Alright Oppo, help me pick a GTA

"BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion" (pbs)
10/01/2013 at 19:44 • Filed to: None

As you've all probably noticed by now, I'm not a big fan of the GTA series. It just never really caught my attention, and the missions never seemed to be focused enough on driving for my taste.

I really like driving. Like, a lot.

Anyways, I figured with GTA V coming out a few weeks ago, shops were bound to offer discounts on the older games of the series, and this moment seems to be upon us at last. Now, I don't know much about GTA. Most of my playtime consisted of picking up the controller on a friend's console, hitting a few people because of the (apparently) awkward driving system, then giving up uninterested, so I need some tips on which game to begin with.

I kind of thought going straight to the fourth game because of the complete edition and shit, but I figured I'd start with one of the three GTA 3 era games, so that's GTA 3, San Andreas and... another one.

What I'd like to know from those with more experience than myself is which of the three has the biggest open world to explore, which one has more customization options, which one has more mods (because I plan on replacing all the cars with real models, if possible) and, above all else, which one has the best driving.

I really like driving.

DISCUSSION (27)

Bandit > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:47

This one!

Kinja'd!!!

/not helping

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:48

San Andreas by far has the biggest pre-V world, but you will have to unlock it (whether it be by means of cheats or playing). It is my favorite, but physics are awful.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Bandit
10/01/2013 at 19:48

If I could, I would.... :p

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:50

San Andreas has the biggest world, most customization and most mods for the GTA 3 era.

though if you want real life cars then GTA IV is probably your best bet, though the world is smaller the driving physics are probably closer to real life (but still not great). Graphics are vastly improved, and can be down right ridiculous with the iCE Enhancer mods.

Kinja'd!!!

the above two are in game shots with iCEnhancer running (and probably various other mods)

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:52

The other one is Vice City, a satire of 1980's Miami. I'd recommend either Vice City or San Andreas. They are both fun games, although the driving physics are very arcady but I think they suit the feel of the games.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/01/2013 at 19:52

By unlocking it through cheats or playing, you're telling me I won't have to pay extra for content that's just slightly out of reach, Dragon Age style? I don't mind DLC, what brings my piss to a boil is a 10 minute introductory cutscene and action sequence that lead the player to a credit card machine in order to continue

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:53

dieselwagon > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:54

San Andreas has a massive world and quite a lot of stuff to do. Vice City has the best theme, if you like the 80's Miami vibe. GTAIV is the most 'real' and looks quite amazing, probably the best driving, if plenty of exaggerated body roll and over steer.

Dakotacowboy > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:54

I liked Vice City the best of the three main PS2 era games. The world was not as big as San Andreas, but I liked the story, time, and place better.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 19:59

I'm sure there are some mods out there. I will search for them.

Kinja'd!!!

Bandit > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:00

It was a pontiac GTA if kinja screwed up my image posting.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:02

Here's an intro-skipping mod . As for content, what do you mean exactly?

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Bandit
10/01/2013 at 20:02

It didn't, it was my country that screwed up my car choices... It's sad really, had my family been american, but the same as we are now, chances are I'd own a Nova or a GTO and my brother would be tooling around in the Fox Mustangs he loves so much.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Bandit
10/01/2013 at 20:03

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:05

You'd be better off with a sim ... GTA is to driving as Madden is to kicking field goals. It's in there but it's not the whole point of the game.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/01/2013 at 20:09

Oops, I guess my prior message wasn't really clear as to the kind of content I'm referring to... sorry bout that :p

What I meant was that in Dragon Age Origins and a few other EA games from the same era, you'd stumble upon a character or event that started in an intro cutscene, winded into a cool action sequence, only to prompt you to pay for DLC in order to continue the quest you'd already started. It was cheap, anti climatic and downright wrong to let players get into something nice, only to slam the door on their faces and tell them to pay up or shut up.

I wanted to know if unlocking the full game world in San Andreas could be done only through playing, or if there's improptu paying involved as well, like, I dunno, crossing a bridge into a new area and having to pay to pass a toll booth.

Blondude > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:12

San Andreas because Hot Coffee.

Wait, not that kind of driving? Oh...

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
10/01/2013 at 20:20

It's cool man, I'm not really expecting it to be a sim, and I actually prefer it to be an arcade driving game, like the old Driver games on PSX.

I was actually referring to the fact that driving is mostly utilitarian in GTA, I mean, you use it to go from A to B and back, but driving, pulling off stunts and looking good while doing it never seems to be the mission itself, like it was in Driver.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:22

Oh, no. Definitely not. Rockstar isn't as douchey or corporate a developer as EA or Activision, and while they forgo profits to accomplish that, they gain fan loyalty. Wow, I sound like a fanboy. Anyways, the answer is yes. You won't end up doing any missions by accident, either, when you are trying to cruise around (as far as I know).

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/01/2013 at 20:24

That's good to know, for sure. I think I'll actually enjoy unlocking the game world in these games if it's fair play and no pay, as I'll be able to get used to the areas I can go to before moving on.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:26

That's the trick. There's one mission I beat (train+motorcycle+being shot at+limited time=annoying), but couldn't do again after a lost save file, but it was worth it even for the time until then. Have fun!

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/01/2013 at 20:28

Hey, I finished Dark Souls, how hard can it be? : p

I'm really itching for a good challenge.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 20:31

Wow, I've heard that game is hard. The early missions of GTA SA are easy, but fun. The map is immersive and massive, and makes you glad they sacrificed graphics to concentrate on the game and world. The story, as with all GTAs, is incredibly well done.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
10/01/2013 at 20:32

I've yet to look into car mods for GTA V... How is the model availability and quality around the Internet? I've recently found out with other games that people tend to cram way too much or way too little detail into some of these models and they just look... off next to each other and inside the game world.

Or that they may have some non crucial files missing and suddenly, a wrecked, dented or scratched part simply vanishes or turns into something else instead of working.

scoob > Blondude
10/01/2013 at 20:35

Like, riding. No, not riding. Going fast. Wait, not going fast. DAMN IT!

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/01/2013 at 20:42

Yeah, Dark Souls can be pretty unforgiving if you, like me, insist on playing it solo without the help from summoned allies, because you can be sure enemy players will summon themselves into your game as often and com as hard as they can for you.

But the battles are motherflipping epic, and not in the common sense of never ending battles of attrition, but in fast, brutal and violent exchanges of a few blows that ususally end with someone on the ground. For example, I killed the final boss in three hits, he only needed one to take me down. It was amazing...

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
10/01/2013 at 21:12

to be specific, V isn't out on PC yet. but IV has all the car mods and graphic updates.

There's not one combined GTA IV mod that improves graphics and imports real cars, so there will be some quality discrepancies..

It's been a couple of years, but I used to use GTA4-mods to get most of what I wanted...it was pretty extensive back then.. I just went to check it out but my malware program told me it was infested, so I'm not going to endorse it right now.