Since the launching of the first Grand Theft Auto title, it has continued to reap success with its succeeding games and is recognized as one of the most popular gaming franchises in the industry. Plus, Grand Theft Auto has continued to step up a notch with each title released and redefining what video gaming is about. There's no question that GTA is up there when it comes to the Sandbox genre, and those who've played it knows the reason why. GTA4 is the 9th game off of the series and will continue on with where GTA 3 left off. However, the series has given gamers with an entirely new experience with each game, and fans can certainly expect the same with GTA IV.

While every GTA story has been carefully crafted to offer a much different kind of experience, you can always expect it to have the same intense and spectacular nature. However, with this new game, the story leaps off quite differently. With Niko (an ex-soldier trying to rebuild his life) as the main protagonist of the story, gamers will get the chance to partake in his struggle to survive in the hostile environment of Liberty City. Niko does not have trouble fitting in because of his rugged and rough appearance, and here is where all the fun of exploring Liberty City starts. But unlike previous GTA characters, Niko has specific objectives to achieve and giving more weight into the overall gameplay experience. If in previous GTA games you have engaged yourself in mindless rampages, with Niko you have to remain focused on the objective at hand and remain true to that.

With Niko being the main focus of the story, this does not mean though that the other characters present in GTA 4 have no significance in the overall gameplay and storyline. When Niko makes certain decisions, he will be forced to put into consideration certain characters and how that decision will be beneficial (or not) to him later on in the game. Forming relationships with other characters in the game is also crucial in helping you progress in this game, and you will definitely have to take a few considerations first before making impulsive moves.

More than the impressive gameplay, Liberty City is the perfect setting for an incredible game like GTA 4 and it just looks impressively stunning. It should be interesting to know that the city provides a very interactive setting allowing you to have access to whichever part of the city; which is definitely a good thing, considering its intricate details.

If you thought you've heard enough, we are just getting started with this GTA IV feature. Learning from lapses or areas where previous GTA games went lacking, Rockstar has incorporated some new elements into this new game. Probably one of the best features in GTA IV is the combat system. Rockstar decided to improve on this in order to infuse more sophistication and excitement into the combat of this game, as well as to be at par with some of today's best shooters. Although the free-aim feature might be a great way to practice your shooting skills, the lock-on feature still serves as a welcome addition for a sharper accuracy rate. By setting your aim on an opponent and locking on to them, not one bullet will now go to waste. You simply press a button and there goes your enemies, blasting off in Hi-Def. The cover system is also new to this game. To make your character take cover from the nearest suitable object, just press R1. This will enable your character to effectively cover from your enemies' view and is a great way to deal with an overwhelming number of enemies. What this new feature does is that you can minimize the any form of damage that can possibly get your character killed. With these new features, the combat system has been definitely revised to a whole new depth and definitely upgrades the level of gaming experience.

If that sounds impressive, then GTA IV's all-new in-car combat system will further heighten the thrill that comes with this game. With a great lineup of combat tools at your disposal, it is amazing how this new feature can be utilized to your advantage and yet it is nothing less as effective as your regular on-foot combat. You can drive your car while knocking down your enemies at the same time. You still have the option for a free-aim though, it's basically your choice. However, trying to focus on two things at once, such as driving a vehicle and shooting at the same time, it can be quite tough. All these features are aimed at continuing with the reputation of GTA over the years, and that is providing good, quality in-game combat.

One important thing that needs to be tackled when talking about GTA IV is the mission structure. With the success of previous GTA games, this game utilizes that winning formula to its advantage. So, as you go through this game, you'd have to traverse the entire city in order to accomplish missions for certain characters, with each of these missions offering a unique experience for gamers. And with that being said, it's safe to assume that this is probably the best and most explosive release off the series yet.

While in Liberty City, Roman's phone will be used by Niko and plays a key role in the game. Then, you can use that as your control panel and organizer for anything that needs to be done in the game. But more importantly, your phone enables you to receive messages about oncoming missions, it lets you control Niko's life, as well as gain access to multiplayer features, and many other things that enable you to move forward in the game. Having to use the phone as a way to control the game is definitely innovative, and it creates this illusion that everything is happening within the world of the game, which is independent of the player's command.

The online multiplayer feature is another exciting addition to an already packed gaming experience. You can have as much as sixteen players competing against each other, which definitely raises the level of intensity within the game. Sooner or later, GTA IV will earn the title of king of Multiplayer because of its tremendous new features that has continued to innovate and redefine gaming as we know it.