if you like GTA3 you will like GTA4 plain and simple. the controls and style of play are similar throughout.

I wouldn't say that the game itself is particularly innovative, rather it is a next generation of GTA with better graphics, and better physics. I haven't gotten to do much with multiplayer but its been fun from what i've tried.

As far as the special edition goes...if you are a video game collector then it is worth it...if your just a player, prolly not.

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just like vice city, but with more mafioso missions

more emphasis on boats and a little more difficult to find a helicopter

a must have for any college student

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it fun to play and can go all as u like beat them and stole stuff it cool (dont think it to follow real thing or u mmight bust to jail)it great game

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GTA 4 is the best game this year and I am having so much fun everything in the game is perfect from the graphics to the AI. Its hot.

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Here Is An Excerpt from My Blog:

"I thought it would be like any other mediocre, open world game, dry and limited,and a Russian version of Saints Row. I'm not saying Saints Row was terrible, but it was fair, but not a blockbuster hit, or a game worth keeping in my library, I wasn't very optimistic about GTA IV. I figured I'd pick up the Collector's Edition of GTA IV, frolic around for a while with my rocket launcher, and later pawn it off for a more meaningful game (keeping the safety deposit box and all that great swag). Boy was I wrong! Grand Theft Auto IV is everything and more that the press said it would be! It has knocked out all the annoying features of the previous game, making game play more seamless and easy to maneuver as well as minimal the distractions (we all know how hard it is to keep on track with the missions and not just run around on rampages and theft crazes) but GTA IV makes it much easier to not only follow the storyline, but actually relate to it."

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This game is bad expecially the special edition that comes with the duffle bag,the deposit box,a keychain,artbook,,and the game itself.

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On The Real Best GTA I Have No Words For This Game Is Number #1 Haters Fallback Rockstar Is Doing It Big Hard Body

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I got this game because of the last GTA for the Xbox, I really enjoyed it so I pre-ordered this one from where I work. I'm very impressed by the graphics and I do agree that the car handing take some time to get use it but all in all I am really enjoy this game.

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God so many hours of fun wasted on this game. I still use the awesome Rockstar duffel bag that came with the special edition.

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This has to be my favorite open sandbox game I've played since Crackdown. Everything is just stunning! Pretty graphics, amazing AI, game environment has realistic weather and day/night cycles, and a story line that really gets you interested. Multiplayer is also awesome, 16 person Team Deathmatch using the whole city as your playing field? AWESOME. Of course all this is just the top of the iceburg.

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Never before in a Game have you really felt like the character was really alive, at least, not like this. Immediately as the credits roll, you are Niko Bellic, a rough around the edges man with a past he's trying to escape for a new life in Liberty City. There's something to him, the sound of his voice, his body language, that even while you aren't playing, or even as you are, there's another layer there, something that seems-believe-it-or-not, very very human, as if you were watching and controlling a real tiny person trapped within your television set.

I find myself drawn to thinking about him and the other characters while I'm not even playing the game, while I'm at work, or on the John. The game is THAT captivating. It has a wonderful style and flair and the story is Oscar-worthy easily, if not some of the best dialogue I've heard spoken. It's both funny and serious, a dramatic satire of America, laced with the same poison that runs through our own culture.

The Graphics and Game play are amazing, and like some people have said, the only drawback is a little problem with the cover system, but it's easy to forget when you are so captivated by the sights and sounds of Liberty City.

This is the game to define the series, a fully meta-human experience, deeper Game play than I've ever seen or thought possible in a piece of interactive art. This game is pure magic, crafted by the some of the most talented artists.

Take the rough ride through GTA IV. Young or Old, it's for the mature mind looking for that next great story, the next level of Art & Entertainment in our times. It makes other games obsolete. Buy Grand Theft Auto IV, you won't be disappointed.

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Niko is new to America. Brought by hopes and promises of his cousin Roman about how wealthy he is. Unfortunately for Niko he quickly finds the stories to be lies. Grand Theft Auto IV starts as others in the series with an anti-hero. Getting involved in doing the wrong things is all to easy in this game. From the very get go you are learning that living the American life can be difficult and in order to get your story going you must break the law. For the most part Niko doesn't have a problem with this since he has become raw after being a soldier in war.

