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When BS1 first came out Dad bought it and I had myself a little play... that clown at the start freaked the piss out of me. I dont think I've ever actually finished the first one, but I have finished the second, and the third. The 4th one just felt like a whole new level of bland though. On the whole, I do really prefer GK, though I think Broken Sword can still hold it's own.

There's also rumor of Eli Roth doing a film consisting entirely of trailers, as he enjoyed making the Thanksgiving one. I thought that trailer was aces, for me it just really captured those trailers that I love.
Grindhouse was never released as one film here, although some arthouse theatres are showing it soon as one film. Both were released separate months back. I thought they were both great, but I really think Planet Terror was the stand out.

Who said Grand Theft Auto is supposed to be as fun as possible and not as realistic as possible? I don't remember Rockstar saying that. I doubt you'd find it in their design brief. If it was to be as fun as possible, why not have a game where giant animals run through the city and you can blow them for a million dollars each? That'd be fun. But it wouldn't mesh with the story would it? Unless we're in some freakish Bizarro realm.

I don't think Rockstar were going for an ultra realistic approach, I think they were just trying to create a truly new experience for fans of the series and games in general. I think they achieved that. And yes, Niko kills a whole lot of people for some money then consoles a crying girl. That doesn't give take away, that adds to his character. He's a trained soldier, who was once involved and a horrendous war. Taking out a few guys in a warehouse is not that big a deal for him. And when doing so, he does it because he wants Roman and himself to be free of this man's tyranny, and wants a better life, if that involves doing some criminal things, than that's ok in the big picture of freedom.

And yeah, he shouts at people. He's in a combat zone, what do you expect him to do? He has to hate his enemy, and he has to scare them. His shouting is an effective method of psyching himself up, and psyching the enemy out. That just means he's a trained soldier, who will get the job done, for the greater good, just like every soldier in the world believes they are doing. Does this make them incapable of feeling empathy?

Also, how else do you expect him to prove himself? The person you  protect is a low level thug? Would the character giving you the mission care if that person died? Not really. I think it was fair enough as a means to proving yourself.

As for characters in the game, yes there are low life criminals with drug problems. What else would you expect? Niko walks off the ship, and the Russians show him a good time of Christianity and abstinence? Niko starts at the bottom level and slowly, very slowly works his way up to meeting new people. But he himself is still a bottom level criminal doing the ground work for those above him. All the characters he meets in the game are very true to their environment, it gives the game a real feeling of a living breathing city, instead of some cut out set for ridiculous characters dance about in front of.

Gang wars would be impossible considering the setting of the game. With a city devoted to safety like it is, due to the war on terror, and the large police presence, having a gang war would end in seconds. You'd shoot three guys, and get killed by the ten cops that swarm in and save the world.

And a lot of the other things mentioned. In this game they would have seemed out of place. They wouldn't have meshed with the story and would have come across as juvenile, in an overall more adult experience. Note that I didn't say realistic. I don't think it comes close to real life, but it is an overall more adult tone. Having those functions would in essence be giving a pacifier to a 42 year old.

Emerald, sure they were portrayed as a bunch of drug taking degenerates, but well.... they are a criminal family, with Irish heritage. They've lived in America for a long time, and only the oldest one, who I guess still feels for his homeland, is the one involved in IRA activities and mentions anything about seeing action back there. Packie is practically a fully fledged American, and a low level thug, and much like low level thugs dealing in drugs, he himself has a problem. In real life you'd have to go very high up the food chain to find someone who isn't using. Sure they use some cliches, but they aren't ramming them down our throats. They use them to sort of layer the character and give them their personalities.
Did you expect Irish characters who had lived in this New York like environment since they were children to grow up with amazingly strong accents? Sure they'd have some occasional odd inflections and bastardization of terms, but it's because they were more American than Irish.
Also I thought this game was a step up from San Andreas. I thought it was a major step up. CJ was a character I felt no sympathy for. His mother is dead, so he returns to SA. Fair enough, and he sticks around a while. Suddenly he becomes involved in these criminal activities. Why? What possible reason does he have? He doesn't have a real connection to the streets. If he did, he wouldn't have left in the first place. He wants a better life, so he proceeds to throw himself in the opposite direction.
Vice City, you were a criminal through and through. Tommy was 100% criminal and psychotic. He did what he did because he wanted money, and he wanted power, it was what drove his entire existence. Unsympathetic, but at least he had a true reason for what he was doing.
Then with GTA4 we have a character who is trying to escape this world, and he continually tries to escape only to have it once more thrust upon him, leaving him with no options. A truly sympathetic character that lead to one of the most enthralling stories of any game I've played. Sure all those custom options were changed. They fit with SA, but they wouldnt have with this game. Pimping a car in Liberty City would have been ridiculous. Or giving Niko some crazy new haircut and bling. The guy buys clothes, just like regular people. He is (more so than other characters) just a regular guy fighting against insurmountable odds. That's why I think this game really surpassed the others. The incredible story line, the rich characters and an overall enjoyable game. Never was there missions that frustrated me beyond belief, leaving me to give up the game awhile so as not to crush my controller with pure fury. Many of such type were in SA.
Anyway
End rant.

