Grand Theft Auto IV

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1. The Follower February 5, 2009

   Good review, but the end seems to be a bit of a spoiler.
2. Dustin Bailey February 5, 2009

   @The Follower:
   I talked around it as much as I could, but the theme of the ending is rather important for the discussion of the ideas in the storyline, so that much really had to be in there.

   Plus, honestly, the message here to 95% of the people who would choose to read a content review is “you probably don’t want to play this game.”
3. Mike February 8, 2009

   I dont think this would be a game for any christian to play or even a non christian. This is one of the worst games ever to be created and yes…even worse than doom 3. Maybe the fact that your going around killing whoever you want and hearing every swear word known to man would give it away! Oh and if your under the age of 18, i ought to slap your parents silly for letting you play this game… Wwjd…seriously
4. Popcan February 12, 2009

   This sounds like an awful game. Im not playin it.
5. Parentle Guidance suggested February 16, 2009

   I bought this for my 8 year old. I should of known it encourages crime. Why do we need so much anti heros these days? Avoid this rubbish. Go to this link

   http://guide2games.org/2009/02/05/max-payne-2/

   Scroll to the bottom and read my useful comment.
6. A.M February 17, 2009

   I am skeptical of your comment. I don’t think any parent would even think about buying an M-rated game for their 8 year old, let alone something like GTA. Before you make a mistake like that again, put some research into the game you’re getting before you get it.
7. Parental Guidance Suggested February 17, 2009

   I thought it was a fun game where you drive around the city fighting vile gangsters(I was wrong) How am to know about game ratings. I’m not a teen whose all savvy on todays pop culture.
8. Tim Cornett February 17, 2009

   @Parental Guidance Suggested: I fully agree with A.M. Well, now you’ve got a decent idea of what the “M” on the cover means: Mature, appropriate only for ages 17+. General rule: Unless you know a lot about the game you’re getting for your eight-year-old (and probably even then), stick with E or E10+ rated games. But do research what you’re getting beforehand.
9. Jake February 17, 2009

   Well, um, my grandma doesn’t play games and has nothing to do with them, but she still knows of their existence.. I’m very much shocked you’ve never heard of the ESRB.
10. Matt Triponey (Red Five) February 18, 2009

    Parental Guidance Suggested- game ratings are no more complicated than movie ratings, and they’re not that hard to understand. And if you have a young child who enjoys video games, you’ll NEED to be savvy on today’s pop culture. The ratings pretty much work like this-
    E- Everyone. Basically, anyone can play it. Violence is almost always cartoony or unrealistically rendered. Profanity is pretty much a non-issue. Sexuality will be limited to maybe one or two female characters wearing something mildly revealing, but never explicit.
    E10- Everyone 10+. It’s not too much worse than E. Sometimes, violence will be a bit more realistic (ie, Fire Emblem), but never bloody and usually not drawn out. There can be profanity in these games though, and it’s usually the difference between a game getting an E or E10. Not all E10 games will have swearing, but some definitely will. Sexuality will be limited again to mildly revealing outfits and maybe some extraordinarily mild innuendo.
    T- Teen- These games are usually recommended only for teens, although some, like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, are still pretty mild and basically family friendly. Violence is realistic, and there will on occasion be blood, but not often. Language can get pretty heavy, but there will rarely be strong language. Sexuality can involve some pretty revealing outfits and moderate innuendo.
    M- Mature- It’s unlikely you’ll want to let your young children play any of these. Basically, just about anything short of graphic sex can happen in these games.
    Still, it’s a good idea to research any game, even the E-rated ones, before purchasing for your kids. Your first option would be to come here and see if there’s a review posted. We’ve been churning out a lot of reviews lately, so it’s likely we’ll have what you’re looking for. If we don’t have it, check the rating on esrb.org, find out why it’s rated what it’s rated. Then, I would go on YouTube and watch videos of the game in action. If you still can’t find anything adequate, just drop by our forums and ask what the game is like. One of us is sure to know.
    I hope this helps you out.
11. Parental Guidance February 19, 2009

    Thanks, I now know I was stupid enough to buy my child several M games. I’l do my research now. ESRB is so fasinating.
12. Theophilus February 20, 2009

    @Parental Guidance:

    Yeah I can understand where you’re coming from. There was once a time when games didn’t need a rating system since they were relatively tame and were generally suitable for all ages. However, many of the games today are more graphic and include more adult material. So yeah, they definitely need a rating system nowadays. The only problem is that the ESRB is occasionally inconsistent with its ratings, (in my opinion) so I would recommend checking this site as well in order to get more detail on the negative content of certain games. It’s been helpful for me
13. Jim February 25, 2009

    One of the main reasons I didn’t allow this game (Grand Theft Auto) was that it promoted theft and lawlessness, and being a peace officer myself, I was really incensed when later games came out, where you could kill a police officer.
14. Dr. H. Ward March 2, 2009

    umm i love this game. Especially the combos are fun which you get for running over multiple people under a small timeframe. The best is to run over cops, youll get the most points
15. Eric Taylor March 2, 2009

    @Dr. H. Ward: Shows you the depravity that this kind of game breeds.
16. Jean Valjean March 6, 2009

    @Eric Taylor:

    Actually, it doesn’t. Unlike the honorable Doctor, I’ve played this game. There is no bonus for running over a large number of people. There are no combos. Hurting police officers in any way puts the entire Police Force in pursuit of you, and is considered more of an annoyance than a gameplay draw.

