How are the vehicle physics?

[Ralen]

I wasn't a major fan of GTA IV (I did love RDR). However, one feature that struck me as being really engaging was the driving simulation. I typically never notice it in most games as it's really basic and straightforward. Generally, games just treat driving as a means of traveling faster around an environment. GTA IV, on the other hand, actually made driving somewhat realistic. I enjoyed the challenge of steering, making quick turns, and needing to avoid incoming traffic.

Is GTA V's vehicle simulation similar to GTA IV? Has it been dumbed down or "casualized" in order to appease those who did not enjoy the challenge of mastering the art? I don't own this title on last gen or current gen consoles, so any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Paul Caruso]

GTA V's physics are a blend of GTA IV's and Midnight Club LA's. It's still fun, but it's certainly casualized.

[Ralen]

Originally posted by Mr. Fryman of the Woods:

GTA V's physics are a blend of GTA IV's and Midnight Club LA's. It's still fun, but it's certainly casualized.

Ah. I see. As long as it's more compelling than "press trigger to accelerate and use analog stick to turn," I suppose I can tolerate it. Watch_Dogs actually did a really good job of driving physics. Rockstar is usually always on top of their vehicle/mount gameplay.

[Kapteeni Moukku]

its been dumbed down along with the car damage. probably because the online races would be pretty slow with the gta4 physics.

[Ralen]

Originally posted by Revenge of the playa:

its been dumbed down along with the car damage. probably because the online races would be pretty slow with the gta4 physics.

Ah. That's a fair point. Still a little disappointing though.

[West]

Originally posted by Pax Augusta:

Originally posted by Revenge of the playa:

its been dumbed down along with the car damage. probably because the online races would be pretty slow with the gta4 physics.

Ah. That's a fair point. Still a little disappointing though.

Actually that's what it might seem like at first if you were expecting wobbly cars with terrible handling.

Once you'll play the game for a bit, you'll realise that everything about cars in GTA V is better than even in many actual racing games. Especially if you have a controller, you can feel the weight of the car, you have complete control while turning and feel if your car is about to lose control instead of seeing it happen and not able to do anything about it. Driving in this game is a lot more fluid and fun, at the same time a lot more serious and technical if you're willing to take it there.

You can actually rely on skill in this game, instead of who's car is faster like in GTA IV.

[Ralen]

Originally posted by West:

Once you'll play the game for a bit, you'll realise that everything about cars in GTA V is better than even in many actual racing games. Especially if you have a controller, you can feel the weight of the car, you have the complete control while turning and feel if your car is about to lose control instead of seeing it happen and not able to do anything about it. Driving in this game is a lot more fluid and fun, at the same time a lot more serious and technical if you're willing to take it there.

I hope you are right about that. I find most games, especially open world ones, tend to do a poor job of vehicle gameplay and it's always an afterthought. I enjoy when I'm engaged in the experience at all times, which is why having solid vehicle gameplay is important to me. From how you are describing it, GTA V does sound as if it is an improvement without unnecessary downsides. I'll have to find out when the game releases for PC.

[West]

Originally posted by Pax Augusta:

Originally posted by West:

Once you'll play the game for a bit, you'll realise that everything about cars in GTA V is better than even in many actual racing games. Especially if you have a controller, you can feel the weight of the car, you have the complete control while turning and feel if your car is about to lose control instead of seeing it happen and not able to do anything about it. Driving in this game is a lot more fluid and fun, at the same time a lot more serious and technical if you're willing to take it there.

I hope you are right about that. I find most games, especially open world ones, tend to do a poor job of vehicle gameplay and it's always an afterthought. I enjoy when I'm engaged in the experience at all times, which is why having solid vehicle gameplay is important to me. From how you are describing it, GTA V does sound as if it is an improvement without unnecessary downsides. I'll have to find out when the game releases for PC.

I'm not sure how it'll be on PC with a keyboard and whatnot, but on consoles with a controller it was a great experience driving and even racing. Roads are very detailed too, you can feel every bump and uneven place on the road thru controller vibration. It's very well calibrated and in my own experience so far (400 hours on PS3), driving was my favourite thing to do in GTA V and Online.

Everything else is just as well done as driving, but I love driving and everything about cars IRL too and seeing how well it's done in my favorite game... well it just takes the cake, honestly :)

[Kapteeni Moukku]

Originally posted by Pax Augusta:

Originally posted by West:

Once you'll play the game for a bit, you'll realise that everything about cars in GTA V is better than even in many actual racing games. Especially if you have a controller, you can feel the weight of the car, you have the complete control while turning and feel if your car is about to lose control instead of seeing it happen and not able to do anything about it. Driving in this game is a lot more fluid and fun, at the same time a lot more serious and technical if you're willing to take it there.

I hope you are right about that. I find most games, especially open world ones, tend to do a poor job of vehicle gameplay and it's always an afterthought. I enjoy when I'm engaged in the experience at all times, which is why having solid vehicle gameplay is important to me. From how you are describing it, GTA V does sound as if it is an improvement without unnecessary downsides. I'll have to find out when the game releases for PC.

I guess its matter of taste about the driving but car damage in gta 4 was superior because the cars deformed when crashed unlike gta5 where the bumper and some other bits just fall off, but it will probably be fixed with mods at least in singleplayer.

