The game world is smaller than San Andreas – the previous title in the series – but far the better for it. And then there are the multitude of activities such as bowling, drinking and visiting comedy clubs. Antagonising the police is as enjoyable as ever, especially as this time round they appear to be smarter.
And – brilliantly - managing relationships and staying friendly with the right people is just as important as keeping your ammo topped up.īut as always with a GTA game the really entertaining stuff are the adventures of your own making. In the midst of mayhem the storyline could easily be forgotten so it is to GTA IV's credit that the plot and dialogue are sharp enough to make you care. Running over pedestrians packs more of a moral punch this time around. But while previous iterations – particularly the franchise's previous peak, Vice City – had a slightly cartoon feel, GTA IV is an altogether darker affair. The game looks fabulous – especially when driving at night.
Despite this graphically - and physically - improved depiction the carnage retains the lighter touch of previous incarnations. Characters fly through windscreens, blood is plentiful. Car chases and the inevitable pile up are viciously exhilarating. The driving – still the meat of the game – has been vastly improved, with a weightiness to the vehicles and a far better sensation of suspension. Despite some innovations such as the GPS and mobile – the latter used to organise missions and stay in touch – GTA IV feels reassuringly familiar, albeit more polished and ambitious than ever. It even has an emotional side – relationships are more important than ever – though traditionalists needn't worry. GTA IV is a fantastic achievement that mixes the traditional free-roaming play and character-driven story with the most realistic virtual environment ever created.
Luckily the game – mostly – lives up to the hype. Entertainment product of the year? Saviour of the universe? Such was the pre-release hype surrounding Grand Theft Auto IV that it was hard to tell.
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