Grand Theft Auto IV – Everything you need to know, part 2

Thumb - Image 1Grand Theft Auto IV will be arriving in only a few short days so you better get yourselves prepared. Are you sure you can keep up with Niko Bellic? Here’s some brain food from us to you: Everything you need to know about Rockstar’s upcoming GTA game. Head over to the full article for the second of our two-part feature on Grand Theft Auto IV, where we talk about the game’s combat system, missions, multiplayer modes, and more!

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Only a few days left before Grand Theft Auto IV (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) comes out! We’re hoping you enjoyed the first part of our feature on the game. Here in the second part of our feature, we talk about the game’s missions, gameplay, combat system, the way-excellent multiplayer modes, and more.

MISSIONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

As we mentioned in the first part of our Grand Theft Auto IV feature, you need to get jobs (or missions) to earn the cash you’ll need to survive in Liberty City. In GTA IV, missions are marked by yellow arrows suspended in the air, pointing to the ground.

 Grand Theft Auto 4: Missions - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: Missions - Image 2

Unlike previous games, missions in GTA IV have an autosave feature, so now you don’t have to go back to safehouses just to record your progress. If you die, you’ll end up in the nearest hospital, but you’ll be relieved of your weapon. However, you can restart missions by sending text messages on your cell phone, so don’t worry about failing either.

You’ll need to access the Internet for several missions – the in-game version of the Internet, that is. You can access the Internet from any working computer in the city, and you can browse over 100 websites in the the game. If you want you can even use an online dating service. Some jobs will also require you to send in a resume.

In GTA IV, your mission targets will no longer be indicated by markers so you’ll need to find them by relying on your own investigative skills. Certain missions will also be time-based (for example, some missions can only be started on certain days), while some missions are time limited (for example, if you need to take a train that leaves at 10:00 and you miss it, then you fail the mission).

You’ll also need to build up and maintain relationships with other characters. Your relationship with Little Jacob the arms dealer, for instance, will be maintained through loyalty. You can even develop relationships by doing activities with them like playing pool, eating, and bowling with your contacts.

Relationships can be damaged as well: for instance, not showing up for a meeting will have a negative impact on how certain characters perceive you. Having good relations with different characters will provide you with different rewards. For example, if you have good relations with Little Jacob, he’ll be the one to come and meet you instead of the other way around.

CELL PHONE WILL SERVE AS HUB

Grand Theft Auto IV: The BitterSweet cellphone - Image 1Cell phones play an important role in the game. They serve as a hub of sorts: it’ll help you keep your list of contacts, remind you of future events, and let you access multiplayer. You can also use it to make calls of course; you can use it to call the police, the paramedics, and the fire department.

Radio stations can also be accessed via your cell phone. One feature you might be interested in is the ability to buy music from the game. If you join the Rockstar Games Social club, you’ll be able to use your phone to purchase these songs, but we’ll get into that later.

Your phone will play an important part in maintaining your relationships with your contacts, and it’ll also prove vital in missions. Aside from being able to restart missions via text message, you’ll also be able to arrange ambushes and attacks by calling up your friends on your cell phone.

Pictures taken from your camera phone can be entered in the Police Database from a police car (stolen, of course; they’re not about to let you have access to them because they like you). Once you input the data, the computer will search for your target using the photo.

GAMEPLAY: KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN

Grand Theft Auto IV: The cops of Libert City - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto IV: The cops of Libert City - Image 2

In Grand Theft Auto IV, one of the main objectives is to get as much cash as you can. Most of the time though, your search for cash will land you in trouble with the law. Here are some of the things you’ll need to know to keep Niko alive and breathing (not to mention running).

The HUD will include the obligatory health bar, radar, and map. The health bar is a green semi-circle located on the left side of the radar. Another semi-circle to the right of the radar represents armor. Health can be restored by resting, using medical kits, and eating: heart containers are no longer present in the game.

Jacking vehicles is also more realistic now, you will no longer be able to open car doors at your convenience; you will have to break open a window with an elbow, and you’ll also have to check for potential witnesses while you hotwire the car. It’s also been reported that players will have access to car trunks, although how this will be used in gameplay wasn’t revealed.

Of course, actions like these will get you in trouble. To increase your chances of staying out of trouble (and out of jail), you’ll need to pay attention to the six-star wanted level, which shows you just how popular you are with the boys in blue.

