So Cash Industries

Why is it always me who writes the blog entries about the new games we’re all playing? Whatever. Chances are you’re playing GTA IV rather than reading this anyway.

In the past I’ve never been a huge fan of GTA. Well, that’s a little inaccurate. I’ve never played a GTA game before, because it was never available to me on a console I actually owned (I couldn’t be bothered to get a PS2 or a PSP). When I heard about GTA IV coming to the Xbox, I figured “what the hell, I’ll give it a try.” I picked it up, and I was amazed.

What really got me was the story. It’s not like it’s an innovative story or anything, but I just like it. You take the role of Niko Bellic, a Serbian veteran of the Bosnian War. Your cousin, Roman, moved to America fifteen years ago, settling down in Liberty City (a fictional city heavily based on New York City). Over the years, he’s sent you letters and e-mails telling you how incredible America is, and how it’s the land of opportunity. He also claims to be living the life of the wealthy and successful, having many mansions, women, sports cars, the list goes on. Niko, looking to escape his bloody past and dead friends, leaves his home in search of the American Dream. Upon arrival however, it is revealed that Roman has lied about everything he told Niko. He owns no mansions, sports cars or any of that. In fact, he barely owns and operates a shoddy taxi cab depot in the borough of Broker (Liberty City’s equivalent to Brooklyn). Niko also learns that his cousin is dangerously in debt with some of the local gangs (including the Russian Mafia), and has essentially tricked Niko in coming to America to erase those debts for him, using his past experience in war.

Liberty City overall is a large city, spanning four separate islands. You start on the island which contains Broker and Dukes (Brooklyn and Queens, respectively), move to South Bohan (the Bronx), then Algonquin (Manhattan), and finally to Alderney City (Jersey City). Many of the iconic landmarks from New York City can be spotted, such as the Statue of Happiness (Statue of Liberty), the Rotterdam Tower (Empire State Building), the Getalife Building (MetLife Building), the Broker Bridge (Brooklyn Bridge), and Middle Park (Central Park). The city is so large it’s unfeasible to get around by walking, but thankfully there are a number of transports. You could take a cab, take the subway, or just steal a car or motorcycle.

Speaking of theft, I’m told the police wanted system works differently from past GTA games. Once you’ve been discovered in the act of crime by the police and they begin pursuit, a flashing circle appears on your minimap, centered on your location. To lose the cops, you have to escape this circle. However, if other cops spot you during your escape, the circle re-centers on you. The higher your wanted rating (up to six stars), the larger the circle.

You can also meet and make friends in the game. Sometimes they’ll call you on the in-game cellphone, either to ask you to do a mission for them, or just to hang out with you. You could also call them yourself to arrange plans. If your friends like you enough, they’ll offer you a unique service which generally makes your life easier, ranging from free cab service and discount weapons to dial-a-bomb and even helicopter rides. Of course, if you blow your friends off for whatever reason, they’ll obviously resent you for it, so it’s important you keep good relations with them!

The idea of in-game dating just amuses me. This game spares no expense to add painstaking detail. Each of your girlfriends has specific tastes in the clothes you wear, the cars you drive, and the places you take them. If you do everything they like, you could just be invited in for “coffee,” if you catch my drift.

Hell, you can even do Internet dating. From any of the “TW@” internet cafes in the city, you can browse over 100 fictional websites and check your e-mail. Sometimes friends will send you e-mails about in-game events, sometimes you’ll even get spam. You can also go to an Internet dating site, where many lonely losers have posted their profiles in hopes of getting their virginity taken from them.

Looking at the game, my only regret is that I could’ve played the earlier titles before this one, as I’d probably have a greater appreciation for pretty much everything about the game.

Why am I still writing this? Back to GTA for me.