By JOSHUA HELLER
Staff Writer
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If you were thinking about getting a next generation console, but were waiting for a sure-fire reason, here it is.
Last week, Rockstar Games released a trailer for GTA V for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. The trailer consisted of gameplay on the next gen, and instead of the usual Grand Theft Auto third person POV, the new systems will fully support a first person mode. This is something that’s long been demanded by GTA fans.
Of course, this mode is not something that you would have to play. When loading up the game, you can choose whether to play in first or third person. But if I had the next gen version, I’m not sure if I would ever play the game in third person.
Of course, GTA is not the first game to take advantage of the next generation console capabilities. Sports games, such as NBA and Madden, have really taken advantage of the new FPS and resolution of the newer consoles, not to mention games like Destiny, which just look absolutely gorgeous. I would say these new generation consoles are definitely worth the extra money.
However, the trailer of first person gameplay was not the only thing that Rockstar has released about the next gen game. The company also released a list of the differences between the game on the current vs. next gen.
So, let’s run through some of the major differences that aren’t POV related. In the next gen version, Rockstar has added over 150 new songs, plus new talk radio stations. When I play GTA for the Xbox 360, I’m quite impressed with the amount of different music that they included in the game. Adding even more to that just blows my mind.
Improved wind dynamics: well, that’s just using the improved resolution to your advantage, and it should look beautiful. Improved weather and damage effects: oh great, cars will be even tougher to drive when you’re banged up and in the rain. It was bad enough as it was!
Increased vehicle diversity: thank goodness. I’m really glad they did that. I sometimes get sick of seeing the same cars over and over. Vehicles and weapons from all GTA online updates are available in Story Mode immediately. This is a little thing that I think will prove to be one of the best. I always hated having to wait to get online items in story mode, so this is a nice addition.
New animals, land and sea: not bad. I don’t think the sea part will matter much, but the added land animals may prove to be nice. Improved online character customization: like with the music, I was impressed with the amount of character customization I could do, so adding to that is pretty unreal. Over 120 new props for creating missions/races: I never really used Creator for Online, but I’m sure added props can only be a good thing.
In regards to the new POV, Rockstar released this statement, regarding online play. “The integration of the new first-person mode means players will have the freedom to play GTA Online in either first-person or third-person with the ability to seamlessly switch between them on the fly at the touch of a button, both in Free Mode and during matches. In addition, we’ve added the option to toggle match settings to create first-person or third-person only matches, if they choose.”
The fact that a player wouldn’t have to back out to a menu to switch POV’s is actually quite impressive, and I for one am very pleased with this.
The improved frames-per-second on the newer consoles is definitely being used by game companies to their advantage. People had thought that the graphics were amazing when the Xbox 360 and the PS3 were released, and the Xbox One and PS4 have absolutely raised the bar.
With all of the the graphic and gameplay improvements, it’s hard for people to put games down, exactly as the companies want. Even if you can’t afford the next gen consoles, you can’t stop watching videos of the games on those consoles (at least I can’t). GTA V will be released for next gen consoles on Nov. 18, while it will also be released for PC on Jan. 27, both dates heavily anticipated by gamers everywhere.
