Worldwide release - April 29, 2008

Not sure if everyone knows this yet, but apparently there's an online multiplayer mode this time around. Below is a description of those modes...

1. Team Deathmatch - Winning Team Deathmatch isn't a matter of scoring the most kills (though that helps). In true GTA fashion, it's about coming away with the most cash.

2. Cops N Crooks - Cops N Crooks puts players on two very different teams. One team spawns as crooks, with one of its members randomly selected to be the crime boss (or VIP). The other team spawns as cops in squad cars. The crooks need to help the boss get to a randomly selected escape points so he can flee the city. Most of these are along the water for a boat escape, though some have you extricated from a roof via helicopter. The cops win by either killing the boss or destroying the escape vehicle.

3. Hangman's NOOSE - In Hangman's NOOSE, you and your 1-3 other cohorts must take down the cops guarding a crime boss, Kenny, who's on a grounded plane at the airport.

4. GTA Race - Self explanatory... Let's say you choose a car to start the race and realize it's not nearly as good as your buddy's? Just hop out of your car and jack his. Or better yet, get in the backseat and steal a ride. Take any car or run on foot. Get through the checkpoints anyway you want. Or ignore checkpoints altogether and just cause havoc for others. Set up a roadblock, wait for your opponents to wreck, then hit them with an RPG.

Btw, all of the descriptions above were taken from IGN's site. If anyone wants to read the rest of their coverage I attached a link below.

GTA IV Multiplayer Hands On

Here's my only question... will it play well online using a PS3???

That doesn't sound half bad. I ALMOST bought it the other day and then realized COD4 is my life right now. Maybe when COD gets old...

last I knew it was only going to be released on Xbox? That change?

nm found it myself.

Damn, no PS2 release. The only games I really play anyway are the GTA series and the Resident Evil series (which also looks amazing for the PS3).

I'll have to buy a PS3 or just wait for the PC edition.

Anyone going to pre-order theirs? I've done this in the past and haven't received any significant benefit. If anything I've found I spent more time in customer service waiting to pick it up as opposed to going to the shelf.

I just hope this game is as good as San Andreas was.

This game may be the reason I finally purchase an Xbox360 or PS3

I have reserved in the past from game stop. No real advantage except on big releases like halo etc. Easier to get in and out as game stop sets up two lines. I may with this too have about 60 some left on my credit from there.

We should get a gta iv clan lol

I'm definately up for that if theres enough PS3 people here. Seems like the majority of online gamers here are 360 people. Nothing against them either... I'd like to have a 360, but I can't justify it right now.

I don't reserve anymore. Just as easy to walk in and buy.

But I'll be getting it for the PS3 as soon as possible!

I'll be picking it up for the PS3 as well.

I'm willing to kill in the name of XOC......someone set up that clan!

Now I'm definately in... just preordered GTA4 and MGS4.

My crown jewel of games this year though is Fallout 3 for the PC which I preordered last Friday. I even plunked down the extra $20 for the special edition.

The more I read about the multiplayer on GTAIV, the more I'm getting intrigued... this should be pretty cool on xbox live...

Next Tuesday it could be yours.

I just hope I have better success with this game online than I did with the Beta version of Metal Gear Online. That stupid thing (750+ MB) took almost an hour to download and then had the nerve to say that it needed another file update. Even worse, the version 1.1 update wouldn't install because Konami's servers went down. So much for that one.

hahaha...

Does xbox live still require subscriptions?? 'Cause if so, that's friggin' hilarious that finally there will be the same online game for both consoles, but the PS3 online is free...

Microsoft...

Does the ps3 online work well? Never played so was wondering? I heard it was buggy or laggy.

These are serious non flammatory questions.

I don't think anyone really knows yet. It hasn't been released!

I haven't noticed any issues. Only used it with 2 EA Games, so far, but no issues.

Meant in general not just gta specific

I don't the console will be the reason for lag... I have a feeling it'll have more to do with your internet connection speed.

Hopefully I'm wrong about this because I'd really like to try online gaming. I've tried it with the Wii and that's been nothing short of horrible.

Ah - my bad.

I play online almost exclusively with my PS3 (COD4, Warhawk and even Rock Band) and it works like a champ. Never get any lag.

