Aside from the first two games, Grand Theft Auto IV has always been the black sheep of the series' main entries, as its shift towards realism ended up turning off fans of the PS2 trilogy's wacky, hyper-satirical sandboxes. Even with the amount of jokes about this game's driving physics and bowling-addicted cousins that I've heard over the years, I was still more curious about finding this game and playing it than any other game in the franchise, and since Rockstar decided to make it much harder to play the original versions of the first two PS2 games, Grand Theft Auto IV ended up being the only one of the older Grand Theft Auto games that I can actually play. Because of how many differing opinions I've heard about this game, I went into Grand Theft Auto IV hoping I'd at least like it, but I didn't expect for it to turn out to be my favorite game in the franchise by far, as it fixed some issues that I had with the other Grand Theft Auto games I've played while also carving out its own identity.
Rockstar has always been known for making open worlds that feel alive, but even with that in mind, I was still incredibly impressed with what they had accomplished here in Grand Theft Auto IV. The oppressively grey palette, dirty streets, and grungy textures greatly added to the grit of Liberty City and Alderney, and this more cutthroat setting also strengthened the game's dark and wholly engrossing story. Rather than being chock-full of explosive setpieces like in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto IV instead has you battling it out in abandoned construction sites, underfunded apartment complexes, and sleazy strip clubs, and the traditionally eccentric and fun supporting cast was also replaced with seedy drug pushers, corrupt cops, and paranoid mafiosos. Normally, I'd be upset if a game's missions weren't as varied as its predecessor, but because everything was recontextualized through Niko Bellic's perspective as an undocumented immigrant, it all made sense within the context of the story. Not only that, but the smaller scale of the missions also made them more fun due to their decreased linearity and increased ways of getting in and on top of buildings, as coming up with ways to complete objectives on my own rather than relying on the game's exact instructions led to some really memorable and satisfying moments for me. I'd also say that the gunplay here is the best in the series, especially with how your limited arsenal was integrated into the world through the presence of underground weapons dealers, and the constant need to be alert while firing at enemies and the incredibly impressive ragdoll physics made for combat that was much more exciting than just hiding behind one spot of cover like in Grand Theft Auto V.
Along with the fun missions and immersive setting, a big reason why the game's story was so enthralling for me would be its protagonist. Not only was Niko Bellic's cynicism and cold-heartedness brought to life thanks to Michael Hollick's voice acting, but seeing how his past haunts him as he struggles to see any real future for himself outside of violence was very compelling, especially with the story's numerous player choices, and it made the game's plot evolve from being a critique of the American Dream into a look at the psychology of revenge, the effects of war, and the endless cycles of violence. Like I mentioned earlier, Grand Theft Auto IV has gotten a lot of flack for its driving mechanics and hangout sessions with the other characters, but I honestly really liked both of these features. The more realistic handling of the cars and bikes fit perfectly alongside the game's tone and world while still making for some intense getaways and chases, and spending time with the supporting cast made the story and the rest of the game feel more interconnected. Although Red Dead Redemption II is still my favorite Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto IV isn't far behind, and I really hope that I can eventually find a way to play Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City without having to buy the so-called "definitive" edition that came out back in 2021.
Rockstar has always been known for making open worlds that feel alive, but even with that in mind, I was still incredibly impressed with what they had accomplished here in Grand Theft Auto IV. The oppressively grey palette, dirty streets, and grungy textures greatly added to the grit of Liberty City and Alderney, and this more cutthroat setting also strengthened the game's dark and wholly engrossing story. Rather than being chock-full of explosive setpieces like in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto IV instead has you battling it out in abandoned construction sites, underfunded apartment complexes, and sleazy strip clubs, and the traditionally eccentric and fun supporting cast was also replaced with seedy drug pushers, corrupt cops, and paranoid mafiosos. Normally, I'd be upset if a game's missions weren't as varied as its predecessor, but because everything was recontextualized through Niko Bellic's perspective as an undocumented immigrant, it all made sense within the context of the story. Not only that, but the smaller scale of the missions also made them more fun due to their decreased linearity and increased ways of getting in and on top of buildings, as coming up with ways to complete objectives on my own rather than relying on the game's exact instructions led to some really memorable and satisfying moments for me. I'd also say that the gunplay here is the best in the series, especially with how your limited arsenal was integrated into the world through the presence of underground weapons dealers, and the constant need to be alert while firing at enemies and the incredibly impressive ragdoll physics made for combat that was much more exciting than just hiding behind one spot of cover like in Grand Theft Auto V.
Along with the fun missions and immersive setting, a big reason why the game's story was so enthralling for me would be its protagonist. Not only was Niko Bellic's cynicism and cold-heartedness brought to life thanks to Michael Hollick's voice acting, but seeing how his past haunts him as he struggles to see any real future for himself outside of violence was very compelling, especially with the story's numerous player choices, and it made the game's plot evolve from being a critique of the American Dream into a look at the psychology of revenge, the effects of war, and the endless cycles of violence. Like I mentioned earlier, Grand Theft Auto IV has gotten a lot of flack for its driving mechanics and hangout sessions with the other characters, but I honestly really liked both of these features. The more realistic handling of the cars and bikes fit perfectly alongside the game's tone and world while still making for some intense getaways and chases, and spending time with the supporting cast made the story and the rest of the game feel more interconnected. Although Red Dead Redemption II is still my favorite Rockstar game, Grand Theft Auto IV isn't far behind, and I really hope that I can eventually find a way to play Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City without having to buy the so-called "definitive" edition that came out back in 2021.