Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto IV, released by Rockstar North in April 2008, follows Niko Bellic, a Serbian immigrant who arrives in Liberty City aboard the freighter Platypus. He tells cousin Roman that he expects American prosperity, but quickly discovers Roman is deeply in debt and operates a struggling taxi business. Niko's supposed escape from his past becomes a search for Florian Cravic, a wartime comrade connected to a betrayal in his unit. The game's fictional city closely mirrors New York through districts including Broker, Algonquin, Dukes, Bohan, and Alderney. Its streets and radio stations anchor the game's dark narrative.

The campaign combines shooting, driving, and branching decisions with a third-person perspective. Niko can accept missions by phone, visit internet cafes, play pool or darts, and maintain friendships that unlock practical abilities. His relationship with Little Jacob gives access to weapons, while friendship with Brucie grants helicopter rides and with Packie McReary unlocks help during heists. Major choices alter later events: Niko may spare or kill several characters, and the endings depend partly on whether he accepts a deal with Dimitri Rascalov or seeks revenge against him. Missions include robbing a bank with Packie, escaping ambushes, and negotiating with officials.

Rockstar Games published Grand Theft Auto IV for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows. It introduced the high definition RAGE engine and Euphoria animation technology, helping characters react dynamically to impacts and movement. Its online multiplayer launched with modes such as Team Deathmatch, Race, and Cops 'n' Crooks, supporting up to sixteen players on consoles. Episodes from Liberty City later expanded the setting: The Lost and Damned centers on biker Johnny Klebitz, while The Ballad of Gay Tony follows nightclub impresario Luis Lopez. Both episodes add missions, vehicles, weapons, and radio content, and connect their stories to Niko's campaign.

At release, critics praised the game's writing, voice acting, and detailed city, while some players criticized its driving physics and mission repetition. The title became a major commercial success, selling more than six million copies in its first week and eventually exceeding twenty-five million units worldwide. Its soundtrack includes licensed tracks on stations such as Vladivostok FM, hosted by DJ Paul, and Liberty Rock Radio, hosted by Iggy Pop. The downloadable episodes were initially exclusive to Xbox 360 before reaching PlayStation 3 and Windows. Grand Theft Auto IV remains notable for presenting Liberty City as a satire of New York.