⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 — A Masterpiece That Still Feels Untouchable
Grand Theft Auto IV isn’t just a game I purchased on Steam—it’s an experience I’m genuinely glad I finally played.
Liberty City feels incredibly alive. The atmosphere, the rain, the gritty streets, the radio stations, the pedestrians, the driving, and especially the story all come together to create something that feels far more than just an open-world crime game.
And Niko Bellic… what a character. His story is darker, more mature, and surprisingly emotional. GTA IV has a level of realism and depth that makes you actually care about what happens to the characters. The friendship system, random encounters, phone calls, and little details throughout the city make Liberty City feel like a world rather than a map.
The Euphoria physics are still hilarious and impressive, the gunplay has weight, the vehicle handling feels satisfying once you get used to it, and the overall atmosphere is something I don't think Rockstar has ever quite recreated in the same way.
But what really surprised me is how well the game has aged. Yes, the graphics are old by today's standards, but the world design, writing, soundtrack, characters, and atmosphere are timeless. There are moments where you can simply drive around Liberty City at night, listen to the radio, watch the city lights and rain, and completely forget you're playing a game from 2008.
And the DLCs deserve huge respect too. The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony add even more personality to the world and make the entire experience feel enormous.
I came for GTA.
I stayed for Liberty City.