GTA IV has probably one of the darkest stories so far in the series. This is not the type of game you will play and comment on how cheerful the story is. For those of you who have played previous GTA games you will notice many similarities. From the gameplay mechanics to the story line. Although people who are new to the GTA series will find how simple the learning curve really is in this game. The game gives you an incredible amount of tutorials and guides you thru your first several missions making things easy to understand. Most features in this game are simple to understand and keep this game from getting over anyones learning curve.

What has made the Grand Theft Auto series so superb is the story telling. Excellent voice acting with intense and exciting missions make GTA IV a true winner. From the first moment on you will notice that you aren't really playing a game as much as taking part in an intense crime drama. Think Sopranos from the former Soviet Union. The game is mission based and gives you the ability to choose what you want to do at any given point. You meet numerous characters who are all about committing crimes and they give you certain jobs. Of course these jobs increase your reputation and help progress you thru the story. Along the way you will find numerous characters. Some you will like and others you will probably want to get rid of yourself.

This game has further evolved ideas from previous GTA games. Niko can not only date one woman at a time but several. It's really up to you. Just remember how in real life this can be time consuming it can also be in a game. You will have woman calling and texting you if you ignore them to long. Then comes taking them out for dates. Each woman has different tastes and interests and it's up to you to know where to take them. Some of the activities can actually be fun like playing darts or pool as these mini games do have learning curves. The girl you are with will respond to your success or failure at these games. Obviously there are numerous other activities in wonderful Liberty City. Also it's important for Niko to accessorize and finding the best clothing to wear is important. Image is everything as as you progress you get access to better clothes. The car mechanics have improved in this game but don't expect to have similar handling to a racing game. What is cool to look at is the amazing detail they have put into the car damage. Every little ding makes an impact on the car you are in. Lastly is the music selection. An incredible 200 songs are available in Liberty City to listen to on the radio. Numerous radio stations including the talk ones belt out hit songs and comedic advertisements. Niko even has the ability to watch t.v. They covered every detail in this game and it shows.

As if a single player mode that will take you 30 to 40 hours to beat is not enough there is also online multiplayer. Yes you and 15 others can play on the beautiful streets of Liberty City. The multiplayer is truly open ended for your enjoyment. Several game modes plus the ability to create your own multiplayer. You can also invite seven friends to take on eight others. It's easy to say this game will be enjoyed for months on end. For those of you choosing between the PS3 and 360 version you may have to consider the 360 will have it's own unique content in 6 months available on XBOX LIVE.

It's easy to be impressed by Liberty City. It's as close to New York City as any game has ever got. From the pedestrians that make up the neighborhood to the realistic design of the buildings. The weather changes and the days progress realistically. This is one of those games where you can just take it in and enjoy the scenery. In Grand Theft Auto you have the freedom to do what you want. This game is intended for adults. The language and content can be mature most of the time. Although that is at a parents discretion. I wouldn't suggest this game for everyone. Although I would suggest it for those who have enjoyed previous Grand Theft Auto games. I would also suggest it for those who enjoy mafia or crime movies. This game will have you sitting back and enjoying the incredible story. Just don't forget that it's your story to play.

**Now for those of you asking. Is the special edition good for you??? If you are a GTA diehard fan I would say yes. If you enjoy getting extras for extra money I would say yes. The Special Edition comes with a mediocre soundtrack album featuring songs you may have never heard before. You also get a good quality lock box with a duffle bag. In the box is a rockstar key chain. I now own this stuff. It's nice but I don't think it's of the best value.

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This product is way cool. The extras that it comes with are sweet, like the music cd; it is very entertaining, and the lock box is embossed and it is also matte black with a R* keychain inside. Actually, all of the stuff, apart from the License plate, is in the lock box. I used to be a Hloa 3 guy, now I've switched back to GTA. The physics and the player and NPC intactions are off the hook. The controller layaout is intuitive if youve played an xbox game before. My only beef is that he dosent get hungry, though you are going out alot, so he never needs to eat. I think that it would be a nice addition if he got hungry every day and you had to feed him. Other than that, it is a comical as any previous GTA game and realistic more so than any Sim game. Very well put togther.

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I got this special edition for my son. The look on his face was enough reward.

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you're missing out. If you have ever been a fan of the GTA series, this is a must buy for you. The story arch alone is worth the purchase. I've been playing for 40 hours and I still haven't beaten the game.

GO GET IT!

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