Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV

• GenreAction
• Release Date04/29/2008
• PublisherRockstar Games
• DeveloperRockstar North
• ESRBM - Mature

All Niko Bellic wants is the "American dream". When his cousin Roman explains how he's been living the "dream life" in America, he takes a chance and hops aboard a ship bound for Liberty City, hopeful that he can finally achieve his goal. Upon arrival, however, he learns that Roman is full of crap and knee-deep in trouble with loan sharks and other criminal types. Still, he tries to make do with what he has, and slowly begins an unforgettable journey that will change him, and those around him, forever.

It's this compelling storyline that adds fuel to the fire for Grand Theft Auto IV, a PlayStation 3 game that engulfs players into the seedy underbelly of Liberty City. The game is so well written that you may find yourself sticking to the mission mode longer than expected, just to see how Niko develops with his connections to Roman and others around him. What's cool is that you don't have to stay on this path. You can actually leave your cousin hanging in favor of other people around the city, such as potential dates. Being able to take a lady out and show her a good time is sweet, whether you grab a bite to eat or hit the local tavern for a round of darts and pool. Of course, selfish types can endure more guilty pleasures, such as spending hours in the strip club and getting a dual lap dance. Yes, two ladies at once.
With a game like GTA IV, however, most people will probably run amok. Like previous leads in GTA games, Niko can steal cars, brandish weapons, change his clothes and terrorize the public. If you want to get dolled up in a business suit and go wild with a rocket launcher, that's your prerogative. Just be aware that the police element is stronger than ever. If you're in trouble, you'll have to outrun a certain area on the Liberty City map. If you murder a cop or blow up a cop car, the circle grows even bigger, making it that much more difficult to escape the long arm of the law.
Niko does have some tools that come in handy. Along with access to a fully customized map to Liberty City, he also has an on-screen guide that draws out his route. Of course, you can take any route you please, finding shortcuts and goodies as a result. You also have a cell phone, which you can use to call Roman, a potential date or other characters. The phone really changes the GTA dynamic, making things that much more accessible.

Sure, you can take a girl on a date. But nothing beats a strip club.

Gameplay-wise, Grand Theft Auto IV is magnificent. Cars handle even more realistically, going into deep spins if you don't watch yourself on a turn. The shooting gameplay works better than ever, thanks to a much-needed cover system (ala Gears of War) and the ability to either lock on or shoot freely with a slow press of the trigger button. It's not perfect (Niko will get shot up like crazy if he faces the wrong way in a shootout), but it's still great. The only complaint about the PS3 control scheme is Rockstar's attempt to implement SIXAXIS support. It's all right at first, as you can tilt your controller to do a wheelie on a motorcycle, but it gets sloppy once you try to man a helicopter. Just leave it off and stick with the standard controls.
Presentation-wise, Grand Theft Auto IV sets a new standard for this current generation of games. Liberty City looks amazing no matter where you are. You could be sitting inside a Burger King-style restaurant or running through the streets looking for a car to steal, and you'll be mesmerized at how detailed Rockstar North has made this place. The lighting is a marvel, especially as you drive under a bridge in the middle of the day. You can actually see the sunlight peeking through the cracks, shining down on your vehicle as you drive along. The camera system is also excellent, allowing you to rotate the right analog stick to get a 360-degree view. This especially comes in handy when you need to see how many cops are on your tail.
Like previous GTA games, the radio stations have a wealth of content. You have eighteen stations to choose from, including rock, classical, R & B and numerous others. DJs (including celebrity ones, such as Iggy Pop and Juliette Lewis) keep the music flowing, and you'll also hear several hilarious commercials. Let's put it this way. You may actually find yourself sitting in your car longer than expected, just to hear a majority of what Rockstar has to offer. Niko's dialogue is also well written, whether he's chewing out Roman or letting a criminal type have it with his attitude. He's not a violent psychopath, however. The guy has a soft side.

Good luck dealing with Liberty City's police force this time around.

Finally, we come to the game's multiplayer, which is deep and engaging. There's a number of modes to choose from and plenty of competition. You'll spend hours going up against others, racing around Liberty City and blowing up opponents with rocket launchers. With that said, there have been issues with the service as of late, but that's more Sony's fault than Rockstar's. The company simply wasn't prepared for the kind of attention that Grand Theft Auto IV would get.
SXIAXIS quirks and PSN issues aside, Grand Theft Auto IV is a must-have and an excellent reason to purchase a PlayStation 3. Its gripping storyline, beautiful graphics and wanton destruction set the standard, not only within the video game industry, but Hollywood as well. Don't hesitate to experience all that it has to offer.