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GRAND
THEFT
AUTO
IV
Controversy
aside,
one
has
to admire
the
scope
and
quality
of this
series,
reaching
its
most
vivid
realization
yet
of Liberty
City’s
seedy
underworld.
In this
chapter
the
lead
character
is Niko
Bellic
arriving
from
Eastern
Europe
to live
the
American
Dream.
With
his
low
down
taxi
driving
cousin
spinning
yarns
about
how
great
things
are,
Niko
is soon
faced
with
the
harsh
reality
as they’re
pulled
into
the
world
of crime,
dumping
the
player
who
chose
to undertake
this
mammoth
game
in one
hell
of a
trip
of sleaze
and
violence.
The
large,
free
roaming
city
area
is a
great
combination
of various
gaming
styles,
from
mission-based
action
and
driving,
to shooting
and
fighting.
You
can
spend
hours
driving
around
causing
havoc
(and
believe
me,
the
urge
will
be there,
but
will
wear
off
once
you
realized
you
spent
a lot
of cash
on this
game
and
want
to get
its
full
potential - I hope...).
A wide
range
of radio
channels
can
be tuned
in your
cars,
from
Hardcore
and
Rock,
to Hip-Hop
and
talk
radio.
The
vast
city
includes
a range
of entertainment
areas
from
bars
to strip
clubs
(and
with your original
copy,
you
get
a printed
entertainment
guidebook
listing
these
spots).
Other
printed
material
include
a full
map
of the
city
streets
and
the
subway.
Concerning
the
violence
and
nasty
narratives
attached
to these
titles,
remember
that
this
is for
mature
gamers
(often
a contradiction
in terms,
I know!),
and
is not meant
for
young
players
who
may
either
be disturbed
by it,
or (god
forbid)
try
and
re-enact
the
(often)
glamourized
world
of criminals,
drug
dealers,
killers
and
mobsters.
Like
adult
themed
movies
with
violence
and
sexual
content,
it is
up to
the
parents
to ensure
their
kids
are
not
exposed
to material
which
may
have
an adverse
effect
on them.
I wasn’t
inspired
to become
a gun-toting
drug
dealer
after
seeing Scarface on its release (around
6 years
away
from
the
age
restriction),
nor
after
playing
this
(at
double
the
age
of the
18 age
restriction),
so let’s
hope
that’s
true
for
all
who
find
this
to be
gritty
entertainment,
and
nothing
more.
5
/ B
- Paul
Blom
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