Liberty City - Home of the Free... (Grand Theft Auto IV (PC))

Member Name: twentyonemile

Product:	Grand Theft Auto IV (PC)
Date:	14/05/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredible City, Massive Free-Roaming Play, Consistantly Hilarious

Disadvantages: Very Few

Grand Theft Auto - 3 words that strike fear into the hearts of censors worldwide.

While the GTA franchise has been reprimanded almost continuously over the years by various parent groups and government bodies one thing consistently overlooked is the sheer technical achievement of the games.

When Grand Theft Auto 3 was released in 2001 (later on PC) many people, myself included, simply couldn't believe the format of a free roaming action shooter could be done in 3D, and not only done but done well.

Now 8 years later the 3rd sequel (in 3d terms) continues to set the bar for non-linear action and engaging storytelling - a bar so high only the leanest & meanest of it's rivals can even compete.

The first thing that will strike you about GTA4 is the freedom and sheer scale of the city before you. Right from the off you are free to go and do whatever you want, with subtle direction from the official missions. (My personal first recommendation is finding a tall building or hill and just marvelling at sunrise over Liberty City.)

While I hate hackneyed phrases like "a living breathing city", here it has never been more apt. Liberty City is huge, so much so it can be overwhelming to the 'noob' player. Thankfully Rockstar guide you through the first missions and carefully give you a structured introduction of the various parts of the city through some simple driving/getaway missions.

As time progresses you will find more of the city becomes available and with it more options for employment and entertainment. Yes, entertainment, because not only can you drive, race, shoot and run around like a madman but Nico Bellic, our protagonist, can Bowl, play darts or even go drinking! (With often dangerous results)

In truth many of the main story missions are similar, go here, shoot/pickup this guy, escape the cops, but the characters you meet and the environments encountered are so diverse and engaging you rarely feel bored. Couple that with fantastic Radio stations, genuinely funny one-liners and Hollywood style action and there's little room for tedium.

I could talk more about the features of the missions and the gameplay but the greatest moments are usually those hilarious personal encounters completely unscripted. (My personal favourite is the moment I won a hard earned race by crashing through the windscreen of my car at high speed and flinging myself across the finish line a mass of flailing limbs.)

The singleplayer game really has to be experienced to understand the scope of the game while the multiplayer further enhances the overall package with more ridiculous hi-jinx.

In fact my only criticism would be the lack of reward on multiplayer games. You earn money which unlocks new clothing. Big deal, I want guns or armour or giant killer robots. Well ok maybe not the robots but you do get the feeling that the multiplayer game is a little futile.

Overall its hard to fault this game. The cover system can be a little buggy and some missions are a little repetitive but these a absolutely minuscule gripes compared to what Rockstar have achieved.

Bottom Line - Go play it now. Laugh, curse and be awed. Then laugh again.

Summary: Rockstar you've done it again...