Video games galore last night...

[Sensai of Mattitude]

For those that aren't aware, the official Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer was released last night, as well as the first media and interview on SmackDown vs Raw 2008. These are probably already the two games that I'm looking forward to most for the second half of this year, so I just wanted to know what you guys thought about it. Grand Theft Auto trailer ([url]http://www.rockstargames.com/IV[/url]) SmackDown vs RAW 2008 info ([url]http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/objects/882/882478.html[/url]) So yeah, some quite interesting stuff here. The GTA trailer wasn't exactly brilliant since all it previewed is the graphics, but some of the stuff mentioned in the SmackDown vs Raw 08 interview was quite exciting. Thoughts?

[panix04]

thats a nice read, it will be interesting to see what THQ do with this years smackdown. Im especially interested to see how the combined GM/story mode thing works out.

[Undertaker666]

GTA IV looks pretty but they've got to bring something new to it otherwise it's just a graphical upgrade. SvsR 2008, the AI had better be much improved over 2007. Nothing was more annoying than Elimination Chamber matches, constantly watching the AI climb the cage, jump off, climb the cage, jump off. I'm interested in how the submission system's going to work and I know it'll please my opponents that button bashing will no longer be a part of it! :D

[Sensai of Mattitude]

[QUOTE=Undertaker666;218102]GTA IV looks pretty but they've got to bring something new to it otherwise it's just a graphical upgrade.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I said on another forum that I can't really get excited over a trailer like that. The graphics look absolutely immense, but that's all we've learned from that clip. I can't get excited until some new features an things like that are revealed.

[sebsplex]

Personally I think SVR has gone downhill somewhat since the days of HCTP. The 2006 version, being arguably the worst in many aspects. I did buy SVR2007 but ditched it a while ago now. SVR2008 needs to focus on the constant AI issues, some of which have been present for years now, not to mention STOP REMOVING SO MANY MOVES from each installment. So yeah, not too excited by any means yet until I know more about the gameplay aspect rather than the bells and whistles. Same with GTA in a way, I'm hoping for more than just a typical rehash.

[Actarus]

GTA IV - I'm actually one of those guys that usually picks up and enjoys GTA about a year after it comes out. (What a cheapskate I am!) But generally speaking it's a strong franchise that tons of people love. I suspect it's grown in popularity to the point where it's like Madden; just give a graphical upgrade, some minor tweaks, and it'll sell like hotcakes. However, I think Rockstar has more pride than EA (Bully is a surprisingly fun, well-done game, IMO), and GTA IV will probably be very strong in terms of gameplay. And will there be more hot coffee shenanigans? Lol. :p SVR 2008 - if they don't improve load times, I'm going to be really disappointed. Please, no more excessive load screens please, they drive me nuts! Also, just the weird AI and clipping issues; can or will they bother fixing them?

[sebsplex]

[QUOTE=Actarus;218162]SVR 2008 - if they don't improve load times, I'm going to be really disappointed. Please, no more excessive load screens please, they drive me nuts! Also, just the weird AI and clipping issues; can or will they bother fixing them?[/QUOTE] I forgot about the load times... it's the only game I've owned where you have to go through a load screen to get to another load screen. I did read the interview... same as every year: - We've listened to the fans. [I]Translation: You ask for the same things every year, this year we'll add a couple of features, take a couple away and then hold a couple back for next year... but hey, keep posting on those forums.[/I] - Graphics will be better. [I]Translation: This year a couple of wrestlers who looked more like creatures from Lord Of The Rings will look a bit more human. Everything is also more shiney and improved just enough so that any wrestlers you make with the create-a-wrestler system will still stick out like sore thumbs.[/I] - We'll work on AI issues, especially for tag team matches. [I]Translation: This year when you call your AI partner in to help you, there's only a 60% chance that he'll either a) ignore the fact that you're in trouble/getting pinned or b) just attack you for the sake of it. Unfortunately there is now a 30% chance that your partner will just run laps around the ring... but at least we got rid of that weird ice skating glitch![/I] - Wrestlers will play more like their real counterparts, Rey will be quick, Undertaker slow and methodical, Ric Flair a dirty tactician. [I]Translation: Yukes still haven't quite managed something already accomplished back with No Mercy on the N64, but this year we'll get slightly closer. You may still see Batista executing crossbody presses to the outside or workers like Umaga backflipping out of german suplexes as a counter, but we have made nearly all of Ric Flair's movelist some form of eye-poke or low blow.[/I] -This year's game will be the best and most indepth yet! [I]Translation: Sorry last year's game wasn't very good, but we did spend a long time making it look nicer.[/I] In fairness the WWE 24/7 form of season mode sounds mildly interesting, but given the fairly half-hearted attempts at GM modes and season modes (yes it's really short, but it does have voice-overs!) I'm not getting too excited just yet. As you can tell, I've just grown highly cycnical of the whole franchise.

[mjdgoldeneye]

Great news, but here's some more: New maps for Halo 2 are going to be available in April. The two will be recreations of "Derelict" and "Hang 'Em High" from Halo: Combat Evolved. They will be called "Desolation" and "Tombstone" respectively. Also, they'll be $4 for both. [URL="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168349.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0"]More Info![/URL]