top action from previous titles, and now GTAV is sounding more and more like a big, sprawling crime simulator of some kind. I don't care about squad mates; I don't want help. I want to take down everything all by my lonesome; that's the point of GTA! I just have to hope this hiring allies crap is optional, and that I can do every heist on my own if I want.
They say they made no compromises with Watch Dogs PS4, but…
Well, it's a nice thing to say. Until you turn it around and consider it from the other angle: If you're calling the PlayStation 4 version of Watch Dogs a "truly no compromises experience," then isn't it safe to assume that the PS3 version does make some compromises? I mean, of course it would have to as the older system isn't as powerful as the new machine. I get that. But is that really the message you want to be sending? I think the biggest issue people are going to have with cross-generational titles is that they'll kinda feel coerced. It's almost like saying- "If you want what is by far the best version of this game, you have to buy expensive new hardware." It's hard to convince hardcore gamers to "settle," you know? They want the best of the best, and it almost sounds like Watch Dogs absolutely has to be played on next-gen platforms.
Of course, it makes you wonder about the other cross-gen games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Call of Duty: Ghosts . There's nothing saying the games won't be great on the PS3/360, but those who don't spring for the new consoles immediately might feel a little left out. They might feel as if they're playing the "secondary" version, or something like that. I love that so many big titles will be available on current and next-gen consoles, but some gamers might say, "Okay, they're forcing my hand."
Personal gaming update
I can definitively say I will not be playing any more of Star Trek: The Video Game . One word- junk. Besides, I'm taking my time with Tomb Raider . I want to get all the collectibles this time around, and I really want to savor the experience, as I did with Bioshock Infinite . I think I'm well positioned to remain caught up throughout the summer, as the only game I really desperately want is The Last Of Us . Metro: Last Light and Fuse could be great, but I can't see either taking up a huge amount of play time. I still wish Insomnaic was doing a new Resistance (can't hold out much hope for a reboot on the PS4, as the series never sold well), but Fuse has promise. That villains trailer was worth seeing.
By the way, don't sleep in the new Metro . That could be a definite diamond in the rough; just ask those who played and enjoyed Metro 2033 .
I think GTA is just trying too hard to be a realistic action/adventure crime drama. It's not about fun anymore. You'll probably get to do those missions on your own and I'm sure anybody you hire will just be AI muscle.
I think the cross-gen games are going to cause a lot of console sales because there will be general confusion when the average uninformed gamer finds out he can't play his PS3 version with his friends who have the PS4 version. Those games are NEVER true next gen experiences anyway so the most you can really hope for is better graphics on one version.
I'm also kicking ass through Tomb Raider and it just gets better and better. I think I'm almost done because it has taken a turn and there are tons and tons of bad guys I can barely keep up with, that usually means the end. Also I'm having lots of laughs with Bulletstorm and am now sad that there won't be a franchise. It does a decent stand-in job for Duke Nukem, only without the awesomeness of that hero. We need irreverent FPS in all this military seriousness.
For some reason I forgot how much the posting here slows down in Spring and Summer, that's a bummer.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 5/4/2013 11:19:21 PM
Bulletstorm was bad-ass. 🙂
Rage is another non-military shooter well worth playing. It reminds me that I'm not as much worn on shooters as I am the military theme.
and the sooner the cross-generational games come and go the better. I'm trying to remember one's prior. There was Tomb Raider Legends. There was Splinter Cell Double Agent. Drawing blanks now.
RAGE is even more bad-ass than Bulletstorm.
Borderlands 2!
Yep, more bad-assery. 🙂
I hate the driving in Rage
Hail to u all!
Kudos to Rage
because the driving has fake physics, World?
"outfitting units and commanding them in the field sounds suspiciously like Rainbow Six or something. I'm sorry, I just have no interest in working with others or – as a consequence – worrying about others"
I'm confused: To me this sounds more like a core element of most RPGs than a strategy game…? Isn't this what setting up a team in a RPG is all about?
Well, it could be an RPG but if there's an action-oriented background behind it, like with GTA, I'd always call it more strategy; ala RTS.
That's why it would be way more like Rainbow Six than XCOM or something. And it definitely wouldn't be like any RPG I've ever played, I don't think.
It's a bit different putting gear on your people and giving them battle commands in an RPG versus screwing with tactical settings in a squad based shooter.
Which is why I don't think Rockstar will do that, I think it will be drone-like people with good AI. I mean they haven't even put in a decent hand-to-hand fighting system yet so there's no way they could pull that off.
Sure, a strategic game has a bigger emphasis on strategy. But a team-based RPG has *major* components of real-time tactical gameplay too, and when I use my entire team in very tactical ways to succeed through the harder parts of those RPGs I really can't say there is much of a practical difference between the two genres, *especially* when using the pause-and-command feature in games like Dragon Age. I just think it's a bit strange to hate one and love the other.
