What I missed from IV (knowing who's who)

[EM_JAY_86]

I'll start by saying I'm a fan of both gta IV and V, but what I missed from 4 was the way we were introduced to the environment. We got to know different characters from different areas, and as Nico's story progressed, we where introduced to the demographics of Liberty City, and this is part of the reason why IV's story still remains more emersive for me. We got to know the active characters of LC's criminal underworld, who operates in what area, who's having conflict with who. It really made you feel like you're a part of the cesspit of crime and corruption that is Liberty City.

 

While V had a heavy gang presence in south and east LS, it left a lot to be desired, since we were never introduced to any of the more influential gang members. Even with a black protagonist from Forum Drive, we were only introduced to two Families members, Lamar and Stretch (Gerald as well if you count online). Who was the other 'Forum Gangsters' members supposed to be? Franklin mentions learning skills to pass on, but pass on to who? Any Chamberlain Hills loitering NPC wearin a green jersey? He didn't even like most of them did he?

 

Also, I wish we had got to know some Mexican gang members. For me, this is one of the most disappointing aspects of the story. For a game based on LA, the Latino gang influence is greatly under used, and could have made for an intriguing storyline. We had Madrazo, but he only appeared a couple of times, and (since he didn't kill Trevor), couldn't really be taken seriously as an influential cartel boss.

 

I know they went with a different kind of story for V, and I'm not hatin on the game at all, neither are perfect. I just think it's in this aspect that IV out shines V as far as immersion goes.

 

Opinions?

 

 

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

IV's problem is that it was slow to start out, all the early missions acting as tutorials to slow you onto the game... but we really got a feel of Liberty and who our friends and enemies were. It took its sweet time in a good way, and the story really developed. My only issue is when I wanted to replay the game, driving Roman around and the like was a pain, but I got over it pretty quickly.

 

V wants us to know all these characters as if we were the protagonists themselves, but we don't. We hardly see the side characters, and we're thrown about the environment almost immediately. It doesn't help most of V's characters are pretty unlikable anyway.

[EM_JAY_86]

It also didn't help when it come to the big finale, (possible spoiler), I mean Haines and Weston were a pair of pricks, so fair enough, worthy revenge. But I hadn't even seen Stretch for most of the game when I killed him, and Wei Cheing (spelling), I didn't even know which f*cker I was supposed to shoot in that car (blew it up to be safe).

 

Also, I agree with IV starting slow not being very fun after a few times, but it was relevant to the story I felt.