GTA III (iPad Version) IMPRESSIONS

Oftentimes I do not get the opportunity to even try out the game for myself. Such is the case for non-professional gamers, critics, and fanboys. Three important schools that I subscribe to. Last week Rockstar Games announced that for the 10 Year Anniversary of their mega-hit "Grand Theft Auto III," one of the most influential games of all-time, it would be hitting iOS and Android systems later this year. I wrote on that story here.

Well, now we have received actually gameplay footage from the New York ComicCon this week. What you'll see above is roughly 90-seconds of uncut action of the game as played on an iPad. It becomes immediately apparent that the controls are going to take some getting used. If you've done much gaming on an iPhone or iPad then you know one of the two mechanics they use for movement in a 3D realm. You get a small circle in a bottom corner and wherever you place your finger or thumb in that (micro) area your onscreen avatar will move in the (macro) direction respectively. It's weird and I don't think it will every feel as natural as an analog thumbstick, which I believe is the most natural and control-friendly way to move in gaming. Besides that adjustment you are given onscreen "buttons" that control different actions. When a car came within jacking distance a car icon appeared onscreen. Running, jumping, and punching buttons seem to always be available (as they should for a thug like you).

It appears that whoever is playing is not that good at it (the video begins just after they get wasted and then later the owner of the car they commandeered hijacks them right back). However, if you pay attention you'll probably notice they seem to be doing it one-handed while probably recording this footage with the other hand. Unfortunately, this video doesn't show us how driving and shooting (not at the same time mind you, but those actions respectively) are going to function on touchscreen version. That will be interesting to see when we receive more footage of this great game on a foreign system.

All in all, it looks just about as good as it did on PS2, maybe even as good as it did on Xbox. Of course, it is easier to make that happen on a smaller display. I'm sure my iPhone could not handle it, but I hope to try it on someone else's eventually.

THE ROCKSTAR OF GAMING: RDR: GOTY AND GTA III: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Rockstar Games is a developer and publisher that lives up to their name. They have consistently delivered good games, but oftentimes good is too far an understatement. They've started franchises such as "Midnight Club," "Max Payne," "Red Dead Redemption," and the popular and controversy "Grand Theft Auto." Earlier this year they published the innovative "L.A. Noire," which far too people are remembering was developed by Team Bondi). Their games are usually for mature audiences, but there is no denying how well they actually make games. This week we have two items of note from the legendary company.

"Red Dead Redemption" (my pick for best game of 2010) is appropriately crowned with a "Game of the Year" edition. I called this back in July, not like it was that unexpected though. It includes the full game, the "Undead Nightmare" expansion, and all the multiplayer DLC. If you still haven't picked up this game, now is the time to do so and this is the version to get. "Red Dead Redemption" boats a massive wild west open-world set just after the turn of the century. It breathes and behaves like it should, complete with a wide array of wildlife and plentiful things to do. The single-player story is among the most entertaining, compelling, and thought-provoking I have ever encounter in a video game. "Undead Nightmare" is exactly what is says and changes the entire way you play the game (with zombies of course).Then there is all the multiplayer options. There's your standard Deathmatch options, Grab the Bag, and even a Horde mode where you team up with others against wave after wave of undead cowboys. The highlight is the Free Roam where you can form posses with friends and strangers alike and do whatever the heck you want. Seriously, play this game. Here is Rockstar Newswire regarding "Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year."

What's more? Rockstar Games is celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary of the title that chagned video games forever, "Grand Theft Auto III." The game will be coming to iOS and Android devices later this fall! It seems an interesting choice. I currently don't have any such device to support it, but I can always play it on my original Xbox. How do you think such a game will play on the iPad2 and company? It seems very much meant for a controller, but I don't doubt Rockstar's abilities. "GTA III" is a remarkable game and still holds up a decade later. I spent significant time with it just last year. It was a pioneer in the sandbox and open-world movement of games that I, for one, fell head over heels for! The freedom-induced gameplay is exhilarating and the sprawling city awaits your royal thug-ness. When GameInformer did their "Top 200 Games of All-Time" about two years ago it ranked number 4 for a reason. Actually, for several reasons.

Along with that news Rockstar announced a limited edition Claude (the anti-hero you play as in "GTA III") action-figure! The specifics: "This fully articulated 1:6 scale action figure of Claude comes dressed in his original attire of cargo pants and a bomber jacket, but can also sport his iconic Liberty City Prison-issued jumpsuit (supplied) and comes equipped with an arsenal of classic weapons from Grand Theft Auto III including a bat, knife, grenades, pistol, sniper rifle, and assault rifle." It's not cheap (at $150), but is currently for sale from the Rockstar Warehouse should you consider yourself that much of a fan. Rockstar Newswire has more on these "GTA III" announcements.

MORE "RED DEAD REDEMPTION"? MORE "RED DEAD REDEMPTION"!

Rockstar's open-world Western, "Red Dead Redemption," not only became one of my favorite games in recent years, but one of my favorites of all-time. They followed up the game with some impressive DLC packs (mainly to boost the already extensive multiplayer), the latest and most elaborate of which was "Undead Nightmare," which added a new single-player campaign and even more multiplayer options! Overall, it was an impressive run of add-ons and myself and others were more than content with the modern masterpiece, thinking that we had seen it all for this installment.

Imagine my surprise and delight (or perhaps you'll experience it for yourself) when I saw @RockstarGames, who I follow on Twitter, Tweet this Tweet just two days ago. Plain and simple: In the coming weeks Rockstar will announce future DLC for "Red Dead Redemption"! Yeehaw! My cowboy avatar is already polishing his spurs for the occasion.

What's more? Earlier this week, Rockstar announced the Quadruple XP event that is officially underway and will go until midnight on July 4th. Jump into multiplayer for your Xbox 360 or PS3 to begin reaping these benefits. All multiplayer modes (even Free Roam!) will take your experience and times it by four! I took advantage of the opportunity and played a couple rounds of Undead Overrun earlier today. Two others and I made it 8 rounds one time. That battle was fierce and there were too many close-calls than I'd like to remember... Best of all, each time I garnered at least 2000 XP! I will continue to capitalize on this current event and hopefully reach level 20 (or more?) by the time it is over.

Now (especially this weekend...) is as good a time as any to pick up this game if you haven't already. Sure, there will inevitably and eventually be a "Game of the Year" version of sorts with all the DLC included, which would no doubt be the best buy, but if you haven't picked up the game and played through the single-player and tried your hand at the multiplayer (as the gameplay photo above depicts, forming a posse with other players looks and feels so awesome), you are missing out on one of the finest experiences video games currently have to offer.