Grand Theft Auto IV

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3784 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,755 out of 3784
  2. Mixed: 569 out of 3784
  3. Negative: 460 out of 3784
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  1. TarvuT.
    May 30, 2008
    8
    Brilliant plot and graphics, disappointing handling (Nico seems to have minor retardation) and abysmal online interactivity, seems as if Rockstar never heard of Play testing. (Multiplayer game could not be joined, returning to single player. But I want to play Multiplayer!)
  2. Harrym.
    May 7, 2008
    8
    The game is very good, but all these reviewers giving it a perfect 10 must be all the fanboys that we keep getting told about. The game is far from perfect. Without commenting on the the glitches and all the freezes irrespective of console that have widely been reported. The graphics are barely better than GTA-SA. The only genuine addition to the game is a very unstable "better" The game is very good, but all these reviewers giving it a perfect 10 must be all the fanboys that we keep getting told about. The game is far from perfect. Without commenting on the the glitches and all the freezes irrespective of console that have widely been reported. The graphics are barely better than GTA-SA. The only genuine addition to the game is a very unstable "better" multiplayer. Absolutely nothing new to the series, purely evolutionary.… Expand
  3. PatD
    May 8, 2008
    8
    I agree with a lot of the other user reviews. This is a very good and entertaining game, but is by no means a 10, or even one of the best games of the past year. I find Call of Duty IV, Halo 3 and Bioshock just as good, if not better. However, it is very immersive and the scope of the world you're dropped into is amazing. Fun multiplayer action, too...when it works.
  4. B.Q.
    Jun 3, 2008
    8
    A very good game, but not nearly as engaging or complete as San Andreas. My primary criticism is that I agree with the reviewers who noted that the game took a big step back in the area of character customization. And while I didnt really care that I couldnt get a different haircut or sculpt my body shape, I was dissapointed by not being able to complete missions to 'upgrade' my A very good game, but not nearly as engaging or complete as San Andreas. My primary criticism is that I agree with the reviewers who noted that the game took a big step back in the area of character customization. And while I didnt really care that I couldnt get a different haircut or sculpt my body shape, I was dissapointed by not being able to complete missions to 'upgrade' my character. In San Andreas, successfully completing side missions, taking gang turf, snapping photos, finding all of an item, mastering a vehicle/weapon to 100%, etc., all allowed your character to unlock certain bonus's, vehicles, weapons, extra heath, damage, vehicle control, etc. Now, all that happens when you complete side missions is that you are 1 step closer to 100% completion. Sure you get a few things here and there.... but there isnt as much incentive to keep playing the game. For someone who isnt as interested in that 100% number as he is in creating a powerful character and collecting a bunch of stuff... this is a big letdown. Especially since they already incorporated those elements into a previous game, I don't understand why they would take them away.… Expand
  5. JohnKunkel
    Aug 7, 2008
    8
    Overall, excellent gameplay. GTA 4 has some really cool new features such as the whole combat/target deal. GTA 4 though leaves out a lot of things in my opinion which made games like San Andreas so great. The story for one isn't very intense... I read some interviews where the developers mentioned how they didn't want this one to be "cinematic." Whatever that may have meant, theyOverall, excellent gameplay. GTA 4 has some really cool new features such as the whole combat/target deal. GTA 4 though leaves out a lot of things in my opinion which made games like San Andreas so great. The story for one isn't very intense... I read some interviews where the developers mentioned how they didn't want this one to be "cinematic." Whatever that may have meant, they sure seemed to have pulled it off with a somewhat bland story line, and a very unsatisfying ending (for me personally). Yah, there's still a hell lot more to do with side missions, but I expected the 90 missions I had to go through in order to complete the game would have given me a lot more satisfaction.

    Don't get me wrong, GTA 4 was great, but they seemed to have left out some key elements which made the other games a lot of fun. In my opinion, if they had kept a lot of elements that were in San Andreas, and shifted them over to GTA 4, it would have made the game top notch.
    Understandly, they appear to have tried to do things differently, but to me that just made for mixed personal feelings on certain aspects of the game (which very easily could have been improved).
