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Grand Theft Angel: How Liberty City plays nice

by Jim Sterling on 05.06.2008 96 comments


Grand Theft Angel: How Liberty City plays nice video game

Turn on the TV and you have every chance of seeing some pundit attacking Grand Theft Auto IV. With the game being released a week ago, the usual moral crusaders are up in arms about the bad values it teaches and the terrible things players are "encouraged" to do in the game.

I will never hold GTA up as a franchise steeped in morality, because it's not. The game portrays, just like its tagline, how "good things happen to bad people." You spend your time working for scumbags and criminals, doing terrible things for money. It's NOT a game that celebrates the good side of life -- nor does it have to.

That said, however, playing Grand Theft Auto IV has been an interesting experience for me. Since I made a career out of writing about games, I've been far more aware of GTA's so-called depravity, and have spent a lot of time in Liberty City thinking about what developer Rockstar is trying to say, breaking down some of the seedier aspects of the game and deciphering what the player is expected to feel as he plays.

I think of the game's less savory features -- murder, female degradation, drunk driving -- and I have to wonder, does indulging in these elements of GTA IV really say a lot about the game, or the player? Just how much sin does Rockstar actively encourage, and how often does it actually dissuade you from being a bad boy?

Hit the jump to find out how Grand Theft Auto IV can be just as much Angel as Devil. (Warning: Very minor "spoilers")

Nobody's saying there isn't a lot of murder in the game. Killing isn't a mere choice -- it's a necessity for most of the in-game missions. If you want to progress in the game, you're going to get blood on your hands. That said, however, senseless killing isn't all that encouraged. Gone are the days where you could pick up a "rampage" token and mow down innocent civilians. The people you have to kill are mostly people who deserve it -- lowlifes and drug pushers and fellow killers. That's not saying it makes murder better, but Niko is not a character intended to wipe out half the population of Liberty City on a whim.

Rockstar was incredibly clever with the character of Niko, creating a likable and sympathetic individual who, to anybody mindful of storytelling and the artistic side of games, should not be going on a murderous rampage. It's simply out-of-character for Niko to become a mass murderer, and as such, killing sprees do not feel right. Previous characters were far more two-dimensional, and as such it was easier to disassociate and go out for a rampage. With Niko, if you care enough about the character, you shouldn't want to kill everyone in sight.

Even if you do want to drop out of character and turn psychopath, however, Rockstar has implemented far more forceful ways of discouraging you. For one, the Liberty City Police Department is everywhere. It can actually get pretty annoying, as the streets are crawling with cop cars, and if you accidentally hit the buggers, you'll get chased down. The LCPD is a constant threatening presence in Grand Theft Auto IV, roaming the streets, sounding off warning sirens at you if they see you speeding or running a red light. They consistently remind you that you are being watched, and that if you cross the line, they will be there.

And they will -- you cannot rampage unchecked for long in Liberty City anymore. Even killing one person can alert the cops, and if you make a stand, that Wanted Level will climb with worrying speed. It's not long before Liberty City's N.O.O.S.E task force is dispatched, and you'll be cut down in seconds. Put simply -- Liberty City will fight you if you try to fight Liberty City.

One interesting thing to note is that even among the enemies you do have to kill, you don't always have to finish them off definitively. Take a look next time you drop someone who isn't scripted to die. You will often see them breathing, or writhing. Some of them even get back up and start limping away, clutching their wounds. If you kill only the people who absolutely, positively have to die to advance the story, you'll find that GTA IV's death toll is minimal, at least no greater than any other third person action game.  

Niko Bellic is not proud of his actions, or standing in life. Through his in-game conversations with cousin Roman, you will hear his commentary on the state of things in Liberty City. He constantly complains about his lot, having to kill for money, and jacking cars. I admit this is at odds with the sometimes casual way in which he accepts blood money, but it's certainly more than most games throw into their exposition. As Niko takes his girlfriend out for a date, he uncomfortably diverts the conversation away from his job, trying not to tell her he's a hired gun. You actually get to experience that kind of horrible double-life situation, and think about how Niko must feel, knowing that a girl who likes him is looking into the eyes of a killer.  

On the subject of girls, the degradation of women is a large bone of contention for many. Again, I cannot claim it isn't there -- there are indeed strip clubs where you can go and ogle digital breasts, but then, there are strip clubs in real life, so it's not like Rockstar invented the idea. That's not what this is about, however -- this is about how Rockstar might be discouraging you from objectifying women, and that's through dating.

Yes, as with real-life dating for most males, the objective in GTA is to get Niko some pussy. You take a woman out, work out what she likes, and spend time with her, with the goal of getting laid in mind. However, once again, Rockstar crafted some likable characters out of Niko's dating pool. You get taught that these women have tastes and personalities. It's not exactly deep, but it's deeper than you'd expect, and if you think the dating is over when you've finally gotten what you were after -- think again.

