[Tetlee]

No mention of this here yet, I don't think the announcment at E3 received quite the reception that Nintendo were expecting(perhaps showing just the title screen wasn't really enough to whip up much excitement).

Due out this winter http://www.rockstargames.com/chinatownwars/

So, as nothing is really known about Chinatown Wars yet, what would everyone fancy for this game, somthing like a compacted version of GTA4 in a 3D world, a new top down GTA along the lines of 1 & 2, or something completely different, say an isometric perspective?

For me personally I wouldn't be interested in a 3D GTA on the DS, I don't think the DS has the graphical oomph(not to mention the lack of analogue controls) needed to create such a game, and even then I tired very quickly of the PSP version of GTA3(despite it being a great technical achievement, it just didn't seem to fit on a handheld for some reason).

What I would like to see is a new top down game, a sort of polished & improved GTA1(only of course with new settings and missions etc.), I think with WiFi play(which we know it will have) that could be alot of fun on the DS!

[TheTrancelator]

It will be interesting to see what they come up with, i'm hoping it is topdown like gta2 as i cant see it working well if it was 3d .

[G a f f e r]

I would guess it would have to be top down (or at a push isometric as mentioned).
I simply can't see a 3D one working very well on the DS.

[ocelot20]

I dunno about this at lease we know its an online DS game.

[Tetlee]

And top down it is!(in an almost slighty isometric stylee)

The first screenshots have been leaked(thanks to nintendoeverything.com) and I have to say I'm impressed with what I see so far, back to the good old days(loved GTA when it first went 3D but big time miss the top down games of old).

http://www.nintendoeverything.com/?p=3857

Might not be to everyones liking but I have to say that my enthusiasm for this GTA has just rocketed, can't wait for more info now

[Tetlee]

Doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm here for this game, but it's sounding more and more like there should be.

Edge have just published a very nice in depth hands-on preview of the game and it sounds as though they were very pleasantly surprised with the experience. 4 pages and well woth a read!

GTA Chinatown Wars Close-Up | Edge Online

A few quotes from the preview.....

During the journey to Rockstar’s New York offices we’ve been trying to build a mental picture of what Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will look like. In fact, we’ve been trying to do this, on and off, ever since the game’s official announcement at E3, and we’ve more or less settled on something that is a bastardised take on the PSP iterations – and not only because we’re aware that the game is being built by Rockstar Leeds, the studio behind Liberty City and Vice City Stories.

It isn’t, frankly, an image that fills us with optimism, and by the time we sit down in front of Rockstar’s jumbo-sized DS demo pod we’re quite prepared for something that fails to capture the spirit of the series by reaching beyond the comfortable limits of Nintendo’s DS hardware. But then the demo begins, the action spills over the dual screens, and our doubts begin to melt away.

Finally, we are finally able to sit back into the generously proportioned sofa and enjoy what Chinatown Wars is, rather than worrying about what it isn’t. Had we thought it through properly – the way Rockstar has, in other words – perhaps we too would have settled on a graphical presentation that takes a three-quarter view of Liberty City not entirely dissimilar to that of certain classics from yesteryear. Think Syndicate Wars, throw in a bolder colour palette and a more finely meticulous regard for detail, then ramp up the animation, and you’re getting there.

The result, when running at full lick, with vehicles ripped apart by explosions, gunfire streaking across the streets and bodies keeling over in bloody pools, is mesmerising. Even at its most pedestrian, though, the world of Chinatown Wars is one you want to observe like a scientist peering into a Petri dish. The residents of this concrete playground leave their houses, get into their cars or wander the streets, stopping to have conversations or buy snacks from fast-food carts. All the while, the roads are being navigated by a catalogue of automobiles, from clapped-out saloons to zippy hatchbacks and chugging trucks, with police prowlers and emergency vehicles also figuring in the mix. You can steal any one of them, of course (and, yes, choose to earn extra cash performing paramedic runs when driving an ambulance).

Something else that needed working out was a control system. Modern GTA is very much a game that requires the opportunities afforded by analogue control, something that has been refined again and again in iterative outings, but in the DS hardware Rockstar faced having to start again from scratch. “We were nervous about it at first,” concedes Houser, “but you’re using a D-pad, and occasionally a stylus, and pretty quickly you forget about the interface being different. You’re not going: ‘Oh god, isn’t there a better way to do this?’ It’s because Leeds did a lot of work making the car handling feel nice and responsive, without being so twitchy that you’re thrown everywhere.”

This work has involved incorporating a driving system that automatically assists the player in staying on the road, helping to avoid collisions at high speed – especially the type that usually follow fierce left-hand turns when you have cops hugging your rear bumper. “There’s a little bit of auto-alignment,” Houser continues, “but it’s subtle and it’s to make the driving a little forgiving, without it feeling like you’re wearing armbands or something. It some ways it’s no different to an auto-aim, really.”

Looking and sounding very promising, I personally didn't rate GTA4 and have been feeling for a while I'd like to go back to a more old school style of GTA, could be just what I was hoping for

[The Fuggler]

I read that Edge preview - it does indeed sound very promising. Really looking forward to it. I'm hoping that I will get the chance to finish Zelda before picking up anything else on the DS. Professor Leyton is on the list as well!

