So I have decided to start writing reviews and i figured what better game to start with then
the one and only Grand Theft Auto IV (Yes another one, actually I would be amazed if you
read this). I have decided to simply go over the simple five "characteristics" of games, well,
in my standards at least. So with no further ado,



GTA IV





The Story: In GTA you follow the story of Niko Bellic (aka Vladimir Mashkov from Behind
Enemy Lines). See below, and for a side note, I am semi-confused on how to put and
image into my text. Anywhos, you play as Niko as he makes his way through multiple
friends and plenty of deaths. Without throwing spoilers around, you are on a revenge
mission and you have come to America to seek out and kill this said person. However cliché
this may sound, believe me when I say that GTA's story is by far the most enjoyable story
I have ever seen in a game to date. At one point I jumped out of my seat and screamed,
WTF!!!!?? Actually, I probably said that more then once. The characters have such deep
personalities that when the game gave me the choice of choosing between two characters
to kill, I paused the game and took a 30 minute nap to sleep on it. In conclusion the story
in GTA is only really on third of the game, however It was by far the deepest and most
involved I have ever been before.

Verdict: 20/20


The GamePlay: The Gameplay in GTA really gets broken down into two core elements,
driving combat and grounded combat. The vehicle combat is basically, how well can you
drive and shoot at the same time. The first time the game put me in this situation I found
myself constantly smashing into light poles, cars, bikers, and pretty much everything in my
way. However the more they tossed this at me the more I perfected this skill, and soon
found myself blasting out the tires of my foes, witch was nice to watch them swerve off the
road. My only complaint is that you can only use three different weapons while driving,
pistol, SMG, and grenade. This was slightly disappointing since i was looking forward to
shooting an RPG at and enemy vehicle while on the pursuit. However I can understand why
they would leave most more "powerful" guns out. However the real meat and bones of
combat comes to when your planted on your own two feet. The cover system in GTA can
only be described as a godsend. Anyone who has played Gears of War will feel right at
home. The cover system really takes the combat of the GTA serious to the next level. No
longer does the combat feel weak or so "run and gun". Also the targeting system has be
revamped and it is down very easy to aim where you want. The game will auto aim and
from there a slight movement of the thumb stick and you can easily aim for the arms legs
or head of your opponent.

Verdict: 20/20

Graphics: The graphics in GTA are not the finest of the 360, however you have to give it
credit for having such few load times, Looking into the distance you can see from one end
of the city to another. The character models where good for the most part, however I found
myself annoyed sometimes because the lips did not move right to the words. However I
can over look this small annoyance because when you think about the game looks
wonderful with no pre-rendered clips. Overall I was impressed that they could make a
game that is so big look so good all the time, and all of this this with no frame rate skips.

Verdict: 20/20

Sound: Where to begin, well, let me say that GTA's soundtrack is comprised of over 200+
songs. That is not including all the random chat filter added in. As you flip through radio
stations you will here your rap/rock/techno/country/R&B/jazz, but as you listen closely you
really start to realize how much work they have put into this. Many songs have references
to liberty city and it's history, and some mock modern day events. All in all I was extremely
impressed by the sound in GTA, HUGE list of songs, nice gun sounds, everyone has
conversation as you pass them by, etc.

Verdict: 20/20

Content: Let me just say this, with around 25-35 hours of the main story, plus 30 hours of
side missions and extra goodies. I hit one hundred percent at around 80 hours and that is
leaving out the multiplayer, which may I add, is the most fun I have ever had in any
multiplayer console game. There are over 12 different game types ranging from team
death match to cops and crooks. In the end GTA has so much content you will be playing
the single player for months and the multiplayer for years to come.

Verdict: 20/20


Final Verdict: 100/100 - Go buy it, and the sleep with it under your pillow at night.