Rockstar Games have launched the official Grand Theft Auto 4 website. The site contains new screenshots, videos, and info on the game, as well as a map of Liberty City. We’ll start this update with the previews of GTA 4, but look for all-new videos at the end.
The latest issues of UK magazines PSM3 and Games Master and German magazine Computerbild-Spiele have hands-on previews of Grand Theft Auto 4. What follows are transcriptions of the latest facts from these game magazines, before the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 worldwide release of the action game on April 29th, 2008.
Here’s all the new info in one big list:
* The faster you tap X, the faster main character Niko runs. He doesn’t appear to get tired.
* At some point Niko gets in trouble with 10 bikers in a street fight, some of them had knives, Niko runs away and a police officer sees him getting chased by the biker gang, the police officer thinks Niko is an innocent pedestrian and helps Niko out and shoots at the bikers.
* Pedestrian reactions are more true-to-life than in previous games.
* The “WASTED!” system is still intact. If you die, you end up at the nearest hospital (minus your weapons) the next morning.
* One button press will get you into a car. A second button press is required to start up the car’s engine.
* Niko wears a helmet while riding motorcycles.
* Surroundings are more interactive (bullet holes from gunfire, environment reacting to explosions, etc).
* You can find “useful things” in cars that you hijack.
* Major collisions on motorbikes cause the helmet to fall off. You can see it fall onto the ground.
* Heavy fire will scar – and permanently destroy – parts of the environment.
* They previewed a mission called “To Live and Die in Alderney,” which is the second part of “Truck Hustle.” The second mission is called “Jamaican Heat,” and acts as a tutorial for the new cover/targeting system. The third mission is called “Jacob’s Ladder,” and the fourth (and final) mission is called “Harbouring a Grudge.” This mission introduces an Irish character called Patrick McReary, who is related to Francis.
* The mobile phone can be used to call 911 for the police, the paramedics, and the fire department.
* The mobile phone can also be used for text messaging, photos, reminders, and music.
* There are 18 radio stations in GTA 4 – one of which is Russian. All of these stations can be accessed via the mobile phone.
* You can take photos with the mobile phone and upload them to the police computer.
* Health is represented by a green semi-circle on the left side of the radar, and a right semi-circle represents armor. You can restore health by resting, by using medical kits, and by eating.
* In taxis, you can ask the driver to change the radio station by pressing D-pad left or right.
* The GTA 4 equivalent of the Lincoln Tunnel is known as the Booth Tunnel.
* The PS3’s version seems to be exactly the same visually as its Xbox 360 counterpart. The frame rate on the PS3 version is extremely smooth.
* Niko’s clothes get bloodier after you take more and more damage.
* To create a diversion or simply steal their car and anything else you can foster up.
* When you fail a mission, you receive a text message asking whether you want to replay the mission, even a “skip trip” feature is included.
* R1 will be the “into cover” button for the PS3, many variations of getting into cover apply.
* You can dangle from Helicopters, just like vans and trucks.
* When your about to die it fades into black and white, just like in gears of war and uncharted.
* Ne-Yo and R Kelly were heard on the radio.
* 18 radio stations available.
* Niko is able to ask the cab driver to change the radio station.
* Niko pays the cabbie double (which adds up to $39) to speed up.
* Bums on the street ask for money, you have the ability to give them money.
* Niko raises his arms when cops try to “bust him” out of say a car, but he can move freely and can run or retaliate.
* Multiplayer will be accessed from the mobile phone.
* If you want to know even more about the game, check out our previous Grand Theft Auto 4 Questions and Answers feature.
Here are the all-new GTA 4 videos:
Now before you go watch the following five videos, try and forget about the subject of each video and instead look at how much is happening in the city all around you! It looks amazing. 🙂
Roman Bellic is a big guy, with a big mouth.
Vlad Glebov is funny, likes to drink, and you had better pay up when its time… or else.
On the streets of South Bowen, Manny Escuela is the man you need to know.
In the Steinway Beer Garden you can do male bonding, the way it should be.
Whiz Wireless is the #1 wireless provider in Liberty City. “Do the Social Vibe…”
Via GTA4.net