Wondering how Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars looks and plays on the PlayStation Portable? We've pulled the first ten minutes of the game (loading screens and all!) for you to check out, so wonder no more.
The game itself is handled pretty well on the PSP, the transition from the Nintendo DS mostly seamless. The impact of one of the game's early uses of the touch screen in the original -- tapping a pane of glass with your stylus to crack it -- is lessened on the PSP, however. Check it out at the 6:28 mark -- you're just tapping the shoulder buttons on the PSP, which certainly feels less "in the moment" than it does with short taps of the stylus.
Otherwise, from what I've played so far, this is still the same great game that was on the DS. It's easy to move both on foot and in a car using the PSP analog nub, and the higher resolution textures give the game a nice sharp, clean look.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is out today.
["Ten Minute Taste" is something new we're trying here at Destructoid. Simply put, we'll rip the first ten minutes of a game to video -- loading screens, warts and all -- just so you can get an idea of what you'll expect when you first pop the game in. Let us know what you think.
Well, after Giant Bomb flatout STOLE the community/blog/gaming site idea from us (also, the use of words and pictures on the Internet... we did that first), we figured they owed us something.
(Real answer: No, but the idea certainly isn't a new one. Just new for us. Hope someone enjoys it.)
@CRKFIEND:
Funny you're saying that... working on that right now, my friend. The intro is pretty bad ass. :)
Cool, Yeah G4 Does a similar thing on ON DEMAND, it's called "The First 15" and it's the first fifteen of a game. I love it, it dissuaded me from buying Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. (Best decision I've made all year)
Really liked the idea. But, I also would like some commentary/first impressions over the video (don't know if that's the idea, but still, would be nice)
I think we can all recognize that showing the beginning of a game without giving away our opinion one way or the other is something everyone should be doing. Giant Bomb does this by speaking about what they see on-screen without necessarily reacting critically. That's what we have reviews for.
Either way, we support what those guys are doing and last I checked, they support us. Our visions of what game blogging/reporting/whatever should be are pretty similar.
TMT is a really good idea, and I think that outside some minor commentary, this one ended up really well.
As for GTA:CW PSP, after playing it on the DS, something seemed a bit off. Perhaps the lack of dual-screen cutscenes? I appreciate the improved graphics, sound quality and radio stations, not to mention a few new missions, but I don't think I'll picking this one up.
I think I'm going to like this feature. It was a little underwhelming now since I'd already seen the intro for this game on the DS, but I look forward to seeing a TMT of something new.
@MrSlippery
I have both versions, and I personally prefer the "total immersion" aspect of the DS version -- I was one of those who used his thumbs for all touchscreen functions, with the rare exception of making Molotovs; I need the stylus for the precision.
That's not to say I don't enjoy the PSP version. I do. It's an excellent game because it's Chinatown Wars. It's your call, really.
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Contest:
10:00 AM on 10.20.2009
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Will definitely pick this up at some point.
Well, after Giant Bomb flatout STOLE the community/blog/gaming site idea from us (also, the use of words and pictures on the Internet... we did that first), we figured they owed us something.
(Real answer: No, but the idea certainly isn't a new one. Just new for us. Hope someone enjoys it.)
@CRKFIEND:
Funny you're saying that... working on that right now, my friend. The intro is pretty bad ass. :)
Well I'm glad y'all are doing it and no ideas original so I'm looking forward of getting a taste of whats to come.
Either way, we support what those guys are doing and last I checked, they support us. Our visions of what game blogging/reporting/whatever should be are pretty similar.
As for GTA:CW PSP, after playing it on the DS, something seemed a bit off. Perhaps the lack of dual-screen cutscenes? I appreciate the improved graphics, sound quality and radio stations, not to mention a few new missions, but I don't think I'll picking this one up.
What is the song in the opening credits?
You're right, it's both :)
Ghostface Killah feat. MF Doom - Chinatown Wars (Like a Renegade)
And this looks slick on the PSP. Digging the shadows.
Now I must decide, total immersion in the DS version via touch screen, or slick presentation and most likely a higher framerate.
I have both versions, and I personally prefer the "total immersion" aspect of the DS version -- I was one of those who used his thumbs for all touchscreen functions, with the rare exception of making Molotovs; I need the stylus for the precision.
That's not to say I don't enjoy the PSP version. I do. It's an excellent game because it's Chinatown Wars. It's your call, really.