I can't tell if it's distracting or not; every previous GTA has been more interesting in the side missions than the story missions to me. I've played 10s of hours of R3 missions between each story mission. Traditionally speaking, I've been reluctant to advance the story because when it's done I stop wanting to fool around in the world. In IV, I'm more interested in the story, it just doesn't feel like a GTA story, where the Russian mob is concerned. OTOH, it's nice to be interested in the story!
But in general, I've played darts and bowled only as long as it took to unlock their Achievements, but I enjoy playing pool with friends. You also /have/ to do something with friends to get them to like you more, so pool is a nice choice. Food is OK, and quick, and drinking together means getting unwanted police attention while your driving skills are fuckz0r'd, so... I dunno. I'd have liked it if they included "Sunday drive" as an activity, similar to the "Car Salesman" minigame from LCS...
I figured out another thing; there's a character called Brucie, an over-the-top steroid juicer who gives you missions. He has catchphrases like, "Be genetically different!!" and "STAY ALPHA!" He rules. Most people on the boards really like him, and I think it's because he's the closest thing to GTA III-era characterization. He's batshit insane.
San Andreas I think had more of the "reality" and gravitas than I'd initially remembered. Immediately previous to this GTA IV play, I'd been trawling Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, both of which primarily feature comedic characters with unrealistic behavior, drives, etc.
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Date: 2008-05-16 07:43 am (UTC)But in general, I've played darts and bowled only as long as it took to unlock their Achievements, but I enjoy playing pool with friends. You also /have/ to do something with friends to get them to like you more, so pool is a nice choice. Food is OK, and quick, and drinking together means getting unwanted police attention while your driving skills are fuckz0r'd, so... I dunno. I'd have liked it if they included "Sunday drive" as an activity, similar to the "Car Salesman" minigame from LCS...
I figured out another thing; there's a character called Brucie, an over-the-top steroid juicer who gives you missions. He has catchphrases like, "Be genetically different!!" and "STAY ALPHA!" He rules. Most people on the boards really like him, and I think it's because he's the closest thing to GTA III-era characterization. He's batshit insane.
San Andreas I think had more of the "reality" and gravitas than I'd initially remembered. Immediately previous to this GTA IV play, I'd been trawling Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, both of which primarily feature comedic characters with unrealistic behavior, drives, etc.