Preview: Grand Theft Auto IV (Page 4 of 5)
Help a Playboy Out, Playa.
The next mission introduced Playbox X, an up-and-coming hustler from the Algonquin district. Playboy wants Niko to take out a few union leaders down at the docks. Again, it's not a problem for Niko if the money's good (no remorse). They drive down to the docks and park the car in a nearby alley where another black SUV is waiting for them, full of loaded guns. Niko pulls the guns out of the trunk, and the two head up a nearby rooftop. From the rooftop, Playboy X uses binoculars to call out the guards and Niko shoots them down. The snipers fall from the guard towers as the camera switches to their lifeless body's moments before they slam into the pavement below.
Run a red light in GTA4 and it's no big deal, but neglect to pay the bridge toll and you've got yourself a wanted level.
With the snipers eliminated, Niko can move in on foot. This is the mission where we get an extensive look at the new and visceral combat system. When in combat, Niko can take cover behind any object in the game. He can blind-fire from behind cover or pop and shoot for increased accuracy. The new targeting system enables players to soft lock-on to a target and then pinpoint specific points of the body, such as head, torso, or legs.
Fire weapons in GTA IV is the best it's ever been and holds up well even compared to big FPS titles. The guns are loud, the environments are packed with explosive debris, and the enemies react realistically to being shot. Players are going to have just as much fun with the gunplay missions, if not more than the car chases.
The Final Mission
Remember Niko hanging from the side of that moving truck from the trailer? Or maybe hanging from the helicopter? The last mission Rockstar demoed showed us exactly how that works. Climbing and hanging on vehicles is a new gameplay mechanic and part of the wide mission variety in GTA IV.
Niko is introduced to Bell, who wants him to steal a drug truck from the Triads. During this mission, the truck takes off but Niko is able to grab hold of the rear bumper. The Rockstar rep shows us that by rapidly pressing the A-button Niko will climb to the top of the truck. Once on top, it becomes a physics mini-game where the player must anticipate acceleration, braking, and turning. The truck makes a sharp turn and Niko goes flying off the edge, but he's still holding on. He climbs back up, shimmies into the truck cab, pops the driver in the head, and kicks him out of the truck.
There's Niko manning one of the many different types of sniper rifles in the game, and that's mission informant Playboy X, the up and coming hustler of the Algonquin area.
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