But that game shit to, and not because it lacked extra stuff to do. It’s about quality, not quantity. Batman AA has a shit load of varying side quests in a sandbox environment and they’re all very good and fun to partake in. Shit Saints Row the III looks like it’s all about goofing off and just dicking around and it looks incredibly fun.
Quality, not quantity.
But that was one of the main criticisms of the game, meaning there is a market of gamers who don’t just want a main storyline; they want more bang for their buck. And if the extras they tacked on do not cater to your taste, you didn’t have to do it because it is optional.
I believe in quality over quantity as well, and I’d argue that extra content adds quality in games. I’m not just talking about side quests, you look at SA and they had a way bigger selection of vehicles, two of them being a jumbojet and a harrier and with that many other possibilities open up like new missions, parachuting and dogfights. That is additional content; there was thought put into expanding the game and make it more enjoyable. Another example would be FFX, I loved the main game but I loved Blitzball as well, so since I enjoyed the hell out of Blitzball I would say the minigame added to the quality of the game.
And it’s not like these side distractions are meaningless either; training in the gym and looking buff lets you score certain girls who in turn gives you presents that are otherwise not available in the game. But if you don’t like it, you didn’t have to do it. All these extras also give nice touches of realism to the game world such as eating junk food and getting fat, which is the whole idea of the series as it’s supposed to mimic a real world scenario, but unlike the real world we are given freedom a.k.a many choices to do what we want. That is what separates sandbox games from other genres.
I think the problem with GTAIV is that we’ve done everything in the game before in previous installments; nothing really new was brought onto the table. I would guess that’s why many people find the game mundane.
Dude, you had to pull over and go to restaurants to eat or it negativity effected your stats. You had to run and work out or got fat and slow and thus impacted your play stats. A lot of that shitty side quest stuff wasn’t optional as it impacted your characters outcome and ignoring it lead to negative outcomes, just because i didn’t want to play the boring weight lifting minigame.
Blitzball was kinda fun. That would be an example of quality.
It does go both ways, I had no problem having to eat since I’m supposed to be living as CJ, who is a human being. Again it has to do with portraying realism, but I understand how that would tick some people off because they think it’s a waste of time. But hey, at least they didn’t make us have to go find washrooms so we can take a piss every day.
I’m plenty sure you rarely had to eat or work out in SA too. I remember not feeding CJ for days on end and it didn’t affect him. I wondered myself how he was still alive.
if they make one they should call it Boss
Same here. Also, fighting and running a lot built up your stamina and strength IIRC, so you didn’t constantly have to go to the gym.
I’m waiting for them to make us have to get Gas.
Aside from the gun mechanics and driving, I found it to the be the worst GTA of the bunch. Sure it’s pretty, but the mini-games were boring as hell and the city felt empty: there is absolutely nothing to do. To add insult to injury, I played Saint’s Row 2 months afterward. In terms of being fun, it bodies GTA IV for free. smh. The way Saint’s Row 3 is looking, R* better step their shit up. I’m down for a godly narrative, as long as the game is fun.
It’s ok for u to be godly narrative
GTA4 cops and crooks mode - team mates pushing you for no reason, you’d always get stuck in a police car with a trash driver. or trying to get the mafia boss to a get away car in a boat and you team refuses to follow you. we started right at the harbour and we had to get to the other side. why wouldn’t they take the boat?
Vice city is the greatest GTA game
I still pop in Vice City every now and then. I loved that damn game
Seriously. Saints Row 2 was so fun. Make me care again, R*. S3 has got me hyped.
We’re long overdue a Grand Theft Auto collection. Give us Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City and San Andreas in HD.
Bring back the fuckin’ jetpack.
I’m tired of running and driving.
The writing and story are the only things that keep me playing the game. I have still never beat the game, but come back to it once and awhile. imo the controls are just too bad to translate into a fun game but the setting is amazing
4= STFU CELLPHONE! haha, it was fun
sucks my xbox crapped out cuz I got mid way… Going on dATES and random missions were awesome
I still swear i saw a shark in 4 but no1 has
GTA IV lacked in the ignorant shit thus turned out being the weakest, despite having the best controls graphics etc.
Each time I said I would go back and finish 4, I never would. Eventually, my copy collected so much dust the front cover started fading out. All I remember was riding that big ass helicopter by some code just for the hell of it 
Part of me wishes they’d wait for the next gen systems to come out so they could get more out of the game. That aside it’s been so long since I’ve played 4 that I forget some of the mechanics. Could you rob people in that game? I can’t remember if you could or not, but even if you could I’m sure it wasn’t like it should be. Maybe I want to be bold and stick a shotgun in someone’s face, but maybe I want to sneak up from behind them with a knife too. I also don’t remember the police chases. From what I vaguely remember they were still too maniacal for me. Police cars FLYING at you from the other lanes and shit (I know this is what it was like on PS2). I’d like to try and skillfully be able to reduce my warning level with good driving and elusive moves and shit. Other than that I remember really liking 4. Except for the dating shit. Ugh.