Review: GTA IV: Episodes From Liberty City

Grand Theft Auto IV was a record-breaking title for one reason - it is a fantastic game. Episodes from Liberty City is great news for fans of the franchise - two stand-alone games available for download or purchase in a two-for-one disc deal filling in the gaps in the stolen diamond storyline from the original game. The first title is The Lost and the Damned - playing loathsome biker Johnny, caught in a turf war. It's polished and entertaining.

The Ballad of Gay Tony on the other hand is brilliant - playing Luis Lopez, a clubland hardman in the city's high-rolling gangster scene. It's hilarious with some truly comedic cut scenes and excellent voice acting.

There are some highly entertaining levels, including a chase involving golf carts and machine gun-wielding Mafioso. There's the odd graphical glitch and control issue that comes with the third-person shooter territory. Occasionally continuity falls to bits and cars that didn't exist before a cut scene will magically reappear.

Verdict: For fans of the blockbuster GTA series these two games are well worth the effort, either downloaded or as stand-alones. Newbies to the series will be able to pick-up and play - without having to fork out for GTA IV itself.

Rating: * * * *
Xbox 360, R18