by Youlikeyams

Editor’s note: This is a spoilerific piece that I pulled directly from the SG Community Blogs. It’s a discussion of the GTA IV storyline. CongratualtionsYoulikeyams!

NOTE: This article will contain HUGE GTA IV spoilers from all points of the game’s storyline. You can’t talk about the epic storyline of GTA IV without spoiling a few things. Don’t read it if you don’t want the game spoiled.

Last chance. I spoil everything. Ok then, read on!

Having just finished GTA IV’s story a night or so ago, it got me thinking about all the new features of the game and which was my favourite. Was it the proper implementation of an immersive world where the radio and Internet media reported on your every move? The way every person reacts to you, whether they trip over your legs, tumble down the stairs or limp away after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg? The epic soundtrack of The Journey ramping up the tension before a big mission? Or was it simply being able to put on the Honkers theme and a ringtone of an OAP breaking her hip before calling my cousin and going for a drink?

Truth be told, I love all of these features as much as the next guy, and I am in no way doubting the effect they have on the GTA IV experience. However, none of the fantastic new gameplay features, physics engines or tiny little details make this game for me. What really makes this game for me is the character of Niko Bellic.

For one, Niko is hardly a likely candidate for a Scarface-style takeover of the city, nor is he going to be considered the next governor, running alongside the game’s other competitors in the hilarious smear campaign. Whereas Tommy Vercetti oozed Ray Liotta cool and it was awesome following him on his climb up the ladder to the top of Vice City, and it was nice to an extent to build up CJ’s rep, muscle and private jet collection as he dominated the entire state of San Andreas, Niko is a regular guy. He’s vulnerable and hardly up for trying to rule a city he’s just emigrated to illegally. Fresh from the Third Balkan War and ready to receive the fast cars and plastic whores promised to him by his cousin Roman, Niko is convinced he’s got it made after suffering in the war - his own remorse distilled by the sheer amount of death in the conflict. Naturally, Roman’s talking BS and our man Niko is stuck in a dinghy apartment in the Brooklyn-esque neighbourhood of Broker. Not exactly what he had in mind.

It’s a great set-up for once, and not just because of the stylish intro. Claude Speed (the mute protagonist of GTA III) Tommy Vercetti and CJ were all living great, normal lives until they ran into one form of a stick-up or another, and the entire plotline revolves around their attempts to climb back up to the top. It’s hardly riveting because you know what’s going to happen at the end. Here though, we’re in just as unfamiliar a situation as Niko - in new, uncharted territory with no idea where we’re going next. It’s from here on in that for the first time, I was genuinely interested in a GTA story which had more to offer than just a rise to the top.

Continue the saga, on page 2

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