Grand Theft Auto IV is the latest, ninth game in the Grand Theft Auto series, released in late April 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and in early December for PC (December 19 in Russia). In the first week after the game's release, over 6 million copies were sold. On the first day, copies worth $310 million were sold. According to the sales results for the first day and week, Grand Theft Auto IV entered the Guinness World Records.
The plot of the new installment revolves around an immigrant from an unnamed Eastern European country named Niko Bellic who arrives in Liberty City. He is often mistaken for Russian, although he has never been to Russia and categorically denies it. It is only known that Niko's homeland experienced a bloody war, so it can be stated with confidence that based on his origins (as well as his name), Niko Bellic comes from the former Yugoslavia, specifically Serbia.
Niko had to fight, so he is familiar with weapons firsthand. He arrived in Liberty City under the protection of his cousin. Bellic’s expectations regarding living conditions turned out to be quite different from what he had imagined. Instead of luxurious apartments, he received a dirty room in an area called Hove Beach. Gradually, he acquires new acquaintances, friends, and enemies; various gangs use his services, and he becomes a significant figure in Liberty City.
The gameplay, at first glance, has not undergone any significant changes. The player still has complete freedom of action throughout the game territory with the ability to steal any car they see. Niko Bellic must complete various, primarily criminal missions. Successfully completing many of them gradually unlocks new areas of the city and new types of weapons. There are about 90 storyline missions in total, along with numerous side missions. There are races, completing various stunts, and time-limited missions, ensuring there is plenty to do outside of the main storyline.
The shooting system and hand-to-hand combat have been revamped. Now the main character of GTA can hide behind obstacles and fire blindly. The extent of damage inflicted on enemies depends on where the bullets hit. Hitting an enemy in the leg causes them to fall; hitting an arm may cause them to drop their weapon. A well-aimed shot to the head can instantly send an opponent to their end.
In hand-to-hand combat, Bellic can deliver two punches, a kick, and even block. With a successful punch or kick, the opponent may also drop their weapon. Speaking of weapons, there are about 15 types available in Grand Theft Auto IV: two types of melee and throwing weapons, two types of pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, and even a Russian RPG-7 grenade launcher.
As in previous games in the series, players will repeatedly encounter the police. There are a total of six wanted levels. Unlike previous GTA games, no paramilitary units appear at the highest level; rather, the overall number of police officers exceeds all conceivable limits. Avoiding death or arrest is possible by escaping or driving as far away from the search radius as possible.