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Forum: Games Topic: GTA: Episodes from Liberty City started by: Leisher Posted by Leisher on Feb. 02 2010,21:52
This game has two "episodes" or expansion packs for GTA IV and both tie in cleverly to the main story from the original. So much so that it makes me want to replay the original just to see if this stuff was really thought out that far in advance. (You already know how GTA games play, so I'll only cover the story and changes in gameplay.) The first episode is "The Lose and the Damned" and features you as vice president of a bike gang named The Lost. the gang's president is just getting out of jail, which cause some issues. You're level headed and have run the gang peacefully and are making lots of money. He's an anarchist that just wants to fight and be top dog. Almost the entire episode in spent on bikes, which are probably the worst vehicle in the game, but manageable. An added pain in the ass is the game has you travel as a gang often. So you're stuck trying to keep up with or match pace with a group of your gang. Easy, but dull. The story is short and there aren't a bunch of new side missions that weren't already in the original game. The characters are hardly developed. Ditto for the story. There was a moment in the story where a member of your gang died, and not only did I not know who anyone was talking about, but the guy they described was in that scene. Oh, and you never get in a tank, boat, or helicopter. What this episode lacks in story and creativity, it tries to make up for in the sheer number of enemies. Most battles had a ridiculous number of enemies, but they were quite easy. I'm pretty sure I never died through the whole episode. I guess it would have been a so-so time filler, but then I played the second episode "The Ballad of Gay Tony". This episode was everything an expansion pack should be and more. The story was very well done. The characters were deep, had history, were entertaining, and you got to know them. The missions were extremely varied and there were damn near as many as in the original game. No shit. On top of that, nothing was off limits. You drove every vehicle except a plane (not that you don't get into one...). They also added new side missions, like base jumping, managing a night club, underground MMA, and building a drug empire. This episode was so full of personality that not only does it surpass "The Lost and the Damned", but it pisses on its grave. It pretty much does the same thing to GTA: San Andreas if I'm being honest. In this episode you play as Luis, the muscle (he's straight) for the gay nightclub owner Tony. Luis has a fantastic personality, and he's far more likable than GTA IV's main character Niko. (Speaking of Niko, he does appear in both episodes.) They even added new weapons, and they kick ass. The sticky bombs are really cool, but the exploding shotgun shells are game changers. GAME CHANGERS! Best gun I've used in a video game in a long, long time. I cannot say enough about "The Ballad of Gay Tony" and I really hope that the characters return for more in another GTA down the road. I honestly think this GTA episode has given the franchise the most personality since GTA: Vice City. To sum up, feel free to buy the episodes pack, but play The Lost and the Damned first if you plan on playing both. That way it'll end on a high note for you rather than playing through the brilliant TBoGT only to finish with the turd TLatD. The Lost and the Damned just comes off as uninspired, lazy, and a cash grab. 4 out of 10. The Ballad of Gay Tony should have been GTA IV. 8 out of 10. (I would give it a 9, but it's an expansion. As an expansion, I'd honestly rate it between a 9 and a 10. No shit.) |