Considering how mind-blowingly buggy it is for the 360, I shudder to think what the PC version will be like.
Yeah, I was a bit wrong about the details there - it’s actually 2.2 GHz (single core AMD), 1GB RAM, so maybe I have a chance, especially if there is now a patch. I’m going to stick with it.
I actually asked my brother his opinion without confirming I had already bought the game, he had heard of some of the problems too but basically said to go ahead. I asked him if he wanted the game as leverage to bug my Dad to buy a newer machine, he said “No… well, not entirely” :). Thanks for the input.
Rock Star used to be cool. I’ve already bought GTA IV for the PS3, and the PC version was a guaranteed buy for me until I hear all this. I was looking forward to multiplayer on the PC too. 
Just a warning to any and all PC gamers out there. GTA IV, recently released for PC runs like a one-legged dog with a broken leg. It has it all: DRM, crapware, random crashes, glitches, et cetera.
I already have DRM games so it makes no difference to me. It hasn’t crashed yet.
The install process is insane. It’s two DVDs so you know it’s going to take a while. But getting the game onto your machine is only the beginning of the challenge. You then have to sign up for the Rockstar social club (if you don’t you can’t save your game) and a Windows Live Game account (if you don’t you can’t play at all). Windows Live Game of course requires a patch and you have to exit the game to install it due to a known bug. So once you’ve gone through these procedures, you have to pass a validation check (makes sure you’re not time-traveling to the past) and then type in your special code to activate the game. And then maybe, if you’re lucky, you can start the game and watch in amazement as it becomes a comedy due to the lagging putting the audio out of sync with the character movements.
You don’t have to sign up to rockstar social club. You can save your game without doing so. Audio out of sync with character? Hasn’t happened for me.
Also forget about using your own controller. If you have an XBOX 360 controller for PC you’re set. If not you’re out of luck. The controls can be remapped except for the most important one, the right mouse button. It’s permanently bound to some stupid camera function which is much less useful than the “walk” feature I used in the other games. You’re forced to use W-A-S-D to move around which I absolutely hate.
I am having absolutely no problem using my usual keyb-mouse combo. I’m left handed so I had to remap (which I couldn’t find out how to do at first, but I eventually found it)
So if anyone out there was excited about this game, don’t be. It requires a major patch and a very new computer to run smoothly. I’m running it on a dual core with 4GB of RAM and it still runs like a dead pig. I’d recommend waiting at least six months and getting a new computer then before even thinking about trying to run this game. And don’t use an ATI video card because that’s not The Way It’s Meant to be Played ™.
**
The game has what I’ve always wanted in games - scalability up very high. If it’s running badly turn down some of the insanely over-scaled options - it will still look great and will run smooth too. **
Graphically, the game is very nice and incredibly intricate. But you can’t even wander around admiring the scenery. Your stupid cousin keeps phoning because loan sharks won’t leave him alone and you have to keep rescuing him.
Just ignore him, go have a nice relaxing rampage. Then when you’re done go back to your savegame and do the mission(s)
So be warned: fun game if you actually get to play it. If.
Well I haven’t played it much because I’m still getting too much fun out of FO3. But when I do get to play it more I’ll let you know how I’m doing.
One more thing. It’s games like this that it is worth learning of the existence of ‘msconfig’.
For instance I’ve turned off the rockstar social club startup in msconfig (along with about twelve other things I didn’t ask for on startup)
You can put your cell phone on Sleep mode if you don’t want to be bothered.
Lobsang I’ll have to double check but I’m pretty sure I got a message saying that if I wasn’t signed in to Rockstar Social Club the game wouldn’t save.
As for the control mapping, I just want to map the right mouse button to walk. For some reason the game won’t let me reassign it from targeting which doesn’t do me much good since the only weapon I have right now is a baseball bat. I’m getting used to using W to walk but I’d be able to move a lot smoother if I could use RMB instead.
Ditto the key-mapping complaint. This is two thousand motherfucking eight (NINE)! The standard these days is to leave the controls open to the customer. Any game that doesn’t allow complete customization belongs back in the twentieth century. Barring me from remapping any of F1-F12, plus the mouse buttons, plus causing interference when you remap any of the number keys, plus not allowing me to leave some commands unbound … NO EXCUSE. They did a half ass job and they know it. Or if they don’t know it … .well that’s why I won’t buy their next garbage.
The function keys are almost a game-breaker to me. WASD breaks my fingers, so I’ve always played with F3 F4 F5 and N for movement. No can do at Rockstar! They know how I’m supposed to be playing. The really offensive part of it is that they don’t seem to be bound to anything anyway! I just can’t make use of them.
Utterly pathetic game design at the most basic level.
On the bright side I’ve logged in to GFWL at about 75% lately… a little better.
ETA: I actually can’t even think of the last game that wouldn’t let me bind all the keys I needed.
I really wouldn’t get my hopes up :).
This thread has convinced me to buy Fallout 3.
you mean I have been waiting for this game since finishing SA and this is the review?
(pit like language here)
OK - see part two of my post :).
Well that’s odd. I didn’t need to remap the right mouse button because I use the ‘forward’ key on the keyboard.
Are you sure it didn’t mean you just couldn’t save your game stats to rockstar social club? You can save game at any safe house in the game. I’d be pretty amazed if you couldn’t without a subscription.
Oh Hell yes. The only reason I haven’t played GTA4 more is that I’m still squeezing all the fun I can out of FO3
I enjoyed GTA 4 more on the PS3 than Fallout 3 on the PC. Normally I like mouselook, but the GTA 4 auto-aim works fairly well, and the cover system is sufficient.
Maybe after they make their money they’ll release a GTA IV with all the crap fixed/taken out.
Off-topic: That’s a really cool setup. Not one I’ll use, but I can see how that works. Neat.
Auto aims works fairly well? How is that remotely fun? Is there any challenge involved in gun fights at all?
Auto-aim doesn’t just happen, you have to invoke it by pulling one of the trigger buttons. Also, it points at the chest of the target, you still have to tweak the aim with one of the analog sticks to pull off a headshot. Plus, auto-aim has a mind of it’s own in selecting targets sometimes, as does the cover system. I’d much rather play on the PC but it’s still a kick-ass game.
I would probably prefer not to use auto aim, unless GTA4 had a V.A.T.S. style aiming system.
I think you’d be talking about this article.
I was wishing it would come out on Steam (to avoid stupid DRM), and only didn’t buy it when it did 'cause I’ve got a BE-2350 (2.1 Ghz) and a 256M 8600GT, both of which I was surprised were at or slightly under the minimum specs, not even recommended. (That, and they kept the DRM for some stupid reason).
It sounds like I should wait for it to bake a bit longer.