Grand Theft Auto 4 by Rockstar Games
PC version

Author: randomaZn 22/12/2008

Grand Theft Auto 4 by Rockstar Games was universally praised by critics when it was released for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Eight months later and Rockstar has released the PC version, promising better graphics and extra features. Has it been worth the wait? This review will attempt to find out.

Setting

Grand Theft Auto 4 is set in Liberty City, which is closely based on New York, and hence features many landmarks inspired by real life locations. Such examples include the Rotterdam Tower modeled after the Empire State Building, Middle Park based on Central Park and the Statue of Happiness based on the Statue of Liberty. The city is also split into five islands, or boroughs, which are based on the five main areas of New York.

Story and characters

Grand Theft Auto 4 introduces immigrant Niko Bellic, The main protagonist, who arrives in Liberty City to supposedly rebuild his life and forget his Russian past. However, Niko soon realizes that America is not all that he imagined.

The story of GTA4 is quite a long one and is generally entertaining and surprising all the way through. Each mission is unique, inspired and there is no noticeable repetition (unless you choose to repeat an activity, of course) throughout the entire game. There are many twists and turns in the storyline as well as constant introductions to new characters as well as deaths of old ones. Because of this, you will find that the lineup of main characters constantly changes. GTA 4 does a very good job with its cinematic and dialogue. The voice acting and believable personalities allow the player to become emotionally attached to characters. Even civilians on the street each have their own unique responses to your actions. The game will also, at some points, give the player a moral decision to make, such as the choice between killing one of two main characters.

Someone’s gonna get hurt

Doing uncivilized things to NPCs will result in a realistic reaction from them. similarly, doing good things to characters, such as wearing good clothes to a date, will also attract a response from them. All this comes together to make you really feel like part of a world with real rewards and consequences, rather than just a character who can push others around and get away with it. Main characters in the storyline will also become your friend if you know them for long enough (as long as they stay alive, that is). This allows you can arrange activities with them such as drinking, eating, bowling or playing pool by calling them up on your cell phone and selecting an activity. Friends also have a special ability which you can ask for at any time to aid you.

Niko doesn’t just like to kill people