Best of all - the price is right!

Just get whatever version your friend are getting. But if you have a choice, PS3.

It's 10 AM EST... does anyone have their copy yet? I have to wait until late this evening to pick mine up.

What a frustrating week for gaming though.. I just read that Metal Gear Online Beta is fully functioning. I guess I won't be participating in it though because GTA trumps my interest in that one.

No I know that I meant the online itself. Xbox live gets its period occasionally so it acts up. Was just wondering about ps3 as I do not own one. I am a 360 owner. Was just curious how it worked. Heard it was laggy now heard from guys I trust more (here) that it is not. May pick one up just for the fact of the blueray player.

Got mine this morning for the PS3 and haven't had any issues thus far. It looks AMAZING in 1080p. Excellent experience so far.

I've got a copy. Called out of work today and just played for 2:30:53. It's not bad. There is a lot of annoying stuff you have to do. Driving is more realistic and the story is pretty cool. I'm taking a break and going back to it in a little bit. I still like COD4 better but I can see this game taking up a bit of my life as it's def. not bad.

It doesn't play at 1080P, it plays at 630P and is scaled up on the PS3. They used the bandwidth for filtering instead.

http://kotaku.com/385237/gta-iv-runs-at-630p-on-playstation-3-so-whats-that-mean

Pretty cool 360-ps3 GTAIV comparison...

http://kotaku.com/384422/which-version-of-gta-iv-should-you-buy-we-compare-the-ps3-and-360-versions

We've played both versions of GTA IV—quite a bit, actually. We've noticed a handful of differences, some of which you know, some which you may not, many of them hair-splitting. We break it down, from frame rate to controls, after the break.

I picked it up today. Love how the cars llok more like real cars then the phony cars in the last 3. Also like the graphics a lot better and a really cool thing is if your driving and say you hit a wall or a concrete embankment and are going fast enough you will get thrown through the windshield.

Played it for about 3 hours last night... the game is an absolute 10!

Initial impressions:
1. Love the driving physics. Makes for a better challenge.
2. The cops are way more agressive. I wound up getting a 6 star rating unintentionally within the first five minutes of playing. I sort of forgot the difference between L1 and the right and left arrow pad. Ah oops!!!
3. The envelope has been pushed even further than ever. The language factor even turned me a bit at times and I was alone. How cool is that?!
4. My only gripe is that sometimes I find it hard to hear what Nico and Roman are saying. Their speech is a little slured in my opinion.

Overall worth the wait.

Oh, did anyone watch the tv in Roman's appartment yet? That show "I'm Rich" is fucking hilarious!!

i lve that part where they are drunk and u have to drive home.

I actually found the game repetitive and inferior to COD 4. I can see why some people would love it but it def. wasn't for me. I returned it to Best Buy and went right back to COD 4. I'm a little dissapointed.

Repetitive? It's a sandbox game, you can go anywhere and do anything. Give it another chance, all GTAs get good when you start to experiment with them.

Well damn you should have sent it to me!!!

Its the only way I will experience life in the city.

Day 2 impressions:

1. The cop car missions will keep me entertained for months! That's some fun stuff right there.
2. Drunk driving sucks! That's the first time visuals from a tv made me dizzy.

Driving around and killing people never gets old..agreed. I didn't enjoy the missions very much @ all. I'd just rather play COD 4 and kill people that way..

Picked this up yesterday with Gran Turismo 5 prologue (scaled down version of 5 which isn't out yet). While the graphics are amazing and everything, i'm feeling the sense of been there done that as I played Vice City forever. My only real complaint is the music. WTF??? I've got an extensive music collection and haven't heard of a lot of this crap. Did they go cheap on us with the music??? You spend over $100 million making a game and this is the best music list you come up with?? I hope there will be a way to import our own music to it.

The multiplayer is a riot. Mike and I spent an hour or so killing each other with RPGs and Ferraris.

They got the multiplayer modes working??

Did you play online via X Box 360 or PS3? If 3, I'd like to play you in a game sometime soon!!

Last night I sent Ian a voice message saying I wasn't all that impressed with the game so far. We hooked up and did a little free roaming and I was getting a better feel for the controls and city.

