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FirstCuts: Happy Grand Theft Auto IV Day

Apr 29, 2008, 8:20 PM UTC

Everyone talks about Madden day as the time when people suddenly get a 24-hour bug and have to stay home to play the newest football title, but if the midnight lines in Charlotte – and across the country – are any indication, then the number of people who probably called off today to play Grand Theft Auto IV will make the Madden flu look like a minor case of the sniffles.â†µâ†µAnd hey, the game even shows a little love to sports in the form of a few mini games (one little naughty word at the end of the clip below).â†µ

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â†µâ†µThat’s right; we’re talking pool, darts and bowling. Go with your buddies or take a date in the game. Admittedly, I didn’t think any of these mini games were good for much more than getting on other characters’ good sides, which is a big part of GTA IV.â†µ

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â†µAlthough it has nothing to do with sports, it’s such a monumental release, it’s worth talking about. It’s going to smash Halo 3’s sales records as the biggest entertainment release of all-time in all likelihood.â†µ

â†µâ†µAfter about 4 hours or so, I’m through a little less than 10 percent of the game, according to the menus. In other words, unlike some games that run out of appeal after a day or two, you’re getting your money’s worth for your $59.99. Keeping in mind, I haven’t even ventured into the loads of online modes that let you go against up to 15 other players at a time.â†µ

â†µâ†µIf you’re thinking about which version of the game you should buy -- for the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 -- Kotaku recommends the PS3 version, but that was before the freezing game errors seemed to rampage through Sony’s console. Lucky for me, I’m on the 360.â†µ

â†µâ†µI’ve run around with the protagonist, Niko, to drop a few bodies and meet a few ladies, but I haven’t really gotten into the meat of the game. Really, the only thing that’s stopping me from playing this game marathon-style is the fact that I should shower at some point.â†µ

â†µâ†µI love the in-car GPS technology that helps you get around Liberty City. You better learn to love it, too, because there is plenty of driving to be done like in any GTA title.â†µ

â†µâ†µIn my NBA Ballers: Chosen One review, I talked about the little details the game designers wanted you to love, but I was pretty ambivalent toward, personally. GTA IV hits these little details in a big way as always with the radio stations, and the ability to watch some typical TV at your cousin Roman’s apartment.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe bottom line is this: Provided you aren’t all caught up in getting offended by, well, everything in the game from stereotypes to misogynistic behavior, you’ll love it. Go forth and become a kingpin.â†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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