The Getaway

I don't know where you're seeing it....it's coming out early 2003.

Not in Europe Verbs. Came out there yesterday. sethos lives in Holland. You do the math. wink

And the Internet reviews I've read are not very positive.

I think I also saw some negative mentions, which is a damn shame because the graphics looked stunning.

Here's hoping Rockstar do another London based GTA, this time in 3D.

Well, I reviewed it for my new mag and I can see why it could get bad reviews. It's a seriously flawed game. The on-foot sections are hobbled by a fucking awful control system, and there are numerous irritating little quirks - like the inability to look behind you while driving, which is really annoying when you're being chased.

But...

If you stick with it, and can forgive it's stupid quirks, it is a surprisingly addictive game. The shoot-outs are brutal, the car chases are breath-takingly realistic and the whole thing looks stunning.

You can tell more effort went into the look and style than went into the gameplay though.

I gave it 8/10, because now I'm into the game, I'm really enjoying it - and if you like the idea of the game, you'll probably find the same - but it's a definite try-before-you-buy.

The closest comparison is probably Max Payne on PS2 - a game I hated, but many people loved. That had control problems and gameplay issues galore, but the sheer "vibe" of the game was enough for some people to see past all that and enjoy the game beneath. The Getaway is the same.

But if you want a PS2 game that will surprise you...The Sims is going to raise more than a few eyebrows.

That's what I get for not looking at his location.

Shazbot...

I don't want to derail the thread, but please elaborate - ?

Hasn't it already done that on the PC? I know I sure raise my eyebrows when I see people playing a computer character's life instead of living their own.

All I've heard about the game is that anyone seeking a GTA-clone may be disappointed, being as though there are no markers, health meters, or time limits on missions. I've also heard that you only know where to turn by your turning signal switching on. I still wouldn't mind renting it.

It is pretty typical British crime fare. But the voice acting is superb (and full of fucking cunty swearing) and it's presented in a no-holds-barred way that really helps to draw you in.

It's going to be a real love-it-or-hate-it game, I think. It does require quite a forgiving approach to begin with, and there's really no excuse for some of the rough edges (it's been in development for nearly three years) but if you can accept the games limitations, it's got plenty to offer and you'll probably want to play it through to the end.

It's nothing like GTA. The only similarity is the fact you can steal any vehicle. It's more like Driver, in that it's very story-driven, with strict missions that are quite linear in their execution. There are very few instances where you can roam free during the game - although there is a seperate game mode if you just want to drive around for fun.

The navigation is weird, using the turn signals to let you know which direction you need to head in. It's too ambiguous and you can expect to go round in circles a few times until you get used to it.

The game also starts with the most frustratingly difficult level - you need to follow a car in a tight time limit, and one crash can be enough to make you fail. If you can get through that, the rest of it is actually fairly simple.

Looks like this isn't all it's cracked up to be, if you go by IGN and Gamespy.

Gamespy gave it a 74, IGN a 7.0.

I'm still gonna get/rent it, though.....

There was a special The Getaway evening last week at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco, but I fucking missed it. I heard the "real" actors of the game showed up for a talk/signing, and they gave out loads of exclusive swag etc.

anyone manage to make it?

so anyone playing this or what

Two things about this game piss me off

Camera - This is one of my biggest gripes. They wanted this game to look and feel cinematic yet they didn't include any
"cinematic" camera views like GTA has? So in a movie we would have the same stagnant forward camera view? I really don't understand how being able to see from a different direction would detract from the cinematic realism of this game.
Driving around in this highly detailed city I really want to be able to look around. But no! All you get is the forward view. I didn't know how good I had it in Vice City and GTA3 when I had the ability to look from any view at the city or my car.

Damage - I don't know how many times I've literally had to stop playing the game for a minute while in hot pursuit of a bad guy so my stupid character can lean against a wall and magically heal himself of his wounds. The whole time I'm NOT PLAYING THE FRIGGIN GAME when that happens I'm furious. Did the people that made this thing think it would be cool to force us to tediously have to wait for our characters to heal themselves while in combat!?! And honestly they were so determined to make this game "realistic" that they left out any form of health packages we could pick up and gave us a difficult to make out blood stain to determine how damaged our character is over a meter. WELL HOW REALISTIC IS IT FOR A GUY TO HEAL HIMSELF BY STANDING AGAINST A FUCKING WALL!?!?!?!? What is he some kind of vampire?

I bought this game today, and I love it. The reason the reviews are less than steller for this game is because people wanted it to be like GTA, and this game is not another GTA. This game is more story focused than GTA is, so there isn't that doing anything you want and have fun portion like GTA has, but on its own this game is very good, just don't expect GTA. I went in after reading the reviews of the game and decided that these reviews are knocking it for not being like GTA, and that is bullshit. Overall I really like this game, and would reccomend it to others looking for something other than prostitutes.

