For many years my PC/Playstation combo was a cornucopia of digital fun. When I wanted complex strategy I could go on the PC, if I wanted mindless arcade fun I would jump into the Playstation. Neither platform attempted to be the other and each held their own ground and so it was a perfect symbiotic relationship for me. I kept all my GTA playing to the PS2 and all my Strategy and FPS gaming on the PC, that was before my girlfriend bought me a XBOX as a birthday present. Now my gaming life is in confusion and I shall explain why.
The first thing is fairly simple and that is that many games for the XBOX are also on the PC. The choice in this case is very simple. If its an FPS go to the PC if it is a Strategy goto the PC if it is 3rd person or driving stick with the Xbox. Its a rule worth following if you have a decent PC.
This rule however is becoming more difficult to enforce and my choices are getting harder to make due to an alarming trend I have noticed on the XBOX. For example:
for the XBOX is a strange beast. Based upon the popular Battlefield series it is like an alternate universe version of Battlefield 2. It has deformable/destructible environment which seems great, a few vehicles and 2 multiplayer modes as well as a pretty large mix of weaponry. But it feels ‘dumbed down’ a simpler approach with thicker physics, some semi-locking shooting, overpowered snipers, graphics look like someone made a pretty horrible cake but dressed it up very well. They look a little weird, sometimes great (when there is action) then pretty plain and dull (when nothing is going on). The helis feel like bricks, the landscape is quite a weird scale and doesn’t feel particularly large, its like a cartoon version. It is however still a very good game and on live with a team definitely more coordinated and tactical than BF2.
Another game that has got the dumb down features. Simply put on the console version there is no lean or prone position, which for me, is an essential part of the game. Sheer butchery to a fine (but overrated) game.
Take CIV 4, create a smaller map, remove many of the features, add incredibly annoying avatars, simplify resource management and speed the game up. Civilisation Revolution another dumbed down PC game. One I think I may enjoy, again in secret.
This has been the only game I have purchased on Live and what a disappointment. Most of the weapons from the PC game have disappeared. No level creation options, no start position options (massive flaw) or any options that really vary the game. The explosions, I think, do not look as good as my old Amiga Version and that was 13 years ago. This like many other games on the XBOX is another butchered version of a great game.
Yep, I had to do this game as well I’m afraid. One of the major reasons for getting the XBOX was GTAIV. So after completing the game and playing multi-player; is this a new bright future for this franchise? or a cerebral assault of pointless dumbing down? Well a little of both.
I can sum up GTA IV very quickly, it is a superb graphic engine. The cars look incredible, the peds look great, the action on the whole is very smooth. Dynamic damage on the cars is wonderful and their handling feels superb.
But, there is so much missing, so many little side missions, quirks, humour, creativity of missions, alternative things to do, no businesses, no little hidden things, crazy stunts (yeah crazy not dull little ramps). By taking itself too seriously its also lost a lot of heart, and even though as a multi player I think its fantastic fun (apart from the appalling racism on live), the single player feels…. empty… and the narrative makes you feel empty as well with both endings being fairly depressing.
GTAIV like many other games coming out on consoles and particularly the XBOX are now trying to produce streamlined games. Games that are fast, easy to get back into, quick to reward and hold little punishment for failure. The amount of cut scenes on GTAIV makes me think that they want us to play an interactive film rather than play a truly dynamic game in an interesting gaming Universe. Sophistication is NOT in fashion, mass appeal (sales) and simplification seem to be order of the day on consoles leaving many console gamers feeling like they have been persistently patronised.
One last note, Battlefield and GTAIV have both ditched parachutes. I love parachutes and I’m not happy.
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