There seems to be some mixed opinions about GTA IV despite a lot of rave reviews for the game. I’m in the “awesome game” camp, rather than the “over hyped piece of crap” camp.

If you asked me what impresses me the most about GTA IV then I’d struggle to name one stand out component that blows me away. I could say the humour but that’s very subjective. You either get it or you don’t.

What really does impress me is the little things that you just don’t see in any other games. None of these things directly affects the main story but they all help to immerse you in the world that R* have created.

Here are some of my favourites:

Little Thing No.1
I was driving along, just checking out the scenery when I noticed a car pulled over on the kerb with the boot (trunk) open and a guy was fiddling about inside. I literally stopped and just watched him for almost 1 minute. 😆

Little Thing No.2
Similar to no.1 but this time a car had pulled over with smoke coming out of the engine. The woman was gesturing in annoyance at her misfortune. Once again I just had to stop and watch what was going on.

Little Thing No.3
Some random driver knocked me down while I was crossing the road so I shot him in the face through the side window. His head slumped forward against the horn and he crashed into a wall with the horn still sounding from his head laying against it. 😆

I thought that was a nice touch…

Little Thing No.4
The civilians that wander around Liberty City really adds a lot to what makes a GTA game so immersive. From talking on their mobile (cell) phone, to just standing and chatting about random stuff, it all makes you feel like Liberty City is real. All the GTA games have done this but GTA IV has done it on a far grander scale.

Little Thing No.5
The TV channels are absolutely superb. The first thing I did in GTA IV was watch TV. I caught Bas Rutten’s appearance in Just For Men and I was in tears of laughter for 10 mins solid. It was by far the funniest thing I’d ever seen and not just from a videogame.

Absolutely brilliant display of self parody taken to new heights. That moment alone made GTA IV worthwhile for me.

Little Thing No.6
The bizarre websites that you can find in GTA IV are something else. Check out some of these:

– www.bigdog.blogsnobs.org
– www.darksoullock.blogsnobs.org
– www.eddielowfilthslayer.blogsnobs.org
– www.fefighter2008.blogsnobs.org
– www.inyapuper.blogsnobs.org
– www.liberatedwoman.blogsnobs.org
– www.limevenus.blogsnobs.org
– www.mail.eyefind.info
– www.pychakilla.blogsnobs.org
– www.a-thousand-words.net
– www.americantravelguide.net
– www.antfarmcam.net
– www.area53site.com
– www.artthrob.org
– www.autoeroticar.com
– www.babiesovernight.com
– www.beanmachinecoffee.com
– www.blogsnobs.org
– www.bruciesexecutivelifestyleautos.com
– www.burgershot.net
– www.chiropracticovernight.com
– www.craplist.net
– www.designerslave.com
– www.domestobotlovers.com
– www.dragonbrainthemovie.com
– www.easterislandcoverup.com
– www.eatbiglogs.com
– www.elchamucoroboto.com
– www.electrictit.com
– www.electronicwritingtablet.com
– www.erisfootware.com
– www.eugenicsincorporated.com
– www.eunux.net
– www.eyefind.info
– www.fantasyleaguebatswingers.com
– www.fistfans.com
– www.flyhighpizzapie.com
– www.freejames.org
– www.friendswithoutfaces.net
– www.gloryholethemepark.com
– www.goldberglignerandshyster.com
– www.golfloversonline.net
– www.grype.org
– www.hand-jobs-online.com
– www.happyfarmersupplies.com
– www.heritagenothate.org
– www.homecremation.com
– www.homeworkfriend.org
– www.hornyhighschoolreunions.com
– www.huganimals.com
– www.ilovetoblow.org
– www.krapea.com
– www.leftover-vacations.com
– www.libertycitypolice.com
– www.libertycityrealestate.net
– www.libertytreeonline.com
– www.liesdamnlies.net
– www.lipurgex.com
– www.littlelacysurprisepageant.com
– www.lootandwank.com
– www.love-meet.net
– www.loveyourmeat.com
– www.money2makemoney.com
– www.modderstotallyrule.com
– www.myonlineme.com
– www.myroomonline.net
– www.onlineradiorevolution.com
– www.our-own-reality.com
– www.outdatedtastes.com
– www.outsourceforamerica.com
– www.peepthatshit.com
– www.pinktorpedo.org
– www.piswasser.com
– www.pointclickshipabitch.com
– www.poker-in-the-rear.com
– www.publiclibertyonline.com
– www.redwoodcigarettes.com
– www.roidsforlittleboys.com
– www.rustybrownsringdonuts.com
– www.shitster.de
– www.sprunksoda.com
– www.stopshavingnow.net
– www.thebankofliberty.com
– www.tobaccofacts.net
– www.vipluxuryringtones.com
– www.weazelnews.com
– www.whattheydonotwantyoutoknow.com
– www.whymommygotfat.com
– www.yourmexicandoctor.com
– www.yournewbabysname.com

GTA IV has received a lot of rave reviews but when it comes to opinions from gamers that have played the game, it appears GTA IV is a big jar of Marmite. I personally hate Marmite but I love GTA IV.

So what is your view on GTA IV? Is at as good as the reviews say it was or do you feel underwhelmed by the whole experience?