Grand Theft Auto 4-GTA IV-Maps, Previews, Reviews, Videos, Screenshots, and Cheats

[Chubz]

This thread contains previews, reviews videos and screenshots for theupcoming Rockstar game Grand Theft Auto IV

Hands On Preview from IGN:
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/855/855785p3.html

Australia, February 28, 2008 - It's been three and a half long years since the release of GTA: San Andreas but the time has finally come around for a hands-on session with the next chapter in the legendary franchise. We've already mentioned how vibrant and detailed the visuals are in our earlier previews, so this time the focus is purely on the gameplay. Below we'll spill the dirt on the GTAIV's biggest hands-on highlights – how we did them, and what they mean in the big picture.

1. Pick a fight
GTAIV's melee system had yet to be revealed in any previous demo so it seemed like the perfect place to start when we were handed the controller. Despite the Rockstar rep's warnings that we were in a rough neighbourhood where many people were likely to be packing concealed weapons we wasted no time opening up a can of biffo on the first bloke to walk past.

Once you've locked-on to an enemy you can choose between kicks, heavy and light punches and blocks. The three attacks can be strung together effectively but for the really devastating combos you'll want to tap the block button just before your opponent attacks, enabling you to dodge, then counterattack.

Two ducking gut punches followed by a spinning snap-kick to the head was the first vicious counterattack we tried but our favourite had to be a horribly painful looking kick in the testicles, then a nose-shattering headbutt to finish the job. Kicking, and punching enemies while they're on the ground is both possible and effective. The meaty sound effects, the brutal attacks and the completely believable animations just felt right (get used to hearing that about GTAIV).


This is what happens to anyone who cuts Niko off in traffic




We got another unorthodox taste of the melee system during a street brawl with a biker. Basically we were in a car and we wanted his bike so we ploughed into the back of him, sending his body flying through the air, before it landed with a sickening thud on the road. As he was staggering to his feet we sprinted up and roughly threw him to the ground, before convincing him to stay down with a few solid kicks to the ribs.

While we'd like to take the credit for this slick takedown, we were actually trying to punch him but then discovered that the regular attack moves turn into shoves and other moves when you're not locked on to people. Genius.

2. Grand Theft Shotgun
As you'd expect in a Grand Theft Auto game, pinching cars plays a large part in getting around Liberty City. As we've mentioned before you now need to elbow open windows (of locked cars) and wait for the more stubborn engines to start (which both add a whole new layer of added tension and excitement when being chased by cops).

We decided to take our car thievery up a notch by adding a shotgun. We'd just seen another car we wanted so we spun our car around to cut it off, then we shot the driver through the windscreen. While the 'Grand Theft Shotgun' technique described above was possible in previous GTA games, the level of cinematic style and shocking intensity GTAIV delivers is absolutely unprecedented.


Niko poses for his MySpace profile pic




Squeezing off a shotgun round at the driver caused blood to splatter across the inside of the windscreen (which was now riddled with tiny bullet holes) as the driver's body was knocked violently back in his seat before slumping forward with his head resting on the steering wheel, causing the car's horn to constantly blare away. The intensity and detail we witnessed in this split-second of gameplay left us utterly gob-smacked, and even a little guilty about whacking the poor guy - at least we put his car to good use. He would have wanted that.

3. Start World War III
In one mission we played we needed to intercept a shipment of drugs at a harbourside factory – the only catch was that the shipment was being protected by 30 or so crims armed with fully automatic weapons. With a pistol, a shotgun and an Uzi tucked under our jacket we decided this was as good a time as any to launch into our first epic firefight.

We should also mention there was a full-blown thunderstorm happening when we attempted this mission. While we were getting into position the Rockstar rep warned us that all hell would break loose once we opened fire on the first crim. A quick burst from our Uzi took him down, but as we tapped the right stick to move our lock-on to the next enemy we realised he hadn't reacted yet. Rather than puzzle over it we capped him too.

We can't be sure because everyone else opened fire on us at this point but it sure seemed like the booming thunder masked the sound of our first gunshots. Considering the staggering attention to detail evident throughout the game we really wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if this was the case.


