Topic: GTA=Severly overrated

[the_zombie_luke]

Exactly why does everyone  want Grand Theft Auto on GameCube? I have Vice City on PC and while it's ok, I don't see why everyone is giving it glowing reviews. First of all, the animation is horrible. Even the PS2 can do better than the GTA III engine. Sure, you can kill everyone and steal cars, but seriously, it gets old quickly. The missions are entertaining, but the actual city isn't very fun to explore. There are some buildings that are simply empty and serve no purpose. In Wind Waker, there were many islands, but they weren't empty and most had enemies to fight and treasure to find. Also, the AI is outdated. Cops will not follow you up high buildings and even the SWAT team isn't intelligent and the only way the cops and SWAT's can stop you is with sheer numbers. I think the high point of the game is the soundtrack. But even then, old 80's music can't stand up to the glorious orchestrated music of Smash Bros and Metroid Prime's catchy score. I am disappointed in the Grand Theft "Hype" and I don't see why anyone wants these mediocre games.  I would rather see the new Castlevania PS2 game on GameCube.  

[Infernal Monkey]

Everybody's been wanting Grand Theft Auto on GameCube? I don't remember people bitching that it's only on PlayStation 2. Vice City was overrated, yes. It was in no way better than Grand Theft Auto III. It only had very minor improvements, the frame rate seemed alot lower, and the sound track, while fitting, just didn't excite like the written from scratch GTAIII did.

But c'mon, GTAIII was a bloody brilliant game. At the time, the graphics were outstanding, the freedom and the land scapes were pretty damn impressive, and it was generally a very fun game to kick back to. GTA will forever be a huge game with the casual gamers, the 'cool' MTV kids, and so on. Which is quite sad, as the majority of them don't even play it for the missions or storyline.

I have such a friend, he owns both GTAIII and Vice City on PS2. Hasn't even come close to finishing them. He just used an Action Reply on both games to unlock the islands, and goes around on rampages.

[Termin8Anakin]

At the time, the graphics were outstanding?
Man, it wasn't THAT long ago!
I find PS2 graphics to be overall just blurry messes, and GTAIII/VC delivered greatly. Although you could turn off that blur, the grahics were still sh*thouse.

But yeah, i agree with Monkey how it's 'cool' factor (guns, women, extreme violence, etc) made it popular, and not the true sense of freedom (although this reason was used when parents would ask why their 5 year old kids wanted to buy the game).

[rpglover]

the games are not too bad in their own right- i owned vice city- it was good when you played it, but once you get through a majority of the missions in the game, it starts to go downhill as it does become redundant
you do the same kinds of missions, although they are a bit harder, but mostly the same
i do have to say that the game is fun when you play through the missions, but once they are over, i never could get into free roaming the city
i believe a superior game came out that should have rivaled gta and it was on the computer- mafia
for any one who played that game, the story was great and the game was a lot of fun to play
and the missions all complemented the story perfectly- the graphics were way better and it had a good atmosphere and setting
gta is to me overrated and it got too boring for me- unless the next gta has some major improvements then i may not buy it

[thecubedcanuck]

You like WW better than Vice city, good for you, 3 million people thought otherwise.

As for the graphics on the PS2. I own all three systems and find the differance in graphics very minimal, and when playing they dont have any effect at all. I dont understand why eveyone makes such a big deal about so little.

[PIAC]

the graphics in gta3/vice city fit the game, they are crappy b grade graphics much like the storyline ive only played vice city on my pc, and its upgraded its self in my impression (i had only played like 20 minutes of GTA 3 on the PS2 prior) from meh to hey this isn't so bad, there are games i would rather play, but the missions are fun.

btw mr canuck, need to fix your avatar buddy, email it to me piac@phw0p.com and ill host it for you if you want

[Mario]

GTA3 is an incredible game, one of the best games this gen. Vice City is alright, but i prefer GTA3. It is a very great game.

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You like WW better than Vice city, good for you, 3 million people thought otherwise.

No offense, but that is one of the most ignorant comments i have ever heard.

[Bill Aurion]

GTA3 was good due to the fact of its originality and how much freedom you had.  Vice City, on the other hand, was absolute crap in comparison.  The gameplay wasn't improved and bugs filled the game.  If Rockstar wants me to buy their next GTA game, it better be something new and original, not the same old game in a new setting.

