GTA 4 preview-Kikizo

The first playable preview outside of Rockstar is here and has been performed by Kikizo, and here we are to give you the highlights.

As they point out the main challenge Rockstar had with making this game was bringing it all together much better than the previous games, this included improving the usability, structure and pace of the game. As it seems they have achieved this by improving a number of aspects of the game. The improved wanted system and the integral use of your cell phone are only two parts of the game successfully improved.

The Controls
There are separate controls for different aspects of the game, just like in previous GTA games the controls are different when you are in a vehicle than when you are on foot. As you probably expect the controls are very easy to get used to and are very similar to previous GTA games.

Kikizo thoroughly tested all aspects of movement such as walking, running, jumping, sudden stops, sudden turns and running into a moving vehicle. As expected the dynamic animation is very smooth, they had very little to say apart from that Niko can look up in the air much further than in previous games.

I know part of the game I really wanted to know about was the fighting, and Kikizo were very impressed. The first thing they did was pick a fight with someone, while locked on there are the normal controls of punch, kick, block but also the ability to dodge attacks if you press the right button at the right time and the ability to line up combo attacks. There are small markers on the targeted person which tell you if they are running away (green marker) or if they are fighting back (red marker), and it is the same when you are shooting them.

The AI used throughout the game has also been improved. The example they give is if you are in a confined space with a ledge that you don’t want to fall off, so if you start to move Niko will move carefully in that direction.

The Missions
Kikizo got to play 4 missions in total, two from early-game and two from mid-game and they were impressed not only with the content of the missions but the pace as well. The earlier missions were about teaching you the controls and the usual missions you can expect, but the later missions were challenging and more engaging with good shootouts and great dialogue.

Read the rest of the GTA IV :Hands On Preview