Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) (VG)

User Rating:

9.6/10   

Director:

Rod Edge

Writers:

Dan Houser (written by) &
Rupert Humphries (written by) ...

Release Date:

29 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Welcome to Liberty City, where the only dirty word is hope

Plot:

Niko Bellic comes to Liberty City, America to live the good life, but ends up having to assist his dangerously indebted cousin Roman with his financial troubles, by any (mostly illegal) means necessary.

Plot Keywords:

Immigrant | Black Comedy | Benelli M3 | Controversy | Statue Of Liberty New York City

Cast

Michael Hollick	...	Niko Bellic (voice)
Jason Zumwalt	...	Roman Bellic (voice)
Timothy Adams	...	Brucie Kibbutz (voice)
Moti Margolin	...	Dimitri Rascalov (voice)
Doris Belack	...	Maureen McReary (voice)
Thomas Lyons	...	Deputy Commissioner Francis McReary (voice)
P.J. Sosko	...	Gerry McReary (voice)
Ryan Johnston	...	Patrick 'Packie' McReary (voice)
Mary Catherine Donnelly	...	Kate McReary (voice)
Coolie Ranx	...	'Little' Jacob Hughes (voice)
Seeborn	...	Teafore 'Real Badman' Maxwell-Davies (voice)
Charlie Parker	...	Elizabeta Torres (voice)
Tony Patellis	...	Jimmy Pegorino (voice)
Joseph Barbara	...	Ray Boccino (voice)
Frank Bonsangue	...	Phil Bell (voice)

Also Known As:

GTA 4 (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
GTA IV (International: English title) (short title)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English | Russian | Serbian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:18 | USA:M | Australia:MA (censored version) | Singapore:M18 | Norway:18 (self applied) | New Zealand:R18 (uncensored version) | New Zealand:R18 (censored version) | Germany:18 (uncensored)

Company:

Rockstar North

Trivia:

The character of Brian Meech, one on the random characters that Niko can meet on the street, tells Niko on their third meeting that he resorted to performing oral sex on people to support his heroin habit. This is close to the same story as Rick Shapiro, who features on the PLR radio station within the game.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): On Public Liberty Radio's 'The Pacemaker' show, Waylon Mason explains that his mother died during childbirth, but later refers to her as "leaving him in dirty diapers all day", despite the fact she died during his childbirth, which is verified when he and his father home-cremated her.

Quotes:

[First lines]
Dave Bosoy: Daddy's back, you bitches... Daddy's back, you bitches!

Movie Connections:

Features Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Knucklehead

What I wanted it to be, and more

This game is is near-perfect, that game that many GTA fans have been eagerly anticipating, and I personally couldn't be happier about the result. I haven't beaten it yet, but I can still post this review, because I know that no matter how far I am from the end, I am, with the risk of sounding arrogant, completely confident that it will remain enthralling and entertaining throughout.

Something must be said about the details: I would consider this a waste of a review if I didn't mention them. Sure, the graphics may sometimes be a little rough during cut scenes, but that little quibble makes so little difference that you would be cheating yourself to pay too much attention to it. The lighting is great, the textures are awesome, and I love just looking around sometimes. Whether you see someone struggling with their groceries on a sidewalk, a car that occasionally backfires, or cops that are pursuing criminals that have nothing to do with you, the lovingly added extra touches are very satisfying. I love the driving, even though it does take a little getting used to. And the aiming system! Man, the aiming system is definitely a hundred times better. You can take cover behind virtually anything wide enough to hide your body. And while the half-press-for-free-aim-full-press-for-auto-aim is initially a little annoying, by the time I had completed the fifth or sixth gunfight in the game, I hardly noticed it.

The story is great, of course, and the voice acting is superb. There are many more things I could discuss here (comedy clubs, dating, internet, and much more) I will end my review here with these words: if you own a PS3 or an Xbox 360, and are looking for a game that can keep you occupied for up to at least 40+ hours, then BUY THIS GAME! You won't be disappointed.