Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

I'll review each game individually in more detail, so I'll just provide an overview here: this double-pack (two games, one disc) contains two GTA IV spin-offs (the stories are set concurrently with the events of the main game and now and then intertwine with Niko's, which I really dig when same events are shown from other character's perspectives, and where they ran off to when s**t went down) that carve out their own distinct identity via their perspective and niche in Liberty City society (Lost and Damned centers on a biker war and Gay Tony shows off L.C.'s night life). Gay Tony is the better of the two, but both are among gaming's finest.

Initially, these episodes from Liberty City were supposed to be DLC for the GTA IV, but at the end Rockstar decided to separate it from the main game and sell it as a separate game. This expansion includes two stories: TLaD and TBoGT.

Let's start with TLaD: the add-on turned out to be meager as they added a couple of new weapons, like one car and, actually, that's all. The plot intersects with the original GTA IV and it is pretty interesting to see Nico from a different point of view (not as a main character). However, the plot that is not related to forth part is rather boring. All thing considered, I would put this episode 6/10.

On the other hand, in TBoGT we are dealing with a total opposite thing to TLaD. They added a huge amount of weapons, a bunch of cars and helicopters. The plot is not drawn out and interesting, if in TLaD the amain character was a friend of Niko and his gang, then in TBoGT the protagonist is at enmity with him. The secondary tasks were added, which gave the add-on some charm. This part came out with a bang and I give it 9/10

The result of the whole game is 8/10.

If only gta 5 had such episodes too... would be very good

When GTA IV released in 2008, for many people it felt like a letdown compared to its predecessor San Andreas. It lacked of the sandbox feeling. Rockstar Games launched two dlcs to change this feeling and boy, these are some damn good dlcs!

The Lost and Damned lets you play as the vice president of a motorcycle club called Johnny, which you know from the base game. Besides the nasty vehicle controls for bikes the stroy is great and it has some new weapons to offer.

The Ballad of Gay Tony though is a masterpiece and outshines the main game in every possible way. The story is classic GTA, the missions are some of the best of the franchise and the side activities are meaningful. This one is truly special.

All in all, Episodes from Liberty City is one of the best expansion packs ever made and a must play for gamers of all kinds.