News
Charlie Brooker: GTA IV script is 'downright adolescent'
Michael French May 12 2008, 1:19pm
Comments (6)
But Guardian columnist says game still boasts "surprising moments of satire"
After a bombardment of 10/10 reviews and reports of 'the biggest entertainment launch of all time', is there anything left to say about GTA IV? There is, according to The Guardian's Charlie Brooker - although not all of it is as positive as the specialist press reviews.
In his latest column on The Guardian's site Brooker - a former games journalist - said: 'It's been rightly, and widely, proclaimed a masterpiece. And it is - at least technically. As far as the script and storyline goes, it tries so hard to appear 'adult', it winds up looking downright adolescent. The bad guys are implausibly amoral, everyone shouts "fuck" every two seconds, and the women are little more than haircuts and orifices. In other words, it's like almost any Hollywood action film you care to mention.'
However, other written touches in the game are strong, he added, singling out the in-game TV broadcasts as signs of GTA IV's quality.
'But if you can ignore that, there's a wealth of incredible detail and some surprising moments of satire,' he added.
'For example, Liberty City has its own TV networks, which you can sit down and watch if the mood takes you. One channel, Weazel, is a thinly-veiled parody of Fox that features shows such as Republican Space Rangers (a fascistic cartoon in which dimwitted right-wing hicks roam the galaxy exterminating peaceful life forms) and the brashly titled Vinewood Cunts (a reality show about Paris Hilton types).
'And yes, they use the C-word right there in the game, in the gravelly voiceover for the virtual trailer you watch on the virtual TV in your virtual apartment in the virtual city teeming with virtual life. I don't know quite why, but this really leapt out at me. I don't think I've ever heard the word in a game before. Never mind the polygon count - that's genuine progress.'
Source: Develop
Read the full piece by Brooker here.
Comments
“in context...”
Posted: May 12, 2:35pm
I am a big fan of Charlie's work, particularly Screenwipe and his ongoing fondness for videogames is pleasing. In the context, he makes fairly positive noises about the game and I find it difficult to disagree with what he says in much of the full article.
No game is perfect, including GTA. It has its shortcomings but in the grand scheme of things, its still a hell of a game.
“Re: in context...”
Posted: May 12, 3:59pm
I've not yet caught the program on weazel, but a mission I did yesterday had one of the characters say the word and that immediately stood out as being a little shocking.
I don't think pushing the limits of controversy can be described as progress.
Either way, it's still the best game i've played in years!
“Re: in context...”
Posted by: sabs - May 12, 3:59pm
I've not yet caught the program on weazel, but a mission I did yesterday had one of the characters say the word and that immediately stood out as being a little shocking.
I don't think pushing the limits of controversy can be described as progress.
Either way, it's still the best game i've played in years!
“Re: in context...”
Posted by: BillyBatts - May 12, 4:10pm
I don't think the TV programmes in GTA have had enough press. "I'm Rich" had me in stitches the first time I watched it.
“Re: in context...”
Posted: May 12, 4:29pm
Agree with 4
Republican Space Rangers and the Poker Tournament are very funny and both run for about 5 minutes each. Great work for such extraneous detail.
“Re: in context...”
Posted by: indeana jones - May 12, 6:37pm
the radio stations are brilliantly scripted too - genuinely funny. much better that the main storyline :)