GTA IV is the worst game in the series.

It throws away the very identity that made Grand Theft Auto iconic in favor of a bleak, over-serious tone, clunky mechanics, and a story that tries hard to mean something but ends up meaning nothing. It’s not only disappointing, it’s the least enjoyable GTA game by far.

Prove me wrong.

>Story
The first thing people mention about this game is the story, and how "mature" and "ambitious" it is. But ambition doesn’t equal success. The narrative sets up big themes, betrayal, revenge, morality, and fails to follow through on any of them. The prologue promises justice or vengeance, but the game never pays it off. Instead, the story insists on being "deep" by brute-forcing emotional consequences that don’t feel earned. Niko begins as a broken man and ends as a broken man. There’s no character arc. No lesson learned. Just a trail of misery. If nothing changes, what’s the point?

>Characters
The cast is bloated. Characters appear, vanish, or die with barely any time to matter. Most feel like filler. Even the ones who stick around, like Roman, are one-note.
But Niko is the worst offender. He constantly lectures about morality, regret, and change, then turns around and becomes a full-time hitman. The contradiction is constant and obnoxious. He’s meant to be thoughtful and complex, but comes off as a hypocritical, whiny sociopath. And for what? Unlike Tommy Vercetti or CJ, who had goals, conflicts, and growth, Niko’s only consistent motivation is greed. His supposed quest for revenge is hollow. Even the death of Dimitri doesn’t seem to affect him. Why should we care if he doesn’t?

>Tone
This is where GTA IV’s biggest failure lies. The city is wonderfully crafted. Liberty City feels alive, vibrant, satirical. The radio, TV shows, pedestrian chatter, all of it is classic GTA social commentary. But the story doesn’t match that world at all. It’s dead-serious, joyless, and preachy. The tone of the missions directly clashes with the humor and absurdity found everywhere else. It's like playing two different games glued together. The world sets up a playground of satire. The story traps you in a depressing crime drama. The result? Total dissonance.

>Realism
GTA IV tries to be realistic, but only on the surface. In practice, its attempt at realism actively hurts gameplay. Driving is sluggish and frustrating. Combat is clunky. Police AI is meaningless with how trivial it is to bypass. These aren't immersive features, they’re annoyances. The game pretends realism is a virtue, but the mechanics constantly break the illusion.

GTA IV is a detour into everything GTA shouldn’t be. It strips away the fun, replaces satire with self-seriousness, and tries to pass off clunky mechanics as realism.
Rockstar clearly saw the flaws. GTA V is a direct course correction, bringing back the fun, freedom, and humor that define the franchise.

Which LLM did you use to get that text?

>>714279746
I have an army of Indians at my disposal.

IDK I liked hanging out with my friends

>>714279917
Fair.

>>714280003
yeah it feels like Niko is close to his buddies, Unlike in other games where you rarely see them outside of missions. Now I can regularly talk to the guy who does alot of Steroids.

>>714280137
I thought you mean your actual buddies. Hanging out with your virtual friends is sad.

>>714280206
oh the online mode was also good.
nothing wrong with wanting to hear what little jacob has to say (even more so that he gives ya cheap guns)

Started the modern rockstar writing trend of making it mature and realistic by making everyone total assholes all the time, but without any comedic charm or exaggerated personalities. Just a total conga line of pricks asking you to drive them around town.

>>714280315
Yes, GFWL was a joy.
There are weapon pickups like in all other GTA games. Why would you bother with buying guns? Is it a roleplaying game all of a sudden?

>>714280471
This. It's a barrage of cynicism.

>>714280471
>how to show you haven't played the game
Oh, anon.

>>714279225 (OP)
Counterpoint, you're gay, it's the best GTA we'll ever get.

>>714282634
I am, in fact, straight.

>>714280665
it's easier to buy them than to remember/check where they spawn and collect

>>714284637
That has been part of GTA since the very beginning. You remember the locations of weapon/armour spawns.