    GTA 4 stands out as one of the strongest games of its genre around, but it also could have been so much better with very simple, and small details.

    I am a fan nevertheless, and you should definitely try itout!    … Expand
  6. McTom
    Sep 20, 2008
    8
    GTA IV suffers from tricky controls, repetitive design, arbitrary save feature and regular clipping. Also, the 'friend'-system isn't perfect and it is not 'a totally free world' as some of the reviewers say - I was in the understanding I could enter EVERY building in the game, but that's far from it . Only triggered locations can be entered. Nonetheless, I GTA IV suffers from tricky controls, repetitive design, arbitrary save feature and regular clipping. Also, the 'friend'-system isn't perfect and it is not 'a totally free world' as some of the reviewers say - I was in the understanding I could enter EVERY building in the game, but that's far from it . Only triggered locations can be entered. Nonetheless, I enjoy the game pretty much. The characters are pretty good, the missions are varied enough (apart from the driving to-bit) and the whole atmosphere works really well. At its core the gameplay is very old-fashioned and I guess that's what I really like about the game. Nice, but by no means perfect.… Expand
  7. MichaelHummer
    Oct 2, 2008
    8
    Well I'm playing through the game for the second time and I've just read about 100 reviews from users like me so I'm ready to share my opinion.
    It definitely grew on me over time.
    The graphics are undoubtedly sweet. I don't like auto lock, pull trigger half way deal. It would have been so easy to make RB the lock and dedicate LT for manual aim. The driving while    Well I'm playing through the game for the second time and I've just read about 100 reviews from users like me so I'm ready to share my opinion.
    It definitely grew on me over time.
    The graphics are undoubtedly sweet.
    I don't like auto lock, pull trigger half way deal.
    It would have been so easy to make RB the lock and dedicate LT for manual aim.
    The driving while initially frustrating becomes fun.
    You just have to plan your skids A LOT earlier.
    Now I can get away from the cops pretty quickly because I know how to time it.
    With that in mind it's still not the carefree driving experience of San Andreas but there are good times to be had.
    In fact, a car I hated for it's lack on control in the beginning has become my favorite because it's got tons of power and I can now control it (Stallion).
    The soundtrack sucks!!!
    Other than like 5 songs it's a major disappointment.
    Every other station is just hip-hop, reggae, rap... With San Andreas you had a few stations for everyone.
    I've played this game enough to have found a station I like by now and I have found nothing.
    Yes, the game and missions have a been there done that feel.
    this is one of the first feelings I had when playing the game.
    I was hoping for something new but it was not to be.
    I felt bored pretty quickly because of this and more than that disappointed.
    Given that there were no better games to be found on the 360, or at least in my possession, I continued to play and have had tons of fun.
    Taxis can save a TON of time and keep the wait between action to a minimum.
    At this point I use taxis as a rule and drive only when necessary.
    Even with this philosophy there'splenty of driving and enjoyment.
    What I've found really enjoyable is the combat.
    After a long time I'm used to the targeting deal and can reliably keep from pulling the trigger all the way and ruining the experience.
    However, a lot of that is because I've been there before.
    Any new experience might jolt me and cause a knee jerk auto lock.
    Again, RB should be auto lock and leave LT dedicated to free aim!
    Nevertheless I am really enjoying going through the combat missions again and very rarely die.
    I dig the shotgun and like switching guns during combat.
    I'd like it if he walked a little faster during adrenalin moments and if the sneak elements were present that would be cool.
    I snuck onto a site with tons of enemies and it would have been cool to take them all out silently with a knife or silencer.
    The problem is that they don't sell knives at the gun shops and there are no silencers!!!
    If you ever lose your knife from the beginning mission you can't get it back.
    I'm sure I'm wrong about the knife deal but it's definitely not easy to find a knife and I'm through the game a second time; I'll try Jacob's deal to see if he has knives before I completely cry foul.
    The strip clubs are fun and even though the girls run through their routine with the same enthusiasm that a real stripper would they are legitimately exciting.