We then jumped into multiplayer......holy shit what a difference! The cars are so much better handling and the game doesn't appear to be as sluggish as single player. It was a blast picking up a RPG and blowing shit up....especially Ian. And of course there was one point where I saw an orange dot (Ian) on the map comming up behind me....SHIT!!!...too late...a Ferrari, Maserati or some other fast friggin' car plows me over on the sidewalk, Ian's laughing his ass off over the chat. For most of the time we were playing we were either saying "OH SHIT!" or laughing like little kids. Great fun.

Two other guys jumped in the game and one runs up and tries punching me out, shot him dead. Stupid ass....fists against gun loses every time. He tried over and over....and died every time until he figured out the gun thing. I must have killed him 4 or 5 times before he finally shot me with an assault rifle.

The multi-player is going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to get 16 players in a session, it's going to be kaos!

I played last night fine. Never took game out of system or anything.........when I go to play tonight, it won't load. It's stuck on the LOADING-IT'S YOUR CALL and the music ends and won't get any farther.

Holy crap! That sounds awesome! I was going to try an wait to get this game with the new kid taking up most of my time and all, but I may not be able to wait now.

I was in free roam last night and there were two guys cruising around in a bus..just driving around. Well I RPG'd them and I got kicked from the game..

Ian and I were on again last night playing some free roam. A few guys joined in after an hour or so. One guy showed us where the helicopters are and everyone was either flying one, riding with someone else, or hauling ass in a boat asking to be RPG'd (Ian). I ended up crashing one in the ocean and swimming for shore. One guy had a copter on the beach and told me he'd pick me up so I headed that way. He didn't see me and started to take off just as I reached the beach.....I RPG'd him for not waiting bwahahahahaha!

Jumping out of helicopters is good fun too.....man you can fall a looooonnnnnnggggg way. Sucks though when you're riding along with someone piloting one and right out of the blue he jumps out. OH SHIT! hahahaha

Question about the helicopters... do they regenerate? I ask this because when I found one playing single player mode, I noticed another helicopter didn't regenerate in the place where I initially found it. I put my first one on top of a building with a yellow "H" landing pad and then never could find it again.

Also, has anyone gotten stuck on a mission yet? I got stuck on one where you have to go to the strip club and take out all 3 of the managers. If someone beat that, could you give me advice on how???

I'm having trouble w/ getting the coke out of the abandoned hospital. I get the coke but when NOOSE raids the place I usually don't have any life left as it is..

Use more cover. I took about 5% damage getting in and out of there. Make sure you buy a vest before that mission, there is a store nearby. Use cover, always. If you don't have a solid aim on a target, blindfire with the mini-sub.

Who contracts you for that mission? Little Jacob?

Sort of, but you can't miss the mission, it's required to progress.

XterraAZ, you just sold Rockstar a copy of GTA IV! The multiplayer sounds like fun!

Not as fun as COD4 in multiplayer..

The coke mission is contracted out by Elizabeth I think..

You could return the game... again.
COD4 and GTA4 are completely different games, comparing them, and their amount of "fun" level is apples and oranges, unless of course you're just playing Deathmatch, in which case you're completely missing the point of the Grand Theft Auto series.

Still trying to figure out how on earth you can think GTA is repetitive when COD4 (and most first person shooters) is the very definition of the term.

MEh. I just found COD to be more fun single player and multi. I think I'm just bored of GTA having spent countless hours playing GTA3, then vice city, and even san andreas. I dont play multiplayer much on GTA4 I've been sticking to the single player but I am bored of it...again.

I find it hard to understand how anyone could say GTA IV is boring or repetitive. I've found at least 20 different ways to die in multi-player, 10 of which Ian and Xavier hit me with last night and I was only on for about 20 minutes. BASTARDS! Great fun though.

I was saving my RPG rockets for Ian in his helicopter but Xavier came around hunting me down so I had to use them up blasting him into next week. hahaha!!!!! Paid back in full

We've got to get a group together and do some Cops & Crooks, Turf wars, or whatever. Hell, I don't even know what all is out there in MP, having too much fun in free roam.

