We've been playing GTA IV all wrong

[oakesypvfc]

Whilst looking through little GTA IV articles on google, I found this link.

 

http://kotaku.com/5828760/youve-been-playing-gta-iv-wrong

 

I found it very interesting indeed reading through it and was wandering if anyone had actually ever done it. I mean, I don't think I could do without it as I am not a brilliant player but I am sure if there are those that haven't tried it on here, it could be a more interesting way to change the way you play the game.

 

Will be interested to hear your thoughts.

[Algonquin Assassin]

I have tried this before and it's true in every sense. Al though I don't do it for missions, but turning off the mini map makes the city feel completely different just walking/driving around.

[Payne Killer]

I've done it, I turned off the mini map during missions and it makes it very challenging.

[fefenc]

First of all, I hate that GPS thing, that makes me feel I'm retarded, so I deactivated it when I downloaded the game. After I beat the game, I've seen the necessity to buy the game on steam summer sale because I've needed to pay tribute to R* for the awesome game they've made with IV and I'm beating the game again on the steam version, both of the playtrough versions would calculate ~65-80 hours.

 

I've shut down the Minimap on the steam version playtrough without being influenced by reading any article for 3 reasons:

 

- I've felt that escaping cops was too easy for me, even at 6 star and I knew 70% of the reason of this was due to minimap helping me with cops dots and wanted level radius.

 

- It wouldn't make any sense Niko knowing perfectly where he would go, since it's his first time on Liberty City

 

- I love hard games

 

After that, I could see a different Liberty City, I was lost as Niko was supposed to be (mainly on that fkn 3°city industrial area). It was awesome.

 

I've also learned with this if you hide from the cops for awhile when your wanted level are too big (4~6 stars), even inside the wanted circle, it'll be reduced to 3 stars within a few minutes hidden, making easier to escape. That's why I love parking lots, mainly the subterranean one on the middle city.

 

The only reason I don't turn off the HUD is because our character physics are not the same as NPCs, so we wouldn't know when Niko is too hurt. For example, he won't halt if he get shot on the leg, nor stagger if he get shot too much on the stomach.

 

EDIT: Since I've overwrited ESC map for V one due to citizen, I'm completely lost on LC, I have only the mission dots on the menu to guide me and it's still a lot confusing. When I see I can't reach my destiny due to not knowing where to go, I call a taxi, then I sit back and enjoy the ride without playing with the window

 

Icenhancer 3 will improve this experience at 174x

Edited September 14, 2014 by fefenc

[Tycek]

I've completed the game completely without any form of HUD and I had to say it's quite interesting experience. Shootouts were the best, as I simply wasn't sure how many bullets or health I got. I would recommend that to anyone, who wants to try something new.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Tycek

[GTA_fear]

I'm doing this on my current playthrough, started a month or two ago. It's really awesome, what you guys say is true. Really immersive, I also plan on literally exploring every single bit of the map. Such a great game, damn.

[Vercetti42]

This is a good idea but insanely hard at the same time as well. The GPS voice in IV isn't that 'loud' i.e. whenever another character, say Roman, is in the car with me during a mission, I can't hear the GPS voice over his talking, thus leading me in the wrong way.

 

 

I am not sure if anyone else has faced this problem.

[Tyla]

I'm up for a GTAIV no map/no HUD playthrough. Who's with me?

 

I tried it a little earlier and it's amazing how intense and immersive gameplay becomes.

 

How challenging to remember things too. I was stuck in badderdandem hell for at least 5 minutes trying to figure out where The Vibe was on the radio dial.

 

Great article

[Vercetti42]

I think it would be cool if we start a 'Realistic playthrough' thread so that we can post our progress and stats.

 

I am all for giving it a go.

[B Dawg]

I'll give it a go on my next playthrough , maybe even on TLAD? I couldn't imagine Gang Wars without the HUD, that would be a nightmare.

[Tyla]

Great idea, count me in!

[MyDog]

Recently I've always played every GTA without the HUD and radar to make it more challenging.

 

However it's still become very easy.

[PhillBellic]

About the police car/helicopter icons on the radar, I actually replaced them with transparent ones. I still use the radar for other things.

 

Cheers.