    Ammo is way too expensive, especially for the rocket launcher.
    They force you to pay attention to a woman near the end of the game and yet she's bugly!
    I liked her personality enough even though she was too extreme: see prude & righteous.
    But like I said she was friggin' hard to look at.
    The second time through she's been getting the cold shoulder.
    The friend thing is a friggin waste of time.
    It would be nice to hang with these people but they could have achieved that in several different ways: on the way to missions, during cut scenes, etc...
    The only reason to do it is to get the friend's bonus so there could have been a better way to achieve this.
    Interestingly, I find the game more playable because the main character is not upgradeable.
    If he had been ungradeable it would have been hard to start over with him at a weaker state.
    It's really just the weapons that distinguish the beginning from the end.
    I would like to see remote grenades for dealing with pesky swarms of cops who don't like it when you kill their coworkers.
    The boating stuff is a waste of time but shooting down helicopters with a rocket launcher NEVER gets old.
    I'd like to have seen more execution options like in Godfather; in that game you could really go on a rampage.
    The rocket launcher is a total blast but like I said it's $$$.
    The vigilante missions are different and limited in number and that last part sucks. It's nice for game completion but I'd prefer a San Andreas version with ever increasing difficulty. They do offer current crimes but neither type brings any money so that's a bummer. Money in this game becomes too important and significantly hinders fun. I stole a car once after a good amount of prep work and got $1,000.00 for it. Hi, that's the price of one grenade! Just make rocket launcher shells $2,000, instead of 5, and we'll all be happy. Overall I give it an 85 out of 100. I look forward to the next iteration.    … Expand
  8. JohnHartman
    Oct 9, 2008
    8
    While it's storyline is awesome and the combat is alright at best, I hate being penalised for not wanting to drive some person I don't care about halfway across town to go eat, I hate having to drive halfway across town to change my clothes for a mission, I hate driving halfway across town back to where I was before I died in a mission, I hate having to drive halfway across townWhile it's storyline is awesome and the combat is alright at best, I hate being penalised for not wanting to drive some person I don't care about halfway across town to go eat, I hate having to drive halfway across town to change my clothes for a mission, I hate driving halfway across town back to where I was before I died in a mission, I hate having to drive halfway across town just to SAVE A FREAKING GAME.

    I don't think Rockstar realises that gamers don't like grinding.    … Expand
  9. BeljimS.
    Apr 28, 2008
    8
    Not enough of a difference from the other GTA games other than for the graphics which in my opinion are not all that either. Was expecting much more from all the hype.
  10. IvanJ.
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    Good game, but no way it's a 10. A 10 means absolute perfection, and there's plenty of things that could have been better (driving interface anyone?)
  11. CamCam
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    game is good, but not great. Visuals outstanding, but reminded me too much of old games, only a few new things. MP is cool, great addition.
  12. JeromeD.
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    Look, I understand the shock and awe of GTA4. However its just GTA3 with a few nice upgrades. I have a 65" DLP diamond. Full HDMI and the graphics are close to laughable. Oblivion came out at the beginning of this generation and looks better. But the mechanics? Sure there nice, but what of everything else. They downgraded all kinds of things from the other games and for what? So I can see Look, I understand the shock and awe of GTA4. However its just GTA3 with a few nice upgrades. I have a 65" DLP diamond. Full HDMI and the graphics are close to laughable. Oblivion came out at the beginning of this generation and looks better. But the mechanics? Sure there nice, but what of everything else. They downgraded all kinds of things from the other games and for what? So I can see what would really happen when you get hit by a car, or drive under a bridge and see all those nice lighting effects? This is an honest step back from the series and as soon as the hype machine slows down and the fog clears, you'll see what I'm talking about. Its a good game not a great game and certanly, not a 10. Like Halo 3, this is the critcs sucking up to the great publishers. Get real.… Expand
