Stock up on food...Don't make any big plans.

To tell the truth, I wasn’t going to buy GTA IV. I really haven’t been a fan of the GTA series for the last few games. GTA games are so incredibly long and involved that it takes a lot of interest on my part to start one. The fact that there was so much buzz about the game convinced me to go and get it. I was so very glad that I did.
This game centers around a man named Niko Bellic, a recent immigrant to the U.S. who lives in New York. Although at first Niko is discouraged by the lack of job opportunities, he soon finds that he can make himself useful and help all sorts of people in the traditional GTA fashion.
There are so very many aspects of this game that I don’t know if I can cover them all. I’ll have a go:
I’ve heard a lot of people complain about the driving, but I think that it’s pretty good. Anyone who enjoys playing precision driving games will really appreciate it. The boat and helicopter flying mechanics are equally good, though the helicopter will take some practice. It is worth mentioning that there is now a GPS system that will enable you to get to your destination more easily. This was good news for me, because I’m horrible with huge maps like this game has, so it’s usually very difficult for me to play.
The shooting mechanic is great fun. Auto target makes everything fairly easy and the weapons are nice to play with. The major shootouts are just incredibly designed and will make you feel like you are in an action movie. Whew. Incredible.
The city looks amazing. I’ve always considered New York my second home, and it is really fun to go sightseeing in this digital playground. True, the game lacks some of the real grit of NYC, but it conveys a similar feeling nonetheless.
The story itself is something of a marvel. You come to truly care for Niko and what happens to him is actually up to you in the game. It’s this element of the game that really makes it interesting. The decisions in the game can be really important ones to your character.
This game goes on forever. I have been playing it for 50 or so hours and I’m only half way done. You can play just the missions, go on police vigilante missions, help friends out with their business, or just hang out with friends and go on dates. There are a number of mini-games to play and get good at like bowling, pool, darts, etc. You can go to see a short comedy or cabaret show…or a fairly censored adult show.
There are a few downsides to the game. I would love to see more clothes, custom paint jobs on cars, decorations for the safehouse and such, especially because after a certain point, your money just starts piling up. The friends and dating system is also slightly stupid and confusing. However you look at it, though, these are minor complaints.
I was immensely pleased with this game and I’m sure you will be too. Try not to fall too far into the game, or you’ll never leave the house again!