Who else is playing with the radar off?

[Jack Reacher]

I always figure the first playthrough of a game is the best, so I have decided to turn the radar off to make it last longer. So far its been pretty awesome, you stop rushing missions because you spend more time learning how to get around. You sorta create your own game within the game, you gotta find your own fun. You don't really want to get lost either otherwise it just gets hopeless, and you find you can visualize the map far better.

 

Only problem is missions, you gotta keep checking the main map so for that I just turn it back on if it seems too agitating.

 

Its also really satisfying though beating missions and finding your way around without the use of a radar or map, it makes you actually explore the game in the hope of finding a mission, it makes random events more organic as well.

[Darkwin]

I was going to do that but since the map is so overwhelmingly big and it takes 5+ minutes real time to travel across to the country sides etc. then id rather not lol. But seems like something interesting i may do once i've completed the story, personally i couldn't make it without the GPS lol its been my lifesaver.

[Jack Reacher]

I too was considering doing this after the story but then I figured... why not just do it now? Same thing but there is more stuff to stumble upon, missions and collectibles etc. IM pretty much just exploring and free roaming and when that gets really boring I just check the in game map. Its also fun learning how to get somewhere without the radar, and you can always taxi. You find yourself using your safehouse more, your garages more, as you put more effort into being organised I feel it really pays off.

[MisterRawgers]

I hadn't thought of that, I'll probably start doing it now since I've completed the story.

[Jack Reacher]

I thought people would have been all over this, it makes free roam games in general so much better turning off the map. I do it for loads of games like Assassins Creed, it creates an entirely new game.

 

You will find it gets extremely tedious if you are too mission orientated though, but you will also realize that you have been missing out on so much of the immersion if you just used the radar. I find that half the time I can just stare at the GPS route and I rarely take note of the city. People are so hung up on the small details of this game and calling it a disappointment and what not, when the real fun is there for you to make yourself.

[Nfurtado77]

I would rather having navigation like in burnout paradise, no gps but show what streets are coming up in the 2 top corners of the screen For the races it would flash what ever street you had to go on.

[split_lip]

Been playing with it off 80% of the time, makes the game a real challenge. Also, I started using the dash cam for all vehicles, super fun and immersive. Just slow cruising Vespucci canals taking in the sights. Nice one R*!

[Jack Reacher]

Oh yeah I used to do that with GTA IV, might do it again for this game.

[JubeiDOK]

I am probably going to do it for the PC version when it comes out. By then I should know Los Santos well enough to get around like you would if you lived there. The 3 you play as would prob know the city/environment pretty well, so for the time being the GPS serves as a way to simulate this.