It's been a long road to No. 4 for the "Grand Theft Auto" series.
Controversy, lawsuits, a recall and re-release under the exceedingly rare Adults Only rating - these are just some of the trials faced by "Grand Theft Auto III" and its numerous spin-offs.
But now, here we are with "Grand Theft Auto IV." It has already stirred up familiar voices calling the game out for portraying graphic violence, gyrating strippers, prostitutes, drugs, alcohol, crime, mayhem and murder. And it's true - the game has all these things and more. That's why it's rated for players age 17 and older. "GTA IV" isn't kids' stuff, and doesn't pretend to be.
The game is terrific. It doesn't have the same "oh wow" factor that made "Grand Theft Auto III" such a monster hit, but it's an extremely well-made game in all respects. It has flaws - the melee combat is still weak and it's aggressively male-oriented (perhaps there'll be a playable female character one of these games). And some of the missions aren't far off from what we've seen in previous games. But no one does this style of open-ended game play better than Rockstar, and not for lack of trying by imitators.
Protagonist Niko Bellic, an Eastern European illegal immigrant with a hard past and a rough-edged look. He isn't like the voiceless guy in "Grant Theft Auto III" or even like the Mafioso thug of "GTA: Vice City." He's a real character given depth and development as the plot progresses, mostly through pre-mission movie sequences and conversations with buddies while driving around town or talking on the phone. He's a smart-aleck, easygoing with his friends, but quick to answer threats and violence in kind.
Niko's past is part of why he's come to Liberty City, the "GTA" universe's stand-in for New York. The other part is his cousin Roman, a boisterous guy with a shabby apartment, a modest cab business and a gambling problem.
He's optimistic and confident that Niko can help him make good. Things don't go as planned, and Niko finds himself working as a hired gun for various crime lords around the city which includes renamed facsimiles of several New York boroughs, as well as New Jersey and a handful of small islands. The city feels incredibly lifelike and lived-in - it's a place where there isn't enough money or manpower to clean up the garbage in the alleyways or the criminals on the streets.
There is a rich vein of satirical humor evident in the game's businesses, billboards and radio stations. Especially fun are the political attack ads and other "commercials" that pepper the game's radio broadcasts, which include a generous sampling of music, ranging from modern rock to rap to Eastern European music and American jazz.
The town is larger, more detailed and meaner than in "GTA III." It doesn't sprawl like the trio of Western U.S. cities in "GTA: San Andreas" - it's more focused and streamlined, and so is the game overall. This is mostly for the better - the last few entries were a bit bloated. This installment is most similar to "GTA III," but without feeling like a step back.
Niko won't be spending time pumping iron, and he won't get fat from eating too many burgers - the fiddly character-management details of "San Andreas" have largely been excised, Instead of taking care of himself, Niko takes care of his friends and girlfriends.
He can go out with Roman and other characters to play games or drink or visit a strip club, and he can take several women out on dates - try bowling or the comedy club (Ricky Gervais headlines). Niko's relationships with the other characters are important - some of them offer a special service when they like Niko enough, such as Roman's free cab service.
The combat is much improved with over-the-shoulder precision aiming combined with the familiar lock-on targeting. But the camera angles don't cause problems like they used to, and it's a cinch to aim for vital areas. Shootouts are finally fun rather than simply endurable.
There's a new system for police attention, as well. The established "wanted" ratings remain, but this time Niko can escape attention by remaining unseen long enough to drive out of the police search range, then keeping a low profile for a few moments.
The search area widens with each wanted level, so good luck escaping from really cheesed-off authorities.
"GTA IV" is also a multiplayer contender, with online modes ranging from a do-whatever free mode and a cops-and-crooks chase to standard death matches and street races, with many others for teams or free-for-alls. It's great fun, especially the less structured modes, which tend to quickly dissolve into glorious anarchy.
GRAND THEFT AUTO IV
4 stars
PUBLISHER: Rockstar Games
SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360, also for Sony PlayStation 3
PRICE: $59.99
AGE RATING: Mature
