Just when we thought GTA IV couldn't get better- we meet Johnny Klebitz.
This piece of DLC, exclusive to download on Xbox LIVE, tells a different story of GTA IV: the story of Johnny Klebitz.
Johnny Klebitz is a member of the biker gang: The Lost. They were briefly mentioned in Niko Bellic's story of GTA IV- but never played any significant role. The story picks up as the leader of the Lost, Billy Grey is released from jail. While other GTAs have focused on a rise, this piece of DLC focuses on a fall. The fall of the Lost. It shows betrayal through brilliant dialogue and story.
The Lost and Damned doesn't stray too far from what we have come to expect from a Grand Theft Auto game. You progress through the game from doing missions from various people in Liberty City. However, you still have all the time to free-roam and blow stuff up. The missions themselves are fantastic, with high-octane chases on motorbikes, to hardcore mission like 'Three-leaf clover'.
However, there are some tweaks to the main GTA IV game. These include new weapons, an assault shotgun with others, the tuning up of motorbikes, making them easier to drive. It also includes the significance of the phone. Johnny will, like Niko Bellic, receive missions through this phone. Another new addition is Johnny can now call up his biker friends if he is in a spot of bother. This can be done anywhere whether in the middle of a mission, or while having a five-star wanting level in Middle Park.
Another interesting point is that Johnny Klebitz's story is simultaneous to Niko Bellic's story. This actually includes doing missions with Niko Bellic that you actually did in GTA IV. This again gives you the impression that Liberty City is a massive city, and you are living another part of it.
While other games fail to make you care about the characters, Rockstar always manage to make you feel involved about what is going on. You feel sorry for Johnny when he gets betrayed and you feel anger against the betrayer.
Characters such as Elizabeth Torres and Ray Boccino make an appearance and shed them in a new light. You learn new things about the criminal underworld of Liberty City. Things Niko could never know.
The game doesn't stretch as long as Niko's 30 hour+ monster, taking around 10 hours to complete. Like every GTA game, it is a sin to rush. Enjoy the vast open world that Liberty City has to offer.
If the second piece of DLC is anything like this: it will be another success. Simply Stunning.