Grand Theft Auto IV

              Surprisingly, I am the only person currently working here at Head Asplode that enjoys the Grand Theft Auto series and as such, it fell to me to review it. Never have I been tasked with a sweeter, more rewarding assignment. From the very moment I first loaded it up, I knew that this was no ordinary game. The opening cutscene is one of the best that I can remember ever experiencing, rich in both atmosphere and melody, it really started the game off on the right foot. Unfortunately, that foot was headed right over the edge into rabid addiction.

              After picking up my copy of GTA 4 from Gamespot, I played for approximately 9 hours, after which the thought of staying up any longer caused me physical pain. What, you might ask did I do when I got up? Play GTA 4 again until I fell asleep that night. This cycle continued until I was about 26 hours in, at which point the story line got so heavy I had to step away from the game to collect my thoughts. And, that at least for me, is why GTA 4 is so different from a normal video games. It carries with it such amazing depth and weight that it often transcends the normal meaning of the word "immersion". But, it isn't just the story that makes this possible.

              The city of Liberty City (New York) is pulsing and radiant with life. It not only feels lived in, it is lived in. The streets of Liberty City teaming with pedestrians and drivers are so much more lifelike than anything else ever rendered in an open world game. To me it seems almost like the next logical step from the Shenmue's and the Oblivions of the world. True, the NPC's aren't persistent: they don't walk home at night or drive to work in the morning, but everything between those two locations is so realistically coded that you won't give a shit that you can't steal their spoons or bug them on the way to the hotdog cart. The AI coding notwithstanding, it was the graphics that really took it to the next level.

              Though somewhat of a controversial opinion amongst the staff here at Head Asplode, I feel that GTA 4's graphics are the most visually appealing I have ever seen. True, they aren't eye searingly-high-res like Gears of War -- nor are they as fluid as Crysis when running -- but they give off a vibrance and a warmth that no game has ever matched. For me, some of my favorite moments in GTA 4 were sitting back and hailing a taxi, slowly driving around the city to the different radio stations. Now normally saying "When I am not playing it's fun" is a stinging indictment, but in GTA 4 it's different. And, that's exactly how I can best describe GTA 4.

It's just different.

 Pros

 - Addicting friend mechanic, that can actually make you feel bad for ditching a in-game buddy to sleep with your girl.

 - Fabulous driving mechanics, that tend toward movie chances as opposed to simulations. (I know you're thinking Driver 3, well don't /slap)

 - You'll never forget any of the characters. Prepare to miss Brucie

 - IMHO some of the best graphics ever

 - I hear the Online is good, I really never ever had the drive to leave the single player.

 - None of the missions are too hard, save one.

 - Explosions are beautiful.

 - Mostly incredible soundtrack. There is always something good on the radio.

 - Awe-inspiringly deep online/television component that will give you hours of entertainment.

 - Long and winding storyline with multiple endings and paths.

 - There is always something to do, but you're usually not rushed into to doing it. You are completely free to do what you want.

- Cellphone is seamlessly intertwined with the gameplay (this surprised me a lot, usually they're just excuses for advertising)

- Dialogue, storyline, and voice acting are brilliant from start to finish

- Amazingly deep social aspect, with comedy clubs, bars, strip joints, cabaret cubs, pool, bowling, darts... etc

- Niko Bellic is the pan-ultimate protagonist.

- New York is the perfect playground

Cons

 - It ends. :*(

 - Gunplay, though better than previous games, is still pretty bad.

 - Last mission isn't all that hard, but the tricky parts are unfair not challenging.

 - Not a lot of cars in comparison to previous games.

 - The talk stations seemed to be missing some of the humor they once had. Too much parody and not enough comedy.

- Girlfriends, at least in my play-through, are more annoying than worthwhile though I did like Kiki.

Bottom Line

The first time I played Grand Theft Auto 4, it joined my list of top 5 games without question. This is the kind of game that changes and creates genres when it's released. GTA 4 is the experience every gamer deserves to have. Though some may find it hip to hate a game with such commercial success, I assure you they are douches.

A+

 Head Asplode? – No playing around, go experience it for yourself.