Gamernode: Features - Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer Impressions

Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer Impressions

The Grand Theft Auto IV trailer has come and gone. Luckily (for Rockstar's well being, at least), it offered a fairly significant glimpse into the game for a minute-long trailer, providing us with details such as the game's location, graphical style, and more. For a brief outline of what the trailer had to show, read our story here. We'll have a further breakdown of the trailer later tonight, but for now, here are the impressions of some of the GamerNode staff:

Kyle Ulrich, Writer:
It's funny -- and completely awesome -- that Rockstar North chose to echo the 1983 film Koyaanisqatsi for the debut trailer of GTA IV. The work of Godfrey Reggio, Philip Glass and Ron Fricke is an interesting and obscure piece of art to be referencing for something as comical and satirical as the GTA canon. This, more than anything else -- including the obviously overhauled visuals -- solidifies the change in direction that Rockstar North seems to be implying with IV.

Brendon Lindsey, Editor-in-Chief:
I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of the GTA series post-GTA III. The last few console versions have been the same basic game with new settings, and the gameplay is really getting stale. At this point, we're not entirely sure IV's going to be any different, so why are people getting so worked up over it? The graphics look incredible based off of the trailer, but until I get some more info on the gameplay itself, I'm not going to drool over this or put it on my list of games I must get this year. I do like the idea of the Russian character, but I'm also worried we'll get a clichéd Russian mobster or merc, if any of the main characters after Claude are any indication. If you're desperate for a good sandbox title to keep you busy, Saints Row and Crackdown came out not too long ago.

Chris Pereira, Editorial Director:
As a huge fan of the GTA franchise, I was ecstatic to see the new trailer, to say the least. Upon seeing that the series will be returning to its Liberty City roots, sporting a new graphics system -- as opposed to expanding on the overall size of the city, like Vice City and San Andreas did -- and with a character that appears to have some depth, I'm more than satisfied. The game really looks like it could be a seriously immersive experience -- but I'll hold onto that thought until we see some actual gameplay. And was it just me, or did the main character remind anyone else of the nameless lead character from GTA III?

Brian Schulman, Writer:
Something here is seriously bothering me. What does the Russian guy say after "I killed people, I smuggled people..." Does he say I sued people? I mean, suing people doesn't seem that hardcore, but do I hear a Phoenix Wright-style minigame in the works? Since Rockstar seem to be going the more realistic route this time around, hopefully they'll give the GTA-playing masses what they've been clamoring for: the ability to defend themselves after they get arrested, turning every pickup for a minor infraction into a days-long quest to collect evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Top it off with a whole line of pinstripe suit wardrobe options and I'll be picking this game up on launch day.

Adam Aragon, Writer:
The new Grand Theft Auto Trailer is out today, and amid slammed servers and mirrored sites, I've managed to catch a glimpse at the glory that is the next iteration of the famed Grand Theft Auto series -- GTA IV. Little information is given in this new trailer. But we can glean that it will be using a top notch graphics engine, have amazing environments and star a Russian/Ukrainian fellow with a sordid past. There's really not much else to tell, but it's very pretty nonetheless. I'm hoping it will pick up the pace and interject a real story this time around, because the last thing I need is a bigger, prettier sandbox... (Okay maybe not the LAST thing I need).

John Clabo, President & CEO:
The trailer shows off some impressive lighting effects, great textures, and really cool city scenes. There are a few questions that this trailer raises though. Will we be playing as the character we saw in the trailer? Can we select more than one character to play as? What will this GTA offer that previous GTA's have not? There were more questions raised than answered, but the trailer showed off the graphical beauty of IV -- that's for sure. The only negative thing I can truly say about GTA IV is that it took me around an hour to actually view the trailer...

Billy Wang, Writer:
My interest in IV has been cemented. Having loved all the previous GTA games, IV looks to be not only a step, but a complete leap forward. A complete graphics overhaul with an improved lighting system and shadows, the location is back in Liberty City, and, of course, the classic GTA humor; quite a package. Make sure to check out the billboards for "I Slept With Your Mom," "America's Top Hooker," Burger Shot, Sprunk, and "11:49 -- time for a brown ring bagel." Still, the trailer is what it is; a very brief taste and a tease. It opens up a lot more questions than answers, but it most certainly has plenty of gamers -- this one included -- excited.

Jesse Wingert, Senior Graphic Artist:
I was immediately intrigued when the trailer for IV began to play. Rather than a video game trailer, this looked like a preview for a blockbuster movie. The finely tuned detail to buildings, textures, roads, weather and automobiles was amazing. The lighting effects in the game allowed light rays to shine through openings in structures and to reflect off of glassy buildings and cars, and the shadows created by objects were equal to those of real life. In fact, no city in any other GTA game can compare to this one. It looks almost scary and gloomy, like it's more grown up and matured when compared to the other cities in the series. Everything seemed to be so convincing and accurate. And just to think -- this is Grand Theft Auto -- there is an entire city that has been built within this game. A city that looks beautiful and lifelike -- and I get to wreak havoc within it. Then a smile came to my face, but it was quickly stolen... October 16 cannot come soon enough.

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