Preview: Grand Theft Auto IV
New carjacking mechanics and weapon specifics detailed. Plus, Ammu-Nation goes MIA and the Web hits Liberty City. This is must-read!
6:30 am. Niko peers around Star Junction, Liberty City's adaptation of Times Square. The constant honking of car horns and growling engines make Star Junction's ambiance seem all too real.
It's early, but Niko needs a bite. A nearby hot dog stand does the job, the quick meal increasing his health, enough for the big job ahead. In GTAIV, health is recovered with food and drink, waving goodbye to the floating health "hearts" of past.
GTAIV could be as big of a jump as the trasition to GTAIII.
Niko has a minor problem. Officer Francis McCreary's dug up a little dirt on him, and to keep the cop quiet, Niko's going to have to do him a favor: take someone out.
It's a lawyer--Goldberg to be exact--one third of the firm Goldberg, Ligner and Shyster. There's no shortage of Rockstar wit, here.
Niko makes the call to McCreary who provides him details about the job. In GTAIV, Niko initiates the action from his cell phone, meaning the player drives the plot instead of being led around as in previous GTA games. With his mission laid out, Niko needs some firepower. But in the new Liberty City, he can't simply stroll into Ammu-Nation and pick up a quick 9. In fact, the infamous gun shop is gone altogether. Niko has to be creative and find other ways to acquire weapons, and that's where his cell phone comes in handy.
Niko rings a contact, Little Jacob, for a piece. They agree on a meeting place in Rotterdam Hill. Niko sets off on foot.
Strolling down the bustling sidewalks of Liberty City, the sun is just rising. Niko passes a newspaper stand. A LCPD car passes on his right, what looks like a PCJ motorcycle follows. "I've gotta move up state," says a passer-by. Another pedestrian brushes close to Niko, and he instinctively nudges him away.
Past a pizza joint, Niko hangs a left, meeting Jacob in an alley. Jacob pops his truck (Niko will purchase weapons in trucks, basements and other low-profile areas. Gone are the unrealistic Rocket Launchers left floating in a backyard pool), revealing a stockpile of illegal weapons in the trunk. A 9mm pistol, a micro SMG and a shotgun are nicely laid out inside. Niko buys the 9.
"This s*** is bananas!", yells a flustered women from her car.
Sufficiently strapped, Niko whistles. A cab pulls up and Niko slides in.
Niko's cell phone is his primary method of contact in GTAIV. Now he initiates the action.
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