Grand Theft Auto IV

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 42,013 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Grand Theft Auto IV Game Cover
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Grand Theft Auto IV is an action-adventure game with an intriguing single-player story and multiplayer mode for up to 32 players. Players navigate the open world of Liberty City, playing as Niko Bellic in the main campaign, and new protagonists in the expansion packs The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. With good graphics, soundtrack, and replayability, the game offers a dense atmosphere and hilarious moments, despite some bugs and grinding.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 42,013 reviews
story3,870 positive mentions
optimization787 negative mentions
  • story9,585 mentions

    The story of Grand Theft Auto IV is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, focusing on the dark and gritty journey of protagonist Niko Bellic as he navigates the criminal underworld of Liberty City. Many players appreciate the intertwining narratives of the main game and its DLCs, "The Lost and Damned" and "The Ballad of Gay Tony," which enhance the overall experience. However, numerous reviews highlight significant bugs, particularly in the final mission, which can hinder gameplay and detract from the story's impact.

    • “The story is captivating, the graphics are excellent, and the gameplay is incredibly fun.”
    • “The story is dark and realistic, even more immersing myself into this game.”
    • “This game has such great characters and story that the many flaws that a nearly decade and a half old game inherently have are easily overlooked.”
    • “I don't understand how this game has this many positive reviews if only 5% finish the last mission; it's a joke.”
    • “I can't even begin to explain how disappointed I am in being unable to finish the last mission of the game; glitches after glitches after glitches, tried everything and yet the game just doesn't let me finish the mission.”
    • “The last mission is literally impossible because of a glitch tied to the game's original 30 frames per second; you can't hit the button fast enough to pass it.”
  • graphics2,447 mentions

    The graphics of Grand Theft Auto IV have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's detailed environments and character models that were impressive for its 2008 release. However, players frequently report significant optimization issues, including low frame rates and graphical glitches, particularly on modern hardware. While some users find the graphics still hold up well with the help of mods, others express frustration over the game's inability to utilize more than 512MB of VRAM, leading to a subpar visual experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight of the game, but they are marred by technical problems that detract from the experience.

    • “The game's graphics are impressive, with highly detailed environments and character models that bring the game's version of New York City to life.”
    • “The graphics and sound design are also excellent, creating a truly immersive and believable world that feels alive and dynamic.”
    • “The game's graphics are also top-notch, with stunning character models, lifelike environments, and beautiful lighting that bring the world to life.”
    • “This game stutters like a mofo and crashes in every single cutscene; and no, lowering the graphics does not help out.”
    • “The game really needs a remaster so that you can actually play it without either constant stutters or graphic glitches.”
    • “The graphics are laughable (it's from 2008 so can't expect much) definitely not playable in 2021, the optimization is very poor, gives the same fps as gta5 which is miles better than this game.”
  • gameplay2,066 mentions

    The gameplay of Grand Theft Auto IV is a mixed bag, praised for its engaging story, detailed world, and advanced physics, but criticized for clunky driving mechanics and repetitive mission structures. While many players appreciate the realism and depth of the gameplay, others find it frustrating due to its dated mechanics and lack of variety compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, it offers a unique experience that balances fun and immersion, though it may not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to the more polished mechanics of later entries like GTA V.

    • “The gameplay is where Grand Theft Auto IV truly shines, with a variety of missions and activities to complete.”
    • “Its advanced physics engine, combined with its engaging storyline and immersive gameplay, set a new standard for open-world gaming.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying, with a variety of missions and activities to keep players engaged for hours on end.”
    • “Some people have criticized the game's driving mechanics, which can feel clunky and imprecise at times.”
    • “Additionally, the game's shooting mechanics are not as refined as some of its contemporaries.”
    • “The gameplay is so choppy and bad.”
  • optimization1,710 mentions

    The optimization of Grand Theft Auto IV on PC has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. Many players have noted that the game is poorly optimized for modern hardware, requiring extensive tweaks and third-party mods to achieve playable performance. Despite its engaging story and gameplay, the technical shortcomings of the PC port have led to a frustrating experience for many, making it difficult to recommend without caveats regarding its optimization challenges.

    • “Some mods for GTA IV work better on different versions depending on your needs, but as a general rule of thumb, ENBs and graphic mods work better on older ones while script and gameplay mods are more optimized for newer ones.”
    • “The complete edition finally fixed the performance issues this game had for years.”
    • “I recommend anyone who's interested in a consistent play-through to play on Xbox Series S/X as that's the most optimized and smooth way to play.”
    • “Even on a somewhat modern system, this game struggles; poorly optimized.”
    • “The game itself is great, already a classic like pretty much every GTA, but it's poorly optimized for PC gaming, hence glitches, bugs, insufficient performance, etc.”
    • “Despite all the performance issues, the characters were all interesting and though Niko's plotline did have some holes - I am happy I got to experience the game.”
  • music1,035 mentions

    The music in Grand Theft Auto IV has received mixed reviews, with many praising its diverse and immersive soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere. However, a significant number of players express disappointment over the removal of numerous iconic tracks due to licensing issues, which has led to a diminished experience compared to the original release. While the game allows players to add their own music through a custom radio feature, the absence of beloved songs has left a notable gap in the overall enjoyment for many fans.

