My first thoughts on TLAD.

[PhilipO43]

Finally i got the chance to play it earlier this morning, and while i just started it, TLAD delivers a nasty and different view on LC, through Johnny's eyes.

 

It's reminding me of the feeling of first playing VC after GTA:III, it's just feels like a whole new game..granted in the same city.

 

The gang elements add more depth to what Niko's story had, since you have a need to worry about helping keeping them alive, and your not a loner anymore, your a part of a gang, which gives a whole new atmosphere to playing IV.

 

I like a few of the new mission structures and how these are different then in Niko's game, and i'm hoping these keep up to what i have seen so far.(i do know the on rails mission will add more variety as well, when i hit that part)

 

Some reviews are stating the storyline is not as good as Niko's, well maybe so, but it's so hard to campare because Niko and Johnny are different people, and Johnny is a nasty/darker person then Niko, who living the biker life and there is no room for family or friends outside the gang.

 

What i love about this TLAD, is that it's just more hard hitting then Niko's, it's more in-your-face, it's darker and rougher, and because of this it's more addicting(higher fun factor,imho) ) to play.

 

The whole gang elements of keeping gang friends alive is a nice touch to add some npc elements and depth to the game, and it's something that is enjoyable to do.

 

At first i was a bit worried about the handling of the bikes, but wow..did Rockstar nail these down, and now i'm addicted to these more so then any car. And that says alot, because i could not stand the handling of these in Niko's story.(of course Niko should not be an expert at driving bikes, so it makes sense)

 

Then there's the radio and the new songs..and all i got to say is _finally_, because Niko's storyline beged for alot better(ala VRock) hard rock-metal, and when first hearing Highway Star, i was juiced from then on. sure not every song is ideal to everyone, but in my 6 hrs of playing TLAD, 1 spent 4 hrs just cranking the new songs and driving through LC just checking everything out once again, as for me great music adds so much more to any game.

 

My only faults with TLAD are these:

 

-I'm sorry Rockstar need to understand Arm Wrestling and High Card is just not that enjoyable after a couple times. And that puzzle arcade game..for a biker? Co'me on.

 

What would have fit perfectly would have been these:

 

-Open up the video arcade in Star Junction and put some Road Rash arcade games in there..maybe even some darker(Doom? or a Doom clone) arcade games in there..maybe even more motobike games as well.

 

I'm not sure Rockstar's thinkin here, Johnny is a F***** biker, so can we give him activites a biker would do?

 

How about opening up the 'fun fair' and have an activity where Johnny and his fiends try to handle more and more beers, before hauling it all up?

 

I'm hoping that in the upcoming DLC#2, Rockstart opens up the arcade or fun fair..or both, or more interiors/exteriors, of which would lead to activities that are actually fun.

 

Having said that, for only $20, TLAD feels like a completetly new new game(although in the same city) , that is refresingly different in style then Niko's, add's in a a bunch more stuff especially then new music that gives the atmosphere even more punch.

 

The production quality is Rockstar top of the line stuff as usual, and i love how the storyline is joined in a bit with Niko's.

 

And seeing Niko at the first cutscene in the background, was a great touch.

 

I was not expecting this much from TLAD, and i'm enjoying it as much as Niko's story, and i like how they added in a darker side to IV, from a new perspective.

 

If your a GTA fan, you have to be nuts to not play TLAD, it's like a completly(be it alot shorter then the original) new game, it's that good.