Grand Theft Auto IV First Look

Browsing through recent gaming news, one can hardly avoid the mention of two familiar names - Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto. In the two years that have passed since GTA: San Andreas, Rockstar committed to creating a new installment in one of the most successful game franchises of all time. In fact, it swiftly became known work started on Grand Theft Auto IV right after the release of GTA: SA in November 2004. We're taking this opportunity to recap on what we do know about Rockstar's new puppy.

Home sweet home.

The traditional Liberty City drag race.

The passed few months brought numerous details on the game, coming from preliminary coverage from various gaming mags. Before long we learned about many of the game's promising features and were introduced to the new focus of the game's storyline - a character named, Niko Bellic. The recently launched GTA IV teaser trailer also gave gamers a good reason to get excited.

The developers mean business, you can be sure of that. This became obvious as soon as the GTA IV trailer hit the Web. We were able to discern the first images and footage from some of the game's highly detailed urban districts, which were a serious improvement over the last game. More importantly, however, we finally caught a glimpse of the new main character. Hinting a somewhat grim-looking character in his mid-thirties, the developers presented small segments of Niko's past, involving murder, smuggling people and God knows what else. So, what does he do? He comes to Liberty City, the golden city of prosperity.

Niko is, most evidently, an Eastern European immigrant who, having arrived to Liberty City, pays a visit to his cousin, Roman. However, despite his dreams of a glamorous life and easy money, Niko gets sort a wake up call upon meeting with Roman -- who drives a cab and pretty much hasn't got a pot to piss in. The story kicks off when Niko realizes he's gonna have to make a living somehow. Given his past, we can only imagine what sort of schemes Niko has in mind when it comes to earning some money.

Rockstar is giving the story a whole new realistic edge. So, instead of flashy locations and a glamorous lifestyle, the game is really a lot more down-to-earth than any other title in the series. Inspired by this streak of realism, the developers took the same approach in the overall design. NPCs and pedestrians act more naturally and the surroundings are dirtier and really feel like the real deal. Niko's facial features and general exterior are quite convincing, fitting perfectly with the character's sinister background. His scarred and wrinkled face portrays a harsh-looking individual, who knows how to survive.

As for the story itself, you can bet your gamepad Rockstar is keeping a very tight lid on it, so there's really not a lot we can tell you as to how the plot will unfold. On the other hand, they were quick to point that almost none of the characters from previous installments will be appearing. Most of them are dead anyhow.

From a technical standpoint, Grand Theft Auto IV depends greatly on the optimization and tweaking of the RAGE engine which powers the game. Although rumor has it that 66% of the game is done, the programmers and designers still have much to work on before they'll be ready to showcase more of the game's traditional free-roam aspect. Bear in mind that Liberty City is bigger and more detailed than any other city in earlier GTA games, and in order for things to run smoothly, the developers probably have one heck of a task before them. They've worked hard to make an impressive-looking urban environment, with improved effects, richer textures and increased draw distance. Such details normally lead to a better look altogether and given the game's open-ended aspect, it's gonna be great seeing the game with some of the next-generation effects.

Corresponding to the down-to-earth spirit of the game, Liberty City bears all the "sights" and features of a thriving modern-day metropolis, such as trash, homeless people, steaming manholes (easy on the puns with that one, please), decrepit buildings with dusty windows, active traffic and similar things. The great NYC-look-alike passes for a genuine urban setting. This time around, the pedestrians have more intelligent reactions and wider variety of activities as they pass you on the street. For instance, you'll see them use mobile phones or cash machines, while some of them eat snacks, read the news papers or simply interact with other passers-by through laughter, threatening remarks and so on.