  13. JoeM.
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    Overall a fun game after 3 hrs - When comparing to Saints Row, Some things i don't like so far include: 1- cannot turn OFF the radio - give me the option to not listen to anything. 2- clothes buying - talk about painful- You have to walk your dude thru the store to find the clothes and put them on, take them off.. just give me a menu with some screen shots of the new look and let me Overall a fun game after 3 hrs - When comparing to Saints Row, Some things i don't like so far include: 1- cannot turn OFF the radio - give me the option to not listen to anything. 2- clothes buying - talk about painful- You have to walk your dude thru the store to find the clothes and put them on, take them off.. just give me a menu with some screen shots of the new look and let me be on my way.. 3- saving does a 6hr fast forward in gametime; its not a big deal, but if you wanted to go on that hot date and its now 3am.. you will get blown off. 4- multiplayer interface - I tried to host a game with some other friends that got the game and never figured out how to change the game type- number of players.. give me a non-game interface menu (NOT the cell phone menu) to set it up before launching. 5- Exploring: I could not leave the new player area - the bridge was blocked off probably due to the 'unlocking feature'. Let me go for a real drive and explore the city. Aside from that, the graphics are excellent, the physics engine is great and the new combat system (cover) helps alot.… Expand
  14. GeorgePalmer
    Apr 8, 2008
    8
    Grand Theft Auto IV is a worthy addition to the GTA series. It improves on a lot of the original GTA concepts that never came to fruition in earlier games, such as the poor shooting mechanics and lack of ability to control the plot line. Most GTA fans wont be disappointed, but it is not a game that's going to attract people who have never played GTA before.
  15. JohnC.
    May 1, 2008
    8
    Very good game, but honestly it doesn't seem that different to me than GTA III.
  16. JenL.
    May 1, 2008
    8
    Rockstar did a fine job updating the look of their flagship franchise, as well as correcting some of the more glaring mechanical issues which have plagued the series for so long. But what bugs me is that the missions are still wildly uneven, both in terms of difficulty and quality. Since this is what most of the game is made up of, I can't recommend this to anyone but the most Rockstar did a fine job updating the look of their flagship franchise, as well as correcting some of the more glaring mechanical issues which have plagued the series for so long. But what bugs me is that the missions are still wildly uneven, both in terms of difficulty and quality. Since this is what most of the game is made up of, I can't recommend this to anyone but the most hardcore GTA fan.… Expand
  17. TheDude
    May 1, 2008
    8
    I'm definitely disappointed after the reviews. Very similar to the previous three games. Lots of little additions, like internet, tv, pedestrians do more, drivings a little trickier, but still, 90 percent of the game is spent driving around from job to job(which gets old really quick since we've already done it to death in the last three games), and 95 percent of the game is the I'm definitely disappointed after the reviews. Very similar to the previous three games. Lots of little additions, like internet, tv, pedestrians do more, drivings a little trickier, but still, 90 percent of the game is spent driving around from job to job(which gets old really quick since we've already done it to death in the last three games), and 95 percent of the game is the exact same as before, you're either driving, watching a cutscene, or doing missions just like the ones in previous GTA's. The graphics and engine don't seem very different at all from GTA 3. If you love the GTA series, of course you'll love it, but it's not the revelation to gaming that the critics make it out to be. Rather, it makes me really appreciate what a revelation GTA 3 was, in that this one really isn't that much different, and yet it's still getting a perfect score and being called incredibly innovative all these years after GTA 3 came out.… Expand
  18. BrightonG.
    May 2, 2008
    8
    By far the best title in the series. Many issues that plagued the older titles have been addressed and overall feels more refined. Given it is not perfect, The free roaming is great in the context of driving around. But you are very limited on foot by comparison. Its a shame Rockstar couldn't take this a bit further in the direction of Crackdown where you have mroe vertical free By far the best title in the series. Many issues that plagued the older titles have been addressed and overall feels more refined. Given it is not perfect, The free roaming is great in the context of driving around. But you are very limited on foot by comparison. Its a shame Rockstar couldn't take this a bit further in the direction of Crackdown where you have mroe vertical free roaming to do than simply just running around on the streets. Characters are well executed and interesting. The only pitfall that seems to be relevant are the missions. Far too many fetch quests, especially in the beginning. This definitely is Game of the Year Material. But most of these reviews seem far too inflated.… Expand
  19. AVideoGameCritic
    May 25, 2008
    8
    A great game that features amazing writing and character development. A bit repetitive, goes on way too long, and lacks a strong storyline but it's still a winner, definitely recommended to anyone even if it's not the best in the series.
