I think the quality of the AI has been overstated by Rockstar and the media…but the graphics are gorgeous.
Although, from what I’ve read, Salvatore’s mansion is in the game somewhere. I still haven’t managed to find it, but then I’m still on the first island and even that still has a lot that I haven’t seen.
I’ve also heard the same. There’s a LOT of land out there to cover, my friend.
Actually, I was thinking the same thing. It took me a while to get used to. Also, the anti-aliasing seems rather poor too. I was expecting to be stunned by the graphics (hooked up to a Panasonic 32" HDTV) but was left disappointed. My younger brothers keep telling me it’s beautiful though, so I guess I’m just used to playing PC games with the graphics settings on max (8800 GT).
I think I’m spoiled by PC games too, there are lots of graphics and lots going on, but many of the textures aren’t particularly sharp and the shadows and sunlight areas are blocky. The screen on the cell phone is pretty hard to read, as are the map icons. I’m on a 42" plasma, sitting about 10 feet away.
I also don’t like the aiming system very much, but I’ve only been in one firefight so far.
Anyway, still an amazing game in depth and scope.
What system ya’ll playing it on? I haven’t decided if I want it yet, but this is making me lean…
Probably a lot of the AI and realistic body motion effects aren’t readily apparent, I mean if 30 people around you are sitting in cars and reacting realistically, will you really notice?
I’m playing on the PS3, from what I’ve read the PS3 has less pop-up, I haven’t seen much except for some of the green elevated train track support columns suddenly popping up. The XB360 is supposed to have better frame rate in indoor areas.
I definitely want the PC version if/when it’s available, for the better graphics and mouse aiming.
There’s definitely a not-insignificant amount of texture pop-up in the 360 version. It’s just enough to be annoying. You’ll be chasing some guy down on a motorcycle in a mission and then suddenly there’s no road beneath you for a couple of seconds. Or you’ll be veering off the edge of the road in a car into what appears to be an empty space beside the road and then - BOOM - a house pops up out of nowhere a fraction of a second before you slam into it.
It seems to be a pretty random occurrence, though, and it certainly isn’t enough to detract from the brilliance of what may be the greatest game I’ve ever played. If I had a choice, though, I probably would have gone with the PS3 version.
Um…
First link:
Second link:
Those links seem to show the opposite of what you claim.
On further reflection, though, I probably would have to stick with the 360 version, but only because of the downloadable content. I’d rather have more missions than a little bit less pop-in.
I have to agree here. I’m not sure what you were trying to prove with those 2 links but they both very strongly contradict what you are trying to say.
Wierd that not one but both of your links said the opposite of what you were saying.
FTR I am playing it right now on the PS3 and the graphics are good. Not mind blowing but they’re really good. I think it has to do with the scale of teh city. There’s only so much memory in there so they had to make due.
PS3 FTW! M$ got pwned, noob.
On the PS3 I have never seen anything like the road popping up. The PS3 needs 3 GB or so installed to the hard drive, that probably helps a lot because the seek time for a hard drive is much less.
I moved my recliner up about 4 feet from the 42" plasma and I like the graphics much more now. I think there is just so much stuff that you have to be somewhat close to see it all clearly. I’m sure sitting too close is bad too, there’s a sweet spot for this game.
Wet roads look excellent. About the only thing that doesn’t look great are distant parts of the city like when you’re looking across the river. Also, the weather and lighting in Liberty City changes throughout the day so sometimes things are just a lot clearer than others. Night is beautiful.
There are so many little details, everything from the way the wire on a store window is shaped to rolled up carpets leaning up against a store, the bullet holes a cop’s shotgun makes in your car when they’re shooting at you, it’s an amazing amount of stuff.
I just picked up someone while I was on a motorcycle, and they said “Nice bike Niko!” I love little touches like that.
When you first start the game a lot of actions like hailing a taxi don’t seem to be available, but are explained as you progress through the missions.
Ok, back to playing…
I don’t have an HD TV. Plain old CRT, I think 29". Is it even worth it for me to get this game right now?
Played it for a couple hours tonight. Didn’t really care for the storyline so far (what is this, crazy taxi and queer eye?) but I did enjoy comparing the fictional NYC with the real one. I was under the false impression that they used the actual NYC map (like True Crime) to make the game, when it’s infact a condensed version where some things are out of place. BAEBO is Greenpoint, my home neighborhood, which protrays the industrial area, and the waterfront perfectly, with some actual buildings which are really there. Only problem is that THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE DOES NOT RUN THROUGH GREENPOINT!!! I guess they didn’t think out-of-towners could handle two bridges right next to each other? Since the Williamsburgh Bridge is missing completely, why didn’t they just use that and give it SOME sense of realism? And they got the NYPD down perfectly (paging Sean Bell) - the cops will shoot you dead even if you aren’t armed.
Sure. Hell, I only have a 25" CRT and I’m loving this game!
I’ve put in roughly 6 hours into the game and haven’t yet seen anything that would look out of place in Saint’s Row or San Andreas. It’s decent AI, but I don’t find it revolutionary.
The plot gets a little more interesting after the first few hours, you have to go through some mundane stuff first. I think the intent is that you get used to driving, the layout of the city, and the use of your cell phone and GPS units. I like how the nicer cars have better GPS units, the high end ones have voice guidance.
I think I see a bit of “Boondock Saints” influence on some of the storyline.
I also have an old school CRT tube.
Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes.