GTA 4

Lately, I've been blasting away playing Grand Theft Auto 4.

The game itself look absolutely superb. The water effects are gorgeous, the people actually look like ugly bastards, and the cars dent and damage as they would do. (bikes are still near invulnerable though)

The water effects look great too. Like, when I say great I usually mean okay, but they really look the dogs.

The shooting system has changed too. Seems they have realized from the success of Gears of War and Rainbow Six Vegas that pop out and corner shooting are the way to go. Now you have a option to target from behind a wall, and either blind fire, or pop out for a quick pop. You can also blind fire a freaking RPG, which is ace.

There's alot of side missions to do too - although it's a bit of a annoyance. You can quite happily just ponse about doing the main missions all the while blowing shit up, but there seems to be a 'Reputation' with these people. Getting it high enough will grants a special phone call. For example. I got Roman (some Albanian cunt) to 100% and suddenly, I could ring him up for a racist Pakistani man to pick me up in a Taxi, for free!

Speaking of Taxi's, they are awesome. I never drive to a mission or do a mission with a car unless I have to - I just pop out, get in a cab, and get drove there. It's instant and quicker (I believe my Miles by Car and Miles by Taxi and 1 to 10 in difference).

I still haven't finished it mind - alot of stuff I just can't be fucked to do. I do quite a bit then chill out with some Warcraft, or maybe MSN. It's good fun, but for me it gets boring. Even online, it got dull quick. Too many chavs, too little game play elements online.

But still. It's defiantly game of the year. It's huge, enjoyable and a great romp away from most shooters/action/adventure/any other fucking shape or form of game.