MrKlorox

The score this game got upon release was based on hype and denial. However it seems possible the game could reach the perfect scores provided if each DLC pack addresses what it needs to. In the long run, the score will reflect the entire GTA4 package; including the DLC packs... not just the retail release like the current moment.

For me, I didn't have as much fun as I did in San Andreas. I read about this game every day before it's release, putting unbelievable amounts of hype into it. I was incredibly let down when I got my hands on it... but that is the nature of hype. My experiences with GTA4 had a direct impact on how much I let hype/anti-hype get to me. That is why I believe Fallout 3 is a great homage to the older, original Fallout series. Hype tends to have the opposite effect of its intentions.

I haven't played Saint's Row 2 yet. Many say that is where the spirit of GTA went... but my memories of the first SR imply that the series is a soulless hollow clone. Maybe I need to play some more GTA competition before I can decide which more embraces my preferences.

EDIT 3: On the soundtrack: It seems many folks were expecting GTA4 to have an incredible soundtrack like SA or VC. However this is impossible due to GTA4 being set in modern, current, times. The GTA3 (like the GTA4) soundtrack was also lacking because there were no pre-defined "hits". VC and SA's soundtracks worked because there was nostalgia associated to the music of those eras. The LCS soundtrack was better than the GTA3 soundtrack because enough time has passed since the millennial hump to associate a recognizable  "sound" to the timeframe. GTA4 has no nostalgia on its side (out of the box), which is apparently a larger factor than initially given credit for.

I've noticed the pause menu and phone don't take a second before loading, and missions/cab travel don't take as long either. However some pop-in (minor things like fence textures and fire hydrants, etc) seems to take longer. But road textures that would take a bit to load on the disc are quicker from HDD. I have a feeling this is because the game uses some HDD caching for some items, and takes longer on some items due to having to re-cache from and back to the HDD (like Halo 3). Haven't tested with helicopter yet, but Futo is slow enough for most everything to load before you reach it.

I'll probably keep it as the single only DVD game on my HDD until the PC version of GTA4 comes out.

Edit: I also think what generation of 360 you have will be a factor. On my old (holiday 2006) 360, I would get freezing/slow loading of some road textures and menus (like phone and pause) that would sometimes lead to a disc read error. These issues don't seem to occur on my current 360, regardless of whether the game is loaded onto the HDD.

Edit 2: I am using the 20GB HDD that came on my holiday 2006 xbox. I wonder how pop-in fares on a 120gb model.

"MrKlorox said:

"How does that saying go? Oh right: I FUCKING TOLD YOU SO! I called this months back. Give me prediction moneys.

I'm sorry, what did you predict? From what I can tell, you think you predicted the GTA4 DLC would be 360 exclusive or something, which would make you seem completely ignorant, and more of an ass then you already sound.

Please elaborate."

HL1 was the game I bought my first surround sound and video card for. 3dfx voodoo 3 motherfuckers!

Damn... I really wanted to try out the silenced shotgun (a'la No Country for Old Men) on the PC. Not that I find this DLC worth 10 bucks however.

Haha awesome. I recognized a lot of Street Fighter references in Hieroglyphics songs, and a lot of their/Del's lyrics are videogamey. Good idea... just wish the 360 got the same deal.

Me and El-P, is superpowers like the US and USSR
Blow you like the Deathstar
Leave your chest scarred like Sagat
My plot proliferates, hits you like barbiturates
in a twist of fate and splits your face

How does that saying go? Oh right: I FUCKING TOLD YOU SO! I called this months back. Give me prediction moneys.

I am willing to bet that this will come to the PC, but not PS3... at least not until after the PC. My GTA4 predictions have been correct so far.

I'm also willing to bet there is some unannounced multiplatform DLC coming for both 360 and PS3 (and PC) that will have more Niko for those who clamor for him. The only ANNOUNCED DLC is the MS $50m DLC. That doesn't mean other DLC isn't in development.

EDIT: @PlasmaBeam44: I see you also read Quartermann's column in EGM. Did you find who the lead would be and the handful of cross-story characters when you read it (think diamonds/meth)? If anybody read Qmann's rumor then looked at the game, it was extremely obvious. As obvious as both the Games for Windows platform and the Xbox platform being both owned by Microsoft. This DLC has to come to PC.

We will see more of that tweaker chick that came into Ray's at the cutscene for Taking In The Trash. Anybody else find it hard to understand when they were talking about diamonds versus meth due to both having the slang term "ice"?

EDIT2: DECA555 = Biggest fanboy ever.

That video was MUCH more interesting in that Soccer riot. And I'm not even into guns.

Agreed. Facial hair seems to have more diversity nowadays than scalp hair... especially for a bald dude like myself. My beard is the only hair I can style that people will notice. I demand more beards. Fallout 3 was onto a good start with their variety, but they needed to let us mix and match sides/cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, and chin styles. Four slots instead of just one,

I hope a lawsuit is pending. These pounders from PETA need to get slapped.