Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6041 in Video Games
• Brand: Rockstar Games
• Model: 15782621
• Released on: 2008-04-29
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
• Dimensions: .40 pounds

Features

• Carry on the Grand Theft Auto tradition playing through the single player campaign as Niko Bellic
• Get cars and other modes of transportation anyway you can
• Interact with various colorful characters who give you various missions to engage in
• Engage in multiplayer challenges ranging from cover matches to shoot-outs
• Game Rated 'M' due to Intense Violence, Blood, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Amazon.com
What does the American Dream mean today?

For Niko Bellic, fresh off the boat from Europe, it is the hope he can escape his past. For his cousin, Roman, it is the vision that together they can find fortune in Liberty City, gateway to the land of opportunity. As they slip into debt and are dragged into a criminal underworld by a series of shysters, thieves and sociopaths, they discover that the reality is very different from the dream in a city that worships money and status, and is heaven for those who have them and a living nightmare for those who don’t.

Beginning with the 1997 release of the original Grand Theft Auto, the GTA series has been one of the most prolific, controversial and down right entertaining franchises in video games history. This pedigree of success guarantees that the highly anticipated eleventh game in the series, Grand Theft Auto IV, will garner at least as much attention if not more.

Game with Special Edition items. View larger.

The dream as Niko expected it. View larger.

There's always a catch. View larger.

But some skills are international. View larger.

The Plot
Grand Theft Auto IV is a brand new adventure in the GTA universe following the experiences of Nikolai "Niko" Bellic, a new immigrant from an undisclosed eastern European country whose troubled past and the persuasion of his cousin Roman have brought him to the fictional Liberty City. Unfortunately, Niko’s search for the American Dream and a much needed fresh start, hits an immediate snag when the rags to riches story Roman spun to pique Niko's interest is exposed as not only a complete fabrication, but a ploy to enlist Niko’s well-known skills as a tough guy against the ample list of enemies clamoring for Roman’s debt-ridden blood.

Because Roman is the only person Niko knows in Liberty City he begrudgingly accepts his role as Roman’s protector despite the deception. But as time goes on Niko comes into his own, and his experience on the wrong side of the tracks proves more valuable than he could have ever imagined as he fights for survival and later supremacy on the crime ridden streets of Liberty City.

Game Environments
Based on several of the boroughs of New York City and parts of New Jersey, Liberty City, familiar to players of previous games in the series, has been entirely redesigned for GTA IV. Players can expect visible detail down to the weeds growing in the cracks in the sidewalk, cars and buildings of visibly different ages and a much greater level if verticality in the buildings and bridges that they are able to explore as Niko moves through the city streets. In addition, pedestrians in GTA IV are much more realistic. No longer simply moving cardboard cutouts, these NPCs are intelligent, modern, human representations that laugh, cry, eat, drink, use cell phones and ATMs, and talking amongst themselves regardless of Niko’s interaction with them.

Gameplay
Historically GTA games have focused heavily on mission-based play, requiring successful completion of fixed tasks in order for players to progress through the game, but this has changed to a great extent in GTA IV. Players will experience an entirely new and exciting emphasis centered on the blending of on-mission and off-mission play, resulting not only in an increased sense of realism, but more interesting and unrestricted gameplay.

Features
Aside from the car jacking and a detailed city environment here are the new features for GTA IV:

• Improved combat system - Now you can use cover and also a target lock system, which allows you to take out targets with greater ease and accuracy. Plus, you can engage in some hand-to-hand combat if you can't get your hands on a piece quick enough.
• Cell phone - Not just for basic phone calls anymore. Use your in-game cell phone to receive missions via SMS, snap photos, and ZiT (tag) songs that can be downloaded exclusively on Amazon.com/mp3.
• Free time - In between missions you can take advantage of "me" time. There are gentleman's clubs, comedy clubs, bowling alleys, and bars, which all house unique activities.
• Take a break from the storyline - A variety of side missions allow you to help run a car service, "borrow" cop cars, assassinate targets, help solve problems for those on the street, or take to the air with stunt jumps that are scattered all over the city.
• Control your own fate - Throughout the game choice moments will arrive causing you to make a decision that will affect relationships and money.

Multiplayer
Give Niko a rest and create your own multiplayer "hero." GTA has added multiplayer modes allowing you to take your creation out to play online in competitive, co-op, and free form modes. Competitive mode has you fighting against the cops, jacking cars, or racing to finish odd jobs. Co-op challenges you and your friends with various tasks including Hangman's NOOSE where you are responsible for escorting a wanted kingpin to a safe extraction point. Freeform lets you and 15 others lose on Liberty City. Use this mode to hit up the bar and play virtual darts versus each other or head out to the streets and set up your own drag races. If you can dream it, you can do it in Freeform mode.

