Been replaying GTA IV recently and it honestly holds up way better than people give it credit for.
The physics are still insane. NPCs actually react in believable ways, and the driving feels heavy and grounded instead of super arcadey. Crashing into stuff, seeing characters stumble around, it just feels more real overall.
Liberty City also has a way stronger atmosphere than a lot of newer open worlds. It’s darker, more gritty, and feels like an actual place instead of just a sandbox.
And the story is seriously underrated. Niko is one of Rockstar’s best protagonists, and the whole tone of the game is more serious and grounded compared to GTA V.
Yeah it’s not as flashy or packed with content, but what it does, it does really well. I feel like people overlook it because it’s less “fun” on the surface.
Anyone else still think IV is one of the best in the series?
