Buggy? yes. Performance Issues? definitely. But all-in-all, a potentially very fun game.
Now, there are some serious issues that I encountered before playing the game. It took me over 16 hours to download via steam-- a decision that I don't regret, but can't help but complain about it--and took me another 1.5-2 hrs to solve the errors by downloading service pack 3. Was all this necessary? Phuck no. The fact is, it's a load of superfluous bullsh!t that I could've done without. Whatever the reason, I was angry. Angry and tired...and a little bit hungry. I had half a mind to boycott steam and rockstar altogether, but then I realized that I would be the only one at a loss.
After I finished installing SP3, I ran the game and I didn't get any errors.
Now, I have a pretty decent rig. Sure it's no gtx280 or the latest ATI cards. It's a single GPU (8800gt) that works just fine for most games on the highest settings and for some reason, gta 4 was ridiculously demanding. I can run it on medium with a 35 for draw distance and high texture quality, which is surpringly high considering people with similar rigs can't even do half of that. Which basically means that quad core is the way to go.
I do feel for everyone that went through the same issues; I really do. I felt that way just yesterday. I don't think it's fair what Rockstar has done and Steam pissed me off as well, but the fact is, it's important to rate the game based on the gameplay and technical features of the game and not just your frustrations.
From a gamer's perspective, the game is very good. It's easily the most realistic game in the series and the story--from what I've played so far--is immersive and exciting. The problem is, there isn't much of a difference in gameplay--aside from the realistic features--between this and vice city. The missions are still sometimes short and unexciting at times. I find myself waiting for something big to happen, and I guess it's still early, but I've yet to see it.
I usually rate games after I've played them fully, but I just felt like writing this review.
Again, I urge people to give it their fullest instead of boycotting rockstar or steam prematurely. I wanted to do it too, but you paid the money, so you might as well try to fix the problem before making hasty decisions. Anyways, that's my 2 cents.