[thecubedcanuck]

Mario

how is it ignorant? It is simply a matter of numbers. GTA3 and Vice city both sold in excess of 4 million copies, WW sold 1 million, so it seems 3 million more people prefered GTA.

It only seems ignorant because it goes against YOUR tastes.  

[thecubedcanuck]

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If Rockstar wants me to buy their next GTA game, it better be something new and original, not the same old game in a new setting.

But thats all WW was? it played exactly like OoT only it had a differant look, yet you think its the best game ever.

Now that is hypocritical, especially based on your very reasons.

[Mario]

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Originally posted by: thecubedcanuck
Mario

how is it ignorant? It is simply a matter of numbers. GTA3 and Vice city both sold in excess of 4 million copies, WW sold 1 million, so it seems 3 million more people prefered GTA.

It only seems ignorant because it goes against YOUR tastes.

Hmmm, so with a console with 10 times the userbase of the GC, Vice City only managed to sell about 4 times as much as Wind Waker? Also, 3 million people did not 'prefer' GTA, they bought it. I have the simpsons road rage and i dont have Wario World, doesnt mean i like the simpsons road rage more than Wario World.

No, it doesnt go against my tastes, i love GTA.

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But thats all WW was? it played exactly like OoT only it had a differant look, yet you think its the best game ever.

Now that is hypocritical, especially based on your very reasons.

TWW did NOT play exactly like OOT, it even had new gameplay mechanics.

[Bill Aurion]

WW/OoT were completely different.  Just because you move around with the control stick and press a button to swing your sword doesn't make their gameplay mechanics the same.  On the other hand, for Vice City, new vehicles were added, but was there anything really new to it?  No, it looked and felt exactly the same.

[Gup]

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Originally posted by: Bill
WW/OoT were completely different.  Just because you move around with the control stick and press a button to swing your sword doesn't make their gameplay mechanics the same.  On the other hand, for Vice City, new vehicles were added, but was there anything really new to it?  No, it looked and felt exactly the same.

Your judgement is pretty unfair.  You compared Wind Waker(this gen) to Ocarina of Time(last gen) then GTA 3(this gen) to Vice City(this gen).  If you're going to compare like that, shouldn't it be GTA 2(last gen) to Vice City?

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GTA3 was good due to the fact of its originality and how much freedom you had. Vice City, on the other hand, was absolute crap in comparison. The gameplay wasn't improved and bugs filled the game. If Rockstar wants me to buy their next GTA game, it better be something new and original, not the same old game in a new setting.

A lot of companies do that including Nintendo.

[PIAC]

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Originally posted by: thecubedcanuck

It only seems ignorant because it goes against YOUR tastes.

o_O how is that ignorant, HE LOVES GRAND THEFT AUTO 3, how it is 'agained his tastes' are beyond me, it is entirely possible to love both games you know.

[Bill Aurion]

My comparisons are completely legit.  GTA3 and OoT were the last games before WW and GTA:VC.  You must think I'm bashing the GTA games, but that's absolutely not the case.  I love GTA3, and though it's not one of my favs, it was definitely something new and original.  Vice City seemed rushed, with the bugs and all.  I think Rockstar could have done a better job.  My point was that I hope they add some new gameplay changes, just as Ninty added the boat and other new mechanics to WW.

[Gup]

Vice City was to GTA 3 the way Majora's Mask was to Ocarina of Time.  That's how I'd put it.

By the way, I'm not trying to defend GTA, I just don't like people bashing a series for no reasons.

[Bill Aurion]

I agree with the fact that Majora's Mask didn't really add much to the formula given by OoT.  That's why it's my least fav Zelda game.  The reasons I dislike VC are the same reasons I dislike MM; nothing really new was given.

[Gup]

I thought Majora's Mask was better than Ocarina of Time by far.  The masks that give Link new abilities was very creative and unique.  MM is my second favourite Zelda next the Wind Waker(I've played LttP, OoT, MM, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages, and WW)

[Bill Aurion]

Everyone has their own opinion, that's just the way life is.  ^_^

[Dirk Temporo]

For the record: I personally believe that Majora's Mask blew.

On topic: PC GTAIII/VC 0wnZ j00. It's so much better with mouse aiming and you can get a higher framerate and better graphics, depending on your system. I liked it much better than the PS2 version and personally don't care if it ever goes to another system. As long as it keeps coming on PC, I'm happy.