You end up not just screwing these people, but getting into a relationship with them. It's like you are intended to feel guilty if you just ditch them after taking what you came for. I scored with Michelle long before I stopped taking her out (for reasons beyond my control). If I forgot her for a while, she called me and I felt bad. Unless you as a person enjoy being an asshole, you'll realize that these women are not there as objects, but as friendships that need to be maintained. It all goes towards humanizing a game that one could so easily see as nothing but monstrous.

Speaking of monstrous, the infamous argument that GTA allows you to hire a prostitute, kill her and take back your money has also been colored with dissuasion from the developers. As is tradition, I spent my time looking for a prostitute to hire (don't judge me!). First off, it's pretty hard to even find them, but once you have done so, you can begin the ghastly business at hand -- and the best thing is that Rockstar has actually made it ghastly!

As you pick up the prostitute and find somewhere quiet to go, Niko will comment about how pathetic he is, and how desperate he has to be to resort to such a low act. The increased gratuity of the act itself (she gets on top of Niko and mimes wriggling around on his penis) does little to make the act more erotic or glamorous -- in fact, it only serves to make the whole sequence feel uncomfortable and nasty. The woman performs the act mostly in silence while Niko tries -- and fails -- to enjoy it. When it's all over and she leaves the car, Niko will comment again about how horrible it was, and you are left feeling anything but horny. It's cold and it's sleazy, and you feel like a shithead for doing it.

Hell, when I ran the prostitute over to see if the money appeared, it didn't. While I can't speak for everyone, I have to say that no monetary reward was yielded to me when I killed the woman. 

That Rockstar took one of its most controversial aspects and turned it into an actual piece of effective social commentary, doing nothing but mocking the use of prostitutes, is commendable in my book. Again, if you feel great after using them in GTA IV, it speaks of the player, not of the game itself.

Reckless driving is also shown as a less-than-glamorous activity. Thanks to Rockstar's frustratingly loose handling of the cars, speeding and mowing everyone down is far less satisfying. The most important aspect though, is the drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and members of the police force like to think that drunk driving has been turned into a "joke" by Rockstar, and I will concede that at least walking around drunk, falling over objects in Euphoria Engine-powered stupidity, is pretty hilarious. Trying to operate a car, however, is another matter entirely.

It is simply not fun to drunk drive in GTA IV. It's infuriating and disorienting, and the police are on your ass in an instant. This game does not make drunk driving look cool or enjoyable at all. As soon as you get behind the wheel after Niko's been to the bar, you're in for nothing but trouble and pain.  

I said at the beginning of this article that Grand Theft Auto IV is not a pillar of morality, and it isn't. It is violent and it has plenty of sexual content, if you consider sex immoral. However, GTA IV does not glamorize or applaud violence even half as much as people think it does. You do not kill without consequence, and Niko is not made to appear awesome for his murders. Death is not glorified, and you are not expected to feel like a God for the amount of death you dish out. Niko Bellic is not John McClane, and that's not what he's there for. 

Okay, so it's not Grand Theft Angel by a long shot. But it's not The Devil, either. Nowhere near.



   96 comments
ajaxender: That was great except: Jim, not everyone finds the driving frustrating. I love driving, speeding, crashing into things, and mowing people down in this game. It feels so much more right than in ...   more
  Controversy   Grand Theft Auto   Violence   Worth thinking about  


There are 96 comments about this post:
Barcode's Avatar
I haven't finished the game and I don't want to read the spoilers, but I noticed something in the game.


Everytime a character offers Nikko a drink, he turns it down. Same goes with the drugs. Perhaps that's saying something?
Kryptinite's Avatar
Lovely read :). I'm about 20 percent into the game and it already seems like a breath of fresh air. Granted it's a sandbox game and the tools are there for insane people to do insane things. I like how the game doesn't exactly make you do them. There's so much to be said about this game but you nailed a lot of things that were on my mind.
sacredchao's Avatar
Good post. I agree whole heartedly.

It's always nice to see someone dissect a game in a reasonable manner that takes the context as well as what is actually happening into account.
Scientist tz's Avatar
It says a lot about a game in which I actually wanted to see how the characters react to the strip club as opposed to just wanting to see the strip club itself. In Vice City there was some kind of dance club in which the first thing I did was walk into the middle of the crowd and set off a grenade since I could think of no better thing to do there.
galagabug 's Avatar
yeah they really toned it down this time around, but it does create more realistic scenarios and adds a great deal of depth to niko. several missions have unarmed people in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the player decides whether to let them go, or light them up. most ancillary chronies are not killed in missions but rather wounded (they'll drop they're weapons, niko even says 'thats just a bruise, do you want me to kill you?', and unless you walk up to the individual and empty your clip into them, they're gonna survive.

gta is not the murder simulator it used to be. its now a popular series with a plot that really does force the player to question thier moral decisions.
Mr Willis13's Avatar
Great post.