That's what I think at least - the game's more akin to Driver if anything, and that's not so bad.

Haven't played this yet, but I have been looking forward to the game for nigh on 3 yrs, so I am DEFINITELY going to buy it.

Meanwhile, these are the main criticisms I've garnered from reading various negative reviews of the game:

-The car physics/handling/sounds are not as realistic as they could be, and not as good as GTA

-Lack of map sucks, inadequate directions system

-as far as damage etc, the cars don't flip over (bummer) and you can't drive through obstacles like lamposts, chairs etc.

-Not as much variation in civilians as in GTA, plus GTA's London seems lifeless (buses are empty, not may people in the streets etc)

-Lack of variety in weapons, and the weapons don't sound realistic.

-game still has glitches.

-Lack of humor.

-no free roaming like in GTA, and you can't enter many buildings

So... do these criticisms check out or are they unfounded?

I'm a bit iffy on the physics and handling, I think it handles more realisticly than GTA, but not as real as Gran Turismo. The sounds in the game do sound a bit muffled at times and not as good as I would have hoped.

I don't mind not having a map, because the developers wanted to keep everything cinematic like, and the turn signal system works to my satisfaction.

The damage is one thing that I think they did a great job of in the game. The car crashes are amazing although your car doesn't flip over. Also I like how when an enemy is chasing your car, he shoots at you and the rear-window smashes out, I love that. Also they shoot out tires and the car responds accordingly, and other damages affect a car's performance. I would like to add, I never seen a car drive through a lamppost before in real-life without it being stopped. wink

I think the civilians and other traffics are accurate with the exception that yes the buses are empty. I really liked how when I was trying to getaway from a pursuit there was a traffic jam ahead, it was totally realistic, I was like "SHIT!!!!"

I haven't gotten that far to comment on the weapons except to say the sounds are not great, but I think it is awesome when he has two guns in his hands going all "Jack Bauer" on their asses. Also I like when you up against a wall and you look around the corner and you can just stick your gun out and fire without turning the corner, just like in the movies.

No glitches so far except a few framerate problems, but that is what they get for not having it on Xbox. wink

It isn't supposed to be funny.

The story is central to this game, so you have to give alittle in the way of freedom.

Thanks for clearing that up, I appreciate it. I think I'm going to like this game.

Only other downer is that the game is cut of at least one mission.

Apparently, there was a problem with a mission where the hero had to dress in a British Telecom uniform and get in a BT van to commit a massacre (or something along those lines). British Telecom are basically the UK equivalent of AT&T... I guess they put their legal people onto the game company, and the mission has now been removed. The newly released US version of The Getaway is the cut version, and even the UK edition was recalled off the shelves and replaced by a new, edited version- as a result, the original "uncut" editions are now selling at inflated prices on Ebay.

Just a correction, your car can flip. It just happened to me twice on the same mission. The good thing about it is that your car doesn't catch on fire for some odd reason when it flips over, I thought that always happens in real life.

How'd you get the money for this? It was only a few days ago you were scrounging for change under the couch to get DOA: XBV.... wink

I won't buy this sight-unseen but I really ought to rent it. Because of a situation at our store (someone getting "released") 4-day take homes of games are hereby suspended.

If that is the "Snow Hill" stage where you dreess as a technician, walk into the police station, and then proceed to kill every motherfucking cop then I'm glad to say that it isn't cut. I know the nudity has been cut but that's no big loss as far as I'm concerned.

I'm thinking that i'm gonna buy this tomorrow. After doing a bit of reading, it seems that it's more of a "preference" thing with how difficult the game is. Basically, if you let the minor flaws bother you, it'll detract from the experience.

I usually ignore little flaws like the ones they are mentioning. This game looks too sweet to not get, and everything i've heard from Ryo is positive.

To hell with these gamesites....

I haven't played it yet, but it sounds like that's the mission. Nice to hear it's still in there. I guess if they haven't removed the mission entirely, then they must've at least changed the company logos so that they don't get sued.

Yeah, there is no company logo on the van or Mark's suit.

This game is great even though the camera is ASS. I love the gunfights and the graphics are cool. I just wish there was somewhat of an interface.

This is true. The mission originally asked you to murder a BT employee, take his uniform and van and then use it to enter a police station and kill cops. Sony, rather stupidly, didn't clear this with BT who kicked up a stink.

But the mission remains in the game, it's just had all references to BT removed.

Was it really stupidity though? how could they NOT have guessed that British Telecom would have a problem with a massacre mission like that. Surely they didn't think that nobody would notice, especially when they spend X bazillion pounds on the game and then promote it like a bastard. I think they were lucky they didn't get taken to court.

