GTA III - Beta Taxi

I am currently trying to re-create the beta taxi in the PS2 version of Grand Theft Auto 3. Here I have re-created the the taxi that featured in a lot of later beta screens. Yellow body, yellow bumpers and these wheels.

In earlier beta versions, the taxi had different wheels, which I am also looking to add to the taxi. I'll probably make a YouTube video when I finish both versions. But for now, enjoy this picture! :)

GTA IV - GTA V

So, I was browsing for GTA V info the other day; which was fruitless as Rockstar have released very little since the trailer debuted last November. But I came across a questionnaire posted on gtaforums.com. So I'm giving it a go!


GTA IV

Most Memorable Moment(s)?
What are your favourite memorable moments from playing IV?

 Well I have a lifetime's memories from playing the whole series, but from IV; not so much... I'd say probably what I end up doing on every GTA title, attempting to find and capture secret vehicles. If you watch my YouTube videos, you'll presume that I mean vehicles that can only be acquired through the use of cheat discs. But I simply mean the bulletproof, fireproof etc. cars that you usually find during missions. I think the one I remember most fondly from IV was specifically the Police Stockade, and other unique vehicles.


Favourite Features?
What was your favourite IV feature e.g Physics?

 Tough one actually, not to narrow down my choice; but to pick one at all... You see, although there is no doubt that GTA IV was a good game; I felt that the PS2 titles felt superior in comparison. All things taken into consideration, maybe the ragdoll physics; though I would refrain from saying physics generally. This is because I didn't like the car physics, and in addition, definitely not the driving camera!

Another thing I was quietly impressed with, was the graphics. The game looked really nice, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Rockstar can create a next gen countryside on GTA V.



Favourite In The Series?
Did you prefer IV to previous titles? e.g Vice City, San Andreas etc...?

 My favourite game in the series has always been GTA III. But as far as features and the landscape itself go, I'd say San Andreas was the best in the series so far.



 Overall IV Rating Out Of 10?
Did it exceed your initial expectations?


Whilst GTA IV was undoubtedly a good game, it doesn't have the same appeal and replay value as any other game in the series. A lot of minor things needed perfecting; e.g. the driving camera. (It always moves to the side of the car when turning a corner, so you can't see what's ahead of you after taking a tight bend. That is unless you manually adjust it using the R3 stick, which is unnecessarily complicated.)


I didn't particularly like the storyline too much, or Niko himself. The city had little exploration opportunities like desert or countryside, and was unfortunately a carbon copy of New York.


7.5/10.




GTA V

Future Expectations?
From playing IV post hype, do you expect V to live up to your expectations?

In certain aspects, I do. I already know that the game is going to be a carbon copy of Los Angeles, which is unfortunate; as I would prefer Rockstar to show some originality and create a new and interesting city. I just hope the vehicles won't go the same way.

But I am looking forward to the exploring the countryside! And I know that I said that I didn't like the gimmicks like playing pool, getting drunk etc, but I have to admit that when I saw people playing golf in the GTA V trailer; I was excited at the prospect of being able to play golf in GTA V!


 Future Dream?
What do you want most to do in V e.g Story, Exploration, Multiplayer etc...

Well I kind of answered that already; but the countryside and golf! Not to sound posh or anything... I am also looking forward to exploring Vinewood and potentially a Beverley Hills type area. I'm also looking forward to finding out more about the protagonist and storyline. Vehicles and secret vehicles as well.


Impressed Or Let Down Slightly?
Did the trailer do it for you, are you excited and eager for this game most of all upcoming titles?

Mixed feelings. It's a shame that the city is simply Los Angeles, though I'm excited to explore the surrounding areas. Other than that it's hard to say as not much was given away other than the location. At this point we have no idea who the main character will be and what he will be like. It is presumed that the narrator of the trailer will be the main character, but there are alternative theories floating around too. We also have no idea of the storyline that will feature in GTA V.


Overall GTA V Trailer#1 Rating Out Of 10?
Did it exceed your initial expectations?

