Grand Theft Auto 4 seems to be the game about which many are basing, or throwing, their images of what they want games to represent. One corner is yelling that it is awful, rife with evil of the most heinous kind, while another claims it is the Citizen Kane of our time.
Though, it is hard for me to continue my self-espoused credentials as gamer by saying this, but I have to side with Penny Arcade on this one. The core gameplay is just not exciting enough to get me into it. I played about 3/4 of the way through the original GTA III and got bored. Based on reviews, it sounds like the storyline is the greatest thing since the Odyssey, but I'm not willing to put up with gameplay I don't find enthralling enough just to get to it. Call me old, but I don't have that kind of time on my hands.
In the meantime, Game Politics has put up several posts:
- FBI Stats Don’t Support Claims That GTA is Cop Killer Game
- Expert: Grand Theft Auto is Not Why Kids Join Street Gangs
- Police Chief: Most Players Realize GTA IV is Only a Game
Addnedum - (2008-04-30) I've been thinking about the post I made here and I'm being harsh on the game, especially without having tried it first. If I can get my hands on a copy, and more importantly some time to play it, I'll post some more informed thoughts then.
