What if most people actually liked the serious story of GTA IV?

[Herbanov]

 

It's actually funny when you think about it. GTA IV is often regarded as being too dark and serious yet to me it has some of the most genuinely hilarious moments in the series without feeling like it's trying too hard. Some of the conversations between Niko and Vlad make me laugh harder than anything else from the 3D era and GTA V.

Vlad: So, Ivan - I see you later, okay? Yokel... fatty Roman's cousin... what's your name again?

 

Niko: Big mouth prick.

 

Vlad: Very catchy, sit down. Cousin... Niko... that's it, Niko... not big mouth prick. You funny guy.

 

Niko: I try.

[CatsWontDance]

Tbh, I'm hoping GTA 6 knows how to hit every note, both serious like IV and funny like V. Though IV is my favorite, V gets alot of serious cues right too. The atmosphere before and after a heist is one of my favorites. It has that anxious-then-relief feel. Trevor has some pretty dark, almost horror movie like moments.

[Journey_95]

GTA Games aren't supposed to be dark,Rockstar has proven that with GTAIV,GTA games are also not story based games,that's why they are so popular,and why rants about story don't matter.

if only you were the minority but it seems most GTA fans think like this

and thats a damm shame

GTA IV had a great story it was serious but it was also funny at times without shoving the humor down your throat like V

It had great characters you felt involved in the story

 

Sure it lacked mission variety but that was more a hardware problem than the game

 

now we have GTA V with scripted missions (but at least we have variety now right? lol)

kiddie humor and f*cking annoying and caricature characters

of course don't forget lame villians that are a complete joke

Edited March 2, 2015 by Journey_95

[PowerKracker]

[puffy]

but then because many didn't like it they went back to the craziness of SA with GTA V

I'm sure the devs got enough feedback to know whether or not it was worth moving back to a lighter story or not. Or alternatively: fan feelings about the atmosphere could be totally beyond the devs/writers, and they could have chosen the new feel independently.

 

I know it's kinda an obscure game when compared alongside the two giants that are IV and V, but Chinatown Wars (made in 2009) is really close to GTA V in humor and tone. Might be worth considering if you're curious when they started moving in that direction.

 

Oh, and same thing PowerKracker said. Of all the people I've talked about GTA with, nobody offline has ever discussed the game's story, or any mechanics other than shootouts and freefalling. Not even the most killstreaking of gamers would be able to play without a story though. It's the masking tape holding the game together and making you think you appreciate it, but really all a game is is just glossed up game mechanics.

Edited March 13, 2015 by puffy

[helpplease]

I think people and R* misinterepreted the problem with GTA 4. The problem wasn't that it was dark it was that it wasn't a very good game. There were no ideas for missions other than start mission---drive to vehicle----drive vehicle to compound---shoot out---die---go back to start of mission. It was boring and repetitive. The city was also empty. Overall the game just wasn't fun to play and that is the problem. In contrast, VCS had a dark storyline and world but it had mission variety and was enjoyable. I didn't get that with 4. It was just bland: the missions, the radio station and the city etc. All bland.

 

GTA Games aren't supposed to be dark,Rockstar has proven that with GTAIV,GTA games are also not story based games,that's why they are so popular,and why rants about story don't matter.

if only you were the minority but it seems most GTA fans think like this

and thats a damm shame

GTA IV had a great story it was serious but it was also funny at times without shoving the humor down your throat like V

It had great characters you felt involved in the story

 

Sure it lacked mission variety but that was more a hardware problem than the game

 

now we have GTA V with scripted missions (but at least we have variety now right? lol)

kiddie humor and f*cking annoying and caricature characters

of course don't forget lame villians that are a complete joke

 

I haven't played 5 yet but I disagree with GTA 4 having a good plot. It had a very good script and voice acting but the plot itself dragged and was aimless a lot of the time. Take Niko; Niko robs a bank for $250k but a few missions later he is still hiring himself out and complaining about a lack of money "if it payz".