Exercising in the gym is for pussies




Now that we were in the middle of a warzone we gave the new cover controls a go. Tapping RB near any cover will see Niko slide against it, automatically ducking if it's not full-length cover. From here Niko can safely move around behind the cover or commando roll over to other nearby cover. Niko has two options when shooting from behind cover; he can quickly pop up and lock-on to enemies or he can also shoot from safety by blindfiring (an option that seems far more effective than the similar techniques in Gears of War or Uncharted).

When locked-on to enemies the true sharpshooters can even aim at specific body parts by slightly moving the right analogue stick (whereas moving the stick sharply flicks your aim to the next target).

4. Lose the cops
Few people are likely to miss the constantly teleporting, omnipotent police force encountered in previous GTA games. In GTAIV the police behave realistically, needing to keep you in their line of sight to pursue you effectively. When you break this line of sight and manage to change cars before you're spotted again you can drive off in relative safety because the police will continue to search around your last known location.

Although the police are constrained by more realistic rules it's still very hard to shake the cops, especially on any of the higher wanted levels. This is due to the police being generally far better drivers in GTAIV and because of the more realistic (read 'lengthy') car stealing aspects.

After spending more time trying to evade the police than we'd like to admit, we managed to lose our tail spectacularly by using a set of stairs to launch us through the air (while barrel rolling) up onto a highway overpass, where we got our SUV to pull off a Tony Hawk-style grind along the guard rail, before hitting the road and swerving along on two wheels for a distance before finally slamming down onto all fours and speeding off. We totally intended it all. Maybe.

5. Witness Euphoria
No we're not talking about Niko watching his stoner arms dealer Jacob getting high. Euphoria is the name of the advanced new animation engine featured in GTAIV. It's a simulation-based animation system that ensures that no matter what happens to a character (whether they're being shot in the foot, bowled over by a car or kicked in the nuts) they'll react realistically.

Because it's simulation-based (rather than scripted) this means no two actions will ever be exactly the same. Driving down the sidewalk will see pedestrians cartwheeling over the bonnet, being knocked sideways to slide along the road or diving out of the way in endless new and hilarious ways.
Euphoria also makes shootouts far more believable.


Even contract killers get upset when you forget their birthday




Cap someone in the leg, for example, and you'll see their limb flung back as their body loses balance and topples over. Shoot them in the face and their head will snap back with great force, before their body crumples lifelessly to the ground. Euphoria makes all of the typical GTA sandbox-style antics you're used to seem fresh again.

6. Play dodgem cars in traffic
GTAIV's cars have been tuned up to deliver a much more weighty experience this time around. As you're sliding around corners you'll see the car's suspension reflecting the centre of balance shifting through the turn. Then, if you drive anything like us, you'll invariably slam the side of your car explosively into passing buildings as you fight to control the slide.

When collisions like this happen sparks will fly out, windows will shatter and you'll even be able to see Niko (and any other passengers' bodies) being flung around inside like a ragdoll. If you happen to hurtle into an oncoming car fast enough it's even possible to launch Niko out of the windscreen and onto the road. Looks like that's checkmate for the Flatout series.

7. Set stuff on fire
The little pyromaniac in all of us will love the amazing new flame and explosion effects in GTAIV. Cause enough damage to a car and it'll burst into flames. Initially you'll just see a few flames licking up out of the bonnet and around the tires, but the flames will spread quickly and it's often possible to see the unfortunate occupants jump out of the car and flail around as they desperately try to put out the fire engulfing them.

During one firefight several cars caught on fire, eventually exploding in showers of flames and carparts, with huge plumes of smoke rising from the wreck. Best. Explosions. Ever.

Oh, and in case you weren't already buzzing from the sound of that you should be impressed to hear Niko was. We were once again shocked by the attention to detail when we noticed that after the explosions had gone off we could hear the game making that post-explosion ringing sound we really hope we never get to hear in real life.