Best read of the day.
flashbak's Avatar
Also, about the drunk driving, its much more entertaining, at least imo, to hail a taxi... then actually get IN the taxi lol. The mission where you supposedly HAVE to drive drunk (at least where I am in the game's main story right now) you are not forced to drive drunk at all. I completed that mission by taking a taxi.

All the hatred and bile being hurled towards Rockstar are, once again, being made by individuals that have not played the game, just like that psychologist that raged against Mass Effect. These individuals are only trying to ride the coat tails of fame by jumping on the next great thing in order to get their own 15 minutes of fame.
heretrix's Avatar
That was a great read. Coming out of a bar smashed IS hilarious. Seeing Nico and whoever he's with on the town falling flat out on their asses is a freaking hoot. But as was stated, driving around drunk is a mess. Even if you go into a pay n spray to wipe out your wanted level, as soon as you come out it goes right back up because you are still drunk.
But once again, people like the idiots that are complaining about it are only interested in showing the world what a fucking idiot they are because they are complaining about something they have no knowledge of.
Kif 's Avatar
I do think it's funny that Niko will apologize sometimes when stealing cars. The game feels a lot more real, probably because Niko is an identifiable character instead of some faceless uber-criminal like the older games. Maybe that's why I'm bored shitless after completing it at the moment. I need to find a way to have some fun on this.
Reaprar's Avatar
Didn't read anything after the jump, mainly because however small spoilers are indeed spoilers, however, I do believe GTAIV is much deeper than the last games, I've found myself reluctant to kill targets, and infact not wanting to kill civilians alot in the game, just because it doens't seem like something niko would do. (Besides the fact I fear the police because it takes for-fucking-ever to get rid of them now, which is good.)
SuperD1984's Avatar
hmmm, i wonder what happens when you swim drunk...... im off to attempt such an obviosly awesome feat, firstly in-game and then in reality of course. Thats the way it goes.
SteamyV's Avatar
Good article, Jim. These are the exact points I try to explain to my friends with less informed opinions of GTA and games in general. Now I can just send them a link. Thanks.
YONKE's Avatar
dude nice post......i applaud you.....
kevvo's Avatar
Is it me or has anyone else been jacked for your ride by a hooker after the sex act?
Mr Wilson's Avatar
Take that JT
DaedHead8's Avatar
Awesome read Jim. Somebody had to point out the good side of GTA, I'm glad it was you.

I'm incredibly sorry for what I'm about to post.

I love how the enemies don't die right away. One of my favorite things to do is walk calmly over to one of my enemies as he is crawling on hands and knees to get away from me and level the shotgun at his head and pull the trigger. The blood spray effect on the camera is really quite cool.
AlucardX24's Avatar
Great read. I agree entirely, and I was starting to wonder if anyone else thought the same way as I do. At school, kids this week keep talking about how they killed everyone in GTA4 and how they killed all of the optional kills on the missions, and I said to myself, is that all they see? Do the cutscenes, do the characters, mean nothing at all to them?
Tubatic's Avatar
Great writeup! There's definitely something greatly different in playing as Niko.

For better or worse though, there is indeed a monetary drop from post coital prostitutes. Don't judge me. I felt a little dirty about the whole ordeal.

After VC, they've definitely been going more on the path of making the main character a little more sympathetic, or at least, out of character in causing mass histeria. All my good rampaging memories lead back to GTA III. Top of that parking garage. You all know what I'm talking about.

Its worth noting too, with the drunk driving, once Nico gets into a car, he'll say things like "I'm not in the best state to make a sound decision right now" or "I really shouldn't be driving in this condition." That's why the MADD stance is so dissappointing to me.
slayoyayo's Avatar
I think the larger issue with females in GTA is not simply degradation of them but objectification. Some geezer on the 1UP show made a brilliant point, his wife was actually excited to play it, but was turned off by the loading screen.

You know when you fire the game up, it shows Niko ducking and covering, some guys playing bones, and the only female shown during the initial loading sequence is objectified as a pure sexual object. Shes not doing anything, just showing off cleavage and playing with a fucking lollipop.

It's THAT mentality that turns off a lot of people. It makes me feel like a fucking 6th grader when I turn on GTA, not a mature adult.

