Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition
- March 24, 2020
- Rockstar Toronto
- 24h median play time
Get on SteamGrand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition combines GTA IV and its episodic content in one purchase. This updated version removes multiplayer, Games for Windows Live, and some radio stations, but existing saves remain compatible. The Complete Edition will replace the standalone GTA IV and EFLC on digital stores, and it will be available on the Rockstar Games Launcher.
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Windows
Cloud
Tablet
Reviews
- story15,507 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Grand Theft Auto IV" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, following the journey of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant navigating the dark underbelly of Liberty City in pursuit of the American Dream. Players appreciate the complex character development, moral dilemmas, and intertwining narratives presented in the main game and its DLCs, "The Lost and Damned" and "The Ballad of Gay Tony." However, many reviews highlight significant technical issues, particularly a game-breaking bug in the final mission that hampers the overall experience, leading to frustration despite the compelling storytelling.
“The twists and turns of the plot keep you invested from start to finish, and by the end of the story, you feel like you've lived through Niko's struggles and triumphs.”
“The dark and gritty atmosphere, incredible story, and outstanding characters are all untarnished and work together to create a timeless masterpiece.”
“The story and characters are the best part about this game; it absolutely makes GTA V look like a joke.”
“The story was honestly forgettable and mid.”
“The final mission is unplayable and can only be finished by capping your fps.”
“The main story is the most bland and boring story i've played, and i've played dozens and dozens of games.”
- graphics3,617 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of Grand Theft Auto IV, while impressive for its 2008 release, are often described as dated by modern standards, with many users noting a gloomy and muted aesthetic that fits the game's dark narrative. Despite the technical limitations and optimization issues, players appreciate the game's detailed environments and character models, which can be significantly enhanced through various mods. Overall, while the graphics may not compete with contemporary titles like GTA V, they still hold a nostalgic charm and contribute to the immersive experience of Liberty City.
“The graphics are amazing, and the gameplay is fantastic; it's a great game for sure!”
“For its time, the textures, player models, and lighting were all a major step up from San Andreas; however, the visuals as a whole have a gloomier and subdued feel, reflecting the content being presented.”
“Despite being a poor PC port, the graphics still hold up remarkably well, showcasing the artistic vision and technical prowess of the developers.”
“Some graphics feel dated by today's standards.”
“The graphics are dated and the cutscenes stutter a bit, but it shouldn’t spoil the fun for you too much.”
“The graphics are not good for 2024, but the story is much better for 2024.”
- gameplay3,340 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Grand Theft Auto IV has received mixed reviews, with many praising its realistic driving mechanics and engaging story, while others criticize its clunky controls and repetitive mission structure. Players appreciate the depth of the open world and the variety of activities available, but some find the driving and shooting mechanics frustratingly dated compared to modern standards. Overall, while the game offers a rich narrative and immersive experience, its gameplay can feel sluggish and is often marred by technical issues, particularly in the PC port.
“I've poured countless hours into this game, and having completed 100% achievements, I can truly say the gameplay experience is exceptional.”
“From the heart-pumping shootouts to the realistic driving mechanics, the city of Liberty City is packed with depth and variety.”
“The gameplay is a blend of action, adventure, and driving, with a variety of missions and side quests to complete.”
“GTA IV feels like a first attempt at a formula with many bad gameplay design decisions that were improved in Vice City and perfected in San Andreas.”
“The gameplay is a blend of action, adventure, and driving, with a variety of missions and side quests to complete, but it often feels repetitive and lacks depth.”
“The driving mechanics are clunky, sloppy, and unresponsive, making driving extremely frustrating rather than fun.”
- optimization2,662 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The optimization of Grand Theft Auto IV on PC has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frequent stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have managed to improve their experience through various mods and tweaks, the game remains notorious for its poor optimization and reliance on outdated systems like Games for Windows Live. Overall, despite its engaging story and gameplay, the lack of proper optimization significantly detracts from the experience, making it less enjoyable for many players.
“Runs good on my device, well optimized, good for passing time.”
“Great game, although a bit unoptimized it's playable on my personal quad-core laptop with integrated graphics that's running Windows 10 without any tweaks to the game, which is really pleasant to see.”
“Despite some performance issues, the game has aged gracefully and remains a must-play for any GTA fan.”
“This game is terribly optimized and not worth your money especially due to the fact they updated it.”
“GTA IV feels poorly optimized for modern systems, and these issues made for a frustrating experience, ultimately preventing me from enjoying the game as I had hoped.”
