u/Eren_Jaeger_The_Goat

Hey guys, I’m looking to pick up a souls like. I’ve enjoyed entire souls series with Dark Souls 3, Bloodbore and Sekiro being my favourite. Also had a great time with Nioh 1.

So I’m looking to come back to this type of game. So I’m considering getting Lies of P Overture bundle of Mortal Shell 1 or 2. What would you recommend if I gotta choose one.

Wanna play one before I finally play shadow of erdtree dlc.

TLDR: GTA IV is and interesting game but ultimately falls flat due to the story lacking focus and good pacing. Adding insult to injury, the gameplay design falls flats and get stale midway though. Then a main character who is difficult to feel sorry for as his plight is no one’s fault but his own. I’m sure the game was a classic in 2008, but it sure is a hard sell in 2026.

GTA IV is undoubtedly a classic of its time pushing the envelope greatly for the genre. A necessary stepping stone, but returning to it has proven difficult as algae and moss has taken over.

I’d tried to finish it twice before but always fell off.
I then Decided I needed to focus and really lock in after watching a few invigorating video essays.

All in all GTA IV is a cool game and a pioneer of its time. It’s struggles to hold up gameplay wise in 2026, but excels in other areas. Superb physics, far superior than GTA 5. From vehicles, bullet feedback and rag dolls. The integration and reliance on your cell phone is also very well executed.

Unfortunately though, that is where my praise for the title ends. Many hardcore fans of the title seemingly confuse a dark and mature tone with a good story. Reality is far more sobering. The game has great ideas and themes. Bringing forth the reality of the American dream. And showing that when your trade is iron and blood, choice is limited. Niko was gonna become a criminal regardless. But ultimately his depression is self inflicted, due to that I feel no remorse for him.

He could not let go of his past and that forces him back into crime. Even when his goal of revenge was fulfilled he chooses to continue to pursue coin even when it’s clearly vacuous to him. He becomes a mercenary who just gets better suits as the bodies continue to pile up.

On top of that imo this is one of Rockstars weakest stories. Not because it’s bad, but because so much time is spent on random hit jobs for random characters the entire story focus is lost. I swear only 25% of the main story missions involve finding out who betrayed you/getting revenge.

What didn’t help too is that the mission variety was dry. The gameplay also just doesn’t hold up thay well in 2026. But I’ll let that slide.

GTA IV ends up feeling like a collection of events by a hitman. With a depressing immigrant American Dream coat of paint.

There are still some very cool moments, missions and plot twists to remember. But they are not enough to save the experience.

Imo Dan Houser and the writing team only truly hit their elite storytelling stride from Red Dead 1 & Max Payne 3 onwards.

Every game before that pales in comparison from pacing, writing and execution. GTA IV may have had some of the best themes in the series. The bravery to also make the game so dark and dreary was also a. Fun choice. But they unfortunately get drowned out by OK gameplay, a story that lacks focus. And main character whose plight is hard to pity.

I’ll try the lost & damned dlc and ballad of gay Tony. Perhaps my perspective will change. A tighter story may have saved this game for me I think.

6.5/10
Mixed Bag for 2026