[lastmanonearth]

A lot more could have been done with Franklin`s story, I felt, in GTA V. It was not long enough to really experience any character development or feel a connection with that character. I didn`t even understand his relationship with his girlfriend (or ex-girlfriend.) Not that that`s so important, but perhaps something like Lamar selling you out and then a choice of killing him or letting him live would have added depth, as was common in GTA IV. They did a better job with Michael`s story IMO. GTA IV was all about one character, so there was more room for character development there and the story felt longer and deeper.

 

As for whether a serious story is better than a light-hearted story, I think a mix of fun and seriousness is the winning combo. My favorite GTA story of all time is the VC story. A perfect balance of business and fun there. The SA story is a close second.

Edited March 14, 2015 by bored_killed

[Algonquin Assassin]

that it wasn't a very good game.

 

No. It's one of the best games ever made. Being a very good game is simply selling GTA IV short.

[American Viking]

Those of you saying the story of a video game is irrelevant are wrong in my opinion, although that is your opinion so it can't be wrong...the irony. A good video game plot can equal any Blockbuster film in story although most games rarely do. GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption are amazing examples of this. Masterpieces that would have not had the same appeal had they been empty shells, regardless of how nice the graphics and gameplay were for the time. GTA IV had me metaphorically on the edge of my seat wondering what was next for the Bellic boys, and Red Dead Redemption brought a great deal of sympathy to me when John finally reclaimed his life only to have it ripped from him in his untimely death. For me, a good story in a video game is most important.

[Algonquin Assassin]

Those of you saying the story of a video game is irrelevant are wrong in my opinion, although that is your opinion so it can't be wrong...the irony. A good video game plot can equal any Blockbuster film in story although most games rarely do. GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption are amazing examples of this. Masterpieces that would have not had the same appeal had they been empty shells, regardless of how nice the graphics and gameplay were for the time. GTA IV had me metaphorically on the edge of my seat wondering what was next for the Bellic boys, and Red Dead Redemption brought a great deal of sympathy to me when John finally reclaimed his life only to have it ripped from him in his untimely death. For me, a good story in a video game is most important.

 

When I think long and hard about it most video games I've finished multiple times are the ones where I've felt heavily immersed by their stories. Hence why GTA IV and RDR top my list. There are very few games I enjoy with sh*tty stories regardless of how great the gameplay is.

[lastmanonearth]

The story is definitely important, but it isn`t everything. There are games like The Order: 1886 for example, with a solid story but the gameplay is sh*t as you can only go where the game tells you to go and do what the game tells you to do. Might as well take the player out of the equasion and make it a CGI movie instead!

 

How does this have anything to do with GTA? Luckily, not much, yet. BUT I don`t like the GTA missions that make you chase a target all over the city before the target will become killable. I wish they`d give you the freedom to kill the targets your own way without it being too cinematic, like if you block the alley the target is gonna take with a truck and wait for him with a bazooka to blow him in a spectacular way then that should be your option. The way it is now, there`s often only one way to kill, which sucks my hairy ass big time! Especially when you keep trying it their way and keep failing. Too much of the game being scripted is a detriment. The game story shouldn`t interfere with the free-roaming gameplay mechanic.

Edited March 14, 2015 by bored_killed

[American Viking]

The story is definitely important, but it isn`t everything. There are games like The Order: 1886 for example, with a solid story but the gameplay is sh*t as you can only go where the game tells you to go and do what the game tells you to do. Might as well take the player out of the equasion and make it a CGI movie instead!

 

How does this have anything to do with GTA? Luckily, not much, yet. BUT I don`t like the GTA missions that make you chase a target all over the city before the target will become killable. I wish they`d give you the freedom to kill the targets your own way without it being too cinematic, like if you block the alley the target is gonna take with a truck and wait for him with a bazooka to blow him in a spectacular way then that should be your option. The way it is now, there`s often only one way to kill, which sucks my hairy ass big time! Especially when you keep trying it their way and keep failing. Too much of the game being scripted is a detriment. The game story shouldn`t interfere with the free-roaming gameplay mechanic.

Believe it or not, GTA IV and EFLC offer many opportunities to be creative, even if it seems it has to be played a certain way. Take the mission where you have to kill Vlad for example. When he takes off in his car, you don't have to follow him street for street and can in fact follow from the main street as he speeds through an obstacle course designed for the player, then at the end of his rope you can kill him as you please. There are many car chases that are just like that, and none as scripted as the car chases in GTA V. In GTA V, you'll get "mission failed" quicker then your head will spin if you try to be innovative and do anything other then what it allows. Many more vehicle chases, for example when Niko is chasing Lost member Jason Michaels, it's entirely possible to kill him before he meets up with the other Lost members.