"Sure Niko, we've put down our guns already, you can come out"




8. Nail the new drive-bys
If there's one thing Saints Row got right it was the whole '360 aiming while driving' mechanic and we're happy to see a modified version of it appear in GTAIV. So long as you've got either a pistol, an Uzi or some grenades (which we'll discuss in a minute) you can hit LB while driving to smash the window with your elbow and aim weapons through it. Just like previous GTA games you can control the camera with the right stick, while steering with the left, allowing you to aim your guns at enemies in any direction.

The best thing about this new aiming technique is that you can catch up to and gun down running enemies much easier now that you don't have to line the side of your car right up beside them. We were capping some running enemies pretty easily on our first attempt until we accidentally tagged a random person with our pistol (hey – it happens). The troublesome bugger then pulled out an Uzi and opened fire on our car. Damn GTA and its frustrating (but totally awesome) unexpected AI outbursts.

Naturally we turned this random thug's intervention to our advantage by ploughing our car into him, getting out and grabbing his Uzi, then using it to cut through the remaining enemies we were chasing.

9. Cooking grenades
As well as the traditional Uzi and pistol drive-bys it's now possible to throw grenades out the window to make a mess of any vehicles on your tail. By glancing behind you while driving (clicking the right stick in) you can judge how long you need to cook the grenade so that it will explode right under the cars trailing you. Taking out enemy vehicles with a single well-timed grenade toss feels great and looks absolutely spectacular thanks to those sexy new flame effects.


It's whacking day




10. Go nuts with a rocket launcher
Messing about with a rocket launcher was already pretty great in the previous GTAs but it just feels so right now (there's that word again). Squeeze the trigger and a rocket will tear through the sky, leaving behind it those insanely cool spiralling trails of smoke, before it slams into your target (probably a car) causing unprecedented destruction as panels, doors and tyres explode violently in all directions.

We only got a quick play with the rocket launcher but peppering the streets untold devastation delivered more pure gaming bliss than we ever would have thought possible. Did we mention you can also blindfire rockets? We want one now.

Rather than focusing on a list of new bullet point features Rockstar has introduced GTAIV by giving us a series of progressively longer and more detailed visits to Liberty City. Each time we return we discover how the new elements like Euphoria animation have far broader implications than we originally realised.

GTAIV has strengthened and deepened the believability of its world far beyond any of its competitors and in doing so has revitalised the landmark series. Instead of using next-gen tech for purely cosmetic changes Rockstar has used its tech to amp up the realism of all aspects and in doing so has created an experience that just feels right.

[Chubz]

Here are some Images



More can be found here
http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/8...05/imgs_1.html

[Chubz]

From Gametrailers.com

Trailers

3.2 MB 106,849 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Liberty City Slideshow Feb 28, 2008 Rockstar finally gives us another peek into one of the most highly anticipated games of all time! Avg. score 8.8 out of 1170 votes

21.8 MB 327,810 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Dilettante Hybrid Trailer Feb 21, 2008 Save the environment while running over pedestrians in the stylish Dilettante. Avg. score 9.6 out of 1944 votes

13.9 MB 266,157 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Phil Bell Trailer Feb 21, 2008 Phil Bell's got problems and he's ready to solve them with a baseball bat and a fully automatic weapon. Avg. score 9.3 out of 1691 votes

21.1 MB 338,028 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Debut Trailer HD Mar 30, 2007 It's finally here, go watch it in glorious 720p! Avg. score 9.0 out of 641 votes

2.7 MB 272,742 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Vlad Glebov Feb 8, 2008 He's funny, he likes to drink, and you had better pay up when its time... or else. Avg. score 9.1 out of 1853 votes

3.5 MB 202,286 Views FAVORITE COMMENT

Manny Escuela Feb 8, 2008 On the streets of South Bowen, he's the man you need to know. Avg. score 9.1 out of 1687 votes

[Chubz]

1. It will tke roughly 100 hours to complete the game. That doesnt include side missions or raising hell in Liberty City.
2. Both versions of the game (PS3 and 360) will run at 30 frames per second
3. Liberty City is as big as San Andreas, but without all the farm and country terrains. Its all city! making it a more playable area
4. Liberty City Citizens live their lives like any other human. Law Enforcement Agencies will be checking papers, a businessman is walking faster than other peds, a woman is making a phone call in a phone booth, and so on. Construction workers work on jobsites and are gone by 5pm.
5. Liberty City and NYC/NJ distinctions
   1. Queens is called Dukes
   2. The Bronx is called Bohan
   3. Manhattan is called Algonquin
   4. Brooklyn is called Broker
   5. New Jersey is called Alderney

