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| From: Rockstar Games
Category: Video Games
List Price: $59.99
Buy Used: $20.97
You Save: $39.02 (65%)
New (79) Used (103) Collectible (1) from $20.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  258 reviews
Sales Rank: 135
Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB: Mature
Media: Video Game
Edition: Standard
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 17 - 20 years
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
MPN: 39012
UPC: 710425390128
EAN: 0710425390128
ASIN: B000FRU1UM
Release Date: April 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Disc may have light scratches. Case may show some wear
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| Customer Reviews:
Worth the $60.00 - Pros and Cons April 30, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
Picked up my reserved copy yesterday after work. I spent a few hours playing it last night when my wife was out doing the shopping. So far so good. The graphics are dramatically improved, and the attention to detail in every single pedestrian is excellent. Taking into consideration that I'm only 10% into the game, this might be premature, but here are a few pros and cons:
Pros:
- Massive playing territory.
- Excellent visuals.
- Interesting approaches to new interfaces (using the cell phone, using the internet, etc).
- Variety in vehicles.
- More realism in the AI modeling and behaviors.
- Nice multiplayer.
Cons:
- Graphics aren't up to COD 4 caliber (understandably for the geographic size of GTA IV).
- Difficult to understand the over emphasized accents.
- Sub-par vehicle handling model.
- Very difficult achievement points (XBox 360 only).
All said and done, the game leaves me wanting to play more. It's worth a purchase and I'm sure to enjoy playing through it.
Update September 26, 2008
While I have not major beefs against GTA IV, the only real annoyance I have with the game is how absolutely massive it is. For some, this might be a good thing. For others, such as myself, who are casual gamers, this can be annoying and frustrating. This last week I picked up the game for one hour of playing. I was only able to accomplish one small mission in that time frame due to the size and depth of the game. During that one hour period, I drove across two islands, had to out-run the police twice, was killed trying to beat the mission once, and in the end, finished just one, fairly basic mission.
I am a very, very, very casual, social gamer. I don't have time to sit with a game for hours on end. If you're like me, and you're time is limited, GTA IV might be a better rental - you'll enjoy the graphics, you'll enjoy the open environment, you'll enjoy the new options.
 GTA4 is the new Gold Standard for video games April 30, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
From the moment the title screens starts rolling, you are automatically drawn into the world of Liberty City. The plight of Niko unfolds much like most other GTA games, but you'll soon find that the subtle differences make this game great beyond comparison. From being able to pick up small items you find, to knocking over trash cans, to noticing that no two peds wear the same outfit, you'll understand just how much work went into making this game as close to a real city as gaming has thus provided.
Having tons and tons of vehicles around town to "borrow" doesn't hurt either. Each with very accurate physics and details, you can lose yourself in just driving around for hours at a time. The radio stations are just too cool, and still provide long play lists before looping. A game with little else other than driving with great tunes would be worth the price.
The missions are as plentiful as the characters you meet, and constructed just as well. I can't say enough good things about this game.
The playtime value is more than enough to earn this game high rankings, but the Rockstar team only settled for, dare I say, perfection.
Fun but VERY vulgar! April 30, 2008
8 out of 22 found this review helpful
I have only played this game for about 5 hours so far. In that time I have heard - in one form or another - the "f-word" used so many times that it reminds me of the Beverly Hills Cop movies with Eddie Murphy.
Even pedestrians will pop-off the "f-word" at you.
For me, this is a turn off.
To me, the creators of the game either were not or are not "creative" enough to design a "hectic" storyline without the use of a boatload of profanity to "beef" it up. I prefer a "smart" story-line, such as Prison Break or Lost. And I can't remember hearing a curse-word on either of those shows.
Even in very disturbing games like Bioshock or in epics like Mass Effect, I can't remember a single line of curse in either one. And they were some of the best games I have ever played.
This means that it can be done without cursing and sexual inuendoes, but GTA is still as dirty and vulgar as ever...in fact I think it is getting close to being the most obscene piece of entertainment that I have ever watched or played. (Kane & Lynch was pretty bad too, but nothing was really sexual)
Parents beware. I would not let my kids (if I had any) play this game until they were at least 18.
GTA has always been borderline on being too vulgar for my tastes, but I still think that San Andreas is the best in the series. I believe that that game was a lot less obscene than GTA4.
So I guess what I am saying is that I would be careful while playing this game because it could influence you in ways that you might not desire. It could make you think that cursing is ok, sex is just some wild game to play whenever and however you like, and that getting away with aweful crimes is as simple as outrunning the circular proximity zone on your map (you might be surprised).
With all this said, I have to add that the game is a blast as always is the case with a GTA game. I just wish that they could put out an "edited" version of the game that has all the words bleeped out and sexual suggestions watered-down. All this coming from a 24 years old.
I'll also add that this time around, the storyline really makes you care for the characters more than in other attempts. If you can get past all of the cursing, killing, and sexual stuff, there is a pretty good story packed into the game. I guess this is why I continue to play the game; that and the fact that the city looks amazingly real, the cars handle more realistically, and it is fun just to drive around and play the minigames like pool, bowling, and darts.
Still, I do miss the RPG-like element that San Andreas had (lifting weights, running, ect). I guess this is why I liked that game better than the new one, although GTA4 does have and tell the best story of them all.
The Game of our time April 30, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
Each generation has its own videos, music, art, books and whatnot, to define it.
With modern society, games have started to become more of a culture and attraction than anything in the past. Anymore, a good game can easily compete, if not outsell, novels and cinematic bigscreen movies.
They are no longer animated-pixel "toys" to the modern world, and can tell a tale and show a world just as vast and creative as those in a movie or book.
And for a game like Grand Theft Auto 4, it not only disproves games are just for nerdy gamers, but its not much of a game at all, as it is a work of art. Quite simply, its the most stunning rendition of reality and the modern world in the face of crimes, gangs, and dilluted dreams of the "land of the free". As soon our character is alive, and the world around you breathes and moves like a typical stroll down a major city or coastline.
I could go on and on into detail, missions, control, story, but whats the point? It's so perfected, that nothing needs to be said other than "How did thy do it?". It's literally breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
I've played 5 hours of it since yesterday, but I can can stand here and produly proclaim that this game is going to be the game that defines this era.
I used to beleive it was the original 1993 id software release DOOM that defined everything for the gaming community, and open up gateways for infinite possibilities for generations to come, but where as it changed the way we perceived and would play games, and what could be permitted in them, Grand Theft Auto 4 redefines by adding life to a game, the ability to step into your character and everything becomes suddenly aware as if you were there yourself.
Do yourself a favor, buy this game. And if you dont have a console to play it on, buy one, and experience it for yourself.
 Good....but not great April 30, 2008
10 out of 24 found this review helpful
I waited along time for this game. I took off from work bought a 12 pack and planned on playing the best gam ever. Im not going to say Im disappointed. Maybe after the last 3 GTA's I was expecting to much. The game looks beautiful, the voice acting is excellant but the missions are already becoming boring. They seem to lack creativity, every mission I have done so far has been pretty much - find the target and kill them or give someone a ride. The online game is insanely fun but seems to lag alot. I think 16 players may be too much for the server. Alll in all, I would recommend buying this game. It is a fun game but just not as fun as I would have liked. I will probably be back to COD4 very soon. Also, I think alot of reviews up here are tempted to give great reviews because they have convinced themselves this game was going to be great before it came out. I dont know...seems like GTA 3 was better, but I havent finished this one so maybe Im jumping the gun.
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