“The game is a stuttering mess. The optimization is so bad that even high-end systems struggle to maintain a stable frame rate.”
- music1,523 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in "Grand Theft Auto IV" has received mixed reviews, primarily due to significant changes in the soundtrack following licensing issues. Many players lament the removal of over 50 songs, particularly from the beloved Vladivostok FM station, which has diminished the game's original atmosphere. While some praise the remaining tracks and the ability to add custom music, the overall sentiment reflects disappointment over the loss of iconic songs that contributed to the game's identity.
“The soundtrack perfectly complements Liberty City’s atmosphere, and the music can enhance both quiet drives and adrenaline-pumping chases.”
“The music in this game is unique and very good; I love the vibe, Liberty Rock Radio, listening to Lazlow talk on Integrity 2.0, and I love the Beat 102.7. Every time I hear 'Flashing Lights' by Kanye West, I feel so powerful.”
“The soundtrack is eclectic and dynamic, featuring an impressive selection of music that spans various genres, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere.”
“The game needs to be heavily modded to restore the music and fix the original issues related to the PC port.”
“A large amount of the iconic music has been removed even if you bought it before the music was removed.”
“Rockstar, itself, gets a 2/10 for releasing a terribly optimized port and, after making hundreds of millions of dollars with GTA Online, didn't renew the music licenses for this game and opted to remove the songs instead.”
- stability1,172 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The stability of the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, crashes, and performance issues. Many players find the game nearly unplayable without extensive troubleshooting and mods, particularly due to game-breaking glitches in critical missions. While some enjoy the nostalgic experience despite these flaws, the consensus is that the game remains a buggy and poorly optimized port that requires significant effort to run smoothly.
“Still holds up in 2024, runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“Runs perfectly under Linux, stable 4k60 with highest settings, with no glitches or stuttering.”
“Game runs great, and is just as fun as it's always been.”
“The game is a buggy, technical mess.”
“This game is a buggy mess - don't buy this if you are looking to play it on modern hardware.”
“The pc port is a horribly optimized, buggy, technical nightmare that ruins the experience by throwing constant game breaking bugs at you.”
- humor904 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "GTA IV" is characterized by a blend of dark, satirical, and absurd elements, with memorable characters like Niko and Roman providing comedic relief amidst the game's serious themes. Players appreciate the sharp dialogue, hilarious side quests, and the chaotic interactions that arise from the game's physics engine, which often leads to unexpected and funny moments. While some feel the humor is less pronounced compared to earlier titles in the series, it remains a significant aspect that enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
“The world feels dense and alive, packed with seedy characters, hilarious side quests, and that undeniable Rockstar charm.”
“It's a sprawling open world begging to be explored, a sandbox filled with chaos and dark humor, and a love letter to a bygone era of gaming (and early-2000s radio hits).”
“The story is gritty with very real and dark themes, characters are hilarious and silly in the best ways, and the whole game is just an all-round vibe.”
“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.”
- atmosphere571 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Grand Theft Auto IV is widely praised for its dark, gritty realism, effectively capturing the essence of a mid-2000s New York City through its detailed environments, dynamic weather, and immersive sound design. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and emotional depth, with a narrative that complements its somber tone, making Liberty City feel alive and integral to the storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding its graphics and gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that many consider unmatched in the series.
“The dark and gritty atmosphere, incredible story, and outstanding characters are all untarnished and work together to create a timeless masterpiece.”
“Liberty City feels alive with its bustling streets, dynamic pedestrians, and atmospheric environments.”
“The atmosphere of Liberty City with its rich and detailed world perfectly captures the essence of mid-late 2000s New York City.”
“The only negative I can give for GTA IV is the depressing, old, black-and-white-like atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere in this game is dark and gritty because you play from the perspective of an immigrant.”
“The atmosphere is dark, the city is grim and gloomy, and Niko has a really tragic story.”
- grinding228 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to invest significant time in missions that lack checkpoints and involve long driving sequences. Many reviewers express frustration with the need to restart lengthy missions after failures, leading to a sense of monotony and frustration, particularly when aiming for 100% completion. Despite these complaints, some players still find enjoyment in the story and characters, suggesting that the grind can be bearable for those invested in the narrative.
“It's literally about having fun; not grinding your ass off like in GTA V.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“Rockstar promised a groundbreaking experience, but what we got was a bland, sprawling city simulator where everything you do is so tedious it could practically double as a DMV training program.”
