Knowing GTA 4

Grand Theft Auto IV, like all prior GTA games, has you living a life of crime. There's really no
avoiding it. Some crimes are considered so minor in Liberty City (like running red lights) that
you won't get in trouble for those. In fact, you can get away with just about anything that doesn't
involve rampant killing (especially with firearms, which tend to draw cops' attention).

But there are many crimes in GTAIV that are necessary and much more difficult to get away
with. Main character Niko Bellic, a dangerous ex-soldier from Eastern Europe, has committed
his fair share of crimes back in his homeland. But when he comes to America, a whole new
group of crimes become necessary to commit just to guarantee his day-to-day survival. This is
when the nitty-gritty of GTAIV truly comes into play.

The game is mission-based, and almost every mission will have you commit a crime of some
sort. You may have to boost a car, deliver some drugs, or even murder one or more people to get
the all-valuable payout at the end of any mission. These missions come from contractors, usually
friends of yours or friends of friends that need the assistance of a ruthless man like Niko. At the
end of every mission, varying amounts of money will be rewarded. Committing these crimes is
simply a means to an end for Niko.

There are also numerous side quests (such as "jobs") and relationships to nurture, both with
females interested in Niko as more than friend, and with friends you meet along the way that will
help you or hurt you depending on how you treat them. This adds a whole different layer to the
GTAIV experience that requires attention to detail.

Ultimately, your progression through GTAIV is measured in-game by a percentage meter that
can be viewed via the game's statistics. The more you do, the more you manage to accomplish,
the higher your rating will become. That's the idea.