Just bought this game a few days ago and I'm having a good time with it. It's deffinetly a different game than GTA, and, to me, not as fun, but it is still cool game. The story is good, and boy is this game brutal. Driving around London at top speed is not an easy thing to do, let me tell you. The gunfights in this game have to be one of my favorite elements.. The mission where you are in the junkyard with all the Traids is a great example. So far, a good game.

Such a weird game. It's taken some getting used to having NOTHING on screen indicating pretty much anything, but now that I am I have to say I like it a lot. I also enjoy the fact that you can recover your health whenever you want, though it can also be a tad inconvinent at times, it's still better than hunting for health-ups.

All in all it's a blast, I think, especially if you can nab yourself a fuckin' fast care during those chases...nothing better.

I just started playing this.

Are all the cars this slow to respond? It takes forever just to pull away from the kerb in the first mission.

Also, I know you're supposed to tail that other car. But when your car indicator shows a direction, then does that mean you take the NEXT left/right, or does it mean you have to guess which left/right turn to make? I'm confused...

It feels great to be driving around virtual London though.

I've been waiting for this game for a long time. I'm dissapointed. I didn't expect it to be a GTA clone, but I also didn't expect it to win the award for MOST FRUSTRATING CONTROLS EVER!!!

Here's the good things.

-Graphic realism. Awesome. I wish more games paid this much attention to detail. From the licensed cars to the Grolsh Beer sign in the bar.

-At some points driving the cars feels great, and the crashes look fantastic.

-shooting people is really fun. Popping out from around a corner and nailing someone is a blast.

-the Fuck word. Might sound immature, but this adds immensely to the realism.

-The adult themes. Not tongue in cheeck, we're bad but still innocent, GTA fair. This is we're bad and we'll eat your children stuff.

-No HUD on-screen. Really cool idea and they actually pull it off.

-Great cinematics, story, and actors. I like how they cast the actors and then made the game likenesses. Imagine if you were playing GTA and heard Michael Madsen and actually SAW Michael Madsen.

-Shooting people in the head after using them as a shield.

Now the bad points. and this is all just right off the top of my head, so don't crucify me.

-Getting shot by a guy who jumped around the corner before you even had a chance to react.

-The Sluggish controls. Even if you knew that guy was around the corner and you knew exactly when he was gonna pop out, you still can't get the first shot off because you're guy doesn't respond in time.

-the camera. My fucking lord, I get dizzy. Its a chore to even walk out of a room and into the same room again.

-the simple gameplay. You have a shoot button, an action button (that does about 3 things), and an enter car button. Other than that you have no control over your character. Oh yeah, and you can't use the shoot button unless you're holding down another button (i.e. Resident Evil) making it even harder to hit bad-guys (read: other bad-guys) before they hit you.

-The driving. Although really fucking cool looking its still no fun. If I had to some up this whole gaming experience in one word.....Frustrating. Where the hell am I going? This blinking was blinking right, then I turned right, but now its blinking left again and there's no where to turn. I'm driving a heavy repair van and get hit by 200lb-3oz. Renault and MY car goes sliding roughly one city block backwards? What the fuck? Now I can't catch back up with the person I was chasing because the cars excelerate worse than an '86 Fiesta with a blown tire.

-More on driving. I get in a car and its running straight. I hit a parking cone and all the sudden the car now pulls to the right making it almost unsteerable. How fun.

-Controls controls controls. FUCK!!! I am really appreciating Splinter Cell right now. Sam Fisher does exactly what you want him to. Mark Hammond is possessed. I'm standing by a wall. I want to walk around the corner. I press right and all the sudden he walks straight and into the wall on the other side of the hall moves right a tiny bit and then walks into the room across the hall (the one you were trying to avoid) that has Police in it that proceed to shoot you to death. There's nothing you can do about this because it takes about 2 minutes to turn around and walk out of the room. By then you're plugged full of lead. See ya. You could have tried to shoot them, but by the time you locked on to the first guy, the other two had already hit you 3 times. And seems you can only get hit about 7 times before you die, that's no good.

-I'll stop here and just say that if you like to be frustrated to no end. If you like failing missions not because you don't know what to do, but because you know what to do and the 3-toed sloth registering controls in the game doesn't react quick enough, then this is the game for you. Its an ambitious failure. They had great ideas. Brilliant even, they just couldn't pull it off. Sort of like the movie Daredevil.

So if you like Daredevil, get this game. If you didn't like Daredevil, lets go get some beers, rent Rules of Attraction and play Vice City. Bollocks to the Getaway. Fuck All.

The driving stages gave me a headache because of frusteration.