It's been quite a while since the release of GTA IV. However, now that Giant Bomb have opened their doors I felt the need for it to be my first review (it is one of the biggest games out there, after all). There have been many reviews praising it up to the heavens, but in all honesty.... Is it really that good?
Sure, The new GTA is a huge improvement on it's predecessors, but in comparison to other games it's only just a technical improvement....
I found the mission layout to be one of the biggest disapointments. Simply because it's exactly like all the other games. I wasn't expecting a huge change in the main campaign layout, but come on! Something I thought that would change by now are the repetitive, and almost identical missions of the previous games. Sure, this kind of "free form" gameplay seemed great back in the day, but come on Rockstar! Mix it up a little! The same tedious "pick me up, and drive me here" missions. The endless "Kill this guy, for me" missions that almost always take the form of a boring car chase. At points when you begin to doubt how good the game is, however, it usually throws something amazing at you that wasn't expected. Like a thrilling gun fight, followed by a good car chase. A mission that has a huge choice involved that concerns the story. Or just a really cool moment where you steal a guy's car and he tries to steal it back, but you're to quick. The result: A man hanging from the door handle, at the side of the car while you drive at ridiculous speeds in his car. Priceless. Controls have been improved on the shooting aspect with a more Gears of War cover system and over the shoulder aiming with the optional return of the lock on feature with some significant adjustments to allow you pick off different parts of the body similar to Crackdown. But, when you first step into this new GTA there'll be something else on your mind.
Which brings me to the technical jargen...
The biggest thing about GTA IV is the newly refurbished Liberty City and I'm not talking scale. Here's an example:
I was walking down the street, it was the evening, and a man passes and I overhear him on his cell phone, talking to a lover in a very dirty way. I looked at him. He notices. "What you lookin' at foo'!", he says in a harsh tone. I choose to ignore him and continue my walk. An officer passes me. He's running towards my "friend" with a gun pointed. Cell phone Guy stops in the middle of the road, drops his phone, and puts his hands up while saying in a nervous voice "I 'aint done nothin'!". Just as the arrest begins I notice a car speeding down the road. Within seconds the car is gone and both men are lying lifelessly on the ground. A crowd begin to form.
You see, Niko was right. Things are diffferent. I can recall many other crazy happenings in the land of Liberty, but that would just spoil it for you. Liberty City may not be as large as San Andreas, nor does it have as many shops... But, Liberty City is all about it's people and what they do and how they react to different situations both physically, with the help of the extremely cool Euphoria physics engine, and mentally.... Though, it's hard to get time to think when your about to be rammed by a land rover...
Speaking of the people, there are a lot of crazy characters in this new addition that you'll come across through-out the story as well. And because they're so great, Rockstar have dedicated a whole gameplay mechanic to them.
Introducing the Cell phone!
Yes, Rockstar have chosen to do the impossible by giving you a social life within a game. Next step, giving you a social life outside of a game.... Jokes aside! At first, this doohickey seems like a cool addition, but soon becomes annoying when all your friends act like needy girlfriends and call you for dates all the time and get pissed when you turn them down. What would you prefer.. Going bowling with your cousin or flying a funking military helicopter into the statue of happiness. There is some pay off for spending time with your friends, though. Get your relationship status up to a high percent with Roman and you'll get.... Free taxi rides?..... But, there are better rewards depending on each friends occupation. Girlfriends return from the last game, only no hot coffee... Instead, I present to you Warm Coffee which is pretty hilarious...
Story has always been the main component to the GTA franchise and No. 4 is no different. In fact, this the most powerful story the series has ever experienced. There'll be a lot of choices and heartbreak for Niko and you. I really don't want to spoil the story so just play the game and see it for yourself.
Final Verdict: GTA IV is a stunning game and a huge technical achievement. The Story is excellently written and almost worthy of an Oscar, but unfortunately (once again) is let down by some gamplay isssues and some boring and repetitive missions. Despite what most critics seem to think the game isn't perfect, but is definitly close.
Stars: ****
A must buy!
-Robert.
