****** NO SPOILERS PLEASE*******
So... for the first time I don't have a system that supports GTA IV. I decided to buy a Wii because I think that PS3 and 360 are mad overpriced. Plus... my PC is insane.
All I was really worried about losing was GT5.
Onward. I played GTA IV at cuervos for 360 last night. (I only have limited stick time so don't flame if you think I'm off base) I think the physics engine is neato, citing such things as:
1. Slamming into a parking barrier at high speed sent me through the windshield.
2. Running over fire hydrants, the water actually rocks your cars suspension.
3. The deaths and injuries are very "realistic".
It uses the same engine (allegedly) as the one developed for use in The Force Unleashed. I am very impressed with the self preservation characteristics in the game. People will put their hands down to try to push off of a car about to hit them, and people will search for cover when being assailed with a firearm. Another nice touch is that if you simply bump into someone walking up the street and they're carrying something like coffee or something... they will drop it and tell you ur an asshole or something.
I also enjoyed the "realistic" effect of the car handling and damage. Again... I think GTA has sort of gone to the opposite extreme with car handling. I think in their previous games the cars drove unrealistically but very "arcade" and I really liked the ease. These cars handle much more like a car in Gran Turismo would handle, but I feel that its the same level of unrealistic because the handling is very... fake I guess. The different handling characteristics with weather changes are neat, and I like that the damage is more realistic. Also when you hit someone accidentally or purposely blood shows up on your vehicle which (Im told) can be washed off at a car wash instead of just having to hit up the pay'n spray.
The fire and explosions are much better. If you shoot a fuel truck for example, fuel will simply pour out of it at an appropriate bullet hole to internal fuel volume level and if you continue to shoot it the fuel will ignite but not explode. I thought that was pretty fancy. You can also apparently adjust the trim on the boats.
I do unfortunately dislike the fact that there are no planes, jetpacks, or any other flying object besides helicopters. It also doesn't appear that you can swim underwater, and there are no properties to buy or own. Firefighter missions don't seem to showup so I assume there are only taxi and police "missions". Which kinda stinks.
There are also NO BICYCLES!
Overall, I feel like they took alot of the things out of the game that make the random freeplay just awesome. Hopefully they've supplemented it with something during the gameplay that I was unable to notice in my short playing time.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
