Grand Theft Auto IV

Guide Note:

Grand Theft Auto IV is the ninth title in the long-running Grand Theft Auto series. Set in a redesigned Liberty City, based on four of the boroughs of New York City and parts of New Jersey, the total area of the map is smaller than San Andreas. While smaller, the newly designed Liberty City is far more detailed and the largest individual city in the Grand Theft Auto series. The game tells the story of Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant who immigrates to Liberty City to live "the American Dream" at the urging of his cousin Roman.

Core gameplay primarily consists of elements of a third-person shooter and a driving game. The main character is capable of walking, running, swimming, climbing and jumping, as well as utilizing weapons and engaging in basic hand to hand combat. A variety of vehicles are available, including automobiles, boats, helicopters, and motorcycles. When not following the storyline to do some free roaming exploration, keep in mind that wreaking havoc will attract undesired and potentially lethal attention from the authorities. The strength of the response correlates to the severity of the chaos. Police address "minor" infractions within the game such as attacking people, pointing guns, stealing cars, killing a small number of people, etc. However, higher level infractions are addressed by SWAT teams, the FBI, and the military.

1. Niko Bellic: Eastern European immigrant; served in the Balkan Peace keeping Force; formerly imprisoned in a third-world prison for unknown reasons. Character can climb telephone poles and fire escapes, push people, call women for dates, play darts, bowl, and become intoxicated (the character stumbles and the camera blurs and bounces). Came to Liberty City in search of a better life, and to find someone who has betrayed him
2. Roman Bellic: Niko's cousin. Owner of Roman's Taxi Depot. Persuaded Niko to immigrate to Liberty City with talk of women, hot tubs and sports cars. Call him for a free taxi anywhere in the city
3. Michelle: Niko's possible girlfriend with no direct benefit to gameplay. Only call her for dates during the day. She will refuse evening invitations.
4. Elizabeta Torres: successful Dominican small-time drug dealer in Bohan
5. Little Jacob: Caribbean arms dealer from whom you can purchase guns. Thick accent and almost impossible to understand
6. Vladimir Glebov: Russian loan-shark and bar owner who harasses Niko to repay him borrowed money
7. Manny Escuela: Rapper. Former hoodlum who has allegedly mended his ways
8. Brucie: wealthy fitness enthusiast and a loud mouth owns a garage near Roman's Taxi Depot
9. Phil Bell: Liberty City Mafia member
10. Brucie Kibbutz: Friend of Roman. Fitness fanatic. Abuses steroids and other performance enhancing drugs routinely. Provides access to car theft missions
11. Mikhail Faustin: Russian Mob Leader
12. Dimitri Rascalov: Faustin's right hand man
13. Elizabeta Torres
14. Playboy X: Moderately successful drug dealer
15. Dwayne Forge: Friend of Playboy X recently released from prison
16. Patrick "Packie" McReary: Part of the McReay crime family
17. Francis McReary: Police officer with something to hide. Packie's brother. Works with Manny.
18. Ray Boccino: Packie's employer from Little Italy. Head of traditional Sicilian mafia family
19. 16 Karen: Unlock dates by doing missions for Packie. Do not press your luck after the first date

Fast Facts:

1. Developer Site: Rockstar North
2. Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360
3. Genre: Action
4. Confirmed to have a multiplayer component
5. 150 game developers at work on the project
6. Release Date: April 29, 2008