1.  Graphics 9/10 - The updating graphics in this game were great. The cutscenes felt a little more alive in this GTA than its predecessors. This I felt was a very important aspect to the game, because I love a great story. For those who play this game to drive through missions and hoards of enemies, looking only for a slaughterhouse should not be dissapointed either. This game has a great new lighting system that plays shadows and light sources a lot better. Driving through Liberty City was no burden to me as I loved the look of it. The only thing that got me was the failure to load them. Not to often times I would be driving in my Infernus through the city at a high rate of speed, and I would hit an invisible wall or tree...
2.  Gameplay 10/10 - The gameplay in this game compared to the others in the series is phenomenal. Driving was a little hard to get used to at first, but after you did it gave a certain toughness to the game that the others were lacking. There is now a fair challenge to getting away from groups of police cruisers. I also enjoyed the targeting system, on account of it works now. The only system created to get a decent feel of the game and what it had to offer in firefight. The cover system was barely flawed for a first run, so that was a great addition aswell. The radio stations did seem a little off this time around. For the capability of the 360, there should be a larger selection of music available. But the talk shows were hilarious as always, and definately should be kept. The idea of ZiT was also a great idea. Props to the creator.
3.  Life 7/10 - There is not much past in this game than finding out what the other endings were. Giving this game an extra 15-30 hours figuring out what happens to Niko's friends is a little bit of a drag. After you found out all of the important story bits, theres not a ton. Lets go around similar missions stealing cars, finding jumps, and shooting pigeons. Shooting pigeons? Come on. Along with this comes the show of money. I just made $300,000. Yay ill buy more guns. Give some property and business locations to buy. And just in case you go on a strip club spree, give up some more ways to earn some cash. Poorly executed toward the end.
4.  Story 9/10 - By far the best story out of any GTA game to date. It started perfect with an introduction to characters and some escort missions around town. Getting some cash in your pocket and paying back (aka killing) some loan sharks and their bosses. Slowly but surely making your way to the top. Where it started to dip for me was the mob boss missions. You start off with Ray and move your way quickly from family to family with no real purpose or exitement. It was really lame that you were introduced to a charcter, did 1-3 missions for him, then was never to be seen again. It was a very slow and boring time of the game for me, only to be redeemed by the last bit of light by the endings.
5.  Overall 9/10 - The game was a fantastic visual effort in all. The story was fairly mainstream, with a couple twists and turns along the way. The after main story play was all to dissapointing but the whole game was great. It was well worth my money, or anyone elses. If you are a fan of the series it is a must have.