  20. KarlL.
    May 3, 2008
    8
    More GTA with better graphics and a much better story. Lots of new features added, but lots of old features missing too. But still the best GTA yet.
  21. HarveyW.
    May 5, 2008
    8
    GTA 4 is a very good game, but it is not the Holy Grail of gaming that the publisher-influenced reviews in the gaming press would have you believe. In just the past 12 months, there have been several better games released, including Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, and Valve's Orange Box (includes Half Life 2 and 2 additional episodes, plus Portal and Team Fortress 2).
  22. JaronR.
    May 5, 2008
    8
    Overall a quality game, but a 10? Not a chance in hell. No use for money except hospital bills which are arbitrarily a % of your total worth, no properties, no way to expand your empire. Dismal targeting, unexceptional graphics, and zero innovation. That said, it's entertaining, and the cast of characters is fantastic.
  23. I.L.
    May 6, 2008
    8
    Good, but not as amazing as everyone says, though the script is a work of genius (especially the radio stations), the gameplay is somewhat shallow.
  24. MistahB.
    May 6, 2008
    8
    The critics need to be more critical. This game is very entertaining, and an fantastic accomplishment. But these scores of 100 out of 100 suggest that there is zero room for improvement. If we rate a game like this with a perfect score, then we're not going to give the developers a reason to try to improve on it. And there is room for improvement. I love the cinematic storytelling, The critics need to be more critical. This game is very entertaining, and an fantastic accomplishment. But these scores of 100 out of 100 suggest that there is zero room for improvement. If we rate a game like this with a perfect score, then we're not going to give the developers a reason to try to improve on it. And there is room for improvement. I love the cinematic storytelling, the wide-open world, the dark humor, and the other things that have made the series so popular. But picture going into the strip club and having the girls look like the girls in DOA Volleyball. Picture pulling out your weapon and having Halo gunplay physics and control. Picture getting into your car and having PGR road physics. Picture walking up to any building in the city and being able to walk inside, pick up any object, sell the object, and use the money to upgrade your character, as in Oblivion. Clearly, all these technologies exist elsewhere in the gaming industry. Until I see it all in one game, I won't see a game worthy of a 100 out of 100 score. However, all that said, I am now on my way back to Liberty City to enjoy the incredible experience Rockstar has created for us.… Expand
  25. OwenM
    May 6, 2008
    8
    Its a pretty good game. It's a little too much of the same for my liking. But once the story is finished there is a lot of fun to be had in multiplayer.
  26. Miku
    May 7, 2008
    8
    Sure this is a great game, but it actually is just another GTA with more minigames, better graphics and good physics. IMO most of the professional reviers are trying to hype this game too much and make it some what of a god game. Forexample, IGN gave 10 to all of the categories of GTA which isin my opinion exaggeration. For example the graphics look good but definetly not worth of a 10.
  27. ArmanM.
    May 8, 2008
    8
    This game is great, yes, but it is VERY dissapointing in a few aspects. FIrst of all, what happened to the 95% of the buildings are enter-able? I can't go in any building at all! .. almost .. Second of all, you can't go underwater, thats really irritating if you end up in the middle of nowhere in the ocean and wanna suicide, then you can't. And there is not really much This game is great, yes, but it is VERY dissapointing in a few aspects. FIrst of all, what happened to the 95% of the buildings are enter-able? I can't go in any building at all! .. almost .. Second of all, you can't go underwater, thats really irritating if you end up in the middle of nowhere in the ocean and wanna suicide, then you can't. And there is not really much ''Hey, I wanna do that, now I can!''. And there is no trick system on vehicles. I often see the same vehicles, but not the same people though. The graphics are wonderful, but the gameplay ain't. It's kinda mediocre.. Oh, and the missions are so boring!! Jesus, nice story though and great cut-scenes. The internet café is OK though, the websites are not that funny... The TV is very irritating when you want to change back to the channel, and it suddenly goes to another channel! And yeh, I guess that's it. Oh: There are very few weapons! That just ruins the whole GTA concept > Killing. Well, it was funny though, except for the fact that your money aren't very have-to-have and the restaurants suck ass, you can only choose one type of meal! (E.g a hamburger) THE END… Expand