ZiT: We'll Spot The Song For You
When playing Grand Theft Auto IV, if you hear a song that you are interested in buying as an MP3, all you have to do is dial ZiT-555-0100 on your in-game mobile phone and a text message will be sent to you with the name of the artist and the title of the track. The next time you log in at the Rockstar Games Social Club, you will find 30-second previews of all the songs you have ZiT'ed while playing the game. You can add them to your basket there and click to purchase at Amazon MP3, or you can find them all at www.amazon.com/gtamusic.

What Comes with Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition?
Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition will be presented in a customized Grand Theft Auto metal safety deposit box. The box will contain:

• Grand Theft Auto IV for the PlayStation 3 video game and entertainment system with special packaging.
• Grand Theft Auto IV Art Book, featuring never-before-seen production artwork from Grand Theft Auto IV.
• Selected soundtrack CD from Grand Theft Auto IV, featuring new material from top artists, only available on this release.
• An exclusive Rockstar key chain for the safety deposit box keys.
• Completing the collection is a limited edition Rockstar duffel bag.

All of the items have been created with the utmost attention to detail to create a unique Grand Theft Auto IV experience for any fan of the series.

Customer Reviews

Beats expectations
I have been a fan of the franchise way back since the very first Grand Theft Auto on the original PlayStation so when I heard there was going to be a special edition for the PS3 I just had to get it. When I got the box home and opened it, I was pleasantly surprised!

- Everything is packed in the lockbox, which is surprisingly sturdy. I was expecting it to be made out of cheap plastic like a happy meal toy but they actually made it out of metal. Admittedly, my expectation bar wasn't high for this item but they clearly beat my expectations

- The Art book is hardcover and has great pictures of the city and characters, as well as detailed descriptions. Very fine quality.

- I love the keychain! Solid metal Rockstar insignia on a quality key loop. Replaced my old keychain fast!

- The Duffel bag is decent. Better than the free duffel bags from a duffel bag giveaway night for the local baseball team but not as good as one you'd buy in a store. The Rockstar emblem on it is a big plus tho.

- The soundtrack is pretty good as well. I would've preferred if it was in a jewelcase vs. a cardboard sleeve but thats minor.

All this packaged with arguably the most anticipated game of the year for just $30 extra. In my opinion, if you are a fan of Grand Theft Auto and have the extra money, it is well worth the difference in price.

Welcome to Liberty City**Special Edition Review
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.

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.

For the true GTA IV fans, this is the ONLY version.
This review will just be on the extra goodies that came included with the Special Edition.

Firstly, I was quite pleased with Amazon.com's added bonus for pre-ordering this version: Maybe I wasn't the first person on my block to get a copy, but I am the only person with a Liberty City license plate!

The safe deposit box is very sturdy, with the GTA IV logo impressed on the top of the box. While I like having the keychain and keys for it, I can't see myself using the keychain - the huge star on the end of it would hurt like hell if I had it in my pocket!

The CD is more of a sampler than anything else - as with previous Grand Theft Auto titles, the full soundtrack won't be out for a while.

It has the following tracks:
Michael Hunter - "Soviet Connection (Theme from Grand Theft Auto IV)"
Mobb Deep featuring Havoc & Prodigy from H.N.I.C. Part 2 Sessions - "Dirty New Yorker"
The Rapture - "No Sex For Ben"
Munga - "No Fraid A"
Busta Rhymes - "Where's My Money"
C.J. - "I Want You"
Joe Walsh - "Rocky Mountain Way"
Bob Marley & the Wailers and Damian Marley - "Stand Up Jamrock"
Seryoga - "Liberty City: The Invasion"
Greenskeepers - "Vagabond"
Electrik Funk - "On A Journey"
Qadir - "Nickname"
David Axelrod - "Holy Thursday"
Nas - "War Is Necessary"
Fela Kuti - "Zombie"
Global Communication - "Maiden Voyage"

Both the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Box Set and the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Box Set are welcome additions to my musical library, We'll just have to wait a while for GTA IV's box set to arrive.

The duffel bag? Well, it's a duffel bag with a Rockstar logo on it. Not much else to say on that one.

But what's the best reason to get this version?

"The Art of Grand Theft Auto IV". This 36-page book shows us all kinds of scenery from the game: Characters, weaponry, clothes, enviroments, the animation process, and much more.
My favorite segment in the book is from the art director of Grand Theft Auto IV, Aaron Garbut. He gives his own thoughts on the difficulty and sense of pride in creating a fully functioning, living, breathing, and interative city. From the cigarette butt dropped on the ground to the changing of daylight to dusk, we have untold areas to explore for days, weeks, maybe even months.

And of course, the game itself is FANTASTIC. I haven't had any of the reported problems with freezing during the intro movie or other cutscenes, so I'll consider myself lucky there. With a game this popular, I'm sure a fix will be along soon.

If you can get your hands on this version, I'd highly recommend it. As for me, I'll be preordering the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack boxed set when it becomes available.

Welcome to Liberty City!