Other than that, though, the game is fucking fantastic. Liberty City is a beautiful metaphor for America.
nademagnet's Avatar
I'm not even 10% of the way through the game, but I've noticed all these things you've pointed out. This is definitely the best of the series imo. I'm trying to get into Niko's character and make decisions he would feel is right. How ever, after I've played for a while; I like to head back to the safe house for a nap (save) and then step out for a bit of ultra violence.
ShadeWithin's Avatar
Preach.

It's that age-old saying, "Don't hate the game, hate the player"... er...

Solid points, but in this tug-of-war both sides refuse to see reason in the other... mainly because the reasonable people (That's us.) choose not to be brainwashed in to finding logic in lies of the unreasonable (That's them.).
s0lesurviv0r's Avatar
Excellent write-up, Jim. The more I hear about Niko, the cooler he sounds as a character.
Kryptinite's Avatar
Liberty City is a beautiful metaphor for America.

QFE
king3vbo's Avatar
Incredible writeup Jim. I couldnt agree more. Rockstar really went above and beyond in showing the reality of Nico, not some glorified criminal lifestyle
Danmartigan's Avatar
You nailed it, Jim. It warms my cockles that Rockstar shifted the focus a bit more toward humor, storytelling and moral decisions. GTA4 feels more like an epic film and less like ye olde GTA Lowlife Simulator™.
KyleGamgee's Avatar
Great post Jim.

Strangely this reminds me of Fable, where you could target or attack anyone you wanted, and your action caused results. It was a reflection of your character, what you did.

But at the same time Lionhead showed restraint where they knew it was necessary. In towns with children your weapons are taken from you, and you walk around unarmed. You can swing your fists, but as I remember, you couldn't hit any kids.

While Rockstar has given the player freedom to do as he wishes, it's not without some propriety.
Woverine's Avatar
this needs more pictures with funny captions.
Justice's Avatar
You have a lot of great articles under your belt Jim, but I have to say this IMO is one of your best, it just makes me anticipate playing the game more.
Demtor's Avatar
Awesome, awesome post.

This game has a realistic feel to it thats hard to get used to for me, being so used to the "cartoony" arcade violence in the early games of the series.

I miss my rampage icons but its not a big deal.

I miss the decapitating sniper rifle head shots but its not necessary at all.

I think IV has brought GTA in to the next gen era with a lot of much needed realism while still maintaining what made the series fun in the first place. I think thats why so many haters of the series are falling in love with this one. Rockstar really outdid themselves so far.
mix's Avatar
Great write up Jim!

So far this has only happened once, but when given the option to let someone live or die, I let them live and I thought that was a nice touch as some characters are pretty cool, Brucie makes me lol.

I also noticed what Barcode noticed about getting asked for drinks or smokes, Niko turns them down.

The charactar is very likeable and I think Rockstar did a great job of portraying an actual person rather than, like noted, a mindless nut job.
Droll's Avatar
Its all about choice!
Trevsweb's Avatar
i somehow think rockstar has made a slightly safer game now. back in the day of gta 3, VC, SA you had all the scandous issues.. but i guess the drink driving is new to the gta series.

however i agree after trying to drive the car with michelle in the car i found myself having to look away fro mthe screen as it was doing my eyes in. we got home safely as i drove slowly. in real life i dont drink a drop of alcohol when im driving and refuse to start now.

with michelle i hate her the only reason i date her is to stop her phoning... i dont even want what shes supplying as the sex scene might put me off sex tottally :/ also niko doesnt utter a word during this moment so it cant be any fun for the poor guy... maybe he wants a bit of cock and bum fun? love meet denyed this sadly.
Droll's Avatar
I recently wrote a blog entry, having completed the single player game, on one of the best aspects of GTA IV: the "choices".
Check it out all! Tell me what ya think!
Droll's Avatar
I recently wrote a blog entry, having completed the single player game, on one of the best aspects of GTA IV: the "choices".
Check it out all! Tell me what ya think!
Kryptinite's Avatar
on a side note:

I can just imagine Jim sitting behind a desk after each epic post, stroking his epeen while he watches his comments rise. Cocky bastard.

/side note
Sky-Face's Avatar
Great write up! I agree with this. Plus I find my self injuring niko far more than I hurt civilians (on purpose).
Corak's Avatar
Good write up Jim, I've definatly seen what you talked about in the game. I've only done the hooker thing a few times and after that its just not worth your time tracking one down to do that to. I found it humorous rather than disgusting, and I had a "what the fuck am I doing" moment.
Zatsuga's Avatar
@Barcode
I'm pretty sure Niko's only drug use happens early on (though I'm only at 60% done), when he drives Little Jacob, who hotboxes the car. The dialogue is a little bit different while they're driving. But yes, Niko otherwise completely abstains from drugs and alcohol.