 

But, where the game really shows it's allowance of innovation, is in most normal missions. In the mission where Francis tasks Niko with killing Clearance in the projects, it's entirely possible to snipe him from a distance and avoid a shootout, although be quick. In missions where dudes are chasing you, you can simply exit your vehicle and kill them thus avoiding a long chase. It's the ability to be creative with missions that is another major appeal of GTA IV. GTA V on the other hand, forces you to do it their way or the highway. I've never seen "mission failed" so many times before. This to me is why GTA V has no replay value.

[wiizardii]

The thing people loved about IV was that the story is what was the main focus, instead of gameplay and everything else. People loved story, and lets be honest.. Story wise, IV will always be top, because it also felt like a movie. It felt like a tragic crime drama wich I including everyone else in this forum loved alot. Now adays its all about heist criminality, I love heists and such, but the criminality IV represented was a hitman cheaper underdog gritty type. Wich in that case, was Niko.

 

If R* is able to do a GTA game that is varied between a gritty dark (like IV) and light (like V) storyline with excellent gameplay, that would be the best GTA game ever IMO.

 

I am not saying V is sh*tty, I loved the heists theme and that smart criminality that V had with Michael. But a story varied between that and the cheap hitman? Hell to the f*cking yes.

 

Also like SonOfLiberty said, GTA IV had that dark humour like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, wich was awesome.

Edited March 14, 2015 by Phoenix_Poop

[Osho]

Many people liked the IV story. The problems were something other than the story itself, which has been discussed plenty of times. Story was highly praised. Some people are just confused and spreading this false info of people not liking it. Clearly, they can't digest all the criticisms regarding the story thrown against their precious GTA V.

[wiizardii]

Many people liked the IV story. The problems were something other than the story itself, which has been discussed plenty of times. Story was highly praised. Some people are just confused and spreading this false info of people not liking it. Clearly, they can't digest all the criticisms regarding the story thrown against their precious GTA V.

You can't stereotype and say that all of them like GTA V...

[Osho]

 

 

Many people liked the IV story. The problems were something other than the story itself, which has been discussed plenty of times. Story was highly praised. Some people are just confused and spreading this false info of people not liking it. Clearly, they can't digest all the criticisms regarding the story thrown against their precious GTA V.

You can't stereotype and say that all of them like GTA V...I will never refer to all. If you read the bold parts of my post quoted with your reply then you will get the connection.

[Son of Zeus]

 

but then because many didn't like it they went back to the craziness of SA with GTA V

I'm sure the devs got enough feedback to know whether or not it was worth moving back to a lighter story or not. Or alternatively: fan feelings about the atmosphere could be totally beyond the devs/writers, and they could have chosen the new feel independently.

 

I know it's kinda an obscure game when compared alongside the two giants that are IV and V, but Chinatown Wars (made in 2009) is really close to GTA V in humor and tone. Might be worth considering if you're curious when they started moving in that direction.

 

Oh, and same thing PowerKracker said. Of all the people I've talked about GTA with, nobody offline has ever discussed the game's story, or any mechanics other than shootouts and freefalling. Not even the most killstreaking of gamers would be able to play without a story though. It's the masking tape holding the game together and making you think you appreciate it, but really all a game is is just glossed up game mechanics.

That may be the case with other games, not GTA.

GTA is not just about having shootouts and driving vehicles. Its story is supposed to mock/parody things of a particular period(80s, 90s, etc). It brings up various social issues and makes us question them. Its got social commentary, satire, social issues like corruption; all wrapped up with emotions, motives and topped off with humour, both dark and silly.

 

Also like SonOfLiberty said, GTA IV had that dark humour like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, wich was awesome.

SonOfLiberty is dead, bro. Turned the gun on himself sometime back. Real tragic, but Miamivicecity has taken his place. He fends off the IV haters now, just like SOL. Edited March 14, 2015 by Son of Zeus

[PhillBellic]

 

 

Also like SonOfLiberty said, GTA IV had that dark humour like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, wich was awesome.

