|
 For Niko Bellic, fresh off the boat from Europe, it is the hope he can
escape his past. For his cousin, Roman, it is the vision that together
they can find fortune in Liberty City, gateway to the land of
opportunity. As they slip into debt and are dragged into a criminal
underworld by a series of shysters, thieves and sociopaths, they
discover that the reality is very different from the dream in a city
that worships money and status, and is heaven for those who have them
and a living nightmare for those who don?t.
Beginning with the 1997 release of the original Grand Theft Auto, the GTA
series has been one of the most prolific, controversial and down right
entertaining franchises in video games history. This pedigree of
success guarantees that the highly anticipated eleventh game in the
series, Grand Theft Auto IV, will garner at least as much attention if not more.
Grand Theft Auto IV is a brand new adventure in the GTA
universe following the experiences of Nikolai "Niko" Bellic, a new
immigrant from an undisclosed eastern European country whose troubled
pa st and the persuasion of his cousin Roman have brought him to the
fictional Liberty City. Unfortunately, Niko?s search for the American
Dream and a much needed fresh start, hits an immediate snag when the
rags to riches story Roman spun to pique Niko's interest is exposed as
not only a complete fabrication, but a ploy to enlist Niko?s well-known
skills as a tough guy against the ample list of enemies clamoring for
Roman?s debt-ridden blood.
Price: $59.99
Because Roman is the only person Niko
knows in Liberty City he begrudgingly accepts his role as Roman?s
protector despite the deception. But as time goes on Niko comes into
his own, and his experience on the wrong side of the tracks proves more
valuable than he could have ever imagined as he fights for survival and
later supremacy on the crime ridden streets of Liberty City.
Return to Liberty City. |
The dream as Niko expected it.
|
There's always a catch.
|
But some skills are international.
|
Game Environments
Based
on several of the boroughs of New York City and parts of New Jersey,
Liberty City, familiar to players of previous games in the series, has
been entirely redesigned for GTA IV. Players can expect visible
detail down to the weeds growing in the cracks in the sidewalk, cars
and buildings of visibly different ages and a much greater level if
verticality in the buildings and bridges that they are able to explore
as Niko moves through the city streets. In addition, pedestrians in GTA IV
are much more realistic. No longer simply moving cardboard cutouts,
these NPCs are intelligent, modern, human representations that laugh,
cry, eat, drink, use cell phones and ATMs, and talking amongst
themselves regardless of Niko?s interaction with them.
Gameplay
Historically GTA
games have focused heavily on mission-based play, requiring successful
completion of fixed tasks in order for players to progress through the
game, but this has changed to a great extent in GTA IV. Players
will experience an entirely new and exciting emphasis centered on the
blending of on-mission and off-mission play, resulting not only in an
increased sense of realism, but more interesting and unrestricted
gameplay.
Features
Aside from the car jacking and a detailed city environment here are the new features for GTA IV:
- Improved
combat system - Now you can use cover and also a target lock system,
which allows you to take out targets with greater ease and accuracy.
Plus, you can engage in some hand-to-hand combat if you can't get your
hands on a piece quick enough.
- Cell phone - Not just for
basic phone calls anymore. Use your in-game cell phone to receive
missions via SMS, snap photos, and ZiT (tag) songs that can be
downloaded exclusively on Amazon.com/mp3.
- Free time - In
between missions you can take advantage of "me" time. There are
gentleman's clubs, comedy clubs, bowling alleys, and bars, which all
house unique activities.
- Take a break from the storyline - A
variety of side missions allow you to help run a car service, "borrow"
cop cars, assassinate targets, help solve problems for those on the
street, or take to the air with stunt jumps that are scattered all over
the city.
- Control your own fate - Throughout the game choice
moments will arrive causing you to make a decision that will affect
relationships and money.
Multiplayer
Give Niko a rest and create your own multiplayer "hero." GTA
has added multiplayer modes allowing you to take your creation out to
play online in competitive, co-op, and free form modes. Competitive
mode has you fighting against the cops, jacking cars, or racing to
finish odd jobs. Co-op challenges you and your friends with various
tasks including Hangman's NOOSE where you are responsible for escorting
a wanted kingpin to a safe extraction point. Freeform lets you and 15
others lose on Liberty City. Use this mode to hit up the bar and play
virtual darts versus each other or head out to the streets and set up
your own drag races. If you can dream it, you can do it in Freeform
mode.
Price: $59.99
 |
Video Games 
Show/Hide comment form