Grand Theft Auto 4: Artwork - Image 1Your wanted level can rise in a variety of ways. For instance, you’ll earn a wanted level if you forget to pay a toll at the bridge. Trying to evade arrest when an officer’s already laid hands on you will also get you a star.

When a cop spots you committing a crime, your radar will flash red and blue, and will display a “search area.” This area represents how far the police are willing to go to look for you.

Leave this area, and the police will go away and look for donuts instead. However, the search area will follow you for as long as a police officer has you in his sights, and will center back on you if he spots you again. The search area will expand the higher your wanted level gets.

One tool that will help you evade the police is the game’s GPS system, which every car in the game will have. The more expensive the car, the better the GPS system will be. GPS systems in high end cars will even talk.

GAMEPLAY: COMBAT SYSTEM

Combat in Grand Theft Auto IV has greatly improved from the previous games. Hand-to-hand combat, for one, has been promised to feel “much more natural.” Now the word is, Ammu-Nation will not be making a comeback; instead you will have to get your supply of arms from Little Jacob, who will order them from an arms dealer.

Grand Theft Auto 4: the combat system explained - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: the combat system explained - Image 2

Remember when we said that realism is the watch word in Grand Theft Auto IV? That’s not wholly true. Niko won’t be hiding his weapons on his person; weapons will still magically appear, as in past games (you’d be hard pressed to hide a rocket launcher in your pants). Also, the game will include “fun [and] ridiculous” weapons because the developers didn’t want the game to be too “naturalistic.”

You’ll have a lot more freedom with free-aiming mode in GTA IV: it will allow you to shoot anywhere while in third-person. You can even shoot anywhere around your car now, and not just from the sides. You can also drop grenades and Molotov cocktails out of the car window while the car is moving. Watch out though: if you crash into something with enough speed, you’ll go flying through the windscreen and wind up dead.

Grand Theft Auto 4 - Image 1The game also has enhanced targeting; you can now aim for specific parts of your target’s body. You can shoot at car tires, which will shred and cause the car to come to a screeching halt. Enemies can do the same to the car you’re driving though. If they do, you’ll have to hoof it. Beat up cars will also eventually stall, to the same effect.

You can take cover behind “anything that would make sense”, but the amount of protection these makeshift defenses will provide depends on what material you’re hiding behind: some materials are destructible, and some materials will not provide much protection from gun spray. While taking cover behind objects, you can either blind-fire, or pop up to get a better view. Again, the same principles apply to your enemies; they can also hide and take cover, and blind-fire as well.

MULTIPLAYER

Multiplayer gameplay is accessed via Niko’s cellphone; just one of its handy dandy features. You won’t be able to play as Niko in multiplayer, but you will be able to make and customize your own avatar. You can alter your avatar’s body structure, head shape, face, hair, sex, race and gender. While your wardrobe will be limited at first, new clothes and accessories will be unlocked as you rank up.

Grand Theft Auto 4: screenshots - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: screenshots - Image 2

Multiplayer ranks start at 0 and go up to 10. Experience isn’t what makes it go up though; it’s cash, just like in single-player. Cash is dropped by opponents and pedestrians. You can also earn cash by performing tasks in certain modes.

Multiplayer modes will support up to 16 players, except for the cooperative modes which will only support up to four. The game won’t have any split-screen support for multiplayer though, this is entirely understandable as the whole of Liberty City – the entire thing – will keep on running while you’re in multiplayer. You’ll still see pedestrians walking along, birds flying, and police chasing after you. The amazing thing is, those who have managed to play multiplayer have reported that there is hardly any lag.

Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 1You don’t have to exit the game to Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network to access multiplayer; everything you need will be in your cell phone, including your buddy list, and chat mode.

If you are the host of a multiplayer session, you will be able to adjust a variety of options to limit your session. You can adjust the density of traffic, the weather, time of day, whether cops will be around, and how much of Liberty City will be open to you and your friends. You can even choose which radio station to play in the background.

All of the principal rules of gameplay will apply when you are in multiplayer mode. You can still take cover from gunfire, climb, jack cars, and even toss Molotov cocktails around just for fun. Your host has the option to toggle friendly fire, so you can shoot rockets at your friends and they’ll come out spotless, they won’t, however, be immune to the impact of hitting the ground if they are thrown to the air because of the rocket. To avoid confusion in the field, Rockstar made it so that gunfire will sound “dangerously beefy if you’re at a distance you can be hit from” so you’ll know if you’re in immediate danger.

Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 2

Another thing you’ll need to know in multiplayer is that your name and a colored dot will pop up above your head, so you are clearly visible from the crowd. Your name disappears when you crouch, and both your name and your dot will disappear when you are taking cover.

This is important in a lot of the multiplayer modes, like Team Deathmatch, since you won’t want your enemies to be able to make an easy target out of you. You can’t avoid exposing yourself though (sorry, campers): you’ll want to get money, and the only way to get money is to get out from where you’re hiding.

We only have extensive details on the modes that were featured in the multiplayer demo, but we also listed descriptions of the other known modes anyway, so you’ll get an idea of what to expect. Here are the various multiplayer modes:

Team Deathmatch

Grand Theft Auto 4: multiplayer - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: multiplayer - Image 2

Team Deathmatch mode is your typical multiplayer deathmatch game, except that it isn’t won by the team thats scored the most kills, but by the team that walks away with the most cash. Most of the cash comes from killing people, but you can also pick up bonus cash left around by those who were unfortunate enough to get in the line of fire and were never able to get back up. This is a pretty straightforward game – just kill and get the loot.

Cops ‘n Crooks

This mode has two sub-modes: All for One, and One for All. Players will be divided into two teams for this mode: the Cops and the Crooks. There is only one difference between the two sub-modes: the presence of a Crook Boss.

Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 1In the All for One sub-mode, one member of the group will be randomly selected as the Boss. In this mode, there is only one way for Crooks to win: they have to get their boss to the getaway vehicle. Cops, on the other hand, can win in two ways: kill the boss, or destroy the getaway vehicle.

The Boss won’t be able to respawn in the All for One sub-mode, but everyone else can. If crooks die, they will respawn near the Boss; cops will usually respawn away from the action. In the One for All sub-mode, the Boss doesn’t appear, and all the Crooks have to do is get to a getaway vehicle and escape. The catch is, players can’t respawn in this mode.

The getaway vehicle (either a boat or a chopper) will be located at a randomly selected point in the city. Cops will be able to see the Boss on their radar, but they won’t be able to see where the getaway vehicle is. In other words, Cops know where the Boss is, but they don’t know where he’s headed. Crooks, on the other hand, won’t be able to see the police on radar, except when the Cops are about to apply a cavity search. Naturally, Crooks will be able to see where the getaway vehicle is on their radar.

Another advantage cops have is that they will spawn in police cars, while crooks spawn with their two feet on the ground, and they’ll have to find their own means of transportation (guess how). Crooks will need to have a good knowledge of the city to be able to dodge the cops and get to the extraction point safely.

Hangman’s NOOSE

Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: Multiplayer - Image 2


This is a co-op mode where players will need to escort crime boss Kenny Petrovic to safety. Kenny has just landed at the Francis International Airport, and NOOSE (National Office of Security Enforcement) teams are trying to intercept him. Your group has to get Kenny to an escape point, so all you need to do is get past the cops. Sounds easy? Here’s the catch. The cops will keep on coming – on foot, on cars, and in helicopters – and there will eventually be too many for you to handle, no matter how trigger happy you and your friends are.

The team wins when the whole team – repeat: the whole team – makes it to the baseball field, where the helicopter is waiting. If one dies, he’ll respawn, but he’ll respawn away from the team, and he’ll have to catch up or else you’ll fail the mission. The team will also have to split up by necessity since there are five of you (including the boss) and only four can fit into a vehicle, so you really have to learn how to coordinate. The team loses if Kenny dies, or if all members of the team die.

Race

Your typical racing game. You and your friends have to race to the finish, passing by checkpoints on the way. You can respawn your vehicle at the last checkpoint you passed or if you somehow get yourself lost. Race mode has two sub-modes: Free Race and Cannonball Run. Free Race is a point-to-point race, your run of the mill racing game. First one to reach the end point wins. In Cannonball Run, you will have to get through several checkpoints any way you can.

GTA Race

Grand Theft Auto 4: Screenshots - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: Screenshots - Image 2


Not your typical racing game. It’s a racing game with an added Grand Theft Auto twist. You can do anything and everything to win the race. You don’t even have to win the race – you can get your kicks by blowing up your opponent’s car. You can even camp out at a checkpoint and take out any opponent that comes along, then skip on your merry way. While weapons are useable here, you can only hold one weapon at any time.