SonOfLiberty is dead, bro. Turned the gun on himself sometime back. Real tragic, but Miamivicecity has taken his place. He fends off the IV haters now, just like SOL.

 

SonOfLiberty shall live on in our hearts. Never forget.

[Journey_95]

not sure what you are trying to prove by quoting this guy and this might have been true a few years ago (and even that is disputable ever played Deus ex or mafia 1?, probably not)

 

but gaming has evolved and while gameplay is always very important for many people (myself included) a good story is equally important if not more

 

overall a very silly quote

there are lots of games out there with a good story I suggest you play them instead of spouting nonsense

Edited March 16, 2015 by Journey_95

[puffy]

 

Oh, and same thing PowerKracker said. Of all the people I've talked about GTA with, nobody offline has ever discussed the game's story, or any mechanics other than shootouts and freefalling. Not even the most killstreaking of gamers would be able to play without a story though. It's the masking tape holding the game together and making you think you appreciate it, but really all a game is is just glossed up game mechanics.

That may be the case with other games, not GTA.

GTA is not just about having shootouts and driving vehicles. Its story is supposed to mock/parody things of a particular period(80s, 90s, etc). It brings up various social issues and makes us question them. Its got social commentary, satire, social issues like corruption; all wrapped up with emotions, motives and topped off with humour, both dark and silly.

That's what GTA is to you. Luckily for both of us, and any fans of the game, GTA has great gameplay and great story immersion. And I do appreciate the story, I just don't think it's as important to whether or not IV is a good game as most people seem to think it is.

 

Open question to anyone (but I'd especially appreciate an answer from Son of Zeus): If GTA IV had no cutscenes, no dialogue between characters, no missions, etc. and it was just a sandbox game where you ran around Liberty City in its current form with the same weapons, vehicles, helicopters, radio stations, etc. available, would you still enjoy IV as a game and play it as often?

 

(Don't read below until you've responded, or if you weren't going to respond anyway, please.)

 

To be fair, I think I'd get bored of it quickly. Without a story you lose context, and with it hundreds of possible roleplay options, which is pretty much all that's left when you've only got a big city to run around in. Sure you could explore, but the story and missions act as a guiding hand that point out great areas to explore, and without it you're pretty much groping around in the dark (if you don't understand that try playing a game that is pure exploration... Yume Nikki comes to mind, and while it's not a bad game, a story would help it be a lot better). When you really consider GTA IV not having a story, you realize that not only is the story a nice experience in itself, but that it's also a tool that allows the setting to come to life.

 

I still think that GTA IV without a story would have a big following though.

 

[lastmanonearth]

 

 

Oh, and same thing PowerKracker said. Of all the people I've talked about GTA with, nobody offline has ever discussed the game's story, or any mechanics other than shootouts and freefalling. Not even the most killstreaking of gamers would be able to play without a story though. It's the masking tape holding the game together and making you think you appreciate it, but really all a game is is just glossed up game mechanics.

That may be the case with other games, not GTA.

GTA is not just about having shootouts and driving vehicles. Its story is supposed to mock/parody things of a particular period(80s, 90s, etc). It brings up various social issues and makes us question them. Its got social commentary, satire, social issues like corruption; all wrapped up with emotions, motives and topped off with humour, both dark and silly.

That's what GTA is to you. Luckily for both of us, and any fans of the game, GTA has great gameplay and great story immersion. And I do appreciate the story, I just don't think it's as important to whether or not IV is a good game as most people seem to think it is.

 

Open question to anyone (but I'd especially appreciate an answer from Son of Zeus): If GTA IV had no cutscenes, no dialogue between characters, no missions, etc. and it was just a sandbox game where you ran around Liberty City in its current form with the same weapons, vehicles, helicopters, radio stations, etc. available, would you still enjoy IV as a game and play it as often?

 

(Don't read below until you've responded, or if you weren't going to respond anyway, please.)

