How Much Better Does GTA V Look Compared To GTA IV?

12 years ago

November 15, 2011 at 11:00 am

When it comes to video games I’ve noticed a couple of things — we tend to overestimate how good the games we played in the past looked, and we underestimate the progress made by modern games. I remember being slightly underwhelmed by the visual upgrade shown in the recent Grand Theft Auto V trailer but this video, which cleverly remakes the GTA V trailer using footage of GTA IV, shows just how far the games has come.

And despite the fact this video is designed to show how far ahead GTA V is compared to its predecessor, I came away with another level of respect for the achievement of GTA IV. It’s crazy that the scope and scale of Liberty City is such that a video like this could even be made. The sheer variety and detail in that game was astounding for the time, and it still dazzles now.

The whole thing just provides a healthy amount of perspective.

Thanks DarkChild

Comments

39 responses to “How Much Better Does GTA V Look Compared To GTA IV?”

READ THE COMMENTS

warcroft

November 15, 2011 at 11:11 am

Youre right. Massive improvement in graphics.
GTA4 looks like GTA3.

Reply
Dancemachine55

November 15, 2011 at 11:12 am

I honestly can’t believe how much better GTA V looks graphically compared to GTA IV !!!!

I thought GTA IV looked pretty amazing, still does, but if the graphics in the GTA V trailer hold up throughout gameplay as well, we’re all in for something truly special.

I wonder how many discs this will take up on 360.

Reply
1. Lad
  
  November 15, 2011 at 1:28 pm
  
  Around 20 discs probably. Better off just getting it on Nintendo DS
  
  Reply
  1. solidsnake
    
    November 17, 2012 at 2:19 am
    
    With DX and normal textures you don’t need so much storage for graphics, the textures the game will use are allways the same repeated in many places multiple times, that is how things work. GTA4 used 15 gb disc , so this may use a full hd DVD 25gb, no more. that is one disc or 3 old common dvd. disc space and graphics have nothing to do with each other.
    
    Reply
2. thxultra
  
  November 16, 2011 at 10:48 am
  
  1 Disc
  
  Reply
boxanata

November 15, 2011 at 11:14 am

Can’t wait for GTA V… It’s gonna be EPIC!

Oh, & by the way… First!

Reply
1. boxanata
  
  November 15, 2011 at 11:15 am
  
  Make that third… lol
  
  Reply
2. warcroft
  
  November 15, 2011 at 11:15 am
  
  First?
  Fail!
  
  Reply
3. George
  
  November 15, 2011 at 11:30 am
  
  First? NOBODY CARES!! (even if you did post 1st, which you clearly failed at)
  
  Reply
  1. syvRaen
    
    November 15, 2011 at 11:41 am
    
    I’ve never understood why posting first is supposed to be some kind of honour or achievement. Furthermore, I can’t comprehend why people proclaim their “victory”. If it is such a glorious achievement, should you not humbly play down your deftness.
    
    And on topic, this video scares me. I was playing GTAIV last week, and I cannot remember it looking so poor. Is my memory that bad?
    
    Reply
    1. boxanata
      
      November 15, 2011 at 5:16 pm
      
      It was a joke you fucking tools! Geez… Build a bridge & get over it you wankers.
      
      Reply
      1. ed
        
        November 15, 2011 at 6:06 pm
        
        Place a mirror next to your monitor…. one day you will understand.
        
        But yes, I am looking forward to geetav too 😉
4. Black Dahlia NZ
  
  November 15, 2011 at 11:41 am
  
  haha douch
  
  Reply
5. thxultra
  
  November 16, 2011 at 10:54 am
  
  Its the last post that has the biggest effect *Guile Theme, walks into sunset*
  
  Reply
piat

November 15, 2011 at 11:27 am

Can’t wait to play this on pc in 2014

Reply
Geoerge

November 15, 2011 at 11:47 am

GTA V does look much better, but GTA IV’s video seems heavily compressed. The game doesn’t look THAT bad imo.

Reply
Razzaberry

November 15, 2011 at 11:51 am

Its scary, i remember looking at GTAIV and going “damn those graphics look good”, how quickly things change…

Reply
Paul Taylor

November 15, 2011 at 11:56 am

My sentiments echo everyone else above, but I’m consistently awestruck by the GTA IV mods and machinima I’ve seen. This is really impressive!

Reply
masha2932

November 15, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Wow. GTA IV still looks great but with GTA V it goes to show how a great art style and lighting engine can improve a game.

