EU copy played via the Complete Edition on a PlayStation 3 Super Slim.
GTAIII changed the gaming landscape forever; Vice City expanded on the entertaining gameplay; San Andreas provided a compelling story. So what did Grand Theft Auto IV do?
Well, all of the above all over again really, albeit to a lesser extent in comparison to the combined trilogy. GTA had a reputation of being THE open-world satirical crime drama with real violence, which over the course of the PlayStation 2's life cycle slowly morphed into "with cartoonish violence". Not that the violence on display was any less shocking, but in comparison to other games around San Andreas' release, Rockstar's engine was beginning to show its age a little.
So when GTAIV dropped on the scene, with a new art direction more grounded in realism, it was quite the shock to many people. Movement felt less arcadey, with a real sense of weight and delay to character animations and driving maneuvability. The story itself expanded on the tone SA had already established but also pushed itself by focussing in the here and now. There was no glorification of past time periods here, it was very much a depressing look at the situation modern immigrants can find themselves in whilst moving to America, and GTAIV held no punches.
Mission design felt a lot more seemless, with the huge expanse of a city made of various islands alongside multiple buildings you would traverse on top of and through throughout the story and the lack of required loading screens making the game feel more natural.
The core gamplay itself was fun, with the classic playground exploration still being encouraged via secrets and extra activities, and the overall story of Nico arriving in an America completely devoid of the expectations he had was incredibly compelling. GTAIV marked a huge turning point in the franchise's overall style and presentation but it never quite felt like the wrong turn to me.
GTAIII changed the gaming landscape forever; Vice City expanded on the entertaining gameplay; San Andreas provided a compelling story. So what did Grand Theft Auto IV do?
Well, all of the above all over again really, albeit to a lesser extent in comparison to the combined trilogy. GTA had a reputation of being THE open-world satirical crime drama with real violence, which over the course of the PlayStation 2's life cycle slowly morphed into "with cartoonish violence". Not that the violence on display was any less shocking, but in comparison to other games around San Andreas' release, Rockstar's engine was beginning to show its age a little.
So when GTAIV dropped on the scene, with a new art direction more grounded in realism, it was quite the shock to many people. Movement felt less arcadey, with a real sense of weight and delay to character animations and driving maneuvability. The story itself expanded on the tone SA had already established but also pushed itself by focussing in the here and now. There was no glorification of past time periods here, it was very much a depressing look at the situation modern immigrants can find themselves in whilst moving to America, and GTAIV held no punches.
Mission design felt a lot more seemless, with the huge expanse of a city made of various islands alongside multiple buildings you would traverse on top of and through throughout the story and the lack of required loading screens making the game feel more natural.
The core gamplay itself was fun, with the classic playground exploration still being encouraged via secrets and extra activities, and the overall story of Nico arriving in an America completely devoid of the expectations he had was incredibly compelling. GTAIV marked a huge turning point in the franchise's overall style and presentation but it never quite felt like the wrong turn to me.