Christian:Since I'm not much of a fan, ultra-granular analysis is sort of funny to me. On the other hand, though I appreciate the insight I almost feel the same when someone tears into the latest Final Fantasy XIII trailer - that's not really how I operate, personally. When I watch a trailer, I just drink in the world that's being presented.
My reactions: Niko is a slimeball, but maybe he's one working towards something larger - a more meaningful goal. And the feel of the city - particularly in that scene where the background changes as he walks - is something that will be crucial to get me interested, too. I loved Crackdown even through its clichés and antiseptic take on crime; but if GTA IV can make me love all this dirt and grit, it'll be a bigger achievement.This trailer leaves me wondering: what can GTA IV do to push the series further - meaningfully?
Mikel: I guess that depends on what you think of as "meaningful." A less linear plot, a structure that won't necessarily be tied to missions, a more realistic world - these are all things that will push the series forward. It's difficult to say exactly how, of course; Rockstar's being so cagey with this game that overanalyzing trailers is one of the few ways we can glean meaningful information about it. But even now, it's obvious that this is more than just a visual upgrade over the last generation. And I think, going by what we've seen so far, that the city itself will be just as much a character as Niko or Roman or any of the others. The backdrops of previous games might be familiar and fun to explore, but they don't really feel alive like the Liberty City in these trailers does.
Brett: I agree that the loss of the cartoonish aspects will help push the storytelling into a more tasteful and meaningful place. By making it as real-world as possible, the potential for a great narrative seems within reach, hopefully without resorting to clichéd dialogue and stereotypes.
And speaking of Crackdown, in my eyes it's the current king of sandbox gaming. Sure you could jack cars and shoot up thugs and all that, but being able to leap from rooftop to rooftop, sedan in hand, is something that GTA just can't offer. On the other hand, Crackdown's narrative was less than zero. It is impossible to make me care less about the agents. If all the added elements make GTAIV as groundbreaking as they claim, and are actually able to interest me in the goings on of the Liberty City underworld, then I might stick around. But again, odds are my excitement will come from the bustling city playground and not from Niko's heartwarming/breaking backstory.
Looking solely at that urban playground, I have to admit I'm curious to drive around these dirty streets and see what's what. All these little touches, like a dude tapping his foot or lighting a cigarette, could make that leisurely drive more immersive and convincing, especially if Niko isn't blasting around in a jet pack or being chased by Bigfoot.