    The biggest red flag in Ward’s post, however, is the reference to getting more “points.” Mainstream games generally haven’t featured “points” since the arcade era. The only collectable value in GTA4 is money, and police officers do not drop it at all.

    To put this simply: Dr. H. Ward has never played this game, and if he has, he is making a conscious effort to lie about its content.

    Dr. Ward’s comment, then, does not show the “depravity that this kind of game breeds,” but rather the willingness of critics to the game to accept incendiary untruths for the sole purpose of advancing their own unfounded biases against the game.

    How about instead of basing your decision about the game off of what you hear about it, you take 30 seconds to do some research and then base your judgment on what you know about it?

    You still might not find it to be an appropriate game, but at the very least you will stop perpetuating the stereotype that Christians are out of touch with modern culture and have no idea what they are arguing about.
17. Tim Cornett March 6, 2009

    @Jean Valjean: Very well said.
18. B March 8, 2009

    This game offends me as a person with faith in The Lord Jesus Christ and someone intersted in becoming a police officer. How could anyone feel it’s alright to play this?
19. Penguin Coke March 16, 2009

    Lots of people love this game. Personally I prefer COD. But this game was fun to jack and go on car racing rampages. haha
20. Me March 20, 2009

    I am not a Christian. I am not a follower of any religion and I like it that way, that aside I want to put my opinion forth.

    If cursing, calling Jesus names and killing people offends you, you should avoid this game like the plague.

    However, if you can put these things aside you can enjoy a great written script, beautiful graphics, fun multiplayer and a game that deserves a lot of praise.
21. dragonslayer March 24, 2009

    I hate to say this but in some cruked way this game can be strangly fun… I know this is bad but it can be an addicting games especielly to nonbeliever. (a am a believer)
22. Ric May 10, 2009

    im a christian and to tell the truth was at church this very morning. i have played on this game many times and am planning on getting in the next couple of weeks. I think this review is more suited to games such as silent hill manhunt or left 4 dead. this game ( as long as played but a normal healthy minded person) will cause no harm as long as everyone understand that this game is really just infact a GAME!!!
23. Ric May 10, 2009

    it would just like to add to my last comment that i was just speaking my mind this game could effect young children but just in my experience all that happend was that i had fun!!!
24. Anonymous May 14, 2009

    Really, even if it doesn’t seem to have any sort of negative effect, I don’t think that Christians should be playing this garbage. It may be an incredibly well-made and “fun” title, but we shouldn’t be filling our minds with this kind of content. There are plenty of other excellent video games that aren’t plagued with offensive subject matter–let’s be real!
25. troy f June 26, 2009

    let me just put it like the way it is i am 15 years old and i am a christian and i love this game. i have enjoyed the whole grandtheft auto series. if you have a mature and understanding mind, games like this are ok so long as you under stand that it is not real and that it is nothing but a GAME peaple dont get that!
26. Shadnic Hypro June 27, 2009

    I can’t believe that any Christian would play this. I’m not wanting to offend anyone, but seriously, if you think that there’s nothing wrong with this game (and that you could play it with Jesus sitting there too), then perhaps you should have a long moment in deep prayer with God about your spiritual condition. I know I’ll get argued with for my stand, but it’s the truth. I know what others will say, “But it’s just a GAME. I’d never do these things in real life!” Well, think about it for a moment. Has playing this game made you desensitized to violence and language? Do you simply shrug your shoulders when you hear someone blaspheme the name of Christ because “you’ve heard it so much?” Is this game drawing you closer to God? Don’t answer. I will. No, it can’t be.

    The bottom line: get into a better, more wholesome game. Would God approve of your playing this? Would he say “Well done, thou good and faithful servent?” Please, give it some thought.
27. Jesse June 29, 2009

    This is one of those games that has no redeeming value whatsoever. Some M rated games can be justified if it has a morally redeeming plot, or at least one that gets you thinking. This has nothing. I would not recommend this game to anybody.
28. limmy July 6, 2009

    I’m 17 and I started playing m games when i was 9.Let me just say I agree that Gta4 is not a game for everyone but I do think some parents are over reacting.There is more violence with religion than let alone a video game.Parents need to realize that video games do not turn children into murders,drug pushers,pimps,or phycos,its how well you raise your kid.Now if i had a kid of my own i Would judge how mature he is and how ready he is to play this game.Iv played it and i like it i like the story,the gameplay,the graphics,etc.But I’v been raised properly and know whats right and whats wrong.So please parents before you start complaining how bad this game is and refuse to buy it for your kid take time to see how mature your kid really his explain to he/she things that are in this game.
29. Theophilus July 7, 2009