One tip for the new people.....when you spawn, you have two choices- start shooting or run, better do one or the other fast or you're going to die (and probably laugh pretty hard too).

I meant 1080i, but whatever, it looks great and is fricken addictive!

Lmao I tried to cross the closed bridge. Did you know u can get shot up being in the car.

Just finished Three Leaf Clover... holy. shit. I fired over 1200 rounds during it. If you loved the movie Heat, this mission is for you.

The game simply gets better and better as I go along.

Sounds like you're a bit ahead of me... did you beat Undressed to Kill yet? I'm so stuck on that one.

As for multiplayer mode, I'd like to give it a try this Saturday. I guess I should post my PS3 online ID so that I can be on the lookout for anyone else here who wants in on a game.

I made that mistake myself last night. There's a walkway between and below the two opposite lanes of traffic. I was riding a motorcycle and was jumping steps up to the walkway. Didn't realize it was on a bridge to an unopened island yet. 6 stars quick, wow. Didn't get away that time, cops blew me up.

I'm just under 15% in progress, got a long way to go. This will only be the 2nd video game I've played through the single player on. I normally just play multiplayer or use cheats, open everything up, and go on rampages like in St's Row, GTA III, etc. Only other game I've played start to finish was Crackdown, pretty decent game.

Definitely enjoying GTA IV. Everyday I look forward to the end of my work day to get home and see what's in store for Niko next. I've become a video game junkie.

I have noticed the key to success is never leaving home without body armor, always use cover, and snap to targets quickly with the aim system. Snap, then move up ever so slightly for a headshot, then find the next target.

For Undressed to Kill, I started with the guy in the private room, switch to shotgun in a corner out of line of sight. Drop the guy blocking the door, then the manager inside the room as you bum rush it, then switch to the sub machine gun. Move to the entrance to the main room and take cover on either side. Pick targets carefully until everyone but strippers are dead. Last dude is outside, shoot him through the windshield of his car.

Thanks!!

Btw is it normal for the cops to raid the place during the mission? Last time I played that mission they wound up taking me down.

No cops showed up when I did it.

Not bad, I haven't played it enough to say if it's better than COD 4 yet though. Definitely a different kind of game. The multiplyaer is fun, add me to your friend's list if I'm worthy(BigE515)

Huh? Maybe I got a little too aggressive on the entire room then? I know there's a good deal of patrons, strippers, etc so maybe that's what got me so many stars.

Don't shoot the strippers!

Anyhoo, Leslie is out of town for the weekend, GTA4 all weekend with the volumn at 11, right after I watch Heat.

I finally beat that mission yesterday thanks to your help!

Without a doubt, the abandoned hospital mission is the best one so far!! I couldn't believe how intense it was and how much strategy it required.

Here's how I beat it:

I started off by buying body armor (had some left after the mission ended) and a bunch of sniper rounds. I figured that my odds would be a lot better if I picked off every enemy I could see from afar. Then I worked my way through the ruins slowly and then the fun began!!! That NOOSE team is friggin intense! I just ran for it and got into the little sports convertible I left in the parking lot. Next thing I know I headed for a pay and spray, got trapped by a bunch of cop cars, busted through them and ran to the other side of the map. Lost 'em.

Oh what a friggin great mission that was! I won't spoil the cut scene though. :p

Ok I am going to go get this tomorrow.

Attention to all those who are bored with or finished with GTA IV: sell it to me! PS3 version please!

Yeah, me too. I have a Best Buy gift card that I still need to use. There's a 10% off coupon that expires today too, so I need to go today.

Bored or finished?!?!?! AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA...you obviously haven't played it yet....

Ebeauchea seems to be bored with it. I wonder if his is a PS3 version?

Has anyone else rolled across a side mission yet? I came across two purely by accident... One involved taking a drunk to a warehouse and the other one involved going on an interview. I don't want to spoil the details.. just curious if anyone else found these yet.

I also liked the weird cut scene where a drunk rich guy gave me $100 for no reason. I found him by chance near the first apartment you get.

Question for FOG... did you play the Holland Play mission yet? If so, did you take out the loud mouth or the target?

I did one where I had to take pictures of a guys cheating wife for him.

Looks like we're not the only ones who love this game...