Personally that has been one of the best innovations in the later years of this generation-great lighting.

Reply
Beans

November 15, 2011 at 1:17 pm

I guess I’m the only one here who never really like GTA IV. It was a step down from VC and SA. If the trailer is anything to go by, GTA V looks like a huge improvement.

Reply
1. ST
  
  November 15, 2011 at 1:28 pm
  
  i didn’t really like GTA IV either, was just a dating sim with guns and cars it did look good though at the time
  
  Reply
  1. nerd burger ring
    
    November 16, 2011 at 8:17 am
    
    I found a good way to avoid the dating stuff in GTA4 was to not do any of the dating stuff.
    
    Reply
Dazz

November 15, 2011 at 1:23 pm

Well, I’ll be playing skyrim until GTA5 comes out then, then that for the rest of the year.

Reply
Nic

November 15, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Great, I’ve just been playing through EFLC and thinking it’s been looking good. Thanks for the reminder that I still don’t actually have a decent current gaming comp :/

Reply
dude

November 15, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Comparing an actual running game to a produced and polished trailer… pass the salt.

Reply
1. jace
  
  November 15, 2011 at 4:51 pm
  
  i agree with you, except you should pass the pepper as well
  
  Reply
  1. zacrshades
    
    February 24, 2012 at 8:33 am
    
    gta iv trailer looks just like game
    
    Reply
Dave

November 15, 2011 at 2:45 pm

Personally looking forward to IceEnhancer for GTA V.

Reply
TUALMASOK

November 15, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Graphics won’t save the day if it’s as terrible as GTAIV.

Reply
jace

November 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm

they most probably edited the trailer to look that way, it probably wont look as good as it does in the trailer unless its on PC probably. And i love grand theft auto more than the average gamer but what is with all this hype? the trailer wasn’t even that interesting, the only thing it has got going for it is that it proves GTA will be here soon.

Reply
1. McGarnical
  
  November 15, 2011 at 7:54 pm
  
  and that isn’t enough for you?
  
  Reply
SavarnT

November 15, 2011 at 7:49 pm

Acctually I think that video was made without the best video settings for GTA IV. Mine looks a LOT better than that (especially with a few mods).

Reply
Luke

November 15, 2011 at 9:05 pm

In my opinion, the graphics wasn’t the problem in which why GTA IV wasnt as fun as previous instalments.

Its a mixture of physics engine, i mean the cars are absolutely horrible to drive, and having to keep on taking your mates out which becomes very tedious, i feel that this is an element that didnt need to be implemented and i hope to hell that they dont implement something similar in GTA V.

I have had the debate on the physics numerous times and some people like the realistic physics but i absolutely hate it.

Reply
1. markd
  
  November 16, 2011 at 12:42 am
  
  Never understood this obsession people have with the cars in GTA IV being ‘horrible to drive’. I think they were great fun to drive and that the physics suit the style of play and the environment you’re interacting in perfectly.
  
  Reply
2. thxultra
  
  November 16, 2011 at 10:57 am
  
  The car physics were great – had the weighty Driver feel to it, instead of the carboard box feel of the previous GTA games
  
  Reply
GhostofZ1on

November 16, 2011 at 2:05 am

Im gonna have a problem with V. when IV got released I got lost in the awe of such a greatly detailed city. it was such a jump in graphics and story compared to its past releases. V is looking more and more stunning and I will no doubt reach a wonderful view of the city and get lost once again as i stare into pixels. Rockstar you still are one of my most favorite companys.

Reply
AerintheADEQUATE

November 16, 2011 at 2:53 am

Is that GTA IV on a console? I thought the PC version after it’s been modded to turn off all the weird filters and whatnot looked just about as good as the GTA V trailer… could be mistaken I suppose…

Reply
thxultra

November 16, 2011 at 10:59 am

Definetly a step up – looks more organic (like Skyrim)

Reply
Gtalover

June 13, 2012 at 8:56 am

Cant wait for gta5:):)

Reply
GTA PRO

August 8, 2012 at 8:54 am

i know u can argue ‘its just a trailer they enhanced and polished’ but even GTA IV’s trailer didnt look THIS good! The details just in the clouds and pavement is amazing, thank god I have a PS3. About 3-4 disks on the Xbox 360/PC and 1 disk for the PS3. Cant wait for more info at gamescom & release!

Reply

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How Much Better Does GTA V Look Compared To GTA IV?

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39 responses to “How Much Better Does GTA V Look Compared To GTA IV?”

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