 

To be fair, I think I'd get bored of it quickly. Without a story you lose context, and with it hundreds of possible roleplay options, which is pretty much all that's left when you've only got a big city to run around in. Sure you could explore, but the story and missions act as a guiding hand that point out great areas to explore, and without it you're pretty much groping around in the dark (if you don't understand that try playing a game that is pure exploration... Yume Nikki comes to mind, and while it's not a bad game, a story would help it be a lot better). When you really consider GTA IV not having a story, you realize that not only is the story a nice experience in itself, but that it's also a tool that allows the setting to come to life.

 

I still think that GTA IV without a story would have a big following though.

 

The reason I could never get into the Driver series is because their stories are so lackluster and told half-assed, with only three or four cutscenes for the whole playthrough. Never mind the huge open world, if it doesn`t have context it`s empty and dull. That being said, all story and no fun is just as bad, as with games like Mafia 2. This Mafia franchise has a great story for both games, but there is literally nothing to do in the game other than the missions. Luckily, the missions are fun. The Order: 1886 is a heavily story-driven, overly cinematic game which unlike Mafia isn`t even fun in the slightest because all the focus is on the cinematics and the story and there`s nothing else to do at all in the game. Go there, pick that up, kill him, go back, all the while being bombarded with cutscenes ad nauseam. GTA manages to have the best balance of both aspects for any game, fun gameplay and very good storytelling. I just wish the next game will give you tons more interactions with pedestrians and objects. Imagine how cool it`d be then in virtual reality! If the next GTA title is playable in VR, I don`t see how conventional cutscenes would still work, but it`d be even more immersive as you`d be the center of it all, it`d feel so real...

Edited March 16, 2015 by bored_killed

[Son of Zeus]

 

 

Oh, and same thing PowerKracker said. Of all the people I've talked about GTA with, nobody offline has ever discussed the game's story, or any mechanics other than shootouts and freefalling. Not even the most killstreaking of gamers would be able to play without a story though. It's the masking tape holding the game together and making you think you appreciate it, but really all a game is is just glossed up game mechanics.

That may be the case with other games, not GTA.

GTA is not just about having shootouts and driving vehicles. Its story is supposed to mock/parody things of a particular period(80s, 90s, etc). It brings up various social issues and makes us question them. Its got social commentary, satire, social issues like corruption; all wrapped up with emotions, motives and topped off with humour, both dark and silly.

That's what GTA is to you. Luckily for both of us, and any fans of the game, GTA has great gameplay and great story immersion. And I do appreciate the story, I just don't think it's as important to whether or not IV is a good game as most people seem to think it is.

 

Open question to anyone (but I'd especially appreciate an answer from Son of Zeus): If GTA IV had no cutscenes, no dialogue between characters, no missions, etc. and it was just a sandbox game where you ran around Liberty City in its current form with the same weapons, vehicles, helicopters, radio stations, etc. available, would you still enjoy IV as a game and play it as often?

 

(Don't read below until you've responded, or if you weren't going to respond anyway, please.)

 

To be fair, I think I'd get bored of it quickly. Without a story you lose context, and with it hundreds of possible roleplay options, which is pretty much all that's left when you've only got a big city to run around in. Sure you could explore, but the story and missions act as a guiding hand that point out great areas to explore, and without it you're pretty much groping around in the dark (if you don't understand that try playing a game that is pure exploration... Yume Nikki comes to mind, and while it's not a bad game, a story would help it be a lot better). When you really consider GTA IV not having a story, you realize that not only is the story a nice experience in itself, but that it's also a tool that allows the setting to come to life.

 

I still think that GTA IV without a story would have a big following though.

 

No, obviously not. IV without story would be just an empty shell. I mean, compared to San Andreas, it severely lacks in content(if you don't consider EFLC).

 

No matter how much content(side missions and stuff) a game has, if it doesn't have a story it will be lifeless. Especially in GTA, where story is crucial, as missions are structure upon that.

[Majestic81]

GTA IV wasnt serious, on its own it was well balanced with a good story that you can sink in, and fun gameplay and funny characters/references. GTA V just overshadowed it with its over the top BS.

 

The way i see it, GTA V is the one that is too over the top and silly. Not IV being too serious.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Majestic81

[lastmanonearth]

GTA IV wasnt serious, on its own it was well balanced with a good story that you can sink in, and fun gameplay and funny characters/references. GTA V just overshadowed it with its over the top BS.