1st week sales: $500 million worldwide
Units sold on 1st day: Approx 3.6 million
Units sold 1st week: Approx 6 million.
Cost to develop: $100 million

Got mine on Monday like I said, but still haven't really had time to play much. I've done the 1st two missions. Looking forward to getting some more time on my hands.

I played the Holladn Play already. It makes you wonder what happens if u picekd the other person.

I have played a few missions but now Vlad is no where to be found and I am running short on money.

Michelle really really likes me though lol.

Highly addicted to this game so far.

By the way look me up online if you are on.

Dahigi

Paul are you playing on a PS3 or 360?

I'm yet to play online because I'm still highly engrossed in the single player campaign. Gee imagine that.

He's on 360

Since the majority of my GTA experiences were on a PlayStation, I didn't spring for a 360 when I first heard about the next generation GTA being made for both systems. The only other system I've played GTA on was Dreamcast and that was for GTA2.

Here's a question maybe a 360 person may know. I read the other day that Microsoft's planning on realeasing downloadable content later this year for GTA 4. I get that much, but what I'd like to know is if the content is a 360 exclusive. If so then I feel kinda cheated over here.

Since I lost my COD 4 XOC buddy to this game and I had some kid try to lecture me on how the P90 isn't a PB gun (pussy boy) I'm going to be on GTA, look me up! BigE515

Who was you cod4 buddy lol

I'll make sure that if I see someone with "BigE515" over their head to run them over.



Oh man, I love to bounce people off the front of a car and then say hello as they're hitting the pavement.

It will be easy, as the dorks say...."I'm a noob"

Yes it is 360 Exclusive content

Whos Played Three Leaf Clover yet. Thats a fun one. Make sure you load up on grenades

Fuck I had to start over. Played for a few days without getting any missions. Not sure what happened. May have missed something.

Best friggin mission so far!!!

I never considered using grenades during this mission. My methods revolved around using the carbine like there was no tomorrow! Tip for anyone yet to play this one... take your time and hide behind walls constantly. I actually made it out with full health and about 10% body armor remaining.

The most frustrating mission I've run across was the "give me your motorcycle, clothes, ect" mission. I must have tried that one 5 times before finally getting through it.

I finally made the decision to dig deep into the dark recesses of my wallet for $64 and bought the game two days ago. But don't tell my wife! She doesn't know I have it yet. I've been playing it stealthily when everyone's asleep. I also reserved a copy of MGS IV.

You made a wise choice there friend!

I have MGS IV on pre-order too, but I don't forsee myself abandoning GTA anytime soon so MGS IV might sit on my shelf for a bit. Oh and as a side note... MGS IV won't be the last game in the series. While I don't know who the main character will be in future installments (my guess is Raiden) apparently Konami minus Kojima will carry on the series.

My wife found out!!! So last night while she was nagging, I continued to play until 4 am.

Don't sweat it, you won't miss her........much.

miss who?

Broke down, after reading this tread and giving in to peer pressure from friends, and bought a 120 GBB 360 & this game yesterday.

Multiplayer is awesome! I played Deathmatch for hours last night.

Tag: terrapin sf

The McReary family is the best group to work for imo.

Favorite missions:
1. Three Leaf Clover
2. Blood Brothers
3. She's a Keeper

So I finally got some time to play this weekend... I got it over 20% complete now. I forgot how addicting these games were. I decided to try online, but for the life of me I couldn't find how to do it. I'm sure it was staring me in the face, but I couldn't find it. That's probably a good thing because I got some much needed rest, but if someone could tell me how to play this game online before I resort to the manual, I'd appreciate it. Oh yeah, I have the 360 version.

I haven't gone online myself, but you access the multiplayer feature through Niko's phone. Just bring up his phone (up on the d-pad) and then go to "Multiplayer".

I finished the storyline last night (revenge branch) and will hopefully finish the other branch tonight. I agree that the McReary's have the best missions.

Wow, thanks! I would have never of guessed that.

Congrats on finishing the campaign mode. I think I'm nearing the end as I'm well into 70+ missions completed. Are you planning on going for 100% completion??? If so, good luck blasting all those feathered rats!

Ok you guys... readin all this and hearing Ian talk about it in Moab convinced me.