[Khan, Binary of None]

GTA V Car physics are 10x better than GTA IV by far. You have WAY more control over the car than the soapy controls from IV. It's much more satisfying and easier to drive. Calling it dumbed down is more of an injustice when you look at how god awful GTA IV's controls were.

Originally posted by Revenge of the playa:

I guess its matter of taste about the driving but car damage in gta 4 was superior because the cars deformed when crashed unlike gta5 where the bumper and some other bits just fall off, but it will probably be fixed with mods at least in singleplayer.

Have you played GTA V? Cars do deform, the physics are more realistic than IV.

[Ralen]

Originally posted by West:

I'm not sure how it'll be on PC with a keyboard and whatnot, but on consoles with a controller it was a great experience driving and even racing. Roads are very detailed too, you can feel every bump and uneven place on the road thru controller vibration. It's very well calibrated and in my own experience so far (400 hours on PS3), driving was my favourite thing to do in GTA V and Online.

Everything else is just as well done as driving, but I love driving and everything about cars IRL too and seeing how well it's done in my favorite game... well it just takes the cake, honestly :)

Good to hear. I generally don't use a controller, unless it's a fighting game or an action game, but I might for GTA V if it handles better compared to mouse and keyboard. I generally do not like shooters with a controller due to lack of precision.

[Karim]

V and Sleeping Dogs have the worst physics.

[West]

Originally posted by Pax Augusta:

Originally posted by West:

I'm not sure how it'll be on PC with a keyboard and whatnot, but on consoles with a controller it was a great experience driving and even racing. Roads are very detailed too, you can feel every bump and uneven place on the road thru controller vibration. It's very well calibrated and in my own experience so far (400 hours on PS3), driving was my favourite thing to do in GTA V and Online.

Everything else is just as well done as driving, but I love driving and everything about cars IRL too and seeing how well it's done in my favorite game... well it just takes the cake, honestly :)

Good to hear. I generally don't use a controller, unless it's a fighting game or an action game, but I might for GTA V if it handles better compared to mouse and keyboard. I generally do not like shooters with a controller due to lack of precision.

You don't do anything with mouse precision in GTA V. It's not a game where aiming well gets you more/faster kills. In GTA V you have to be creative or outsmart your opponents usually, shooting accurately is not a problem even with a controller without aim assist. You have to put like 5-7 bullets or more into someone before they die. The actual weapon of choice for anyone in GTA V is RPG or grenades, C4.. any explosives basicly.

So even if you will sacrifice mouse+keyboard precision for full controll over your vehicles (air, water, land and subs too), you will not get any worse in shootouts unless they'll be really close range. You'll be actually missing out on the game and will lack skill if you WILL use mouse+keyboard. Any player with decent skills and a controller will dominate you in 80% of activities Online.

So just something for you to think about.

[Ralen]

Originally posted by Karim13:

V and Sleeping Dogs have the worst physics.

Don't even remind me of Sleeping Dogs... A friend of mine tricked me into buying that game... Terrible gameplay. Definitely a buy I wish I could take back.

Originally posted by West:

You don't do anything with mouse precision in GTA V. It's not a game where aiming well gets you more/faster kills. In GTA V you have to be creative or outsmart your opponents usually, shooting accurately is not a problem even with a controller without aim assist. You have to put like 5-7 bullets or more into someone before they die. The actual weapon of choice for anyone in GTA V is RPG or grenades, C4.. any explosives basicly.

So even if you will sacrifice mouse+keyboard precision for full controll over your vehicles (air, water, land and subs too), you will not get any worse in shootouts unless they'll be really close range. You'll be actually missing out on the game and will lack skill if you WILL use mouse+keyboard. Any player with decent skills and a controller will dominate you in 80% of activities Online.

So just something for you to think about.

Fair enough. GTA is not an FPS and certainly has never been known for its gameplay. Thankfully Rockstar finally stepped into the modern age and took cues from Saints Row how to do quality shooting mechanics. I'm not a fan of explosives personally, but I am curious how well combat will work in first person view.

I'll probably use a controller. I did for GTA SA and obviously RDR was only on console. I don't remember GTA IV's mouse and keyboard controls being that terrible though. Either way, it's interesting to see how they differ. Driving, alone, will probably encourage me to use a controller though.

[Khan, Binary of None]

http://youtu.be/uC-s_UNX8y0?t=2m58s

[Kapteeni Moukku]

Originally posted by Duo Vandal:

GTA V Car physics are 10x better than GTA IV by far. You have WAY more control over the car than the soapy controls from IV. It's much more satisfying and easier to drive. Calling it dumbed down is more of an injustice when you look at how god awful GTA IV's controls were.

Originally posted by Revenge of the playa:

I guess its matter of taste about the driving but car damage in gta 4 was superior because the cars deformed when crashed unlike gta5 where the bumper and some other bits just fall off, but it will probably be fixed with mods at least in singleplayer.

Have you played GTA V? Cars do deform, the physics are more realistic than IV.

I wouldnt say realistic about gta physics but its really hard to deform car in 5 i like gta4 damage model better than gta5`s.