GTAIV Tops LittleBigPlanet In Famitsu

Perhaps you didn't know, but Grand Theft Auto IV didn't release in Japan back in April when it arrived in North America and Europe. Nope, it's only just coming out in Japan; the franchise has never been as popular in the Land of the Rising Sun as it has been in other territories.

However, the latest edition of Famitsu boasts a small surprise: while the critically acclaimed LittleBigPlanet scored an excellent 38/40 (10, 10, 9, 9), the other Game of the Year candidate, GTAIV, beat it with a score of 39/40 (10, 10, 9, 10). Typically, this isn't something we'd expect from Japan's leading gaming publication, but we've seen a certain swing over the past years that has indicated a small shift in gaming preferences. The Japanese will always love the likes of Monster Hunter (while we'll basically ignore it in this country), but previously unimportant titles like GTA are starting to become blockbusters in Japan. We have to admit, something like GTAIV should be considered a universal masterpiece, but we remain surprised it would top Media Molecule's top-notch platformer. Now that's a game we'd figure the Japanese would absolutely adore - it's like a DS game on tons and tons of creative steroids! - but hey, guess they're adopting a few more Western traits over there.

For our part, both games in question are definite must-owns for any PlayStation 3 owner. But like Famitsu, we place Grand Theft Auto IV slightly ahead of LittleBigPlanet...although nothing tops Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. See, right there, you're looking at Game of the Year candidates, and Resistance 2 ain't even out yet. Jeebus. What a year!:)

Related Game(s): Grand Theft Auto IV, LittleBigPlanet

10/22/2008 Ben Dutka

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Comments (Beta)

BazookaJoe
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 1:46:44 PM
Reply

Everyday, the west bites another chunk out of Japan...

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Wazomba
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 1:58:06 PM
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This really has been a great year for gaming, an we are just entering the part of the year where the HUGE games are being released :-D

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shindelion
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 1:58:54 PM
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Don't think GTA4 should have beaten LBP. GTA style has been done before and GTA4 is not very revolutionary over their Previous installments, just better graphics with more gaming hours. Games like MG4 and resident evil 4 did a few changes and thus earn perfect scores. LPB is fairly new and has a lot to potential. I think it should have been a 10.

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AntDC
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 8:22:51 PM

I'd even argue that GTAIV has more gaming hours. San Andreas was HUGE and I played that way longer than I've played GTAIV.

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BigBoss4ever
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 2:08:40 PM
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MGS4 is the greatest game in the series in terms of graphics, complexity of story line, weapon choice, scale etc. However, my personal favorite is Metal Gear Solid 3, just cuz it is mostly emotional and sadly beautiful and deep.

The Boss is my favorite figure in all this, she is the REAL HERO of all, she sets the tone of all wut follows. Big Boss is my second favorite, and he is just an apprentice of The Boss. and Solid Snake is only among the third in my choice.

Remember at the end of the MGS4, big boss still can not forget he killed The Boss and still in eternal pitty and still struggled to give her a last salute using his last bit of energy, this little detail shows how much respect big boss has towards his mentor and the real hero-- The Boss.

With all that said, MGS4 does deserve a 10, and should be the Game of the Year! no doubt about it.

Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 10/22/2008 2:11:28 PM

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www
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 2:18:05 PM
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Bout time the Japanese luved GTA,but like u said,i expected LBP to be much preferred over there.

TO ME GTAIV comes at the top of MGSIV....again to me,i've not attacked anybody's preference thus don't attack mine.
The Rankings even show it,GTAIV is thus far the best game on ps3.Sorry if u found it boring n the realism lame cause i don't think Rockstar would be going back to the arcady-fun type.

I preferred Getaway for realism n GTA for free-roam n longevity.Now this 2 have combined in GTAIV n am glad.

Go Houser brothers,y'all know what time it is.

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Jeffrey
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 2:31:15 PM
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To me GTAIV was like Assassin's Creed, fun gameplay, but really it was the same thing over and over again, just different aspects of storytelling. Still greatly enjoyed both though. MGS4, to me was a greater challenge, and after each objective you really had no idea what you were going to be doing next. It never felt repititious. MGS4 vs LBP, well I cant make that judgement yet, but I sure am ready to find out!

Last edited by Jeffrey on 10/22/2008 2:31:47 PM

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Alienange
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 3:08:44 PM
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Well good on Famitsu. Let's see the sales numbers after LBP and GTA4 have each been out a month. Then we'll see who's popular in Japan.

@Jeffrey ... GTA4 was not like Assassin's Creed. AC might actually have been better. You heard me Ghana Bwai!

Last edited by Alienange on 10/22/2008 3:10:42 PM

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Jeffrey
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 3:15:33 PM

Yes, they are very different in their own ways, but the way objectives are received in game are so similar. Complete one, get another. Each objective was basically the same type of goal or challange. I do agree that I did enjoy Assassin's Creed more so then GTAIV.

