The big one...GTA IV adds some exciting new elements, removes some others, and delivers a compelling story.
User Rating: 9 | Grand Theft Auto IV PS3
Here we go, Grand Theft Auto IV. We've all wondered about this game since it was first announced. Rockstar claimed that it would be everything that San Andreas was and more, that it would be as big a leap forward for gaming as GTAIII was way back in 2001, and that it would change the way people look at video games. After spending a fair amount of time with it myself, I must ask this question: Are we talking about the same GTAIV? First off, the most noteworthy improvement is Liberty City itself. It definitely does feel more alive than any gameworld I've played in. I can't truly say if it captures the essence of New York, being that I've only been there once and didn't see much of it, but It really feels like a living, breathing city. Really. It does this time. Despite being smaller in total area than San Andreas, the world is dense and feels huge. The visuals have obviously seen a large overhaul, and look about as good as/ a good amount better than the average PS3/360 game. The character models are fairly well done, with Niko Bellic, the main character, receiving a little more detail than other story characters, who recieve more detail than everyone else. Their movements are also realistic. Niko takes every step and doesn't slide when walking. The walk/run animation changes when he goes up or down a flight of stairs, and he will react to people or objects in his way. Thanks to the euphoria physics engine, Niko will be seen brushing aside and even knocking down and stepping on people he bumps into on the street, knocking over trash cans, jumping over rails, grabbing ahold of any surface he can catch on to while jumping, and picking up and throwing bricks and soda cans. But we knew about all this already. What undisclosed pleasures exist in GTAIV's world? Well, not much else. The city is full of destructible objects and buildings that you can enter with no load time, but without playing the story, finding them will be difficult. You can do things like go bowling, playing darts, and playing pool. You can also go to strip clubs, see comedy shows and cabaret shows. There's even a mock internet and tv stations. It's apparent that a LOT of attention to detail went into the making of this game. The cellphone has been revamped and is now pretty much an integral part of the game. You will do things like setting up dates, calling friends to hang out and do the aforementioned activities, plus going to get drunk, which results in a hilarious sequence in which Niko and his partner stumble out of the bar and must make it home. The dialogue during these sequences can be as funny as the minigame itself. Hail a cab while intoxicated and Niko will sluggishly wail "yeeeeellllow caaar!" That gets me every time. The exchanges between Niko and his friend will be even better though. Drunken arguments FTW. Increasing relationships with friends and Girlfriends will benefit you greatly, resulting in perks like free cab rides, heli rides, discount guns, and health boosts over the phone. But the game is missing several other features that were present in past games. Ambulance and Taxi missions are gone, along with casino gambling, basketball, parachuting, betting shops, running businesses, and pizza delivery. Clothing and appearance options are also limited compared to San Andreas. But beyond all of the side quests and distractions, what about the main game? This is the area in which GTA shines over its older brothers. Niko Bellic is an illegal immigrant and ex-soldier from Eastern Europe who comes to Liberty City after getting involved in some messy business back home. His cousin Roman prompted him to make the trip, telling in emails about his success in America, where he has a mansion, numerous sports cars, and women. Soon after arriving, Niko finds that his cousin is completely full of it, and life isn't exactly so luxurious. Roman's debt doesn't take too long to get Niko back involved in the criminal underworld, and after killing a few organized criminals and being double-crossed, Niko and Roman find themselves marked men and move around the city trying to stay alive and make a life for themselves. Niko, on the other hand, has an ulterior motive. His main reason for coming to Liberty City is to find out who set him and his army friends up a decade ago in his home country and resulted in the deaths of all but Niko and 2 other people, thus transforming Niko into the cold and bitter killer that he is today. Niko hopes to find the culprit in Liberty City and give him some well deserved payback. The game's characters are the most compelling in a GTA game to date. The great voice acting and cutscenes really bring them to life. When all the talking is done, it's time for action. Combat is more involved than ever before, adopting a Gears Of War/Uncharted type style. And it works well. The number of weapons have been dropped, but each weapon included works and feels great the weapons that were left out were the more impractical and silly weapons. You won't be beating people to death with sex toys(when you think about it though, that was kind of awesome and nothing could be more degrading to the victim). There's basically 2 of each kind of weapon; a street version and a combat version. More than one type of weapon can be fired from a vehicle as well. Speaking of vehicles, the new driving physics will take some getting used to. Each car has a different feel and handles realistically, taking location-specific damage. You'll want to be more careful with your vehicles this time around, as an intense crash can send you flying through the windsheild. The new combat and driving mechanics won't disappoint. The missions are largely what would be expected in a GTA game, though they do a good job of making good use of the game's new features, and some are pure genius. And now the multiplayer. The game offers plenty of different and interesting game modes, but this is GTA. Multiplayer in any mode basically translates to 2 words: Absolute Chaos. However it works great and will provide fun for many many hours, that is if you find everybody blindly gunning for everybody fun. Team games are somewhat less hectic, but not by much. All in all, GTAIV makes some great strides, but is it really the second coming of Jesus that people make it out to be? This player doesn't think so.
Along with the game's new sense of realism, comes a noticeable loss in the signature "GTA Feel". It's too early to say whether this is for the best or the worst, but some players may feel less inclined to take part in mindless mayhem thanks to Niko's somber and serious personality. It's not until I play online with a custom character that I feel like I'm playing a true Grand Theft Auto game. It's hard to describe, but there's a certain missing "fun factor". Not to say that the game isn't fun, but I can definitely see gamers going back to older GTAs after playing this. When the story is completed, there's not much incentive to do anything else other than play online or maybe start a new game over again. The money that you end up with by the game's end seemingly has no use other than cabs and activities, and you don't have much in the way of making more money. Multiplayer is probably the only thing that saves its replay value. All things considered, Grand Theft Auto IV is truly a great game as you would expect, but as far as being as much of a leap forward as GTAIII and changing the way people look at video games, I just can't see it. 