Courtesy of GTAForums.com
http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=262354
Gameplay Involving Niko

• Whether you like it or not girlfriends are returning in GTA 4, hopefully it's used better than San Andreas.
• You can't gain weight, nor can you get yourself muscled. You can alter your look like hairstyle, facial hair and clothing.
• Niko is able to climb ladders, escape ladders, and telephone poles, although it's yet to be confirmed i'm sure you'll be able to climb walls, gates, fences and such like in San Andreas
• Niko is able to swim in GTA 4, so that ends the debate that white characters can't swim in the GTA world .
• Niko can order taxi cabs, and either hit the trip skip button(Y)/(Triangle), or he can just take a look from inside the cab and take the full time to get to his destination. Which features a "Cinematic Camera" like setting. Niko is also able to call up the police as he does in one of the missions that's been revealed.
• A fare meter appears on-screen as soon as Niko enters a cab, and the camera pans around it as it drives.
• In taxis, you can ask the driver to change the radio station by pressing D-pad left or right.
• When Niko purchases clothes, he has to pick them separately from shelves rather than the "Walk-in Closet in Stores" from San Andreas.
• Just like in past GTA's the auto aim feature is returning, Niko is also able to go into manual aim
• On shooting, the magazine states that: "the cover system borrows elements of Gears of War, and Rainbow Six: Vegas." It also says that "the aiming is a Resident Evil 4, over the shoulder style." The new targeting system was described. There are eight purple segments in the target circle that make up someone's health, which you get when you're locked on - during free aiming you don't get the indicator. The combat rests somewhere between Resident Evil 4 and Gears of War in terms of style, allowing you to roll, find protection and blind-fire from behind cover, police officers and gang members are able to do the same.
• For the new melee-combat system, Rockstar consulted a UFC master of the Israeli special-forces martial art, Krav Maga.
• Niko has a cell phone to his service. Using that he can call, and receive calls from his contacts. There are several tabs for the cell phone including "Photos", and "Multiplayer" and even more. Whether it almost replaces the Start Menu is not confirmed.
• Niko can enter the Police Database in any stolen Police car, and compare taken photographs(with the cell phone to make missions easier..
• The internet is available for Niko to use in the game also. Niko can use the internet to gain information about contacts or people he needs to kill. their location for example.
• The 360 EZine reports that time based missions are definitely in the game. It also mentions 'time limited actions.' For example: If a train leaves at 10.00pm and you arrive an 10.01pm, you fail the mission
• Shooting different parts of the body has different impacts (e.g shoot a security guard in the foot at the top of the stairs, and he'll come tumbling down, you may also see gang members trying to crawl away from fire with their last bit of strength)
• Little Jacob (a Caribbean arms dealer) is a good friend of Niko's cousin. When you buy weapons from him (which are kept in his trunk) you can scroll through them like you did in Ammu-Nation in the previous GTA games. The weapons on offer by Little Jacob included a 9mm, a shotgun, an SMG, and a micro SMG also the rocket launcher makes a return (A distinct tube-shaped weapon strapped to the underside of Little Jacob's trunk hatch).
• For those of you who were thinking GTA 4 would go with the realsitic approach and only allow you to carry certain weapons at a time or showing Niko actually carrying the weapons will be slighty dissapointed. Kiklo said in one of their articles that guns would appear magically like past games. "as we're armed with a rocket launcher (which like all weapons collected is magically hidden on Niko's person in good old convenient video game style)."
• In GTA IV you have to develop relationships with other characters. Your relationship with Little Jacob, for example, is maintained through phone calls and loyalty. Developing good relationships with different characters can provide different rewards.
• Building relationships with characters is important. During the preview, Jacob comes to meet you rather than vice versa. This is only possibly once your friendship with Jacob has developed to a certain stage. Relationships can be damaged if you (for example) fail to turn up for meetings. Pool, eating, darts, and bowling are just some of the 'friend' activities possible in GTA IV. The cell phone is used to access these activities.
• The WASTED! system is still intact. If you die, you end up at the nearest hospital (minus your weapons) the next morning.
• Parachutes will not be returning in the game, no more bailing form aircrafts and using the parachute to fall to safety.