I'm going to sit on the fence a little bit and say 8/10. Marks taken off because of lack of originalty of the city; but marks added because of the addition of the countryside area. Also, the protagonist seems American, (if we are to believe that the narrator is the protagonist) and that's the way I like it best.

The game also looks nice and bright, in contrast to the dingy Liberty City. It almost has a Vice City feel about it in that sense, which is promising!


With thanks to 'GtaVComments' from www.gtaforums.com for the questions.

If I could put all the GTA titles in a blender...

I was just thinking yesterday whilst playing GTA III, and with the impending release of GTA V later this year; if I could take all the best elements from the GTA series and whip them all into one great game, what would I get? In fact, in my ideal world; this is what Grand Theft Auto V would be.

So what kind of character would take the lead role? I've always loved GTA III, and without a second thought I'd say it's definitely my favourite from the series. But the character that I always loved the most was Tommy Vercetti from Vice City. Tommy was voiced by Ray Liotta, who did a fantastic job with the character. There's also a big sense of satisfaction that comes from playing as a character who starts out as somewhat of a nobody, then as you play through the storyline; eventually takes over the city. Tommy's humble beginnings in Vice City saw him take part in a drug deal that went sour, leaving him to attempt to gain back Sonny Forelli's money in any way possible. By the end of the game, he'd disposed of Ricardo Diaz, Lance Vance and Sonny Forelli; leaving Tommy as top dog in the city. I'm not sure what it is, but I get a greater sense of power and control when I'm playing as Tommy, more-so than any other character. He feels like a boss; a character that's a born leader.

The 'humble beginnings to top dog' was the template for both GTA III and VC really, though while playing as Claude in GTA III, I didn't quite get the same feeling of 'owning the city' by the end of the game. Maybe it was the lack of a mansion safe house, like Diaz's (or should I say Tony Montana's?) home in Vice City. In addition, other characters in the game refer to Claude as Fido; which is a name usually given to a companion or second-in-command. In San Andreas, CJ was a satisfying main character to play as, however the story line focused more on street gang wars than disposing of top crime bosses. Finally, Niko Bellic of GTA IV isn't a character I was particularly able to warm to.

So where would the setting be? I'd definitely prefer it to be a completely original city, rather than a more-or-less copy of a real city; GTA IV - New York. I thought San Andreas was the best of the bunch, in terms of exploration. There were 3 distinctive types of city, plus countryside and desert land. I remember seeing a new myth appear on the internet every week about something lurking in the countryside or desert, whether it was Leatherface, Bigfoot or the Epsilon Program; and that only made me want to explore the areas more. I'm also in favour of another GTA title that's set in the past. By the looks of the GTA V screenshots so far, it looks like it'll be set in the present time. So that's two in a row now; as GTA IV was also set in the present. So, they've covered the 60's with GTA London, and since covered the 80's, 90's and naughties. Obviously there's a gap in that list; the 70's. I know Driver Parallel Lines was set in the 70's already; and to be honest it captured the zeitgeist very well. But I'd love to see what Rockstar could do with a game set in the 70's; after all it'd probably be even better.

So what about the vehicles? I've always preferred the classic set of vehicles; Sentinel, Cheetah, Infernus etc. A few new additions are ok, but personally I like to see different incarnations of all the names we recongise. Alike to the setting, I prefer to have some originality with the vehicles. All the cars and cities in GTA are based off one thing or another; but I'll always be for 'loosely based' rather than 'exact copy'.

Other stuff. I've heard that Rockstar are omitting all the activities like going bowling or hanging out with friends. All I can say is... THANK GOD! That's where Saints Row gains an advantage over GTA as you're not wasting time playing darts or dinning at fast food outlets. When playing it you're very aware that you're playing a game and that's how I think it should be. Rockstar went down the wrong line whenever they attempted to make GTA too alike to real life. Whether it be going internet dating or simply going for a burger at Cluckin' Bell; it's just an annoyance that you're forced to deal with. Things like that should be dropped in favour of a fun, fluent game.