Grand Theft Auto 4: Liberty City

Niko Bellic came to Liberty City to live the 'American Dream'. Instead he found himself entangled in Mafia wars and drug dealers. Despite all the criticisms and controversies connected to the franchise, GTA 4 has provided players a more complicated character and a memorable story.

Before his cousin Roman convinced him to come to the city, Niko's was searching for answers from his past and trying to start life anew. Roman's gambling debts  and love affair plunged them into trouble. One death led to another and Niko found himself in the similar path he took in his past. He found friends along the way, but those friends consisted of arms dealers and steroid junkies. Niko was later betrayed by Dimitri Rascalov and when things got complicated in their group. Niko and Roman managed to escape and moved to another part of the city to start again. But this time Niko motivation was to get his revenge.

Niko took jobs from a vigilante, drug dealers and befriended men connected to Mafia families. He finds out as well that the girl he has been dating works undercover for a government agency hiding under the name of United Liberty Paper. He agreed to work for them in exchange of information about the man who betrayed him in the past. Roman was later kidnapped by Dimitri's men because he owes them money. After being saved by Niko he moved somewhere else. 

By this time, Niko has worked for several men. One of these is Ray Boccino who was able to track down Florian Cravic, the man Niko suspects to be the traitor. However he finds out that Florian changed his named to Bernie Crane and is now a lover of the city deputy mayor. They both came to the conclusion as to who betrayed them. Niko is also now friends with the McReary family, and has started dating Katie. He later works for one of the brothers, Gerry, to destroy another Mafia family.

Another McReary however suspects that his brother might ruin his plans to become the police commissioner. This is one of the three instances where Niko has to choose between two people. Later, Niko has to assist in the funeral of either Francis or Derrick depending on who the player chooses to eliminate. Gerry was also arrested sometime before the funeral.

While in prison, Gerry McReary contacts Niko to kidnap the daughter of the Don of the Ancelotti family in exchange for the stolen conflict diamonds. Both sides, including Bulgarin who showed up claiming they were his, were not able to retrieve the diamonds however. 

Niko later started working for Jimmy Pegorino and Jon Gavelli. With the help of Gavelli and United Liberty Paper, Niko was informed of the traitor's present location. They then arranged for a meeting between Niko and Darko Brevic. The player is given the choice to execute or let Darko live.

Pegorino then asks Niko for one final favor to arrange the deal on heroine with Dimitri. The player has to choose whether to execute his revenge or to go on with the deal. The choice will affect the ending of the story. Niko asks for advice from Kate and Roman. The former asks Niko not to deal with Dimitri and just move on, the latter wants Niko to forget about the past and just work with Dimitri because of the rewards. 

If Niko takes Roman's advice, Dimitri will still betray him. During Roman's wedding, an assassin is sent to kill Niko but shoots Roman accidentally. If Niko chooses to listen to Kate, he confronts Dimitri and his men on a cargo ship. Pegorino becomes furious and would try to kill him at Roman's wedding. He shot Kate instead.

Pegorino becomes the final antagonist in the game. With the help of Little Jacob (and with Roman if Niko chooses 'Revenge'), they went after Pegorino and his men. 

***   

Although it's a open-world type of game, I found the story interesting. When Niko confronted Darko, I sympathized with him. When he said that the traitor destroyed his life it broke my heart. The voice acting was well done and full of emotions (voice actor Michael Hollick deserved the award). I chose to let Darko go because killing him would not change the past. The man was already broken despite of what he claims. Killing him would close the doors for an opportunity for a good life for Niko because then he would confirm that he is a killer just like Darko.

I chose to kill Dimitri however because with him around, Niko cannot possibly have a peaceful start although he'd make an enemy of Pegorino. The old man's organization is falling apart anyway and he is becoming desperate. Roman's reasons are not convincing however. I admit I did try to look at what would be the ending for both choices. I did not want Kate to die but if Roman died instead, I think Niko would be broken completely. Despite all the troubles his cousin gave him, Roman was his anchor to his past and present, and the only family around to support him. I was sad that either choice would lead to disaster. I think Niko would willingly try to change for Kate.

The mini games, side missions and other stories are a huge improvement for the franchise, but it's the story that got me. Overall, I'd give it a 7 out of 10 rating.