Grand Theft Auto IV Review

Rockstar’s 2008 release in its hugely popular action-adventure series, Grand Theft Auto IV is not actually the fourth installment of the franchise. In the intervening years since Grand Theft Auto III, Rockstar released Vice City and San Andreas.

Grand Theft Auto IV was built with an entirely new engine and designed specifically for the next generation of consoles. This meant that many players expected a clear jump compared to the previous iterations.

Niko Bellic (right) and his cousin Roman

Story

Grand Theft Auto IV makes something of a departure when it comes to its protagonist. It features the Eastern European Niko Bellic as the main character that the player takes control of.

He arrives in Liberty City to start a new life in the U.S. and meet up with his cousin Roman. What follows is an immersive narrative that shows how the American dream does not work out for everyone.

It turns out that Roman has got himself involved with some dodgy people and things soon begin to unravel. You then begin to get caught up in the criminal underworld of Liberty City as Niko gets dragged into events.

The very first cutscene in Grand Theft Auto IV immerses you in the world. Considering that the original release is 2008, the title is an incredibly cinematic experience. It ensures you get engrossed in the story.

As you would expect from a Rockstar game, the characters are all interesting individuals that provoke a variety of emotions. There are even moments of interactivity, where you can make decisions that actually affect the story. It is another first for the series, but helps to get you even more involved.