[ThePerm]

in the videogame industry we are in the dark ages

[egman]

I more or less agree with the first poster. IMO the greatness of the game has been exaggerated to levels of insanity. I find it hard to believe that people are calling it a work of art or some kind of social phenomenon, but that's what some are doing.

While the games certainly has an extensive amount of freedom it's still rather restrictive, even by today's standards. Games like Morrowind have much greater freedom and levels of interactivity, but you don't see the media hyping those games up. GTA's gameplay is only a small part of it's success; I think timing has played a larger role.

The first two GTA's were relatively ignored, in spite of some small acclaim and kind of cult following that developed around them. GTA 3 exploded because it came at the time when the Playstation brand had undoubtly become the face of gaming. On top of that, GTA 3 tapped into what was hip. A renewed interest in the mob and the underworld fueled by the success of the Sorpranos certainly played a part in the GTA hype train.

The game has it's good points, so I won't get into an argument about taste because we're all individuals in our gaming habits. However, I really think it would not have done any better than its previous incarnations if it was not for the fact that it just came at the right time. Calling it some kind of cultural event or the pinacle of gaming is a big leap I think, especially when you take in account how GTA 3/Vice City are essentially the original GTA's in 3d. I fail to see any revolution except for the fact that it's success pretty much demonstrates that gaming is no longer a niche.

[mouse_clicker]

I'm HOPING this thing won't turn into a GTA bashing thread. I can understand if you honestly don't like the game, but a lot of people "don't like it" simply because it's a huge game that's NOT on the Gamecube, and they resent that. I personally love the game- GTA3 and Vice City are just plain some of the funnest games around in my opinion. The level of freedom is simply unmatched. I love that, and so does Miyamoto- he said he really admires how much freedom the game offers and is trying to incorporate that into his games.

I agree with TheCubedCanuck (that's happening far too often lately )- while OoT, MM, and WW are some of my favorite games ever (1st, 2nd, and 4th, actually, with LttP being 3rd), there was barely any additions gameplay between them. It's okay to come down on Vice City for basically being GTA3 with motorcycles (which it WAS), but realize that that in no way promotes Nintendo.

[the_zombie_luke]

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Originally posted by: mouse_clicker
I'm HOPING this thing won't turn into a GTA bashing thread. I can understand if you honestly don't like the game, but a lot of people "don't like it" simply because it's a huge game that's NOT on the Gamecube, and they resent that. I personally love the game- GTA3 and Vice City are just plain some of the funnest games around in my opinion. The level of freedom is simply unmatched. I love that, and so does Miyamoto- he said he really admires how much freedom the game offers and is trying to incorporate that into his games.

I didn't start this topic to bash GTA. I bought Vice City with excitement, but while it's a solid game, I personally feel that people over hype  GTA 3/VC. Some are saying the level of freedom isn't in other games. Well, I disagree. Deus Ex, for example, on the PC and PS2, lets you choose exactly how to play and be. You can be an expert hacker or you can be an expert killing machine. Furthermore, in the game you can stalk from the shadows, kill everything, or hack a turret and dispose of your foes that way. I am really unsure of how GTA allows "complete freedom." It does let you kill anyone, steal any car, and go just about anywhere. Maybe Ocarina of Time didn't allow that but you didn't have to figure out the dungeons right away. I bet everyone here rode through Hyrule Field aimlessly or just went down to the lake to fish.  That's freedom. Animal Crossing is another such game. You can fish, not pay off your debt,or just play NES all day.  Anyone who has played Morrowind or Baldur's Gate will tell you that those games let you do just about anything as well.

Finally, I'm sure there are those who slander GTA because it's not on GameCube. Admittedly, I did criticize GTA before I played it. The same goes for Halo. Fortunately, I have a good PC and I can play them both(Halo is coming!). Now I can review GTA fairly, and let's just say it's not revolutionary but not a waste of money. What bothers me most about GTA is the fans that endlessly hype it. The same is true for X-Box and GameCube fans as well, and it's sad to see GTA or Halo or Smash Bros Melee  overshadow Ico or Shemue 2 or Eternal Darkness.  

[PIAC]

yeah, those are very good points, over-hyping will kill all games that arn't 'killer aps' at this rate, or wound them severely, also add arcanum to your list of freedom giving games, and by all accounts kotor is shaping up the same way.