Grand Theft Auto IV

 Xbox 360
Grand Theft Auto IV Image
Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 86 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3176 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Metacritic's 2008 Xbox 360 Game of the Year; Also known as "GTA IV"] What does the American Dream mean today? For Niko Belic, fresh off the boat from Europe. It's the hope he can escape his past. For his cousin, Roman, it is the vision that together they can find fortune in Liberty City,[Metacritic's 2008 Xbox 360 Game of the Year; Also known as "GTA IV"] What does the American Dream mean today? For Niko Belic, fresh off the boat from Europe. It's the hope he can escape his past. For his cousin, Roman, it is the vision that together they can find fortune in Liberty City, gateway to the land of opportunity. As they slip into debt and are dragged into a criminal underworld by a series of shysters, thieves and sociopaths, they discover that the reality is very different from the dream in a city that worships money and status, and is heaven for those who have them an a living nightmare for those who don't. [Rockstar Games]… Expand
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Grand Theft Auto IV Official Trailer 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 86
  3. Negative: 0 out of 86
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    100
    It's got a world you believe in, a cast you care about and a script stuffed with brilliant moments... Utterly stunning in every resepct. [May 2008, p.79]
  2. PGNx Media
    100
    Grand Theft Auto IV is undoubtedly one of the strongest games of this generation. The amount of content is simply mind-blowing.
  3. ZTGD
    100
    I could go on for another couple thousand words about the amazing experience that is GTA IV, but what's most important for you to know is that this game is an absolute masterpiece.
  4. VideoGamer
    100
    We all knew GTA 4 would be a great game and sell millions of copies, but I didn't expect it to shame pretty much every other game I've played this generation.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    98
    With one of the most compelling stories ever told by a video game, an extremely likeable main character, an insane amount of online modes, and virtually no flaws to be detected, GTA IV is even more than it was expected to be by fans.
  6. MEGamers
    96
    The cut scenes are where the game really shines for me. There is this...this intensity in the character’s expression. Characters are actually emoting and expressing. They bring out emotions in us.
  7. netjak
    80
    The on-foot controls are an improvement but still have a long way to go before I would consider them even remotely good, and I can’t help but miss the huge world of San Andreas. That all being said, GTA IV offers up probably the most cohesive and mature story in the series to date.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 86 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 630 out of 914
  2. Mixed: 178 out of 914
  3. Negative: 106 out of 914
  1. JasonK
    May 6, 2008
    10
    This is the first GTA where I actually feel like I am in the game. Magnificent graphics that go unmatched with a sweet storyline. Yea This is the first GTA where I actually feel like I am in the game. Magnificent graphics that go unmatched with a sweet storyline. Yea 10/10...the first 10.10 game for me since Halo 2 came out (and that was just for the xbox live!).… Expand
  2. truth1124
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    It's not perfect but nearly.
    Better than many other games.
    This game is just fascinating and I think it is the beset game of 2008. Grand    It's not perfect but nearly.
    Better than many other games.
    This game is just fascinating and I think it is the beset game of 2008.
    Grand Theft Auto IV is undoubtedly one of the strongest games of this generation.    … Expand
  4. TheChiefOfCOD
    Dec 21, 2010
    10
    Wow. I really loved this game. It in every way blew me away. A captivating, epic, and deep storyline keeps you into it the entire way through.Wow. I really loved this game. It in every way blew me away. A captivating, epic, and deep storyline keeps you into it the entire way through. Me trying to find at least one thing to complain about. Nothing. This game really deserves GOTY. And I really have to say Niko Bellic is the only character in the GTA series that you can truly connect with. Understanding his difficult life and mis-adventures you can really feel his emotions. And for a free-roaming game they really knocked me out. The free roaming really is amazing. Its awesome how they can have such a nice, luminous city and still have amazing and almost flawless graphics. As for the multi-player, I didn't really play it that much but i love the fact that you can roam around Liberty City causing as much mayhem as you want. The ranked matches are good too, with death-match (etc...) it was pretty cool to see that in a GTA game. Surely I can truly say that you have not experienced free-roam/sandbox games until you have played GTA IV.… Expand
  5. TomasS.
    Jan 11, 2010
    9
    Brilliant game!
  6. ZachN.
    Sep 22, 2008
    8
    At first I was afraid I'd be the jerk who didnt give this game a big fat 10, but after getting a chance to look at everyones' At first I was afraid I'd be the jerk who didnt give this game a big fat 10, but after getting a chance to look at everyones' reviews here it seems I'm not alone in the least with my complaints. The action is great, the graphics are insane when you think of how much is going on at any given time, the voice acting is some of the best you'll ever find in a game, the story is engrossing and gritty. So yes this is a great game don't get me wrong, but it has a few core-game flaws. As everyone's mentioned, the mission fail system is terrible. Having to drive the same route five times to get to the same guy 5 times to try those 5 times to figure out what you're doing wrong gets old extremely fast. Since most of the missions consist of getting to the action; placing you just before the action when respawning would have made a world of difference. Another thing I seem to have in common with others here is the multiplayer complaints. It just simply isn't that fun. There is one redeeming quality in the multiplayer though. If you can do as I had the chance to and get yourself and a few friends and just run together terrorizing to city you'll definately be pleased. That was some of the most fun I've had gaming in a long time. The only problem is that I'm sure not everyone would be able to do this, and even the fun there doesn't last forever. As far as good things go though this game can be great, you just have to get over the whole mission fail system for the most part, because otherwise there's a ton of good story here to play though. I would say wait until it price drops some. I know it'll be awhile, but I was able to play it for free since my cousin got tired of it and lent it to me; and even then I somehow knew that I would have been horribly dissapointed if I'd dropped 60 bucks on this.… Expand
  7. meme
    May 27, 2008
    7
    This game does not deserve the 100% scores it's getting. It has a lot of control problems and the camera is really annoying sometimes. This game does not deserve the 100% scores it's getting. It has a lot of control problems and the camera is really annoying sometimes. The game is a lot of fun, don't get me wrong, but it's not the 10/10 masterpiece that these fanboy reviewers are making it out to be.… Expand
  8. JimM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    0
    It's an alright game but putting it over OoT is an outrage.

See all 914 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008