PsychoCarbo Grand Theft Auto IV Review

05/10 HEY NIKOOOOO! I like you, but you're boring... Well, folks, I know this was one of the defining games in the GTA series. And it has its positives. The graphics improved a lot, there are new mechanics and some interesting features. And I like Niko. He’s my favorite protagonist in the series. But... I wish I enjoyed playing GTA IV just as much. So, after more than 20 hours of playtime and months of weighing up the decision, I decided to stop. I usually play through franchises in order, so leaving a GTA game unfinished bothers me. But there came a point where I was more motivated by finishing it than by actually wanting to play it. I think what I missed most was the spirit of San Andreas and the earlier games. Even when dealing with heavy themes, SA managed to mix drama, irreverent humor, and completely absurd situations. There was a willingness to play around with its own world that made the experience a lot more fun for me. In GTA IV, the humor is still there, but the overall tone is much more serious, bitter, and restrained. I understand the change in direction, but it ended up leaving behind an important part of what I liked about the series. I missed that GTA that seemed capable of turning any mission into a wild ride full of possibilities. So my interest in Niko ran up against a campaign I was getting bored with. I kept going, hoping I’d get more invested, and I was feeling less and less like playing. Liking the protagonist wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. It’s a shame. I wanted to reach the end, but carrying on was starting to feel like a chore. After so many hours, it was hard to justify spending more time on a game I was having so little fun with. So I know this is a very personal review. The game isn’t bad, far from it, but it just doesn’t grab me. So, I recommend the game. But if you’re expecting a sequel with the same vibe as the previous games, you might end up disappointed, just like I did.