Grand Theft Auto: Vice City--Anyone else getting frustrated with the interface?

[Felon]

I've been playing GTA:VC for a couple of evenings, and I'm fairly frustrated with it due to the lousy user interface. Has anyone found out how to:

1) See how much money you have on you?

2) See how badly hurt you are, and maybe figure out if your health regenerates over time?

3) Figure out a controller setup that actually works?

Number three is really the biggest problem right now. There seems to be no way to "lock" camera mode so that it stays behind my avatar as I turn in place. Similarly, there seems to be no way to auto-face a target or pivot around without actually moving, so I often wind up with an opponent behind me and have to run around in a circle to try to face him. Of course, with no camera-lock, I often find myself turning around and not knowing if I'm facing any opponent or not.

I also can't seem to figure out how to select targets effectively. Supposedly, the bracket keys are supposed to allow cycling between targets, but as far as I can tell they have no effect. Sometimes I click the right mouse button and a big red target sight appear on the nearest person, other times the crosshairs pop up in the center of my screen like an FPS.

It's pretty damned confusing, and the game really doesn't have a manual per se. Worse yet, Rockstar Games doesn't seem to believe in creating online forums for their gamers to get together and discuss issues like these.

 

[KenM]

I have played GTA3, but not vice city. Looking at screen shots, it seems to have the same interface as GTA3.

Money- it might just be me, but I think the line in green with the DOLLAR sign at the end might be how much money you have.

Health- right below the green line, a heart next to it, its a %, so when its at 100, you are at full.

As for controls, you just have to play around and figure out what is best for you. Is it on the computer or PS2?

 

[Felon]

Money- it might just be me, but I think the line in green with the DOLLAR sign at the end might be how much money you have.
Health- right below the green line, a heart next to it, its a %, so when its at 100, you are at full. As for controls, you just have to play around and figure out what is best for you. Is it on the computer or PS2?

It's the PC version. Sorry, thought I'd mentioned that somewhere.

I figured the money and health issue out on my own. The HUD is off by default, probably because it takes up a soild quadrant of the display area.

The controls are still a problem. There still doesn't seem to be an auto-face or camera-lock option, but I've mapped a button that re-centers the camera to behind me. Better than nothing.

 

[KenM]

The HUD off default? thats weird. Takes up a quarter of your screen? What size montior you have? I have GTA3 on the computer and us the mouse to look around, I know you can lock, you should just be able to remap the keys to what you need.

 

[Felon]

The HUD off default? thats weird. Takes up a quarter of your screen? What size montior you have? I have GTA3 on the computer and us the mouse to look around, I know you can lock, you should just be able to remap the keys to what you need.

Yep, HUD is off by default. Considering how much vital info it contains, ya'd think they'd leave it on.

The "quadrant" remark was somewhat of an exaggeration. It is rather obtrusive, with very large fonts and icons.

There is an option to redifine controls, but I don't see one for camera-locking. I did discover that with the "Classic" controller mode, the mouse pivots the avatar and locks the screen behind him, but it's very jerky (quite easy to keep panning upwards instead of around me. Also, I use the arrow keys to steer, and since I'm right-handed like most folks, that means I don't use the mouse.

 

[KenM]

there should a button that lets you change to one of like 5 different cameras.

 

[Welverin]

Also, I use the arrow keys to steer, and since I'm right-handed like most folks, that means I don't use the mouse.

I get the impression from this you don't play FPS games much, if at all. That true?

If so you should practice playing one or changing your key bindings so that you use the W, A, S, and D keys to move, using your left hand. Your right hand you use the mouse with to look around and turn. It might take a little getting used to but once you do it should prove to be a much better set up.

Failing that get a good gamepad and go with that.You can even get a Dual Shock 2 (what the game was originally designed for) and an adator to use it on you PC.

 

[Zub]

If so you should practice playing one or changing your key bindings so that you use the W, A, S, and D keys to move, using your left hand. Your right hand you use the mouse with to look around and turn. It might take a little getting used to but once you do it should prove to be a much better set up.

I have to second that. This is the best way to play first peson shooter games. I've tried some other devices, like the claw and such, but I keep coming back to W,A,S,D and Mouselook. If this is new to you, I suggest starting witht he mouse sensitivity setting set low, then as you become accustomed to it, turn up the sensitivity. Soon enough, you'll be able to shoot while running backwards, turn 180 degrees with a flick of the wrist, and circle strafe your opponents while they stand in place, trying to keep up with you.

Zub

 

[Ristamar]

I have to second that. This is the best way to play first peson shooter games.

And I'll third that...

 

[smetzger]

Nah, I don't like the vi (A,S,D) stuff. I just move my keyboard over to the left a bit and use the arrow keys.