Also, early on I thought the "Addiction Level" stat was about Niko's addiction to drugs and alcohol based on the player's choices, not the addiction level of the player. I kept expecting a yes/no decision in cutscenes.
rmsk8r05's Avatar
Heavy police presence make mindless behavior overly difficult. Good citizend of the city also call the police when they see you do a crime.
mistic's Avatar
wow man you wrote down exactly ow I was feeling about thig whole game... though i kinda enjoyed the striptease ( hint try taking 3 in a row from the same woman ;-) ) but like with that guy on the thingy where you can actually chose, I made the moral choice :-) i felt it fitted Niko better...
sushi111's Avatar
I was going to make a blog post like this but you have it covered. Good show.
Neonie's Avatar
Nice read.
Genfuyung's Avatar
Great read. I really think that Rockstar put so much work into the personality of this character that when the player chooses to kill a civilian or to kill a character instead of saving them it really seems out of place for the character. Its like your forcing Niko into doing something he doesnt want to. On my first play through I killed the first optional person and immediately felt bad for niko. Honestly, I think Niko is an amazing character and his emotions and personality are really milestones for gaming.
maxx77's Avatar
This game is so realistic, I actually am disinclined to do bad things in it. For the first couple of hours of playing it, I actually stopped at all of the traffic lights when they were red. I don't do that any more, but when I'm driving with someone else in the car, I feel inclined to "play by the rules" and not drive crazy or run people over.

What Glenn Beck and so many others can't comprehend is that it's not a game about murdering cops and prostitutes. You can do that, but it's entirely optional. It's the kind of game where you can play it how you want to, for the most part. You can pay $150 to take a helicopter tour of the city, or you can pull the pilot out of the cockpit and fly the copter yourself. It's all up to you.
Unicorn's Avatar
good job. now to get the close-minded newspeople to just STFU...
Chewpathingy's Avatar
Grand Theft Purgatory?

Great read and i would like to say that rockstar has trumped themselves with Niko. The decisions you are forced to face in the game are not easy. I will skip on the spoilers but the choices Niko is given between killing this guy or that guy weigh heavy once the deed is done. You will recieve phone calls from curious parties informing Niko on just how much of a shit head he is for doing what he did. There is one misison that really got me caring about what i do in the game. It comes in later about 50% of the way in (for me at least). It involves a funeral and some crying (not the level of Lost Odysseys tear inducing tales, but damn near close). For the first time in a long time i felt BAD for an NPC. I felt horrible once the characters started talking about it. I DID this, i caused thier pain and suffering. Worse yet im dating one of them (Well Niko is). Death has a heavy price in GTA4, a heavy heartwrenching price.
Matthew Blake's Avatar
Awesome article- this needs to be sent to every bloody politician and anti-games lobbyist. If they protest, ask them to provide their own experiences playing the game- if thy have any.
Stahlbrand's Avatar
Yeah, I noticed the same things while playing, I think Rockstar made some great choices, and even if the Thompsons and Becks of the world will never acknowledge them, Rockstar and gamers can be smug knowing that they really are full of hot air and bullshit.
welkstar's Avatar
Wow, you know, I've never really been interested in GTA. The only game I sort of enjoyed was Vice City, but only because it was set in a cool time period that was so radically different. However, after reading this post, I'm actually thinking about getting this game.
Zero Iscariot's Avatar
nice write up, was getting tired of the sterling rants, but this is top notch. Thanks for this.
maxx77's Avatar
One thing I've noticed in this GTA is that aside from the people you have to kill in the story missions, nobody EVER dies. If you shoot the cops, they don't actually die. They lay on the ground and shout "I need help! I've been shot!" If you kill civilians in the streets, those people will eventually get back up and stagger away. Some of your cohorts, like your cousin, will show up at the hospital if he dies on a mission.

I'm not sure what to think of this. If I can "die" and just come back sratch-free at a hospital, then I can't get too mad when all of my "collateral damage" people don't ever die. On the other hand, it seems like R* is trying to avoid controversy. Gone are the days of dismemberments and body counts. Now the best (worst) you can expect to do is "shoot to wound."

