The Level Cap: GTA IV – Episodes From Liberty City
Should you be asked what game consumed your teenage years, there’s a very big possibility you’ll mention a Grand Theft Auto game. Since 1997, Rockstar North has been continuing to put out different installments of this critically acclaimed series. Back in April, Grand Theft Auto IV was released, with the promise of DLC for the Xbox 360. Months later The Lost and Damned was born, and more recently, The Ballad of Gay Tony. Package them together, and what do you call it? The Episodes From Liberty City.
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Price: $39.99
Pros:
Story(s): Both pieces of DLC provide two amazing storylines. TLAD focuses on Johnny Klebitz, while in BOGT you play as Luis Lopez. The best part is, each separate story happens to intertwine with each other. In my opinion, The Ballad of Gay Tony story is far superior than that of The Lost and Damned. I’d even go as far to say it’s better than the initial one featuring Niko Bellic.Gameplay: If you’ve played GTA IV, you might think you already know how everything plays in Liberty City. Indeed, it all is pretty much the same, however; the inclusion of bikes and parachutes are a new experience for all. The multiplayer has been beefed up this time around, allowing you new small, but welcoming additions to your game. Basically, anything put into these two DLCs = usable with your friends online.
Checkpoints: Alas! No more throwing your controller in frustration. Within both episodes, if you screw up a mission, much like in the original, a text is sent to your phone telling you to re-try. Instead of having to go ALL the way back to the beginning, you get to start from the last checkpoint in the mission. This is extremely helpful, especially for those longer levels. Mission play time clocks in at roughly 10 hours for each episode (not including side missions).Characters: The writers of these did the definition of a perfect job by giving every character their own unique dialogue. Each word will keep your eyes glued to the screen, and relate to what’s being said. Yusuf Amir, voiced by comedian Omid Djalili, is possibly the best personality in the GTA Universe since it began. His sidebar comments make him the lovable goofball for all. You might even find yourself quoting him shortly after beating the game.
Cons:
Cutscenes: Even though I praised the creative script above, there are times where instead of actually playing the game, it feels like you’re watching a movie. That’s not really a bad thing, but it’s something for Rockstar to think about. The time you actually play a game should outweigh the amount of time you watch a cutscene.
Side-Missions: A lot of the missions outside of the main ones feel very bland. For example, Drug Wars in BOGT seems like you’re doing the same thing over and over 25 times just to get an achievement.
What Now: Once you beat GTA IV, you might of been asking this to yourself. You will once again upon completion of both these episodes.
Verdict: Overall, this pack is a MUST BUY for any GTA fan, old or new. The best part is that you don’t need Grand Theft Auto IV to play this. Within a few months, you’ll see some sort of price drop. Since you’re getting a hardcopy and “discount”, it’s one of the smartest buys of the year. There’s no excuse not to purchase it.
Justin “The Pepsi Plunge” Verterano
3 Responses to “The Level Cap: GTA IV – Episodes From Liberty City”
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NK Flickr!
Looks great! I must be one of the few women who love the GTA series….but I do!
Love that score son
From what my bro told me about these expansions, they are both required to be bought if you are a GTA fan.