Vehicle Gameplay

• Boats and Helicopters are both confirmed. So, Liberty City's waterways and airway's can both be explored. For a full list of found vehicles head over to GTA4.net to see Suction Testicle Man's brilliant car list.
• Cars have an all-new animation when being "taken", Niko slams the window in. And tries to hotwire the car after. Doesn't take alot longer than the usual "Oh, the keys are in the ignition" animation. There's up to five different animations, but this is the only known one at this time.
• Airplanes are not in the game, Rockstar mentioned it would be pointless having airplanes in Liberty City as it's only one city unlike San Andreas where there were 3 states.
• At this moment in time bicycles have yet to be confirmed.
• Tanks are not returning in GTA 4, no more rampages around the city blowing everything up.
• During the 2nd trailer you can see that Niko shoots at a car and the bullet holes are actually visible on the car (screenshot here), a few seconds later you can see that the window screen on thee car shows the bullet holes and the glass actually cracks when the bullets go through the glass (screenshot here).
• The default camera angle is slightly over to the drivers' side. Different angles are available however. You can move the camera aswell, but if you're not touching it, it will remain at the more central position leaning towards the drivers' side. There's also a Chase Cam, Dashboard cam and the traditional bumper camera.
• When drivers in other vehicles pass by with their radio on. You can hear it muffled, and feel the bass off it through vibration.
• Even though flyable airplanes aren’t in the game, Liberty City will still have a Airport named Francis International Airport and yes you guessed it, it's the very same name given to the airport in GTA 3.
• It has been confirmed that the Pay and Spray will be returning this time round but spraying the car will not get rid of your wanted level. Ammunation hasn't been confirmed to be in the game, also Niko has to call arms dealers on his mobile to deliver weapons to a certain location.
• One button press will get you into a car. A second button press is required to start up the car's engine.
• Niko wears a helmet while riding motorcycles and major collisions on motorbikes cause the helmet to fall off. You can see it fall onto the ground.
  You can find "useful things" in cars that you hijack.
• You can drop grenades and molotov cocktails out of the car window at high speed. Headlights can be put on full beam or dipped, but cannot be turned off.
• You cannot store items/objects inside vehicles
• Cars are not customisable, but you can still save them at safe houses.

[Raider1one]

This game is gonna be off the hook.... This will i belive be THE Game to have of 2008... April 29th....

[Wilson_]

cant wait till my buddy gets it.

[Raider1one]

Edge Magazine has a new 16-page article on the Grand Theft Auto series, with a large chunk of it devoted to GTA IV. There are at least 6 new screenshots, in addition to an exclusive interview with Sam Houser. Here are some of the points worth mentioning:

Edge Magazine

• In GTA IV there are strip joints and, more unexpectedly, comedy clubs, which have been incorporated in a manner that is "enough to make your head spin." Edge aren't allowed to say anything else about it at the moment.
• Jets and planes fly through the airport, and have visible pilots inside them. The tester drove alongside a jet, only to have a 4-star wanted level appear!
• One encounter face-to-face with a cop got the response: "I'm a cop... and you're a dickhead!"
• On the subject of multiplayer... Houser wasn't able to go into much detail, but he did mention being able to get together online in the game with no other goal other than to use it as a meeting place: "I'll meet you in a car and we'll hang and just drive and listen to music, chilling in the car, with your 3D model sat next to me," he says.
• The car paint jobs are noticable from newer cars being gleaming and spotless, to old cars being rusted and dull.
• Bulletholes and dirt are permanent on cars.
• Interior walls can be greatly damaged, "ripping chunks out of the plaster with gunfire."

Among the new pics is a wireframe development shot of Hove Beach/Firefly Island, and another shot of the same scene fully rendered. Very cool indeed.