Grand Theft Auto 4 redefining the sandbox game

It may seem like Rockstar Games is taking its sweet time in developing the highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV, but it’s probably for good reason. The development team have been focused on recreating the GTA experience – only much better this time – for both the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. More on that at the full story.

A recent preview of Rockstar North‘s Grand Theft Auto IV, like a few others, have spilled new details of what gamers are likely to encounter when the game finally arrives on the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360. Beside the captivating visuals, near-realistic city-wide activity, and surreal portrayals and behaviors of characters in the game, GTA IV is also likely to provide unique ways of tracking targets, evading authorities, and disposing of the entire lot of them.

First and foremost, however, is the new way Bellic will be able to track down objectives. It’s a new avenue for resourcefulness: you can track people using a police-maintained centralized database. In order to gain access, you have to use a laptop fitted inside the standard squad car. And Bellic can gain access to one in many ways, and the possibilities are not short of dialing 911 on Bellic’s handy-dandy mobile phone and jacking the squad car as it pulls up on the curb.

Another great thing is how gunfights can be carried out. Much like in other shooters, Bellic will be able to hide behind cover and fire blindly at targets. If you’re looking for more efficient killing ways, however, you’d be better off locking on to the enemies firing at you and serve them your own serving of lead with deadly accuracy.

The developers have also included a free fire mode, so Grand Theft Auto IV will permit the more capable shooters from the player base use their skills to get out of hairy situations. It makes the game become more shooter like, says Rockstar.

And remember how gunfire may destroy the environment if kept up long enough? Well, if you aim your guns at more explosive hotspots, such as a gas station, you introduce that station and its neighboring buildings to a massive inferno. Just try to stay well back, lest you wish to visit the nearest hospital – again.

And with the new cinematic mode, gamers will also be allowed to slow down the game in real time, increasing the chances that Bellic could drive through tight traffic unscathed. Or if you’d rather be driven to your destination than drive yourself there, you’d get to cruise through the busy streets savoring the sights in the casual taxi mode.

But if you’re in a hurry, you might want to shell out extra dough and bribe the driver to break a couple of driving laws to cut straight to your destination. Cars, trucks, buses, and helicopters are all in the mix, though airplanes won’t be drivable in GTA 4. More developments on the game as they roll in.

Buy: [ GTA IV (PS3) ]
Buy: [ GTA IV (Xbox 360) ]