But anyway: Bottom line is that I see this as more of a step towards RPG (a genre they *clearly* flirted with in GTA:SA) than a step towards RTS, and I totally love it. GTA:SA made me hope for them to experiment further with the RPG genre in their next game.
… Instead they gave us GTA4.
But now, for each new piece of info about GTA5 I more and more get the feeling this will be the spiritual successor to GTA:SA.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2013 3:05:08 AM
I'm thinking that the hired goons will be more like bullet sponges taking the bullet for their "boss". Kind of (but not really) like when you'd go to the ammo store in other GTA games to buy armour. So you should be able to pass the mission without hiring any more goons, it'll just be more difficult.
Yeah something like that Simcoe, I'm thinking in the same way. Actually it will then be a bit like the crew feature in Saints Row, where you can call them to come over when things are a bit too rough.
But I think/hope it will be a bit more than just that. I'm thinking maybe you will need to be able to afford certain weapons and equip your crew with that in order to raise your chances of success. Plus I hope you can have those same goons around you as part of your gang, not just random spawns.
A bit "rpg light" over it, that's what I am hoping for.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2013 11:20:48 AM
I'm sorry Beamboom, but a turn-based RPG and a real-time tactical strategy game just don't feel the same at all. I mean, they're not even close for me.
And I also don't want GTA to be an RPG. That's the LAST thing I want. GTA should be GTA.
No-one talk about turn-based here, Ben. I do of course compare the strategic parts of real-time RPGs with real-time strategy games.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/6/2013 2:59:58 PM
I'm probably not going to get into the ps4 for some time. More focused on all the things I want to do with the ps3. Also, if objectively it's still a great game on ps3, I'm likely to get AC4 on ps3. If anything is tugging on me right now it's thief.
PGU: started up a new character on Dark Souls and I'm thinking about Dante must die mode. Oh and I made a little progress with Okami. I really want to finish all that before I get something new.
Well you are always going to need more than one person to set up a heist. The getaway driver, the explosives expert, the hacker, and so on. One of the missions even takes notes from Heat. Almost point for point from what I hear. In the film, the heist could not have been done by oneself. Didn't forget about the the bank heist in four. That one was pretty good as well. Four was grittier and more realistic than the others, but from what I saw in five they are bringing a lot of what people liked in San Andreas back. Doing crazy things is always up to your imagination when it comes to gta games.
I recommend anyone who loved the tv show twin peaks to give deadly premonition directors cut a try. I picked it up along with soul sacrifice this tuesday and as addicting as soul sacrifice is i havnt been able to put DP down. Very strange japanese game it is.
Last edited by SayWord on 5/5/2013 12:50:40 AM
Yeah I want that game, I forgot how much it was but it seemed kinda spensive and I might wait for a discount.
I just beat Tomb Raider, then I watched the credits… out of respect.
Oh man I know what you mean. That feeling.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2013 4:08:48 AM
I don't get it. I always watch the ending credits, but was there something special about Tomb Raider's ending?
No, the point of my remark was that I watched it out of respect for the devs because it was so good. The credits aren't exactly exciting and the only reason I usually watch them is to see if they add to the ending of the game afterward. They didn't in this case but it was okay.
PGU:
Still Bioshock Infinite and loving every second of it. My only concern is that the game seems to be a *tad* too easy – at least so far. But I don't really mind that.
But while I've played it this week I've been thinking: It would be interesting to play the PS3 version as comparison, just to see what difference it would make. My theory: Very little.
Cause really, although the graphics are really crisp and clear on the PC it's not the *graphics* that makes this game so fantastic: It's the artistry, everything from the writing to the acting to the world design to the characters.
So what I'm thinking is that this game might work as yet another example of how graphics is *not* the most important thing of a game. I just don't see how I in any way would enjoy this game *less* on the PS3 than I do on the PC.
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/5/2013 4:04:17 AM
I agree, I can only speak for the PS3 version but there's nothing special about the graphical fidelity of Infinite, it's how it uses visuals creatively that matters and what makes it look great. Contrary to whatever Crytek says.
The only thing I'm surprised about is they never bothered to put a flashlight in Bioshock, I think you could use that already great lighting in news ways.
I guess I'm the opposite of you Ben, because that news actually makes me more excited for GTA5. The thing that makes me hesitant about it is that Rockstar will try to recapture the Saints Row market and make it too silly again. I'd much rather have something more akin to the Wire or the Sopranos than another San Andreas.
And as for cross gen, I think it's a bad idea all around. One way or another, you're going to disappoint someone. I'm just glad devs seem to be in favour of disappointing the people who DIDN'T just fork over $500 for a new system. Can't say I blame them.
PGU: Went back to Tropico 4. It's pretty fun, but my ADD I'd starting to kick in so I'm thinking about starting up a new game of Divine Divinity. Played that several times, but for some reason, never finished it. Since Original Sin finished their Kickstarter recently, I'd like to play through the Divinity series before OS releases.
