Navigate through Grand Theft Auto 4
The 4th part of the game series, Grand Theft Auto IV is an engaging edition of the GTA games, set in Liberty City. Developed by Rockstar Games, in GTA IV too, one has to make their way across the city, by stealing cars and going on missions. With spectacular graphics, an engaging storyline, challenging missions, and more, Grand Theft Auto IV is one super game.
What is the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto IV?
Set in Liberty City, or New York City basically, one navigates through the streets of the metropolitan, while recognizes famous landmarks in New York. The single or multi-player game follows a third-person perspective, and explore the city on foot or on a stolen vehicle. The single game is played from the point of view of Niko Bellic, while in the multi-player online version, you can play in teams, competing with each other on missions.
Throughout this action-adventure game, the single players are given tasks and missions to complete. One can use firearms, and navigate the sitting by running, walking, jumping, or by capturing a vehicle and driving. Health-meter monitors the damage done, and a number of regenerative tools like eating, first aid kids, calling paramedics, can help restore lives.
What’s the storyline?
The game follows the Eastern European ex-soldier Niko Bellic, who has arrived in Liberty City (modeled on New York City), aboard a cargo ship called Platypus. He has to meet his cousin Roman, to have a good life in America. However, Niko gets trapped in Roman’s world of lies and finds himself escaping the evils of loan-sharks and criminal activity. Niko gets entwined deeper into the world of crime and drugs and finds his way around Liberty City to escape the evils of this crime-filled world.
What are the best features of Grand Theft Auto IV?
One of the best features of the game is its integration of music into the gameplay. So when Niko steals a car, the radio stations are on, giving the players the autonomy to change channels, listening to over 19 different radio stations, with its own unique soundtrack and music. The songs are stupendous and one gets to hear legends like Elton John, Bob Marley, The Who, Genesis, and many more. Apart from the songs, there are a number of real voice artists whose voices can be heard as radio station persons.
Another plus point for GTA IV is the autonomy it gives the players. There’s a storyline, but it is not linear in nature, and the players have a lot more autonomy to make choices that don’t necessarily fit into the main plot of the game.
Apart from the gameplay, the actual storyline and the backstories are truly well-written and gives a lot of context to what is going on in the game. Like the other GTA games, this one too has spectacular graphics and the setting looks too real. The play is exciting and one is always at the edge of the seat, trying to pass the next mission.
What are the negatives of GTA 4?
The one big critique for GTA 4, and for the other Grand Theft Auto games too, is that the story and the gameplay promote carjacking, kidnapping and various other illegal activities, doing which one can win missions and reach the end. The storyline and the backstories seem only too real, and the realistic nature of the game may have real-world repercussions.
What are the alternatives to Grand Theft Auto 4?
The other GTA games are perhaps the biggest competitors to GTA IV, as they have similar gameplay and missions, similar stories and themes, and almost the same tools that are needed to finish the game. Apart from the GTA games, some alternatives to GTA 4 are Watchdogs, Lego City Undercover, Sleeping Dogs, etc.
What’s the final verdict on Grand Theft Auto IV?
GTA 4 is an extremely engaging single or multi-player game, which lives up to the popularity of the GTA games. The realistic setting, the captivating storyline, the exciting gameplay and the number of challenging missions make the game truly worth playing. However, the larger debate remains whether this game promotes kidnapping, criminal activity, carjacking, or more. Taken just as a game with no real-world repercussions, Grand Theft Auto IV is an immersive experience, and is highly loved by gamers. The music by legendary artists and singers is also a big draw for this version. Do try it out!
