Is it worth playing GTA 4 in 2025?

GTA 4 was released more than a decade ago for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, and despite its age, it is an experience worth replaying in 2025. Rockstar Games took major leaps with this entry and set the bar high for what an open-world sandbox could be back in 2008.

The Grand Theft Auto franchise is renowned for its rich environments. However, this entry was hailed as one of the best games back then and has aged well against the test of time. While games like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are graphically superior, this does not undermine the value of GTA 4.

Note: Parts of this article reflect the writer's opinions.

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The realistic physics in GTA 4 made it memorable

GTA 4 was a breath of fresh air in 2008 (Image via Rockstar Games)

Unlike the comical and exaggerated physics and gameplay of GTA 5, GTA 4 kept it simple. Fans were reintroduced to a much more realistic version of Liberty City with new characters and a compelling narrative.

Niko Bellic came into the picture as an immigrant in search of a second chance in life; unfortunately, Liberty City is the worst place to rebuild lives.

The combat mechanics are insanely detailed and realistic, especially during gunfights. Whenever Niko shoots at NPCs, civilians flail around rather than drop dead like in previous GTA titles. The driving and vehicle control is a major step up from older titles, and players can feel the weight of driving a car or motorcycle in a busy city without getting any scratches on their shiny whips.

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Single-player DLCs and optional activities

This title is full of stuff to keep fans occupied (Image via Rockstar Games)

Single-player DLCs are another area where GTA 4 excels, and the developers are actively steering away from it. Ever since the surge of success the Online multiplayer has had with GTA 5, all upcoming plans for expansions were abandoned, which was a missed opportunity and did not sit well with most fans.

In addition to the already great single-player campaign of the base game, Rockstar Games released two extra short episodes: The Ballad of Gay Tony, featuring Luis Lopez, an assistant to Tony Prince, and The Lost and Damned with Johnny Klebitz, a member of the Lost MC gang. Throughout their stories, all three characters eventually cross paths, proving Liberty City is a cesspool of crime.

The influence of GTA 4 is still felt to this day, especially with the recent mod released by talented fans for GTA 5. Liberty City was rebuilt from the ground up with a working subway system, and the modders went above and beyond by using the same car sounds from the original game.

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Conclusion

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has never been the same since then (Image via Rockstar Games)

Rockstar Games doesn't know when to quit and aims to deliver great open-world experiences. The Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been a staple in the gaming industry, and there is no telling what major leaps the developers have made for GTA 6.

There are plenty of great options available nowadays; however, nothing can compare to the nostalgia players will feel while replaying GTA 4. The only major complaint the gaming community has about this title is the lack of a proper current-gen port that could have made this experience much smoother.