Last edited by dmiitrie on 5/5/2013 5:44:29 AM
dunno about hiring help, that could go both ways depending on how good the AI is.
if the AI is good enough it just gives you another window into the game, and can really help the character development.
look what irrational did with booker and elizabeth, the game wouldent be half as special without her!
the no compromises is just typical PR BS!
its a cross platform game, they HAVE to make compromises!
otherwise if they truly built the game to max the ps4 it would be a real headache bringing it down to current systems.
speaking of next gen systems one thing i REALLY hope becomes standard next gen is cross platform saves.
there are SO many games out there i want to replay again on PC but refuse to buy them because id have to start all over again.
tomb raider the prime example i really want to get that on PC and play through it again, but i dont want to have to start all over again and loose all my upgrades and progress.
another prime example dead island riptide, such a rubbish game, but im having so much fun with it i wish i could get it on PC!
but again if i do say bye bye to all my character and weapon upgrades, let alone having to redo all the missions ive already done would be torture!
especially now with all platforms running off the same architecture cross platform saves should really be a cinch!
it will be so nice being able to start a game on one platform, than continue it on another.
last light WILL be a freaking masterpiece!
so cant wait, from what ive played its so much darker and scarier than what 2033 was!
the added stealth to the game just makes it that much more deep and suspenseful.
i just hope they have fixed up the ammo spawning system, its so f*cking frustrating when games give you 5 bullets to kill 100000 enemies!
kinda impossible……..
i was replaying through tomb raider to try 100% it but ive lost interest.
one thing i really hated about the game was everything has no point to it.
the tombs give you useless items, the collectibles give you drivel that make NO sense to the story!
you just feel like your doing all this work for nothing, and no one likes working without pay!
if im going to do something you need to give me a incentive, a reason and reward to do so.
sadly tomb raider doesnt, it just puts these things in the game for the sake of it if you do them great, if you dont great.
whatever.
especially hurtful and disappointing because exploration and puzzle solving is the heart and soul, the point of tomb raider!
hell, its in the freaking name!!!!!!!
really dying for metro last light to come out im so freaking bored theres nothing to play!
either finished everything, or dont want to play whatever i havent.
been trying to use the down time to finish darksiders 2 but thats like visiting a long lost relative, then you finally catch up and remember exactly why you have not seen them for so long.
Well, the thing is, what is the incentive to buy it on the PS4 if it isn't better than the PS3 version?
It would probably look bad as well, making a game on the new system, and not have it be any better than the older system.
Last edited by Akuma_ on 5/5/2013 8:59:32 AM
I wonder what the final take will be on the cross gen title idea a few years down the road. It will probably be good for sales but not so much for the hardware max out. But then again when are the launch titles ever close to what we get at the end of the gen. Cross Gen is more like an even more watered down multi-plat game, or so I hope not.
PGU!!: Long since done with Rising. It's hard, but not as hard I initially thought it was. I wonder if this will take over DMC? Good lord the dialog and story were painful to watch. Will thwart the VR missions later.
For now it's all about DE:HR and Skyrim. I gave up on the stealth kills only on DE. I've already done that and I just don't have the time, so now I just run in guns blazing and bad ass my way to the computer emails. Did anyone notice that the bottom floor of the Picus HQ is the 33rd floor? Story is better than I remember. Even some of the side quest contribute the center plot.
Skyrim is still overly addicting. I'm not going to divulge into that front. Sure wish my PC would get some better frame rate though.
And in my spare time I also enjoy trying (but always failing) to play Twisted Metal online.
If titles for the new generation of hardware (PS4) were not "Better" than the old generation (PS3), then what would the point of upgrading be? Both Sony, MS want people to buy their new hardware and games help facilitate this! So yeah, I expect the PS3 version to not be as "good" (whatever that means – resolution??) as the PS4 version.
I wouldn't be too worried about the recruit-able AI. It probably will be implemented in a very streamlined way. There is just no way that Rockstar is going to alienate their core demographic by overly complicating things.
It might even work as simply as the assassin hiring worked in AC3.
I mean it would be interesting if they made it like Brothers in Arms where you asked for covering fire, and had your squad assault enemy cover but I really doubt this is what we are going to be seeing, even though I would personally prefer that more.
There was a game a long time ago called on the PS2 called Freedom fighters. It had a really well implemented squad AI system that was super easy to command and didn't distract from the gunplay. IMO it is one of the best TPS games I've played ever, and I think that if they followed that games squad system they would be sitting pretty good.
Over all I wouldn't worry about it Ben. Going lone wolf is fun as heck, but I for one am glad they are trying something new and ambitious. Not a lot of devs are willing to take risks so I commend them for this.
You know rockstar will implement it well so dont fret.