Just ebayed it for $40 should be here Monday or Tuesday.

Oh on Holland play make sure you kill playboy and not Dwayne.

What happens if you kill Dwayne? I killed Playboy. Just wondering would he have offered more missions??

Playboy calls u a punk and dosent want to associate with u any more.

This isn't a spoiler by any means... when you're hanging out with Dwayne e.g. going to drink, get a meal, etc Dwayne will admit that he misses Playboy being around. The reason I mention this is because Niko will go slightly on the defensive and tell Dwayne "hey I did as you said."

On a separate note.. I know that one of y'all went the revenge path but did you find it worth it? I'm going the deal route first because I want to see how it turns out.

I went the revenge way. yea it was great, I'm curious on how it happened the other way around. I finished the story but it says its only 60% done with the whole game. I just did the story missions. not any side. so that might be why? I don't know

Yasha, here's a brief wiki on achieving 100% status.

IGN GTA 4 Wiki

There's beaucoup mini-quests, challenges, etc you'll have to complete if you want to achieve 100% completion. Rumor has it that you can use the internet within the game to help you locate a lot of the side quests, etc.

In other news, according to wikipedia there's a glimmer of hope for PS3 owners regarding downloadable GTA 4 expansions. They may actually have it for PS3 too as it turns out.

O> M> G> That game is fun!!! And I have only been able to play it for about 2 hours.

Glad ya' like it!

Do yourself a favor and don't take the deal when it comes time. I made the unfortunate mistake of taking it instead of going with my gut, and as a result the end was quite shitty.

I borrowed this game and I have been playing it the whole weekend on the 360... keep in mind that I haven't really been a big fan of the GTA series before now...

1. Initially it was very exciting... jacking cool cars and such...
2. The more missions I go through, the more repetitive it seems... I guess I haven't played enough yet though... some of the mission you guys speak of I haven't reached yet...
3. After Roman's cab depot gets burned, I am really missing the car service... I don't like driving across the map to see people.
4. Online play is fun, but not as fun as COD4 in my opinion... a lot more random violence and random thuggish teenagers cussing... I guess I'm still getting used to the whole online play... I know Ian mentioned that its comparing apples to oranges... but I guess I miss the variety & detail of weapons quickly at your disposal in COD4...

If you're looking for some variety in the online GTA gameplay, start hosting Missle Launcher only deathmatches.

Holy cow is that fun.

Sweet baby Jesus in the cradle, Three Leaf Clover is hard...

Take your time on this one.

If you're still having problems, use this link as last resort.
Three Leaf Clover Strategy

Ahhhhhhh...four days later...finally....whew.

Just finished both endings tonight (revenge and deal). I think this was a great first "next gen" GTA game, but Vice City and San Andreas had better game play and way better music, imo. Now, this one has online play which puts it in a different league, but hopefully they'll build upon these new graphics and maybe update the "formula". I don't know if I'm going to try for 100% yet. I love the jumps, so I may try to complete those. I wonder if there is there a map out there yet that shows where the rest of side missions and extras are? Oh well, time to mess around a little on Live.

well of course there is a map. Its made by Brady Games

Yeah, I don't think I'm going to pay half the price of the game to get the guide that'll get me to 100%. Hopefully something pops up on the internet some day like it has for the previous games.

Ask and you shall receive...

GTA 4 Guide

GTA Hood

Between both of these links you shouldn't have any problem reaching 100% completion.

In the internet and google we trust.
:p

In the internet and google we trust.
:p

This may also come in handy... :p

http://www.gta4maps.info/2008/06/gta-4-hooker-map.html

What they really need to do is what they had with the PC version of III, which is have an MP3 player with songs you load onto the hard drive. I'm surprised it wasn't available on this one.

And agreed with above: The music this time was way weaker than in past versions...hence my wish for an MP3 player.

Define "game play", because I have no idea what you're talking about.

Music, decade themes, map layout, jets/planes, and lastly... I used to love riding bikes the best. Not anymore. Anyway, just my opinion and all I can recall off the top of my head.
I am glad they did away with the whole eating and exercising like San Andreas had though.

If you on a 360, you can do that with any game already - it's built into the system....