“The fact that you have to start over from the beginning of the mission every time you fail, including the driving, is very tedious.”
“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.”
- emotional195 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Grand Theft Auto IV" is widely praised for its deep and complex narrative, centered around Niko Bellic's struggles as an immigrant in Liberty City. Players often describe the story as a poignant rollercoaster of loyalty, betrayal, and heartbreak, with memorable characters that evoke genuine emotional investment. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional depth compared to other titles like "Red Dead Redemption 2," many still find the game's storytelling and character development to be profoundly impactful, leading to moments of genuine sadness and reflection.
“Niko Bellic’s journey from the cold streets of Eastern Europe to the chaotic world of Liberty City is an emotional rollercoaster, with characters that feel both genuine and complex.”
“The rich narrative, filled with complex characters and real emotional weight, keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
“The story is mature, dark, and emotionally engaging, with Niko portrayed as a multifaceted character driven by loyalty, guilt, and a desire for a new beginning.”
“The main story is the most bland and boring story I've played, and I've played dozens and dozens of games.”
“One of the most terrible GTA games with an incredibly boring storyline and characters.”
“This is personal preference but where a lot of the older games have kind of 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 and unfunny and not particularly endearing.”
- replayability174 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, "Grand Theft Auto IV" is praised for its high replayability, largely due to its expansive open world, numerous side missions, and engaging multiplayer modes. While some players noted limitations in replay value after completing the main story, many highlighted the game's modding community as a significant factor that enhances replayability, allowing for endless exploration and varied gameplay experiences. Despite some technical issues, the game's depth and variety keep players returning for more.
“The detailed world of Liberty City is filled with activities, collectibles, and hidden secrets that encourage exploration and replayability.”
“This feature extends the game's replayability, ensuring that players have countless hours of entertainment beyond the main storyline.”
“The vehicle physics were near perfect, and the moddability of this game just inflates its replayability by a million times.”
“Limited replayability once the main story and side missions are completed.”
“As for me, this game is not replayable and there were crashes. I would not recommend anyone to buy this except when this is on sale.”
“It's very linear and gets old quick, not much replayability.”
- monetization90 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many praising its absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, which contrasts sharply with the more recent titles in the series that are criticized for aggressive monetization strategies. Players appreciate the immersive experience created by the game's satirical advertisements and radio content, but some express frustration over misleading advertising and the perceived cash grab nature of the franchise's later entries. Overall, the lack of microtransactions in this title is seen as a significant positive, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“A really good game with absolutely 0 in-game purchases. Don't hesitate to buy it because for a Rockstar game, it's a really nice and clean experience backed with a sick storyline.”
“It has 3 storylines (including single-player DLCs, which GTA V does not have), it has no paywalls and microtransactions, and has a plethora of vibrant characters.”
“The last great GTA before microtransactions became prevalent. A worthy game, played on PS3, and now I have the PC version for modding. I loved this one a lot; it had the last good online gameplay for the series.”
“They resold GTA V countless times and got flush from some of the worst microtransactions in the industry.”
“Rockstar and Take-Two are actively killing the modding scene to push more people into GTA V online play and microtransactions.”
“The reality is that Take-Two literally does not want you to play this game; they would rather have you buy the inferior GTA V and support their mindless microtransactions business.”
- character development85 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in "Grand Theft Auto IV" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, particularly through the protagonist Niko Bellic, whose moral dilemmas and internal struggles resonate with players. Many reviews highlight the game's strong narrative and well-crafted characters, although some critiques mention inconsistencies and a lack of development for certain supporting characters. Overall, the game is recognized for setting a high standard in storytelling and character development within the open-world genre.
“Its gripping narrative and rich character development make it a standout experience that’s well worth revisiting.”
“The character development, the moral dilemmas, and the intricate plot twists create a narrative that is not only compelling but also deeply immersive.”
“The character development is exceptional, with Niko's internal struggles and moral dilemmas adding depth to an already intricate plot.”
“You're thrown into a world with established characters that know each other; your boss is unlikable from the very first mission. It's difficult to care about Johnny's friends as there is no character development. Johnny himself is a man of common sense, but the whole thing with his girlfriend made him unrealistic.”
“Wholeheartedly hate this sad attempt at a GTA franchise. Shitty music, game-breaking bugs, same quests, zero fun stuff to do, and slow and bad character development.”
“Story just repeats itself, no character development, and the controls are pathetic.”