 

The way i see it, GTA V is the one that is too over the top and silly. Not IV being too serious.

I don`t completely disagree with you, but I think you`re exaggerating. First of all IV didn`t have great gameplay, that was V. It was very serious though, lots of betrayal, point blank executions of your former friends while they beg for mercy etc. Although IV`s story was better than V`s because in V it seemed rushed past several chapters at a time. One moment Franklin`s living at home with his aunt, the next he`s got a mansion etc. it didn`t feel real. IV focused on only one character so there was more room to dwelve deeply into his life and that`s why it feels like it had better story. V had potential that was only partially realized, IMO.

Edited March 16, 2015 by bored_killed

[puffy]

GTA IV wasnt serious, on its own it was well balanced with a good story that you can sink in, and fun gameplay and funny characters/references. GTA V just overshadowed it with its over the top BS.

 

The way i see it, GTA V is the one that is too over the top and silly. Not IV being too serious.

There were people complaining about how moody and depressing IV could be long before V even came out. However it's not an either-or thing, there really are aspects of IV that are serious, and they tend to outnumber the fun light-hearted moments-- or are more memorable anyway. The grey filter, the grimy city, the scathing and unforgiving satire, nihlistic attitude toward killing and execution, etc. I could go on.

 

V had serious moments and non-serious moments too. It was an emotional game that had us question such pressing social issues as torture, intelligence agency blackmail, murder-for-profit, etc. they just did it with a more light-hearted tone (and personally I think they were shooting for a modern-day vice city vibe). It's not a binary thing, whether the games are serious or not, and I think a lot of people on this forum are taking it that way and using it to dismiss either game. f*ck everything good about IV/V, it was too serious/goofy and that makes it a sh*t game and ultimately inferior in every way to V/IV.

[nath22]

Vice City got it right, IV had too many fetch/kill missions and V was trying to do too much at once.

 

I'm all for games having a story behind them but can the biggest IV fans say that game is as exciting as V? GTA shouldn't have to pick one or the other, it should be about balance.

[lastmanonearth]

Vice City got it right, IV had too many fetch/kill missions and V was trying to do too much at once.

 

I'm all for games having a story behind them but can the biggest IV fans say that game is as exciting as V? GTA shouldn't have to pick one or the other, it should be about balance.

It`s not at all exciting. I always dreaded the long drives to and from missions, which were intentionally placed as far as possible from the point where you start, and often times there`s a particular car you must use so no skipping time in TAXIs. Why they took out the "Trip Skip" option for when you repeat a mission I have no idea. 85-90% of the GTA IV gameplay is getting from point A to point B to point A, it`s a major buzz kill. Plus the story is overwhelmingly nihilistic, now I remember why I didn`t finish the game until just a week ago.

 

Spot on with VC being the best, everything came together beautifully with that one.

[Flesh-n-Bone]

I like a good balance personally. San Andreas was the perfect combination of humor, serious/sadness and a happy ending. IV went too much into serious mode while V was the converse in trying too much to be a parody/funny and resulted in a very rushed and unmemorable story with a thrown together ending.

[CarnageRacing00]

I don't think people had a problem with the story being dark, I think people had a problem with the effect it had on game play.

 

Like, Niko is kind of a dark, brooding guy... you aren't going to put a pink wig and clown nose on him and run around killing pedestrians with a dildo. Know what i mean?

 

Hence the creation of Trevor - a free license to do whatever you want and NOT have it be "out of character".

[Journey_95]

I don't think people had a problem with the story being dark, I think people had a problem with the effect it had on game play.

 

Like, Niko is kind of a dark, brooding guy... you aren't going to put a pink wig and clown nose on him and run around killing pedestrians with a dildo. Know what i mean?

 

Hence the creation of Trevor - a free license to do whatever you want and NOT have it be "out of character".

Thats silly thinking though

What you do with the character outside of the main story isn't really "canon".

 

So creating a character just for that (Trevor) is stupid.

 

The silly and "bad" things (killing innocents) you could do never made sense with any GTA protag

Edited September 14, 2015 by Journey_95