  28. JamesS.
    May 8, 2008
    8
    A very good game but a game that I believe was overhyped. The graphics are good all round save for some minor glitches here and there. My main complaint, though, is that the game is much too easy (until the very last mission, which is more longwinded and annoying rather than difficult to be honest) and it's likely that you won't be stuck for very long on a particular mission. A very good game but a game that I believe was overhyped. The graphics are good all round save for some minor glitches here and there. My main complaint, though, is that the game is much too easy (until the very last mission, which is more longwinded and annoying rather than difficult to be honest) and it's likely that you won't be stuck for very long on a particular mission. The shooting system is a huge improvement over the cumbersome and unnatural systems that can be found in previous versions in the series however it's still not great and can be a little clumsy sometimes (particularly the new cover system). On a different note, my favourite aspect of the game is the city itself. Excuse the cliché, but it really does feel like a living, breathing city because the developers seem to have invested a lot of time in making Liberty City sound, look and feel like a city with the billboards, neon lights, smoke, etc. My favourite part of the city is the Times Square parody; epic. I have mixed feelings about the characters however. While they can be funny at times (it's often worth watching the cutscenes), they feel under developed but, then again, there are a lot of characters to meet along the way; which is a good thing. The driving feels pretty good throughout but some of the vehicles you use (or get stuck with on missions) can be slow and cumbersome and only cop cars and really rare sports cars have really good, responsive handling; with most cars being slow to accelerate and bit of a pain to handle. Overall I would definitely recommend purchasing this game as it is one of the most immersive and fun games on any games console at the moment and obtaining 100% completion should take the average gamer about 35 hours with the main storyline being over in under 30 hours (if you don't 'stop and smell the roses' too much. And it's likely you'll enjoy the game more if you don't read too much into the hype.… Expand
  29. ShaneH.
    Jun 17, 2008
    8
    It a good game but doesn't deserve a perfect score. I agree with the other people when they say this game is overrated by the critiques. I really wonder how it got 98 on metacritique. Sure the story was decent but i think it lacks where it should shine, open sandbox blow shit up, type gameplay that all the other GTAs had. I don't seem to pick up the game as much to rampage, in It a good game but doesn't deserve a perfect score. I agree with the other people when they say this game is overrated by the critiques. I really wonder how it got 98 on metacritique. Sure the story was decent but i think it lacks where it should shine, open sandbox blow shit up, type gameplay that all the other GTAs had. I don't seem to pick up the game as much to rampage, in fact rampaging gets pretty boring in GTA4. I am disappointed, The game is still fun just not perfect.… Expand
  30. JonasL.
    Jun 19, 2008
    8
    A great game in many ways and worth buying, but the critics are over the line giving it 98%. There are a lot of bugs with the AI, and the story is a bit thin. Graphics are impressive considering the size of the city, and the amount of content Rockstar has managed to put into this game is amazing.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 86 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 86
  3. Negative: 0 out of 86
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    100
    It's got a world you believe in, a cast you care about and a script stuffed with brilliant moments... Utterly stunning in every resepct. [May 2008, p.79]
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  2. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    98
    Rockstar have surpassed themselves, delivering unquestionably the definitive GTA and perhaps the greatest videogame of all time. [June 2008]
  3. IGN
    100
    I could go on and on about why Grand Theft Auto IV is one of the best games we've ever seen and why even folks who are easily offended should play it, but that would be pointless. The only thing you need to know is that you have to play this game. Period.
    Read full review
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