Grand Theft Auto IV (Page 2 of 4)
- July 26, 2007 09:22 AM PST
- Email this!
The driver punches in the location, an internet cafe a few miles away, and a real-time fare meter ticks. Niko needs to get closer to Goldberg, his hit, and a job interview is a great way inside the high-security law firm. First things first, he needs to submit a resume.
Inside the cab, Niko waits. The camera shifts to a cinematic view, providing numerous angles and views of the cab ride with booming radio music emanating from the taxi's stereo. It's all very movie-like. Cabs function differently in GTAIV. Because jacking a car requires a set amount of time to hot wire it started, it's sometimes easier to hail a cab...and a lot less risky, to boot. Plus, Trip Skip is back, so if you want to get Niko somewhere quickly, a cab could be your best bet.
Everything in the city is gorgeously detailed, and GTA's jump into the next-gen is a big one. The little green guy on crosswalk signs are crisp and clear, visible from inside the cab. The camera shifts. It's outside now, facing the left of the cab, with every letter of its fare costs on the taxi's door perfectly legible.
You can expect plenty more of this to come.
Niko's arrived. The music fades as the cab pulls away. He enters the cyber cafe, appropriately named TW@, and logs onto the web (a working in-game network that's navigated just like the real internet). On the law firm's website, Niko gives his resume a once-over before uploading it to the site. There are some funny bits--his hobbies are shooting and boxing--but we're told it's mostly placeholder for now.
Nike makes a right out of TW@ and crosses the street, passing a sundries shop and what looks like a Sanchez bike in the intersection. Each and every street in Liberty City is named, something that's never been done in and GTA game. Locations also have physical, numbered addresses.
Time to give McCreary a call. Dialing. Niko explains that he's submitted his resume to the firm, and shortly after, the law firm's receptionist, Karen, calls. She's scheduled Niko for an interview and the appointment is added to Niko's organizer in his phone (Note: Niko didn't have to pick up his phone. He could have ignored Karen and gone about whatever he pleased. This is how the player controls the game's progression).
Back in a cab. Niko's off to meet McCreary at Castle Gardens, GTAIV's version of the South Street Seaport. Walking to find him, pedestrians pass. A women holds a grocery bag, others are smoking cigarettes. Niko spots McCreary by the water.
Here, Niko gets his next job from McCreary. The worried cop thinks someone is trying to blackmail him, so he sets up a meeting. It's Niko's job to find out who he is and, well, ask questions later.
