GTA IV’s Lasting Legacy

Shigeru Miyamoto and David Lynch: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Shigeru Miyamoto has always struck me as a wonderfully cheerful and creative individual, and in many ways, he reminds me of David Lynch. It's as if Miyamoto is the opposite side of Lynch—two creators with distinct visions yet drawing from experiences outside their industries to craft their works. They’re like two sides of the same coin—Joker and Batman, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden and Venom, Pink Floyd and Voivod.

When you break it down, it's fascinating to see how Rockstar Games might have been inspired by Miyamoto's work to create something entirely different from The Legend of Zelda. In the simplest terms, Grand Theft Auto could be seen as The Legend of Zelda with hookers and rocket launchers, or perhaps the Jekyll and Hyde of David Lynch's mind.

Playing Grand Theft Auto IV today, after sixteen years of economic upheavals, disasters, wars, and pandemics, feels like a real treat. It’s not just a game; it’s a warm reminder of a time gone by, acknowledging how time shapes our experiences and memories. I can’t help but wonder how Grand Theft Auto VI will turn out, knowing that every release adapts to its time. But for me, GTA IV remains a high point—a swan song for the series, where everything aligned perfectly.

Innovative Mechanics and Cultural Significance

The complete GTA IV experience is vast, with the main game, two expansive DLCs, and even a portable reimagining of classic top-down GTA in Chinatown Wars. But this isn’t really a review—it’s more of a nostalgic look back at one of my all-time favourite games.

I first tried the game on its PC release, only to realize my computer couldn’t handle it. It ran poorly, looked awful, and smelled like burnt cables. So, as the Russian saying goes, "until the roasted rooster pecks you in the ass," I went to the nearest Goodwill, picked up a Radeon HD 3870 X2, installed GTA IV, logged into Games for Windows Live (yes, that was a thing), and began my first walkenthrough.

From the start, it was clear that Rockstar had done it again. They didn’t just upgrade their old engine; they created a completely new, next-generation GTA. It was a rare feeling—the kind of excitement that makes you rush home to play, like you’re 12 years old again. For someone who’s been gaming since the early '90s, it’s rare to feel that way, but GTA IV blew me away.

Rockstar's Dedication to Detail

Rockstar went all out with GTA IV, even adding a real television in the game, which was wild at the time. Besides the iconic radio stations, you could now go into your safehouse, turn on the TV, and watch actual shows, changing channels and adjusting the volume. It was an incredible detail that added to the game’s realism. The shows were part of GTA's satirical world—everything from a spoof of Halo to history programs and more. It’s details like these that set GTA apart from its imitators. I can’t even imagine how many people worked behind the scenes to create all this content.

One of the biggest shocks for me, and for anyone born in the Soviet Union, was Rockstar’s meticulous portrayal of Slavic culture in Brighton Beach. Hearing Russian on the streets of Hove Beach, and seeing it integrated into the game, was astonishing. Vladivostok FM, the radio station, featured Russian bands like Kino and even Ukrainian Ruslana as a DJ—it was unbelievable. And GTA's music has always been top-notch, with Liberty Rock Radio playing classics like “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by The Stooges and “Dominion” by Sisters of Mercy. It was the perfect soundtrack for a high-speed chase or a daring escape, with even the smallest details enhancing the game’s atmosphere. GTA IV was deeper, richer, and more immersive than any GTA before it.

The game also had a more serious tone, with graphics and physics that were next-level—especially the physics. I’d never seen such detailed physics in a game before. Every movement felt real, with inertia affecting your every step, especially when you were drunk. And yes, you could get drunk in the game! Rockstar introduced so many new mechanics that playing GTA IV was a completely different experience from the previous trilogy. You could even build relationships with friends in the game, which would unlock special abilities, like free taxis or weapons. And with your trusty cell phone, you were always connected, adding another layer of realism.

The single-player campaign was massive, offering a 50-hour adventure that could be extended with two DLCs, each adding another 20 hours of gameplay. Playing the complete GTA IV felt like having a GTA V with three characters, though you couldn’t switch between them in real time. This might have been the inspiration for GTA V's character-switching mechanic.

Looking ahead, I can imagine Rockstar taking this even further, creating a game with multiple characters and multiple time periods, where you could switch between eras in real time—experiencing the '60s, '70s, '80s, and beyond in the same city. It’s a wild idea, but I hope it doesn’t turn into a Ubisoft-style map full of question marks.

GTA IV’s Lasting Legacy

Reflecting on GTA IV and speculating about the future, it’s clear that the game was a pivotal moment in gaming history. Its innovative mechanics, cultural depth, and immersive world-building set a new standard for open-world games. GTA IV was more than just a game—it was a cultural event, a technological marvel, and a narrative powerhouse all rolled into one.

As we look forward to what Rockstar will create next, it’s worth remembering the magic that GTA IV brought into our lives—a reminder of what gaming can achieve when creativity, technology, and cultural awareness converge. Whether or not future installments capture the same lightning in a bottle, GTA IV will always stand as a testament to the heights that gaming can reach.

Ultimately, Grand Theft Auto IV will remain one of my favourite games of all time—not just for its groundbreaking mechanics, but for the memories and experiences it created. The game is a time capsule, capturing a moment in gaming history that may never be replicated. It serves as a benchmark for what games can be—a blend of art, culture, and innovation that leaves a lasting impact.

As we await the next chapter in the GTA saga, it’s essential to appreciate the legacy of GTA IV and how it shaped the gaming landscape. Its influence is undeniable, and its place in the pantheon of great games is secure. GTA IV is not just a game; it's an experience, a journey, and a masterpiece that will continue to inspire gamers and developers alike for years to come.