In a way, it's like Bugs Bunny type violence. The kind where you learn that it's ok to hurt someone, they won't *really* die. I don't believe anyone with intelligence is confused by cartoons or games, but you know the anti-game pundits are going to use this angle once they realize that death is almost non-existant now. "Now when you shoot someone in the head, they're ok 30 seconds later. This is WORSE than the old games! This should be banned! ARGH ARGH ARGH!!!! And now for the weather..."
Vitamin Awesome's Avatar
I'm pretty certain that this is why I like GTAIV more than any of the other games in the series. Niko is an all-around likable character, he knows what he's doing and what he's done in the past are wrong, and yet he's been hired to do these things because he's good at it, or he's been crossed or something beyond his control. He's the reluctant anti-hero, someone that wants to live the "American dream" but has no choice but to be the bad guy to get there. Niko is obviously a caring man, after all he's looking after his cousin Roman. He's also quick to let others know that he doesn't agree with certain people (Brucie comes to mind). All in all, this is easily the best character in the GTA Series, simply because he has character. The complexity of Niko is something that could easily rival any character in any RPG, or even Shakespeare. And who ever said Video Games can't be art?
Volomon's Avatar
You can kill them for good if you walk up to them and shoot them again. However I think Rockstar is giving everyone a choice, and pretty much is sticking it to everyone who says its full of death and mayhem by turning them into FURTHER hypocrites than they already are.
moot button's Avatar
good read, but you left a few redeeming activities.

The random meetings. In some cases they throw you into the depths of these random peoples' lives, and then they ask you to follow them on their road to redemption. Most times redemption doesn't come easy and Niko has to do something violent to save these people. I've met 5 or six so far, and to me they seem to be one of the most compelling facets to the game. They're background pieces until you run into them on the street. It gives Liberty City a little more depth, makes you feel like all the citizens could possibly have their own story.

The cop cars. You can locate and track down criminals and do some justice, some of these they don't make easy. You can also "view current crimes". after going on a rampaging death romp through the city these missions actually make you feel like you did something right. Its not too financially rewarding, the reward is justice served.

You can also just walk around liberty and wait for someone to do something violent, and call the cops on them, the cops respond in full force! call an ambulance for the person you just squashed with your Patriot.
Unicorn's Avatar
don't say driving into people isn't as satisfying.

my accidental collisions from driving result in more satisfaction... also due in part to Euphoria.


god i love ragdolls. Euphoria needs to be in every game.

did i mention i love ragdolls?


i get a sense of satisfaction i've never gotten in GTA before from running over people. now i see them flail about and tumble as i speed away.
maxx77's Avatar
@Volomon: Maybe that works on civilians (haven't tried it yet), but law enforcement doesn't seem to ever die. I saw one stand back up while on a mission and thought that I screwed up and didn't shoot him enough the first time, so I shot him again. He fell back down and just kept shouting that he'd been shot. I've done the same to other cops who got in my way in other missions (hey, they shot first, I'm still morally right!). The game won't let you finish them off. It's probably for the best really. Maybe.
The Johnggernaut's Avatar
Jim, you forgot to mention that if you pay for a stripper's service 3 times you get two strippers at once and this negates your whole article. :P
John B's Avatar
Awesome read.

I'm big on story. That's why I always enjoyed games like the original "Thief" and even "Unreal II" had a phenomenal story. It's clear that Rockstar wanted to take this game to the next leve, and it's clear to me that they did. I like the other aspects that moot button talks about, too.

I had no intentions of buying this game when (if) it comes out on the PC; but if they keep it the same way with respect to the characters and the story, I'm definitely going to add it to my collection.
TheHunter234's Avatar
One thing that stood out to me in the game, though it's probably the same in the other games, is that there are no children or animals (other than the pigeons). Probably a way to avoid controversy (lolwut?) over violence toward two things that many, including us basement-dwelling sociopaths, wouldn't find acceptable on a level for beyond anything else in the game.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
"One thing that stood out to me in the game, though it's probably the same in the other games, is that there are no children or animals (other than the pigeons)."

In one of Cat Williams' acts in the Split Sides comedy club, he actually mentions that, asking how he's noticed you never see any dogs and cats in Liberty City.
ZombiePlatypus's Avatar
One of my favorite lines from Niko was when I had a prostitute in the car, looking for a place to park. He said "I'm not going to get an STD in front of these perverts." when there were people around. It was pretty funny/ironic... That's actually been my only prostitute so far, and like you said she was hard to find. Now that I'm not looking for 'em I see them all over the place though...

As for drunk driving, it's actaully not all that hard to pull off. I've done it twice and didn't try to floor it and I had no problems...
miketava's Avatar
Heh, I only tried the whole prostitute thing once b/c I was low on health and in a seedy area of town. For 70$ I was treated to a fairly amusing scene, but lo and behold less than half my health had returned, thus making the activity wholly useless. A 1$ hot-dog gives you all your health back for god's sake!
Eschatos's Avatar
Congratulations, you've managed to make the game sound not fun at all.
Spartacus's Avatar
If only the idiots would listen...
adultswim810's Avatar
wow that was a great article
SourGr8pes's Avatar
I'll tell you all one thing: I barely ever steal cars anymore.