I love Hamish and Andy. Hamish is the real funny one, Andy I dont find that great. Evenwolf, if you really wanna laugh, try find episodes of Spicks and Specks with Hamish as a guest.
The only podcast I am subscribed to is The Lazlow Show. Lazlow who writes the radio stations for Grand Theft Auto, his own show is juust as funny. Sidekicks Reed and Big Wayne provide plenty of laughs.
I used to be signed up to John Safran's show last year, which was all about religion and worked alongside his TV show John Safran vs God. It was funny and thoughtful, good combo

I'm not 100% sure, but I want to believe.






I also want the poster 

It does have a few less of those quirky things, but it has an amazingly engaging storyline, with a really rich character. If they'd kept in a lot of the quirky stuff I think it may have held it back somewhat.

Sean Astin's dad rules. Adams family was great. And I want to see that film If Prog recommends it I'm sure I'm in tremendously entertaining terrible film. Or an actual good one. Either way I can't complain.

Very nice theme, and the game looks good. For some reason it's got me thinking of Lovecraft.
That's definitely a good thing

I'm so geeking out right now! I absolutely love the X Files... unfortunately no B team of Doggett and Reyes. Even though they weren't as great as great as Mulder and Scully, I still think they are an important part of the X Files mythos.
Needless to say, even if this film sucks it'll hold a special place in my heart.




Not that it'll suck.

Edit:
One thing, I do miss Krychek, he got a crappy ending. Should have been a much grander send off.

My longest lasting AGS buddy is ProgZmax... although my irc activity decreased and we didnt talk that much for a bit, but now it's coming back. Wooh!

No Nacho... um... everyone loves you so much... they didnt think they'd even have to mention it... yeah, that's it!

Blackthorne! You haven't been on msn for ages, I miss our talks. I blame you entirely

Actually, they got rid of the planes because they thought it was too unrealistic that some dude could just jump into a commercial plane and fly it.
Rockstar would hardly be the type to back away from something taboo.

Hmmm, plenty of acquaintances, but as for friends, only 2 really come to mind. Pretty much, if they're online we're talking...
and the winners are.....


I love you Vince and Victor In a purely friendly way.... or is it

Did you remind Venus that he's finishing it seeing Jelfish is gone? Also, where the hell are the other two stories?

Well, I'm now skipping FSi, and sending it on to Candall.

It only took Morrissey 20 years to come out of the closet, so stay calm gay agsers, there is time!

Sorry to rain on that parade Miguel, Morrissey has never come out. And according to Johnny Marr, he's had relationships with guys and girls.
But yes, The Smiths rock, speaking of which, I saw Johnny Marr with Modest Mouse last weekend. That was great

Also, for a while being called a fag really annoyed me because I was scared I was. I realized I was bi a while back and being called a fag didn't scare me anymore, so it's just another meaningless insult. It's always great fun making it backfire on a friend though
"You're such a fag."
"yeah" *wink and blow kiss*
Always freaks em out. Good for a giggle.

Here we go, I sent it on to FSi. This story is magnificent so far, I love it

Hey Darcness,
Good to see you back! I've gone through two deviantart accounts since you used to crit my stuff