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UK-based games website Eurogamer called it "game of the year" and handed it a 10 out of 10 review score, while the New York Times said it delivered a "new level of depth for an interactive entertainment experience".
GTA IV is finally - finally! - here. Phew. Some of you are probably already playing, others may be waiting till morning and/or contemplating a sickie. So what do you think so far then? Is it as good as you hoped? Which version did you go for - PS3 or 360? GTA IV then - does it live up to the hype?
Entertainment product of the year? Saviour of the universe? Such was the pre-release hype surrounding GTA IV that it was hard to tell. Luckily the game – mostly – lives up to the hype.
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. It even has an emotional side – relationships are more important than ever – though traditionalists needn't worry. 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.
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. Car chases and the inevitable pile up are viciously exhilarating. Characters fly through windscreens, blood is plentiful. Despite this graphically - and physically - improved depiction the carnage retains the lighter touch of previous incarnations.
The game looks fabulous – especially when driving at night. 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 city feels grimy and lived in. Running over pedestrians packs more of a moral punch this time around.
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. And – brilliantly - managing relationships and staying friendly with the right people is just as important as keeping your ammo topped up.
But as always with a GTA game the really entertaining stuff are the adventures of your own making. Antagonising the police is as enjoyable as ever, especially as this time round they appear to be smarter. And then there are the multitude of activities such as bowling, drinking and visiting comedy clubs.
The game world is smaller than San Andreas – the previous title in the series – but far the better for it. The tighter focus means there is always something to do or see – just watching the city inhabitants do their thing is amusing enough. But don't be fooled. The game is still huge with at least 30-40 hours of entertainment. And that's before you go online. For the first time GTA can be played with and against other players.
GTA IV isn't perfect though, even if some of the series' flaws – such as weapon retention when dead - have been addressed. The lack of in-mission saves is still frustratingly absent. Likewise the cover and targeting lock-on are occasionally unhelpful. Also the odd bit of graphical pop-up – as buildings appear in the distance – do lessen the glorious illusion. But these are relatively minor failings. GTA IV is more evolution than revolution but in 2008 this is as good as gaming gets.
Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion, told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee today that GTA IV should be shown more respect and "celebrated" as a British success.
Kingsley's comments came after a series of questions surrounding the issue of games ratings in which GTA IV was singled out as being deliberately advertised to an audience below its age rating.
"This is world's biggest launch in the games market and the intellectual property is actually British made, he explained. "I think that's fantastic. It should be celebrated."
The government committee is holding an inquiry to discuss harmful content on the internet and in videogames, and among the witnesses attending this hearing was Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, Paul Jackson, the director general of ELSPA and Keith Ramsdale, the vice president of EA games in the UK.
BBC wrote:
Two of the biggest games of the year have finally arrived and they could not be more different.
For the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, Grand Theft Auto 4 is the latest in the hugely successful crime series. Nintendo's Wii receives another innovative peripheral in the shape of the balance board for use with its new title, Wii Fit.
"They are targeting very different audiences, GTA 4 is targeting adult audiences, probably what you would consider the more traditional gamer, whereas Wii Fit is aimed at the mass market, a family audience, probably somebody who would hope to do something less sedentary than just sitting down all of the time," said Phil Elliott, editor of GamesIndustry.biz.
Developers Rockstar Games's latest third-person crime caper, GTA IV, unleashes Niko Bellic on the streets of Liberty City, a barely disguised New York.
Niko must steal cars, rob banks, take out rival criminals and generally cause chaos on the streets of this enormous metropolis.
Liberty City is roughly the size of the real New York and the level of detail and the sheer scope of the game are breathtaking.
The GTA series embodies the so-called sandbox genre, in which players can explore or perform missions in any order they like.
Like GTA games of old, Niko can steal any vehicle the player takes a fancy to, from sports cars and SUVs to speedboats and helicopters.
Next-gen upgrades include improved visuals a completely new physics engine, online multiplayer and, weirdly, a mobile phone.
Niko uses the phone and internet cafes to receive information on upcoming missions or to help maintain his relationships with his criminal cohorts. The phone can also be used to invite associates out for drink, which leads to the onscreen characters' drunken stumbling.
GTA IV
Rockstar have re-created New York in great detail
But all of this detail is icing on the cake, the real depth in this game is found in its gameplay. Fans of previous titles will be familiar with the formula of car chases, shootouts and general larceny.
While this latest remains true to its roots, the game has been refined and honed to such a degree that it makes most other third-person action titles seem hollow and empty in comparison.
Due to the Grand Theft Auto series themes of criminality and violence, these games have always been controversial, attracting the attention of politicians and the media alike.
However industry observers like Neil Long, editor of MCV magazine, are keen to point out the games' adults-only 18-age rating.
He said: "There are a million films out there that are a lot more graphic in terms of violence. Like any other kind of adult content, video games are just another form of entertainment.
"The people that make these kind of statements, perhaps they don't understand videogames and how they as an art form have matured. It is an entertainment form to rival movies, music and TV and it should be considered in that way."
Despite the controversy surrounding this series, 70 million copies of the GTA games have been sold worldwide. As a result, sales expectations for this latest version are high, and Mr Long believes there could also be a knock-on effect for Sony and Microsoft.
"Primarily it will push hardware sales up through the roof on the two formats it's on. Microsoft have been very keen to own this launch in terms of putting a lot of marketing out there and cutting the price of Xbox, Microsoft's message is, 'Get GTA IV for £200'.
"But at the same time GTA is often considered a very Playstation friendly series of games and it will be interesting to see which console benefits the most out of the title."
Grand Theft Auto IV Shifts Into Media Overdrive Wired News - Apr 28, 2008
In-gamebillboards and radio shows have always been a vital and frequentlyhilarious part of the Grand Theft Auto series, but in GTA IV, the developers have Still ahead of the game Irish Independent, Ireland - Apr 28, 2008
What makes the release of GTA IV such an event is that it is the first Grand Theft Auto game to appear on the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 'next generation'
Grand Theft Auto IV leaked online NEWS.com.au, Australia - Apr 27, 2008
By staff writers April 28, 2008 08:53am GRAND Theft Auto IV (GTA IV) has already been leaked online before the official release later this week.
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