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timster118
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 3:24:07 PM

I also thought, as an overall gaming experience, Assassins Creed was better and more visceral than GTA4.

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www
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 4:24:21 PM

Okay i hear y'all,it's your choice!

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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 3:16:11 PM
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As Ben recently stated reviews are tricky. I think the true story will be told in the sales figures, maybe we should keep an eye on those after release.

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Geobaldi
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 3:30:47 PM
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GTAIV was great, just like the previous entries in the series, but I just got bored with it too quick. Vice City remains my favorite. I don't know how good LBP will be, though it does sound really promising. But then again the same was said about Assassin's Creed which in my opinion was a huge disappointment. Time will tell I suppose lol. And we still have 2 months to go!! And I for one don't understand why Monster Hunter isnt more popular here. Shadow of the Colossus was similar in a way and it was great.

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Alienange
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 6:57:04 PM

A huge disappointment? Wow ... I agree it wasn't perfect, but for $30 that's one great game. At $60 GTA4 kinda let me down. It's good, but I should have waited.

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Aftab
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 4:01:32 PM
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Apples and Oranges: Comparing scores of games of different genre's won't always yield sensical results. For example, a racing game,fighting game or frag-fest is made for replayability where as an action-adventure naturally isn't nearly as predisposed to being so. Those games, if you get into them, can last you years, where as an action adventure you might play a couple times over the years. Does that mean they're better games? Not necessarily. Take this example. I must say GTA4 is one of the most immersive gaming experiences I've had. However, without story, there isn't much to do there, especially when the online rooms clear out. LBP, on the other hand, is all about what you can do, and innovate, and share, and the more that happens, the more you are able to do, innovate, and share. The game naturally gets more interesting with time (which is why Arnold gave it an off-the-charts "11" for replayablity). Even comparing budgets and sales figures doesn't always translate well. I'm sure a mulitplatform generic from EA will will outsell the best of them, despite, mediocre design and bad reviews.

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Scarecrow
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 5:35:18 PM
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Famitsu is NOT god

Nor are they the only reliable Japanese gaming source.

I really don't care, LBP to ME is better than GTAIV(yes I've played both)

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ArnoldK PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 6:42:15 PM
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I'm going to have to agree that I actually liked LBP more than GTAIV.

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shaydey77
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 7:00:06 PM
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yeah i enjoyed playing LBP waay more than GTAIV too. I think GotY is a coin toss between MGS4 and LBP...i think MGS4 should get it though..LBP deserves a different kind of award.

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Scarecrow
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 11:58:14 PM

I agree with this statement very much
Couldn't have said it better

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ceedot
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 7:27:54 PM
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Argh, GTA IV sucks shit. It's the most dissapointing game ever.

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Jed
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 7:49:31 PM
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LOL@ ceedot,

I really enjoy both games, GTA4 does have some boring spots, but I still love it. I've only started with LBP, I cant connect to the servers, I guess they're not up yet (since the game technically isn't out yet).

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AbCdEfG
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 8:05:37 PM
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2008 = great year for games. What's with all the "GTAIV was okay..." comments? GTAIV was more than okay, It was GREAT!

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Scarecrow
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 11:59:55 PM

True that...
I'm kinda confused as to why people are hating on GTAIV

In my statement the only thing I said was that I liked LBP more than GTAIV.

Doesn't mean GTAIV is bad, it's one of the best games this year, period, love it to death by the way.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 8:15:15 PM
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The more realistic GTA was a good move imo, the only disappointment I found was that too many missions were just "go kill so-and-so" or the fact that you had to chase down someone who couldn't die even if u cut them off with a major explosion but it will remain fun to trot it out with friends while drinking is going on and cops can be held at bay for amusement.

P.s.: Idiots getting caught in car doors and dragged was brilliant.

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AbCdEfG
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 8:32:50 PM

"P.s.: Idiots getting caught in car doors and dragged was brilliant."

LOL... agree.

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AntDC
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 8:25:28 PM
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MGS4 was incredible and is my game of the year so far. GTAIV was dissapointing, and I havn't played it for a few weeks now. Can't wait to get my habds on LittleBigPlanet.

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BigT_1980
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 11:01:14 PM
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I don't know about the rest of the Japan, but apparently Famitsu may have started embrace our style of development. Maybe the reason Japan is catering its development more to the western audience is not just to make more money but maybe they like our style of games as well. It is just a thought.

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Deleted User
Thursday, October 23, 2008 @ 12:21:31 AM
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yep gears of war 2 isnt even out yet either

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aaronisbla
Thursday, October 23, 2008 @ 6:10:19 AM
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i guess i was one of the few who didn't like AC. Waaay too repetitive.

Also, the reasons for the hate on GTA4 was well founded.I enjoyed the game a lot but when someone brings up its faults, its pretty glaring and i always wondered how it scored tens so much

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