For the gamers here who have been waiting for this game, I just wanna say: the wait was worth it! :rasta:
I sat down with it last night and had a blast. It's like all the previous versions but with graphics and physics engine on steroids. It all looks more impressive than ever, especially the changing day/night cycles. Not to mention the much more realistic ragdoll-physics on people when you mow them down with your vehicle of choice.
Last night I stole a convertible muscle car and took off down city streets at full speeds. I switched to the "fly-by" camera and it looked like a scene taken straight out of a Fox channel 'scariest police chases' videos. I engaged slow-motion and could see in glorious detail how cops, pedestrians and trashcans beautifully flew across the hood of my car. I drifted sideways over the crosswalk and my car dented a parked car on the sidewalk - smashing the windows as people started freaking out and running for cover.
Disengaging slow-motion, I proceeded down the street and onto the freeway. Cops were now after me as they seemed to want me for some reason (lol, I dunno why). Now the cool thing is that on my gps radar, I can see the area in which I have a wanted status - AND I can get away from it if I'm able to escape quickly enough. So, drive outside the radius of the wanted area - and cops give up looking for you. Sweet.
Movement in water is also much improved, both when it comes to swimming and driving a boat(!). I learned the hard way though, that you are supposed to stop and pay tolls underneath one of the bridges. If not, you get a cop heli on your ass from above..
Melee attacks are also better than before. The bare-knuckle fist fights from the older versions were kinda dull and random, and a weapon was really required to have some fun. Now you have more control of your non-weapon fights and you can even spot blood spurting from the mouth of your victim as you beat the crap out of them.
Violent? Hell yeah - but that's why people want this game in the first place. Serves as a nice stress-reliever at the end of a long day.
Did I lol? Uhm...yeah, I lol'ed.
I haven't tested the multiplayer yet but from IGN says, it rocks! Here is the score they gave the game:
I sat down with it last night and had a blast. It's like all the previous versions but with graphics and physics engine on steroids. It all looks more impressive than ever, especially the changing day/night cycles. Not to mention the much more realistic ragdoll-physics on people when you mow them down with your vehicle of choice.

Last night I stole a convertible muscle car and took off down city streets at full speeds. I switched to the "fly-by" camera and it looked like a scene taken straight out of a Fox channel 'scariest police chases' videos. I engaged slow-motion and could see in glorious detail how cops, pedestrians and trashcans beautifully flew across the hood of my car. I drifted sideways over the crosswalk and my car dented a parked car on the sidewalk - smashing the windows as people started freaking out and running for cover.
Disengaging slow-motion, I proceeded down the street and onto the freeway. Cops were now after me as they seemed to want me for some reason (lol, I dunno why). Now the cool thing is that on my gps radar, I can see the area in which I have a wanted status - AND I can get away from it if I'm able to escape quickly enough. So, drive outside the radius of the wanted area - and cops give up looking for you. Sweet.
Movement in water is also much improved, both when it comes to swimming and driving a boat(!). I learned the hard way though, that you are supposed to stop and pay tolls underneath one of the bridges. If not, you get a cop heli on your ass from above..
Melee attacks are also better than before. The bare-knuckle fist fights from the older versions were kinda dull and random, and a weapon was really required to have some fun. Now you have more control of your non-weapon fights and you can even spot blood spurting from the mouth of your victim as you beat the crap out of them.

Violent? Hell yeah - but that's why people want this game in the first place. Serves as a nice stress-reliever at the end of a long day.

Did I lol? Uhm...yeah, I lol'ed.

I haven't tested the multiplayer yet but from IGN says, it rocks! Here is the score they gave the game:
10 Presentation
The story is Oscar quality. The use of the phone as a gaming portal is genius. There's really nothing more that could be asked for from GTA IV.
10 Graphics
The level of detail is astounding. Liberty City feels alive and lived in. While there are some technical issues, the artistic merits push the score to the max. A true marvel.
10 Sound
The dialogue makes the story. Without the excellent writing and the stellar voice acting, the story would fail. And the soundtrack kills -- more than 200 songs and almost all are great choices.
10 Gameplay
The cover and targeting system work great. Blind firing with an RPG is a thing of beauty. Everything works in harmony and not a single one of the missions is bad. The most fun I've had in years.
10 Lasting Appeal
The story will take anywhere from 25-45 hours to complete, depending on your skill level and attention span. There's plenty more to do once you finish the story, such as excellent multiplayer.
10 Masterful
10 OVERALL