GTA 4

Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV)

 released in 2008 by Rockstar Games, is a critically acclaimed open-world action-adventure game set in the fictional Liberty City, which is heavily inspired by New York City. It follows the story of Niko Bellic, an immigrant from Eastern Europe, who comes to America seeking a better life but quickly gets caught up in a life of crime and violence.

Full Storyline of GTA IV:

Prologue:

Niko Bellic arrives in Liberty City from Eastern Europe, seeking a fresh start and a better life. He is greeted by his cousin, Roman, who runs a small taxi business but has exaggerated the wealth and opportunities of life in America. Roman is in debt to various criminals and has trouble maintaining his business. Niko learns that he has come to Liberty City not only to pursue the American Dream but also to track down the people responsible for betraying and killing his family members back in his homeland.

Act 1:

Niko begins working with Roman, helping him with his taxi business and trying to clear his cousin’s debts to various shady characters. Niko also meets other characters in Liberty City, including:

• Vlad Glebov, a Russian gangster who harasses Roman.
• Mikhail Faustin, a leader of the Russian mafia, and his associate Dimitri Rascalov, who plays a key role in the story.

Niko's actions to protect Roman and deal with the criminal world bring him into a conflict with these figures. Tensions rise as Niko's old acquaintance, Vlad, betrays him and is killed in a confrontation. After that, Niko works for Mikhail Faustin but later kills him due to Dimitri’s betrayal.

Act 2:

Niko, after the death of Faustin, forms a shaky alliance with Dimitri Rascalov, who now seeks to control the Russian mafia. Dimitri's plans lead to further betrayal, including a deal gone wrong, which forces Niko and Roman into even greater danger. Throughout this act, Niko's mission to track down those who wronged him continues. He eventually faces a series of choices, including whether or not to work with certain characters.

Act 3:

Niko becomes increasingly entwined in the world of organized crime. Dimitri's betrayals become more pronounced, leading to a series of violent confrontations. Niko must make several critical choices that affect the outcome of the story, including whether to betray or spare certain characters, leading to different endings.

Ending:

The game's ending depends on the choices made by the player in the final mission:

1. Deal Ending: Niko decides to make a deal with Dimitri to take down a larger criminal syndicate. However, this choice leads to Roman’s death, and Niko’s quest for revenge continues.
2. Revenge Ending: Niko chooses to take revenge on Dimitri, resulting in a bloody showdown. In this ending, Roman survives, but Niko’s life is further stained by violence.

The choices in the final act lead to two different outcomes, with Niko either avenging his family and finding some form of peace or continuing the cycle of violence that has plagued his life.

Playtime:

• Main Story Playtime: The main storyline of GTA IV typically takes around 25-35 hours to complete, depending on the player's playstyle and how much of the game world they explore.
• 100% Completion: If you aim to complete all the side missions, challenges, and collectables, the total playtime can extend to about 50-70 hours.

Rating:

GTA IV received widespread critical acclaim, especially for its deep story, complex characters, and the realistic depiction of Liberty City. The game is often considered one of the greatest video games of its generation.

• Metacritic Score: 98/100 (PlayStation 3), 90/100 (PC), and 98/100 (Xbox 360).
• User Scores: Generally around 9/10 across most platforms.
  
  
  

The game was praised for:

• Its compelling, gritty story.
• The emotional depth of Niko Bellic as a character.
• The stunning, realistic recreation of Liberty City.
• The highly immersive open-world gameplay.

However, some criticism was directed at the game's slower pacing and the complexity of some missions.

Overall Opinion:

GTA IV is a landmark title in the Grand Theft Auto series, and while it may not be as action-heavy as its successors, it offers a deeper, more nuanced narrative with memorable characters. Its realistic world-building and emotional core make it one of the most significant games in the open-world genre.