>>714284776
and buying weapons has been part of GTA since it went 3D and it's not like you're so strapped for cash in them that it's more optimal to collect them in the world

>>714279225 (OP)
its still way better than gta 5

>too serious
>get quest from naked man

>>714285397
>purposefully missing the point about dissonance

I wanted to make this thread myself, now I don't have to.
>no countryside
>no hills, flat map
>no airplanes
>no color
>no hairstyles
>shitty clothes
>police is a joke, you can outrun police cars in a dumptruck
>takes itself too seriously
>less weapons than SA
>no fat/skinny mechanics
>no properties to buy
>shitty radio music
>nothing to do after you finish the story
overall a downgrade from SA in every possible way except graphics

>>714285015
Pickups are a core part of the game, requiring players to manage resources and make quick tactical decisions. Knowing where to find these pickups rewards exploration and map mastery, making player skill and game knowledge crucial. This mechanic adds depth to gameplay by blending strategy, progression, and challenge.

Buying weapons is a sanctioned cheat code. Which is why GTA IV tried to do away with it before realising most people don't care that much about the game anyway. Especially because GTA IV is NOT a GTA game.

>>714279225 (OP)
Go play your kiddie GTA V zoomie.

>>714280471
>but without any comedic charm or exaggerated personalities
wdhmbt?

>>714287018
SA > VC > V > III > IV

ChatGPT thread kek.
Kys op

i liked the conversation he had with the wife of the dude after you kill his dauther's boyfriend

>>714289440
>3 over 4
really

IV had the most forgettable NPCs of any 3D GTA
don't @ me

>>714290620
Any time.

>>714290635
It's not San Andreas but they're cheeky.

>>714290635
water is wet? really nigga?

>>714290635
How can they be forgettable if they call you all the time asking to do an activity with them?

>>714292265
name 4 without looking it up

>>714294042
Roman, Brucie, Packie, and uhh... the jewish pedestrian :)

>>714279225 (OP)
lol op is a faggot

>>714289440
SA>4>VC>5>3

>>714279225 (OP)
I can't prove you wrong when you speak the truth.
There is nothing to debate.
4 was so bad that it made me quit 5 after 2 missions because I thought it was going to be more of 4 as soon as I touched the tow truck mission.

>>714279225 (OP)
>Prove me wrong.
I can't, because you're right on the money with everything you said. Except the Gay Tony DLC was actually good, I'd suggest you play that. It still kind of controls like ass, but the general mission structure of older GTAs is there mostly.

>>714279225 (OP)
It feels like a sequel to GTA3, and in that respect it's better in basically every way

>>714289440
3 > SA > VCS > VC > LCS > Diarrhea > IV and V

IV is fine, I actually like all of the GTAs besides V and I didn't try the 2d ones. Maybe it's because it's too modern but V feels soulless.

>>714279225 (OP)
I played 4 after having played 5 and I had a much more enjoyable time with 4.
Consider yourself proven wrong about subjective things in life.

>>714279253
>The narrative sets up big themes, betrayal, revenge, morality, and fails to follow through on any of them
the final missions are literally about revenge. Every single theme is explored and has a satisfying pay off.
>Niko begins as a broken man and ends as a broken man. There’s no character arc. No lesson learned. Just a trail of misery
such is the life of crime. But he does finally understand that his revenge mission only brought suffering to his close ones and eventually learns how to move on
>If nothing changes, what’s the point?
but it does, its just not explicit so youre having trouble getting it
>Characters appear, vanish, or die with barely any time to matter. Most feel like filler
the characters are connected to each other, their stories all have an ending and you even get to see the consequences of their crimes/the toll drugs take on them
>He constantly lectures about morality, regret, and change, then turns around and becomes a full-time hitman
He doesnt. Thats Arthur Morgan. Niko just has a conscience. Niko does talk about his regrets and recognizes right from wrong but hes too jaded and deep in the criminal underworld to just do 180. Hell hes constantly on the run from Bulgarin or getting blackmailed by the IAA/chief of police. He is a bit of a hypocrite tho but thats part of his complex character