    @limmy:

    “There is more violence with religion than let alone a video game.” Any ties with major world religions and violence (especially Christianity) are at best a great overstatement and are at least superficial. Sure, some tyrants may have justified their injustice in the name of religion but these are the faults of the individuals whose understanding of their religion (indeed, also of reality, people, power, justice, God, etc.) is very, very distorted. And that’s just it: GTA is exactly the kind of game that promotes a distorted view of power, people, justice, etc. and ultimately lawlessness and godlessness. Yeah it’s just a game and yeah some people it won’t effect (hopefully) but really, is it really something you need to trouble yourself with when there are other good games out there as well (with good, positive messages)? I don’t think so.
30. Falconfan July 24, 2009

    Can someone who has played the game tell me if you can turn the voice volume off in the options menu ,also are you ever required to go to strip clubs or anything like that?
31. Colonel Link July 25, 2009

    @Falconfan:
    I’m not sure about individual voice controls, but I sure don’t remember any. And one of the missions you have to do is to go to a strip club and kill all the guys in it. And that’s only halfway through the game, and there are at least 2 clubs in the game.
32. Falconfan July 25, 2009

    Thanks I was just thinking of trying it for the euphoria engine. Usually in games you can turn off speech volume. That’s what I do on strong language games like killzone 2. Hmm guess I may pass on this one if there is no speech volume control.
33. Colonel Link July 25, 2009

    @Falconfan:
    I’m not sure there isn’t, as I haven’t looked in a while, but I’ve never seen it mentioned, and it certainly wasn’t obvious in the game menus I saw.
34. Falconfan July 27, 2009

    okay maybe I’ll rent and see but is the language just as bad online from npc’s?
35. Colonel Link July 27, 2009

    I don’t really see how it could be worse, as npc’s in the game swear in practically every sentence. But online players can be just as foul mouthed as anyone else, so it’s possible.
36. realist August 18, 2009

    Just because someone plays a violent game does not mean that person will do it, i agree that some people take games such as this too far but in all fairness, you must remember that this is just a game
37. dan the man August 26, 2009

    when are you people going to realize this just a game granted the launguage is terrible and the violence is over done but don’t slam people cuz they like it
38. Kage August 26, 2009

    @A.M: Okay, your comment to Parentle Guidance suggested is unrealistic. Kids these days can get any and everything they want, no matter how young they are. I have a friend who’s been playing games above and beyond his age since he was in the 3rd grade.
39. Kage August 26, 2009

    @Anonymous: I’m totally with you.
40. SageRiku September 24, 2009

    =D Rogue tangent comment:

    Some games a good for the soul. Play Bioshock and save the Little Sisters. The ending warmed my heart. ^____^

    Here's a challenge: play any game, apart from those that force you to make ungodly decisions (e.g. the GTA series) or games that don't present the decision (e.g. puzzle games, rhythm games, games that prohibit killing), and make it through the game without taking a single life. Not once!

    Now do it without loading any saves! It will take Batman-like skill! >D
41. Vito VT September 28, 2009

    I’m 16 and used to play this game, but then I realized it was getting in my path with god, and it was simulating un-godly things and activity’s, don’t get me wrong I still think its a fun game, but sometimes you got to give up stuff, and repent! ended up selling my xbox360 due to the strong temptation in video games today!
42. Anonymous September 29, 2009

    Affect you in a negative way, it still tells the people that make these games that Christians are okay with such immorality, and that they can get rich off of these things. When you purchase a game like this you are supporting it, because your money goes to the makers, which says to them that you like it.
    One last comment, if you feel like you have to explain why it’s okay to play this game then maybe it has too much of a hold on you. I often did in the past and discovered that I was really defending against my bad conscience. As Paul said “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Co 6:12) If it isn’t expedient (meaning profitable) or if it brings you into bondage, (meaning you can’t stop playing it, or couldn’t get rid of it if God told you too, then you should most certainly get rid of it.

    let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Heb 12:1)
43. Twisted October 14, 2009

    I do not recommend this game at all. Objectionable content is not a problem with me to an extent, but if a game has nothing you can get out of it, I do not recommend it at all. Seriously, what can you benefit from this game? Is there even one godly thing in this game you can get out of it?

    Sure, it’s most likely not a sin to play it, but that isn’t the issue. It’s not how far can we break away, it’s how close can we remain to god.
44. Clone02 February 15, 2010

    I personally have never played these games. i have looked into getting GTA-SA…. there are cheats you can use to take out, for lack of better terms, the bad stuff. However, it is still a bad game, and by buying it you are supporting rockstar which i personally cannot do. Someone made the comment that "Well GTA is not as bad as 'manhunt' and other rockstar games". As i stated above though, you are supporting them by buying the game. I can understand wanting a game that has good graphics, and a sandbox style game play… however, it doesn't seem worth it to me. this is left up to the individual who needs to make the final decision.

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