Free Mode

This one’s a little interesting. It’s like single-player mode, only… it’s multiplayer. It’s a free-for-all, basically. There are no rules or objectives – you can do whatever you want.

Team Mafiya Work

Rockstar’s description: You’re a member of a crew doing contract work for the mafiya – including such plum gigs as escorting wanted men, picking up MacGuffins and stealing cars. Work as a team to complete contracts before the time period ends and get the rewards. You’ll probably want to do your best to scupper the other crew’s work as well. Each contract you complete gives your team cash, and the crew with the most cash at the end of the round wins.

Team Car Jack City

Grand Theft Auto 4: multiplayer - Image 1 Grand Theft Auto 4: multiplayer - Image 2

Rockstar’s description: Cars spawn parked around the map and the teams must steam them and take them to a drop off point. The cash teams get for dropping off stolen vehicles depends on their condition – teams get less cash the more damaged they are. The exception to this are special bonus cars, stuffed with drugs, which give a set amount of cash on delivery no matter how damaged they are. Your crew has to get hold of whatever vehicles the boss wants. Whichever crew makes the most money wins. Simple.

Turf War

Rockstar’s description: A timed capture-the-base mode. There are a number of bases around the map that you have to take by standing on them for a short period of time. The more players that are on a base, the faster it can be captured. The more bases that your team owns, the faster your team’s cash score increases. if the rival gang is on or near a base, you won’t be able to take control of it – so do what you can to try and… displace them. The team with the most cash at the end of the round wins.


ROCKSTAR SOCIAL CLUB

Rockstar Games Social Club for Grand Theft Auto IV - Image 1 If you haven’t heard yet, Rockstar has its very own Social Club. Exclusive membership only. Application is only available for those who want to join. Oh, and it’s free.

The service is available for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network users, and registration is already open so you might want to join now before the game hits shelves. Here are the perks you’ll be getting once you’re part of the Club:

  • LCPD Police Blotter: A virtual map and tracker of single-player criminal activity logged in Liberty City from the aggregated data of millions of connected players – showing the most dangerous areas of town, most commonly used weapons and more.
  • The Story Gang: This special single-player leaderboard recognizes players who complete Niko Bellic’s main story arc of Grand Theft Auto IV – The leaderboard ranks players according to the total amount of playing time it’s taken to complete the story, as well as a historical rank by who has completed it first. Members of this club will receive special online widgets and merit badges marking all of their in-game accomplishments.
  • The 100% Club: Watch to see who will be the first to complete 100% of the game. The first ten people to be identified on the Social Club as reaching 100% will be sent an ultra-rare commemorative ‘key to the city’ to mark their accomplishment. In the future, the 100% Club will then carry a historical leaderboard showing rankings of who has completed 100% of a game in the shortest span of playing hours.
  • The Hall of Fame: This area will dynamically recognize those singularly elite players who have reached the top of the hill on various statistical leaderboards, and will also contain a personal awards display of special in-game landmarks and successes in Social Club competitions.
  • The Liberty City Marathon: A ranking of special physical milestones achieved in the game – from the amount of miles walked, driven, or swam – to the number of bullets fired and stunt-jumps jumped. There will be additional special marathon-based competitions in the future from this area as well.
  • ZiT Music Service – Another feature of your in-game cell phone. If you like any of the songs you’ve heard on the radio stations in the game, you can call “ZIT-555-0100” on your cell phone. If your gamer tag is linked to your Social Club account, you’ll be able to go through a process that will allow you to purchase those MP3s, DRM free.

RETAIL VERSIONS OF GRAND THEFT AUTO IV

Grand Theft Auto 4: Special Edition - Image 1Like any great game, Grand Theft Auto IV will have its own Special Edition package. GTA IV‘s is available for pre-order for US$ 89.99, as opposed to the standard edition which will ship for US$ 59.99.

Here are the goodies included in the Special Edition package:

  • Lockbox
  • Art book with never before seen production artwork
  • Soundtrack CD (selected songs only available on release)
  • Keychain for the safety deposit box keys
  • Rockstar duffel bag

And that’s all, folks! Hope you enjoyed our two-part feature on Grand Theft Auto IV. Don’t run over anyone on your way out to get a copy this Tuesday. Check back for more GTA updates here on QJ.NET.

Buy: [GTA IV (PS3)]
Buy: [GTA IV (Xbox 360)]
Buy:
[GTA IV Special Edition (PS3)]
Buy: [GTA IV Special Edition (Xbox 360)]

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