I, like many people, have been enjoying GTAV recently. I can count the single player experience as one of my favorite games ever. The story, the voice acting, and the gameplay have all been fined tuned to perfection. It is, in my eyes, one of the games of the generation.
The same cannot be said for the online component, however. I can forgive a launch plagued by a few glitches and bugs. No major release is free of them. But, I cannot forgive how blatantly broken the game is. There are a few glaring problems that I hope to outline, but first I'd like to express a legitimate disappointment. Rockstar is usually so on the ball about things, and they are masters of game design. Though, that only serves to make their failures even more obvious, such as when you compare the illustrious GTAV main game experience to the pile of trash GTA:O is. Now, to outline exactly what I see is wrong.
1. The "Bad Sport" system.
Rockstar has decided to play peacekeeper this time around, and while I give them credit for attempting to create a friendlier online experience, they have fallen flat on their face. The so-called Bad Sport system is a joke. Earlier today, I was playing in freeroam when a great drop. "Geewilikiers," I thought, "A crate! I wonder what's inside. Let's go collect it!"
So I did. After putting down some guntotting NPCs, I claimed my prize: $2000 and an RPG. Hot dog! A rocket launcher! Can't wait to rod some gas stations with this. But, not all is well in the realm of San Andreas. I look up and see a white sports car in front of me, speeding towards me, another player's name above it. So, I do what any sane person would do: I defend myself. I let loose a rocket and beam in joy as I see the kill message pop up "You killed Player 2."
But, my jubilation is cut short. Soon after that, another message follows. "You have been charged $5000 and been labeled a Bad Sport for destroying another player's personal vehicle." What the hell, Rockstar? Some random kid tries to run me down in an alley, and you call me a bad sport for defending myself?
Not to mention, you can be charged as a Bad Sport for a slew of other "offenses". Your internet craps out in the middle of a match? You're a Bad Sport for leaving a match before it was over.
Are you somebody who gets kicked from a match because two idiots want to play together alone but can't be bothered to start a private match? You're a Bad Sport for being kicked, despite joining a match open to everybody.
Do you kill some guy in self-defense only to have him report you for being a griefer? You're a Bad Sport, because reporting somebody in a lobby based console game just doesn't work and you have no way of contesting the report.
The Bad Sport system is broken and only punishes everybody involved, guilty or not.
2. Passive Mode is Crap.
Passive mode is anything but passive. Say, you're getting tired of being spawn camped by some guy. Why not enable passive mode for $100? No way he can hurt you now. Except he can. In so many different ways. Turns out, passive mode is null and void if he runs you over with a car, shoots you while you're in a car, or a myriad of any other things. What's the point of passive mode if I'm not protected by it? This is a short complaint, but one that effectively outlines how broken GTA:O is.
3. Everything is behind a level cap.
The GTA series prides itself on player freedom and effectively only limiting players to how far their imagination and in-game skill will carry them. GTA:O has none of this freedom. Everything is behind a level cap. Weapons, car upgrades, clothing, activities, ect. I can understand wanting to instill a sense of progression, but this is ridiculous. Need to flush somebody out of cover? Too bad explosives are locked by a dozen or so levels. Need something better than the Micro-SMG to combat the RPG and Sniper Rifle wielding jerk hunting you? You've got a ways to go until you even get the assault rifle, kid. Need a parachute so you don't die when somebody inevitably shoots your hard earned helicopter out of the air? Make sure you have it unlocked so you can buy them from the gun store!
Like I said, I enjoy progression. But, when a game like GTA:O throws the level one newb in the same arena as the level 100 veteran, there's a huge balance gap.
To sum it all up, GTA:O has some pretty serious flaws, ones that can seriously cramp one's enjoyment of the game. I applaud Rockstar's ambition, but I have give them a gladiator-style thumbs down on their execution.