Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and the Damned
Score: 85% Publisher: Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar Games Media: Download/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Free-Roaming/Adventure
Introduction: The add-on episode The Lost and The Damned for Grand Theft Auto IV again takes place in Liberty City, but has an entirely different story. The story does overlap with Niko's story, at times, but for the most part remains separated from the main game. You play as Johnny, a member of a biker gang called The Lost Motorcycle Club. If you stopped playing GTA IV because things were getting a little too dark and dreary for you, then you're probably not going to like The Lost and the Damned. Again, this add-on highlights the worst humanity has to offer, but that doesn't mean that the story is mindless. The story follows Johnny as he deals with the wild impulses of the gang's president, Billy. While Billy was in jail, Johnny seemed to be trying to turn the gang around, or at least trying to cut out some of the bloodthirst that threatened to end their lives prematurely. But with Billy out of jail and back in the gang, all sorts of hell breaks loose. Billy gets back into drugs, a gang war is started with The Lost's old rivals, and Johnny has to deal with "stepping down" from his previous tenure as leader. Like GTA IV's main character, Johnny just keeps getting pulled deeper and deeper in to trouble and heartache.
Gameplay: The writing and the voice acting in this game are superb, as they are in the main game. You really do feel like you're watching something like an HBO production, especially since the facial and body movements are also matched up quite well. One major new addition is the ability to ride in a biker gang. But, this is only as exciting as you make it. Your fellow gang members aren't the brightest bunch, and will often slam into cars, poles, and walls if you lead them into it. When you're not leading the gang, you have the ability to heal yourself and your bike by riding closely along with the leader. Again, this isn't easy, but the heal bonus builds up quickly so it isn't much of an issue. Other new additions, of course, include new vehicles like fancy sports bikes and even a towtruck. New weapons include a grenade launcher, sawed-off shotgun, and even an automatic 9mm that is pretty fun to use. You'll also hear some new radio content, and there are a few new shows on the TV. So, there's a lot of new stuff to play around with, even if you aren't playing the main story missions.
Difficulty: You get sent on some missions that seem nearly impossible at first glance, but there's nothing here that will hold you back more than a few tries. For example, there's a mission where you need to shoot down a helicopter in the middle of a heavily guarded airport. If there's a better way to do it other than skidding my bike in and just launching that rocket, well I just don't want to know. It did take a few tries before it worked, but still, it was workable.
Value: Overall, this is a good additional episode for GTA IV. The quality of content is on the same level as the main game. It's not so different, however, that it will bring new customers to the franchise. It's also no better than the main game, as the characters in this story seem to be dancing to the same tune of death and self-destruction. So, while it may not be a must-have, if you're interested in more GTA IV, at all, you'll likely be pleased with The Lost and the Damned.
-Fights with Fire, GameVortex Communications AKA Christin Deville
Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage Fallout 3: Broken Steel