The hassle from trying to shake the cops everytime I something even remotely illegal (I've even got wanted stars for bumping into a cop on foot), has completely discouraged me from riding in anything other than the taxis.

The realism and morality they've injected into the game is admirable, but ultimately, I still miss the days of boundless rampage. Shooting a cop shoots you up immediately to three stars, so I'm guessing the days of rampaging are forever gone.
Professor Pew's Avatar
100% agree. Not that the people who whine the loudest will read it :(
Poopface Morty's Avatar
Excellent write-up Jim. Basically how I feel about this title.

Also, to anyone on the fence about GTA4, just do yourself a favor and get it. I thought the previous three games were absolutely boring and overrated beyond belief, but GTA4 is awesome on almost every front and very deserving of the praise it has gotten.
LarkOhiya's Avatar
I wont feel so bad when i play this game now.
Detry's Avatar
What Poopface said.
Monkeynuts8's Avatar
I went into a hospital and mowed down all in there. With the door the only way in a horrible bottleneck formed and the police just had no chance. Even on the 50th cop i gunned down I was feeling guilty, then, on maybe the 51st cop, i had a thought i have never, ever thought.

Who was he.

I felt horrible. Thank you Rockstar (call me for some jaw-dropping ideas!)
Leathersoup's Avatar
It's odd. I was thinking to myself yesterday that this was one of the first GTA games in which I was actually interested in the characters and their interactions. Previously I lost interest quite early on in the game and that hasn't happened so far.
gtafan's Avatar
awesome article. i love this game. cant stop playing it.ive been using the
<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/grandtheftauto4cheats">gta iv cheats</a> at http://www.squidoo.com/grandtheftauto4cheat to help me out
gtafan's Avatar
http://www.squidoo.com/grandtheftauto4cheats that was
luciferific's Avatar
ok so it's a more 'moral' game now, but the game itself suffers - especially because of the shitty driving, it's not as fun to play anymore
solomon7's Avatar
here something similar. short story about drug dealer, he's gonna get fu#*%^ up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36jqBoNutLI
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Wonderful article, Jim. Just like maxx77, I drove like a real person at the beginning of the game (stopping at red lights, staying at moderate speed, etc.) because from the instant the game started up, I knew things would be different (har, har).

Rockstar has done something I never thought possible in a GTA game: by crafting such a likable and sympathetic character in Niko, they’ve made me feel legitimate remorse for many of my actions. That’s not to say that I don’t still go up to people who are writhing on the ground (after I’ve shot them once) and end their misery, but with subtle things like Niko apologizing for stealing cars sometimes, you are left to contemplate your actions. And if you really want to feel bad about doing something, try setting someone on fire. You might actually feel like you have to turn away, because they’ll die a slow, painful death by burning — and they’ll let you know about their pain. *shudders*

And yeah...the few times I’ve tried to fuck around in this game, the cops have always gotten me eventually (and pretty quickly, too).
ooyes's Avatar
That's why I always enjoyed games like the original "Thief" and even "Unreal II" had a phenomenal story. It's clear that Rockstar wanted to take this game to the next leve, and it's clear to me that they did. I like the other aspects that moot button talks about, too.
hood_954's Avatar
"Hell, when I ran the prostitute over to see if the money appeared, it didn't... I have to say that no monetary reward was yielded to me when I killed the woman." Pure WIN

Also, was I the only one to feel uncomfortable and weird while getting a private dance from that/those stripper(s)? The stuff Niko was saying while watching them was WAY out of character.
bioshocked's Avatar
<i>The people you have to kill are mostly people who deserve it -- lowlifes and drug pushers and fellow killers. </i>

This sentence makes a good case for the desensitizing nature of video games. The thought that people <i>deserve to die</i>.

No, a drug dealer does not deserve to die. I killed a few kids in GTA4 who were selling weed. Capital crime, isn't it?
Babarundi's Avatar
Really enjoyed reading that - great work, Jim.
Cryoplasma's Avatar
Great read.. Couldnt agree more. I hope all the d-bags who keep crusading against video games can read this and get a clue..
Noah's Avatar
I don't know. This is still a gray area to me personally. I never try and argue that GTA isn't terrible. It glorifies crime, forces you to kill cops (yes I have played a mission where I needed to kill law officers on a drug bust) and forces you to do a lot of shady things. These aren't 'extras' that people's twisted minds cause them to do, like killing sprees, but scripted into the story line.

So is killing prostitutes acceptable so long as you can't get your money back? I'm not disagreeing with Jim, and I know you didn't say that, but I just think this is a case of Rockstar changing the prostitution killing element of their game from 'very terrible' to 'only slightly terrible'.