[G a f f e r]

That's a great review there Tetlee .....makes me want this even more now.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Tetlee

And top down it is!(in an almost slighty isometric stylee)

The first screenshots have been leaked(thanks to nintendoeverything.com) and I have to say I'm impressed with what I see so far, back to the good old days(loved GTA when it first went 3D but big time miss the top down games of old).

Nintendo Everything - Our second language is Nintendo++ » Blog Archive » GTA: Chinatown Wars - More screens

Might not be to everyones liking but I have to say that my enthusiasm for this GTA has just rocketed, can't wait for more info now

Really impressed with the pics there, I too miss the old style of gta games.

GTA done nothing for me.

Love the art style.

[Tetlee]

Seems the release date has slipped into 2009 now, estimated release for Feb-March time.

[BrownCan]

A complete NO NO! to this style. It totally ruines the actual OOMPH of the game ( I agree with Tetlee ). For DS, may be yes as it lacks capabilities but I don't think it would PULL diehard GTA fans to this console!

No! No!

Thank you

[Jay]

Originally Posted by BrownCan

A complete NO NO! to this style. It totally ruines the actual OOMPH of the game ( I agree with Tetlee ). For DS, may be yes as it lacks capabilities but I don't think it would PULL diehard GTA fans to this console!

No! No!

Thank you

But Tetlee seemed keen on it....

You are slating it though.

[Tetlee]

Originally Posted by Jay AVF

But Tetlee seemed keen on it....

You are slating it though.

I'm very keen on it from what I've seen and read about the game so far, looks right up my street!

[mrbeannn]

the graphics when driving are better then i thought, but the people look a little large and odd

[cas398]

I think it looks sweet. Glad to see they are trying to make it better than the old top down views. I'm not saying a top down view wouldn't have worked but we've seen all that before. I'll defo be getting this I think.

Nintendo Everything - Our second language is Nintendo++ » Blog Archive » GTA: Chinatown Wars info - Wi-Fi details and more

Both online and offline multiplayer support
- Item-exchange and stat access via Rockstar Games Social Club Support (Achievements)
- Will include some sort of chat function
- Day/night cycle, weather effects such as rain
- Can pick from already played story-missions, mini-games (police/taxi/firefighters) and sidequests from your hideout - play them again and get a better mission rating (bronze, silver, gold for every mission)
- N-Zone says the graphics are impressive, city feels alive with citizens
- Magazine also praises the controls, says they work perfectly

Gamesradar hands-on:
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars – hands-on, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars DS Previews | GamesRadar

[Chanser]

Officially a 18 game.

[AfxTwn]

Just an update to this thread, it looks like this game will now have multiplayer and will be released on 20th March Gaming - News - 'Chinatown Wars' multiplayer confirmed - Digital Spy

[cas398]

Just seen this on Kotaku. Not much but it wet my appetite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-g54XeSEEQ

[cas398]

Gameplay

This is the first DS game I'm actually really interested in.

YouTube - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - Gameplay Trailer (720p HD)

[AfxTwn]

Well this month's official Nintendo mag (April) has reviewed GTA:CW and given it a whopping 94% saying: "Vast, visually stunning and every bit as good as any other GTA".

High praise indeed!

[Chanser]

Pre-ordered mine.

[Noggleboggleman]

Have had a brief go for 'research' purposes and first impressions are VERY good. Very high producation values and very easy to control (apart from the odd camera issue).

[94jdh]

Originally Posted by noggleboggleman

have had a brief go for 'research' purposes and first impressions are very good. Very high producation values and very easy to control (apart from the odd camera issue).

lol!!!!

[The Fuggler]

Eurogamer review is up!

[Jay]

Can't believe this thread is quiet.

I'm almost tempted to pick up a ds for this game.

[Bojanglez]

I am going to pop into town to pick this up at lunch, will be the first DS game I have got for ages, hopefully it wont let me down.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Bojanglez

I am going to pop into town to pick this up at lunch, will be the first DS game I have got for ages, hopefully it wont let me down.

Reviews are generally very positive.

Obviously that doesn't mean anything nowadays, as high reviews don't mean you'll like it.

But I've watched videos and it really does look good.

If I had a ds I'd pick it up without question, but I'm deciding whether the game is worth buying a ds for.

[Bojanglez]

I have only been able to play for 10 minutes during my lunch break, but it seems like it is going to be a lot of fun. It controls very well, beating up innocent bystanders and ragging around in stolen cars hasn't lost any of it's charm

[Tonks01]

logged in a fair few hours on this now, it's brilliant! I loved GTA IV but this really is like an homage to GTA and its roots in both I & II, its just absolutely wild. Looks fantastic plays great, lots of praise for this from me. The use of the stylus is really good too, it's a part of the gameplay rather than tacked on

Any questions just ask

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Tonks01

logged in a fair few hours on this now, it's brilliant! I loved GTA IV but this really is like an homage to GTA and its roots in both I & II, its just absolutely wild. Looks fantastic plays great, lots of praise for this from me. The use of the stylus is really good too, it's a part of the gameplay rather than tacked on

Any questions just ask

Tricky question but is gta worth buying a ds for?

I've owned one before and played the games I want to play, mario akrt, new super mario, phoenix wright, professor layton etc.

So it would really be for this game.

Cheers