    • “The voice acting and soundtrack are also top-notch, with the game's radio stations offering a wide variety of music and talk shows that add to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The city is pretty and the music's good.”
    • “The soundtrack is well thought out, the physics engine is advanced and the map is well detailed.”
    • “Rockstar has removed some music (I believe due to expired licenses), like for example, the one Bathory song that used to be in LCHC.”
    • “They removed many well-known songs from the radio (like: Seryoga – King Ring, Glukoza – Швайне, Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen, David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over), they removed multiplayer and this 1.0.8.0 patch no one wanted removed the ability to install mods.”
    • “The only negative thing I have to say about this game is the technical issues and patches and updates made to the game by Rockstar Games, like removing copyrighted music from the game and shutting down online and the whole Rockstar Games launcher thing that makes the game unshareable in family library on Steam.”
  • stability754 mentions

    The stability of the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience game-breaking problems, particularly during missions, and frequent crashes or freezes, especially on modern hardware. While some have managed to improve their experience through troubleshooting and mods, the overall consensus is that the game remains a poorly optimized and unstable port, making it difficult to recommend without reservations.

    • “Really impressed with this game after such a long time; it runs great now.”
    • “18 hours in and have experienced no glitches yet.”
    • “Despite limiting the distance view, immediate details look fantastic and the game runs great without any lag.”
    • “I would never recommend downloading this game to anyone if I knew how buggy it turned out to be... random explosions, black screen randomly appearing, mission blocked during cinematics, etc. I tried deleting it and reinstalling it, and my PC is more than capable to run the game...”
    • “This game is a buggy mess. The last mission is extremely buggy, and I can't even finish it because of glitches. It's frustrating to deal with so many issues.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized; glitches like its Saints Row 4 (the ones in Saints Row were deliberate to make fun of this game, man how I get that joke now), and just fails to capture my attention.”
  • humor589 mentions

    The humor in "Grand Theft Auto IV" is characterized by a blend of dark, satirical elements and absurd, slapstick moments, often highlighted by the game's ragdoll physics and quirky character interactions. Players appreciate the clever writing and memorable dialogue, particularly from characters like Niko and Roman, which adds depth to the otherwise gritty narrative. While some feel the humor is less pronounced compared to earlier titles in the series, many still find it engaging and entertaining, with a mix of crude jokes and social commentary that resonates with the game's themes.

    • “The game's storyline is engaging and well-written, with a cast of memorable characters and a great mix of drama, humor, and action.”
    • “The ragdoll physics are hilarious, the story is dark but fun, and the controls are a bit janky sometimes, but it's a great game.”
    • “The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of sex and drugs, most of the jokes will go over a typical player's head.”
    • “It made comrade and communist jokes before it went mainstream and became overused and unfunny.”
    • “No songs you'll recognize.. the talk radio isn't even fun to listen to - it's like some kind of Rush Limbaugh parody but really not funny. No jokes, it comes across as just mean and nasty. At times it sounds almost like it's not a parody and that they actually are pushing an anti-LGBT message.”
    • “The majority of the characters I felt were annoying and unfunny and not particularly endearing.”
  • atmosphere295 mentions

    The atmosphere of Grand Theft Auto IV is widely praised for its dark, gritty realism that effectively captures the essence of a crime-ridden Liberty City, reminiscent of a bleak New York. Reviewers highlight the game's immersive world, detailed character interactions, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it feel alive yet oppressive. Many consider it the best in the series for its storytelling and emotional depth, setting it apart from the more vibrant and comedic tones of later installments like GTA V.

    • “GTA IV's Liberty City is a masterclass on how to perfectly create a video game setting; its atmosphere is bar none and perfectly represents the characters' places in the vice-infused and maddening pursuit of the American dream.”
    • “The atmosphere is purposely grey and dreary, portraying a dark city where only the ruthless get ahead, and this is well in tone with the grim narrative of the story.”
    • “The atmosphere, the characters, the soundtrack... all constitute the magnificence of this game.”
    • “The atmosphere is purposely grey and dreary, portraying a dark city where only the ruthless go ahead, and this is well in tone with the grim tone of the story...”
    • “The dark atmosphere and satirical New York City is incredible to this day.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and gritty and the driving physics doesn't bother me at all.”
  • grinding150 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant time to achieve 100% completion or complete side missions. Many reviewers express frustration with repetitive tasks, long driving sequences, and a lack of mission checkpoints, which contribute to a feeling of monotony and frustration. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, the overwhelming sentiment is that it detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than fun gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “Just like any other 3D GTA game, getting 100% completion is like dragging your nuts through broken glass, and the infrequent crashes and game-breaking bugs make it 10x more tedious and mind-numbingly boring than any other game.”
    • “The game has a dreadfully slow start, with boring minigames, horrible characters, and a tediously drawn-out tutorial - combine that with the performance issues, and there's little incentive to keep playing and see why the game was so acclaimed.”
    • “Well, I tried really hard to like this game, but man, all the tedious driving around, especially after you fail a mission, having to go back to the place where you started, is the most annoying crap I've ever had to deal with in a game.”
  • replayability122 mentions

