GTA IV 📽 Through the Lens

📢 GTA VI TRAILER DROPPED LAST WEEK! 📢

Best believe I'm still doing GTA articles. 🥳

Hey, Hiver! Do you want to go bowling? 😂 No? Well, I'll just travel to HD land by my lonesome then. Won't you join me in examining this new age of gaming? We don't have to go bowling, I know you hate going bowling.

Therefore❗️ In this edition of Through the Lens 🎞, we'll be taking a look at Rockstar Games' open-world slavic imigrant simulator from 2008: GTA IV. ◀️

(I wonder what convinced them to go back to the numbered titles)

Roll it! 📽

🔷 UP TOP 🔶

The radio here is nothing to write home about. But the soundtrack itself? I think it's the most iconic GTA soundtrack yet, or close to it. I know that some prefer GTA V's or the San Andreas soundtrack. But for me, the opening theme here just fits so well with the story being presented. Dark, scary, serious.

_{Compossed and compiled by Michael Hunter}

At the time of GTA IV's release, I was heavily into RPG games. I finally played it a couple of years later and was glad to do so. For many people this is the best GTA game. And I get it. The graphics, the physics, the immersion aspects. All the elements in this game work together to create this synced vision. It all makes sense, and creative works like that always inspire people to love.

GTA IV was a part of the turning point in the industry. It was at the helm of spearheading the jump from 3D to HD. With the gaming audience finally getting to experience what the PS3 could really do. Up to that point, the hardware was still not optimized, and the games looked more like PS2 than anything else. Now though, the full power of the new systems can finally flourish. // and in 2023, PS3 graphics look like clay, how tech evolves...

🔷 NEW ENGINE 🔶

Gone are the days of shaded characters and no actual shadows. Now, we have HD! Actual lighting and actual physics that try to imitate the real world. I know! Such a novel idea. The idea wasn't the problem though, the tech just got up to speed with the requirements. Artists finally got to flex their muscles. 🎨

Apart from looking like the best GTA game thus far, it also felt different. Mostly in how things drove. In previous games, the cars were much easier to handle. Here, they were glued to the ground and harder to control. This is by far the most controversial part about this title - the driving. To this day people say that GTA IV has the worst driving of the series.

Is this true is another topic of discussion. I find that driving is not as bad as people say. Yes, it's hard. But it also allows for improvements in your driving skills. You will become a better driver by playing this game. And I mean in the game, not in real life. Duh. But the driving is skill-based, and annoying, so I can see why people hate it so much.

Another addition was the physics system. Cars got damaged realistically. You can get thrown off bikes and through windshields. Etc. This was the first GTA game with actual physics. And while it was wonky at times, it still provided the series a necessary freshness.

🔷 FRESHNESS 🔶

The map of the game is the city of Liberty City. No surrounding areas like San Andreas, it's just the city. It's also very bleak, very dark. But this all goes hand in hand with the desired tone of the game. Which is depressing as %&@#.

This is the first GTA game with such a serious tone. And for many people this is the best GTA story. If you met me on the street and presented this opinion 0 I wouldn't argue. There are so many vivid characters and interesting plot points that I understand why someone would say this si the apex of GTA storytelling.

Regardless, this is the most grounded GTA title. There is still that same characteristic of goofiness, but not to the extent we've grown accustomed to. Niko is by far the most human protagonist we've had (his cousin too) and his plight is felt and understood.

The game also adds a lot of immersive elements that were previously lacking. For one thing, gone are the stats from San Andreas. A feature I miss to this very day. There are different types of clothing stores and restaurants like before, yes, but the selection is sparse and the impact on the character is minimal.

Another immersive element is the many activities you get to do around town. These are much more involved than before, and you get to bring along girlfriends and friends to just hang out and play mini-games with. A nice upgrade from San Andreas.

The phone is another immersive aspect that would be even more expanded in GTA V. It allows you to contact NPCs and also call numbers you find in the world: FUN FACT: You can dial every number you find. ☎️ You can even add background and customize your phone later on. Something they didn't have to add.

🔷 LEGACY 🔶

GTA IV presents the biggest leap since GTA III. I guess that's why they numbered it. 😁 IT has gotten slightly overshadowed by the juggernaut that is GTA V. But it still represents a crucial part of the franchise, and gaming in general.

Like I've already said, if you like one GTA you like them all. But GTA IV for better or worse will be remembered more I think than other titles like Vice City for instance. The things it brought to the scene are too valuable to forget.

One of the best games of its generation, with one of the best casts of characters in gaming. A staple for any nerd out there, and a game worth remembering. Especially when you take into account its two great DLCs that add so much to the base game's story that they have become a must-play once you finish the game.

Thank you for reading, you rock! (and maybe roll) 👏👏👏

🖼️ Image Sources: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 🖼️

Shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙

The next game should be very obvious - finally gonna cover GTA V. High time too. After that? Probably an analysis of the GTA VI trialer? After that? Give me a break ok? We'll see what's up after we conclude with the GTA series of articles. Until then! 👋

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I hope you are having an amazing week! 🙌