Pros:
- Graphics
- Lighting
- Reflections
- Protagonist model
- Vehicle models
- Foliage
- Driving
- Action
- Immersive world
- Some fun world activities
- Diverse missions
- Level design
- Definitive Edition gameplay improvements:
- Updated controls
- Free aim gunplay
- Autosave and checkpoint at beginning of missions
Cons:
- Checkpoints mid-mission would have been really nice (like when you have to drive clear across the city. Still better than the original I guess)
- Cars blow up too damn fast (really annoying when the mafia is after you with those damn shotguns)
- Story is barely there.
- Character has no motivation
- Very little narrative given in the cutscenes, and they talk so fast you’re likely to miss it
- Maria is obnoxious for several reasons
- Launch Issues (more of a problem with how Rockstar handled it than with the game itself)
- It really sucked to not play on day one
- Rockstar support communication was lousy. I’ll cut them some slack because I’m sure they were working round the clock to get things fixed, but time estimates and updates go a long way for PR.
Nitpickey:
- Gunplay was improved, but could’ve been better
- Wish the target reticle was just a dot, not a giant ass circle with a dot in the middle.
- No strafing with the AK
- No 3rd person with heavy weapons (by the way, an M16 should not be a heavy weapon)
Rating:
- Story ****** 6/10
- Gameplay ******* 7/10
- Atmosphere ********* 9/10
- Overall ******* 7/10
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- Story (characters, narrative, depth, pace, role playing)
- Gameplay (mechanics, fun factor, level design)
- Atmosphere (graphics, environment, mood)