"Stop the f***ing cab!"
I've made a point to keep away from videos and reviews so I wouldn't develop any preconceptions of GTA IV, yet I can tell you that the several hours spent on this game after the purchase were enjoyable. Niko Bellic, a fresh-off-the-boat Eastern European quickly stole my heart; he is easy to empathize with, and you'll invariably find indifference a difficult thing when thrown into his new life in Liberty City, USA.
Of course, you're allowed to be an absolute jerk too, if that's your thing. In between (and during) missions, you're given free reign over the streets of New Yo-- I mean, Liberty City. Mind the cops though, because they're just plain pesky.
In case you haven't heard, those familiar stars at the top right of your screen now create a threat area around Niko based on how much havok you've created. The more stars you accumulate, the bigger the radius of this threat-circle, the further you will need to run before you can shake the police on your tail.
The city is a harsh place - at least, that's what Rockstar wants us to believe. All the drivers seem as crazy as you are, and the citizens put up quite a fight. CITIZENS BEAT ME UP!! And when you're in a tense situation, civilians make a point of giving you a hard time. Example? I was participating in a high speed chase, and suddenly the streets were flooded with people (luckily, plowing through the mobs didn't add to my stars).
Also keep in the mind the cab drivers are terrible at their job and talk way too much. Skipping through the painful ride will close money, so be prepared to mug a few.... thugs. Yeah, that's right, mug some hooligans. Anyone familiar with the franchise can expect a wide array of vehicles to choose from on these cluttered streets, and each car will have a different feel as your drive (your default car is pretty crappy). Rest assured that there will always be the little GPS voice guiding you; however, the game does tell you in the tutorial that the suggested route may not always be the fastest one.
The city itself is stunning, and the people at Rockstar have really outdone themselves. If nothing else, GTA IV is stunning, a huge graphical jump from GTA: San Andreas. Try not to stare too much at the buildings/water/sky/people in the wrong place because the psycho civilian drivers won't hesitate to flatten you. Seriously, these folks in Liberty City are way tougher than the gangsters of Los Santos.
And, after less than 4 entertaining hours, I've assessed that this is not a game for your baby cousin so keep him away from the controller. Then again, as with any GTA, the game is only as bad as you wish it to be. Niko is, at best, a victim of circumstance, and at worst, a pawn of your sick antics.
So have fun dicking around, gamers, and I'll see you online.
It may be worth noting that the Xbox 360 version does come with a 1 month trial of LIVE Gold. It probably won't work if you've already got Gold membership, so feel free to share with a friend.
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I so wish I could get this..but until I have my own job, not happening. As it is, I am gonna have to entertain myself with COD4.
Try clicking the "post comment" button once, kiddo.
Is this really news?!