5 features from GTA 4 we miss in GTA 5

Rockstar Games’ GTA 4 is a feature-rich game that reshaped the course of the Grand Theft Auto series. It was the first installment in the franchise's HD Universe, and the developer made it memorable with various unique aspects. Despite GTA 5 being more popular and having more features, there are still multiple things in GTA 4 that we miss in the latest installment.

This article lists five such features from GTA 4 that we miss in Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 5.

Note: This article is subjective and only reflects the writer’s opinions. The listing is not in any order.

Interactable food vendors, ragdoll physics, and three other features in GTA 4 that we miss in GTA 5

1) Dating NPCs

The dating mini-games in Grand Theft Auto 4 give more reasons to play the game (Image via Rockstar Games)

The dating feature in GTA 4 is one of the main reasons why fans still play the game even after 17 years. While Michelle (also known as Karen Daniels) and Kate McReary are Niko Bellic’s two default girlfriends, he can also date the following three NPCs:

Carmen Ortiz
Kiki Jenkins
Alexandra “Alex” Chilton

These NPCs can be approached from the in-game Love-Meet.net website. Even though Grand Theft Auto 5 has better in-game internet and websites, Rockstar Games did not add the dating option to the title. That said, we think it is an important feature that GTA 6 needs to bring back.

2) Interactable street food vendors

Most (if not all) of the restaurants and street food vendors in GTA 4 are interactable. They have their opening and closing times, and Niko Bellic can buy and eat food from them when needed. It is one of the best features of the game, as eating food instantly replenishes your health without needing to sleep or use health packs.

While the map of Grand Theft Auto 5 has restaurants and food vendors in various locations, Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips cannot utilize them. These are mere props that fill the open world. While NPCs can be seen buying things from the stalls, you cannot do anything.

Also read: 5 best GTA 4 mods for better graphics in 2025

3) Vigilante and Most Wanted missions

The Vigilante missions have been an integral part of the Grand Theft Auto series, and GTA 4 also includes them in two modes. Niko can steal a law enforcement vehicle to access the regular Vigilante and Most Wanted side missions. While the former offers three types of missions (Gang activity, Stolen vehicle, and Suspect on foot), the latter offers 10 targets in each major island (a total of 30).

Unfortunately, we do not see these missions in Grand Theft Auto 5. Rockstar Games broke the tradition in the 2013 title by not offering law enforcement side missions.

Also read: Best GTA 5 Enhanced mods to try (2025)

4) Ragdoll physics

There is no doubt that GTA 4 has the best ragdoll physics in any Grand Theft Auto title to date. The Euphoria Physics engine creates wonders, making the movements as realistic as possible. Trying the ragdoll physics by yourself is a popular pastime in the game. The characters move depending on the force you apply to them.

Rockstar Games did not include the Euphoria Physics engine in Grand Theft Auto 5. Instead, the developer resorted to pre-recorded movements for all in-game characters. Because of this, even the GTA 5 Enhanced version feels outdated at times.

5) Exploring random building interiors

The buildings in Grand Theft Auto 4 are not just props (Image via Rockstar Games)

Rockstar Games allows you to enter various buildings in GTA 4. Even though they are not part of any important event, Niko Bellic can enter random buildings and explore them. Sometimes, you can also find guns and other collectible items inside the buildings.

You cannot do this in Grand Theft Auto 5. The game only allows you to enter buildings that are integral to the gameplay, which makes the other structures mere props. While GTA Online has more enterable buildings, the feature is not the same as story mode.

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About the author

Mridul completed his post-graduation in Mass Communication, Journalism, and Media Studies. His career as a journalist began at Sportskeeda, and he has been associated with the Esports & Gaming division for over 1.5 years. He has produced 1600+ articles on Grand Theft Auto, his favorite gaming franchise of all time.

Mridul writes detailed and well-researched articles, relying solely on official sources and reputable insiders for credible information. His immense love for the GTA series shines through in his work, which resonates with readers, with five of his articles having crossed the 100,000 reads mark each. Overall, his reads count stands at close to 8 million.

GTA: Vice City served as Mridul's introduction to Rockstar Games, and he has dedicatedly made his way through the publisher's catalog since then. If given a chance, he would love to drop into the world of Bully and relive his school days. However, he would like to recommend Grand Theft Auto 4 to beginners due to the depth of its narrative and in-game mechanics.

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Edited by Abhishek Manikandan