    Overall, "GTA IV" is praised for its high replayability, largely due to its open-world design, diverse activities, and strong modding community that enhances gameplay. Many players highlight the game's ability to provide endless fun through multiplayer modes and various side missions, although some note technical issues and bugs that can detract from the experience. Despite mixed opinions on its replay value compared to other titles in the series, it remains a favorite for its engaging story and dynamic gameplay.

    • “And with a robust multiplayer mode that lets you team up with friends to cause havoc in the city, the game has endless replayability and fun.”
    • “Overall, GTA IV is a fantastic open-world action-adventure game that offers a great blend of gameplay, story, and replay value.”
    • “The fact you can mod it adds replay value.”
    • “As for me, this game is not replayable and there were crashes. I would not recommend anyone to buy this except when it's on sale.”
    • “It's very linear and gets old quickly; not much replayability.”
    • “Low replay value after you've played it through... the side activities are mostly for show rather than for fun.”
  • emotional110 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Grand Theft Auto IV" is widely praised for its deep, engaging narrative and well-developed characters, often leading players to experience genuine feelings of sadness and connection. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its storytelling, particularly in moments of tragedy and tough choices, making it stand out in the series. However, some players express disappointment with certain gameplay elements and pacing, which can detract from the overall emotional impact.

    • “GTA IV is a mosaic of accents, habits, phobias, behavioral problems, different motivations, and so on; there's a bit for everyone...grim characters, funny characters, serious characters...you name it, and every single mission and cutscene fits into a vast tapestry with interconnected pieces of narrative, which all work towards a final glorious narrative, with some insanely satisfying payoffs and genuinely heartbreaking moments.”
    • “The story in this game is incredibly moving and emotional and probably is one of the best in the series.”
    • “The relationship Niko has with Roman, Little Jacob, Brucie, Patrick (who all have different backgrounds) as well as with Michelle and Kate is touching.”
    • “This is personal preference, but where a lot of the older games have a pulpy, corny story that still has old school charm, I found this game just a little bit boring story-wise, and the majority of the characters I felt were annoying, unfunny, and not particularly endearing.”
    • “Even though the restriction on mods has been lifted, I will not be giving this game any praise. From its colorless environment to its boring story, this game is just bad from the ground up, regardless of the platform.”
    • “Graphics are bad, it's frustrating to actually try to start playing the game, having to get two accounts, a boring introduction scene that lasts way too long, very frigid gameplay, and a boring story overall.”
  • monetization46 mentions

    Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively by many users, particularly due to the absence of microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with modern gaming trends. However, some players express frustration over misleading advertising and the presence of in-game ads, suggesting that while the game avoids traditional paywalls, it still feels like a cash grab in certain respects. The lack of microtransactions is appreciated, but concerns about the game's ongoing support and the quality of content remain prevalent.

    • “Good game and I enjoyed the fact that it doesn't have in-app purchases like an Angry Birds rip-off.”
    • “Plus side, this has DLC with no microtransactions.”
    • “It has 3 storylines (including single-player DLCs, which GTAV does not have), it has no paywalls and microtransactions, and has a plethora of vibrant characters.”
    • “I'm usually pretty tolerant of nonsense game companies put in their games these days like launchers and microtransactions, but I have never seen a company butcher something this bad in a long time.”
    • “GTA V is a commercial cash grab that survives only by bleeding the credit cards of the mothers and fathers of 12-year-olds who play the game.”
    • “Rockstar and Take-Two are actively killing the modding scene to push more people into GTA V online play and microtransactions.”
  • character development43 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many reviewers highlighting the compelling backstories and unique personalities of the characters. The narrative is described as well-paced, effectively blending action and character interactions, which contribute significantly to the overall storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character depth and pacing, suggesting that while the game excels in character development, there are moments where it falls short.

    • “The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with a good mix of action, cutscenes, and character development.”
    • “GTA IV represents the pinnacle of storytelling and proper character development in a GTA game, to this point.”
    • “Great story and amazing character development.”
    • “Unplayable piece of garbage with shit tier performance, game breaking glitches, 0 story or writing and 0 character development.”
    • “Kinda weak moral choices, and bad (in some cases) character development really stands out.”
    • “Still, I feel that they burned themselves with their average story and a lack of any remarkable character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

24hMedian play time
89hAverage play time
27hMain story
75hCompletionist
7-69hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 112 analyzed playthroughs

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