I love GTA, but to me it's a guilty pleasure, and I'm never gonna take a stand that it actually contributes anything morally valuable to society. It's entertainment, it's story telling, and it's art. Some people are offended by certain art, and some art shouldn't bee seen or heard until you reach a certain maturity level. GTA glorifies crime, but so do Tarantino films, popular music, and so on.
Meh....while I agree that it isn't harmful, I don't think it's at all positive
Holyetheline's Avatar
***SPOILERS***

This game also has a strong hand on family relationships. In many different aspects it teaches you to take care of your family. Whether it is rescuing Roman from a bunch of loan sharks or your friend Pakie telling you that if you bang his sister he will kill you. Even after Packie and his sister fight (much like siblings do) Packie expresses how he loves her in a brief conversation with Niko. Near the beginning of the game when Niko kills the man who slept with Roman's girlfriend... he did it because he cares about Roman and doesn't want to see him get hurt. Then later on when She and Roman are going to get married she calls Niko and tells him that Roman killed the guy out of love for her. Rather then Niko saying "WTF? I killed him and it was a big mess!" he let's Rom be a "hero" and keeps quiet about the whole thing... so as to not crush her vision of Roman.

This game is deep. On many levels. I love it.
Frohike's Avatar
I noticed a similar effect when I first started playing this. It feels like an ethical "uncanny valley," as if the increased realism in some aspects of the game causes you to think twice about what you're doing. I never experienced this in a GTA game before, and I think a few critics have taken notice of this effect as well, especially when discussing the satire of the game.
Murumasa123's Avatar
The characters make the story the best ever.
Niko keeps a clear head, treats women with respect, reasons killing with himself and is a loyal person to his mates who are able to se his human side.
This game is desrving of a 15 unboubtedly and although u can have sex with prossies and headshot everyone moaning in pain u really dont have to.
Btw Jim its Katt Williams. Your so uncool.
SourceDecay's Avatar
I'm about 40% into the game (lots of that being side missions, so probably closer to 25-30% into the game. After I've gotten to know Niko and learning that he's a great guy in a shitty situation, it kinda makes me ill to think that millions of gamers out there are using him to commit senseless violence to get their gaming rocks off. Sure, you can do anything you want with your game, but it really says something about a gamer when they can detach so much from such a sympathetic character - a character that DOESN'T want to be doing these horrible things.

The other GTA games, while also being total tripe, had repellent characters so it was easy to do anything you wanted. Not so here. Not at all.

I'll save all my senseless violence for multiplayer, where I'm not playing as Niko.
Drop of Flame's Avatar
I was thinking about this stuff as well as I played the game. I also noticed that you never see Niko accept drugs from anyone, or drink outside of a bar (from what I've seen so far).
zombiepriest's Avatar
This is true GTA 4 is very grown up compared to the other games. I got drunk with Little Jacob once and I couldn't even get to my car it was so difficult to walk I sobered up before I could make my way to it granted it was across the street but still. and the morality thing I found to be very smart on rockstar's part they took pages from really good games like Bioshock and Gears of War added them into their game with morality and cover and the like.
cjpkiller's Avatar
I think jim's life could be helped by the love of a woman.
or man.
or beast for that matter.
poor fat bastard.
The Unbiased Voice's Avatar
It lets you do what you want with your innerchild or your morality. It just plain lets you do what you want, albeit with some consequences. I like the driving now I got a hold of it.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
"I think jim's life could be helped by the love of a woman."

I'll let my girlfriend know.
Dhaos's Avatar
best read of the day
PipsterX's Avatar
Nice work! I'm sending this link to my friend who doesn't want to play GTA4 because "Shooting hookers in the street and stealing their car isn't my type of game."
bobmcbobbertson's Avatar
Does anyone else know of any more pro-GTAIV articles?
I bought the game, but, as I still live with my parents (don't laugh! I don't pay rent, get free food, and all I do in return is do yard work), they will not allow me to play this game in their house. I've had it for a week and have not even opened the shrinkwrap!
ajaxender's Avatar
That was great except: Jim, not everyone finds the driving frustrating.

I love driving, speeding, crashing into things, and mowing people down in this game. It feels so much more right than in any other game ive ever played. Hitting someone really feels like you hit them. Crashing into stuff and having Niko go headfirst out the windscreen is brilliant.

I also find drunk driving hilarious and a fun challenge(only in game, of course!) Between Niko's suggestions to not drive, and the difficulty to drive without crashing, i think rockstar have done a much better job dealing with drunk driving than if there were no effects at all. Anyone with enough intelligence to deserve to continue living should see that its a bad idea, from this game.

But yeah, other than the comments on the driving, that was a great, thought provoking article. This game has an incredible amount of depth to it.

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