Pros: excellent new graphics, loads of new content, great storyline, insane replay value
Cons: planes are not available, character can not be customized as much as GTA San Andreas
The bottom line: This is without a doubt the best "sandbox" genre game and GTA game in existence. Get it !
Rockstar releases yet another masterpiece of entertainment with Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA 4). Before I go into the review, I must provide a disclaimer. Yes, this is the series that has generated so much controversy over inappropriate content in its games. This is not a game for children ! It's no different than an R rated movie. However, just like the previous GTA games, what makes this game great is not the controversial content. It's a shame that the reputation of the GTA series prevents many people from truly learning about and appreciating just what an outstanding video game series this has become. Now, onto the review ....

The GTA series gained a lot of traction starting with Grand Theft Auto 3. This is the game that first popularized the "sandbox" genre of video games. A sandbox game is similar to an adventure game or role playing game in that there is a linear progression of regular missions throughout the game. However, there are also loads of other things to do. The user is free to choose what they want to do next. Of course, the player can also choose to do nothing productive and just create chaos. What makes the game so fun is the incredible amount of content in the game. Each game since GTA 3 has introduced more content than the previous game. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas raised the bar to a ridiculous new standard with the amount of content. Grand Theft Auto 4 has met this standard and greatly improved on it.

The main character of the game is Niko Bellic, a Serbian immigrant who comes to Liberty City to pursue the American dream with his cousin Roman. He quickly realizes that life in the US is not quite like his cousin has been telling him. He must do whatever it takes to make something of his new life. The main story line consists of the usual mission types from previous GTA games. A lot of the missions involve committing various crimes for money or to gain the respect of a certain character. Successfully completing one missions makes more story line missions available. The main story line is excellent. The animated scenes for the missions are very well done and look great. There are also a lot of very interesting characters in the game. In addition to the regular 100 or so main story line missions, GTA 4 also contains many of the same side missions, mini-games and "odd jobs" as previous GTA games. Of course, the player is once again free to just ignore the story line altogether if they wish. Once again, there is an absolutely insane amount of game content. There are enough different things to do that you'll stay busy for a very long time. It's this combination of great story line missions with all of the extra content and the freedom to do what you want when you want that makes this game so great.

I have to admit that GTA 4 is not the biggest step up in game content over a previous GTA. GTA San Andreas holds that title. However, GTA 4 retains a similar level of content and improves in so many other areas. For example, the graphics have been greatly improved with Rockstar's RAGE game engine. This is the first GTA console game that has super sharp high-definition graphics. Rockstar made great improvements to fighting and using weapons. They also introduced clever new mini-games like bowling and darts and improved on the dating concept from the previous game. Cell phones, televisions and ATM machines are now all usable. People are much more realistic and varied in how they act. The game physics are much more improved. For example, crashing into a garbage can has a different effect than crashing into a light pole. There are also a lot more things the user can do, such as take cover and climb ladders. In addition, there are finally several multi-player modes available to share the chaos with online friends. Where GTA San Andreas raised the bar for game CONTENT, GTA 4 has applied all of the polish and completed all of the missing details to create an outstanding game experience that surpasses any of the previous GTA games and arguably any existing game.

There is one problem I have with the game. The player is no longer able to fly airplanes. Airplanes were a huge part of GTA San Andreas and contributed to some of the best missions in the entire GTA series. I spent a large percentage of my time flying planes and I also loved pilot school. Interestingly, helicopters are still flyable in GTA 4. So, that makes up somewhat for the removal of the planes. Still, I'll really miss the planes. They added something truly unique to the game and I hope to see their return either through down loadable content or in a future GTA release.

Grand Theft Auto 4 is one of those games that you just have to play to really appreciate. It's really like a dozen or so different video games because it incorporates so many different game types. It contains so much content that it's almost impossible to run out of things to do. The game is well worth the $60 as you will easily be entertained for a long time. Grand Theft Auto 4 has the potential to be the best video game of all time.