It’s not just that, Vice City was set in Miami, I’d argue it had similar vibes/aesthetics (accounting for the difference in time and setting), and it felt significantly more cohesive and well-designed in terms of aesthetics.
Agreed, it was a major step forward in terms of mechanical complexity, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I saw was made out of plastic, y’know? Cars included.
F. E. A. R. And Riddick EFBB were beautiful games, I remember GTA SA coming out a few months later and thinking, WTF are these graphics.
Seriously, even GTA III had a MUCH better defined atmosphere and feel than SA!
And the Riddick games were, indeed, gorgeous! In a grim as hell way, but gorgeous!
To be fair, the “sunny California” setting and atmosphere is probably as bland and generic as it gets. It didn’t give designers a lot to work with.
It’s not just that, Vice City was set in Miami, I’d argue it had similar vibes/aesthetics (accounting for the difference in time and setting), and it felt significantly more cohesive and well-designed in terms of aesthetics.
It was fun though, despite the shitty GFX, was definitely my favourite of the series.
Agreed, it was a major step forward in terms of mechanical complexity, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I saw was made out of plastic, y’know? Cars included.