Welcome To Paradise: GTA IV Is The Best Grand Theft Auto Ever!

You can say what you want about the blokes at Rockstar but there is no denying this: Much like the characters that star in their games, they know how to stay cool when things get hot and heavy.

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It's good to be back home: Grand Theft Auto IV is set in the familiar Liberty City, where the grass is green and the girls are definitely pretty...

It's good to be back home: Grand Theft Auto IV is set in the familiar Liberty City, where the grass is green and the girls are definitely pretty...

Lesser companies would have crumbled under the weight of the controversy and the intense media scrutiny that the company has had to endure. But not Rockstar: if anything, the adversity seems to have made the company stronger and, most importantly, smarter.

GTA IV at a Glance

PROS:
  • It's the best GTA ever, in all ways. If you thought the other GTA titles were impressive, just wait until you get your hands on GTA IV.
  • We're serious. In terms of city size, gameplay mechanics, mission types, narrative story and user empowerment, GTA IV is without a doubt the finest distillation of the GTA formula yet.
  • In short, the game succeeds on pretty much every level. That's not hyperbole, people: it's fact.
CONS:
  • There aren't many things wrong with the game. But if we had to nitpick, the story gets weighed down at points by the introduction of too many characters. You practically need a program to keep track of who's who and what's what.
  • The trademark "GTA glitches" also abound. Clipping issues and other wonky behavior will have you either rolling your eyes or laughing your ass off.
  • But as far as negatives go, that's about it. Even if there are other problems, you'll be too busy having the time of your life to care.

And not only are they dealing with political pressure from outside the industry, they're also going head to head with the most nefarious beast of all: fan expectations.

Working on one of the most anticipated game of the year has to be a nerve-wracking experience, especially considering the success of the previous titles. Add in the fact that the series was making the jump to the more powerful new-gen consoles and you have a perfect storm scenario for what could have amounted to a colossal letdown.

In short, Rockstar had the wolves snarling at their throats. And what does the company do under these adverse conditions? They go and develop a Grand Theft Auto title that not only trumps all the others but manages to overshadow nearly every other game released in this generation.

GTA IV isn't just a game. It's a testament to the immense talent and take-no-prisoners mentality that has made Rockstar the company that it is today. Oh, and it just happens to be a heck of a lot of fun. We don't use the words "must-own title" very often here at GamePro but if you don't rush out and buy this game on day one, you will miss out on one of the best gaming experiences ever produced.

So strap yourselves in and ride shotgun with Senior Editor Chris Morell as he guides you around the ins and outs of Grand Theft Auto IV. Trust us when we say that he's got one hell of a tour lined up for you.

And if you see us walking around the virtual streets Liberty City, be sure to stop and say hello.

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Ahoy_and_Avast

You're telling me, guys. I want my damn copy right now!!! Considering Kotaku got theirs yesterday, I'm guessing our advance copies were sent out already and are sitting in some storeroom at the local UPS office. I almost want to go down there and cause a huge scene.

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