The fact that the console-exclusivity deal for these episodes has finally run out doesn't diminish the fact that these are two quality games bundled together for forty bucks (or less depending on where you're looking). This collection (in my opinion) is far superior to that of the original release of Grand Theft Auto 4 itself -- more radio stations, better vehicle controls, and a much better checkpoint system during missions help round out the list of improvements. And while there is absolutely nothing different content-wise from the Xbox 360 version (that's the official word from Rockstar), Episodes from Liberty City is a must-have for every Grand Theft Auto fan who never had a chance to play the better-half of this nearly two year old game.
First off, The Lost and Damned delivers more of everything that defines the venerable Grand Theft Auto series: car chases, firefights, kidnappings, colorful characters, and controversies. It's still the same Liberty City, but the character development of the new protagonist, Johnny Klebitz, and Billy Grey, president of the eponymous biker gang The Lost (and one of the better characters to appear in the series), helps this expansion feel worth it. Together, they tell an engaging story about brotherhood, responsibility, honor, sacrifice, and knowing when to walk away from a fight.
Click the image above to check out all Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City screens.
The much-talked about missions that crossover with GTA4's main story don't bring as much to the game as hoped. Sure, it's cool to see Niko again, but not during two of the more frustrating missions from GTA4: "Blow Your Cover" and "Museum Piece." On the other hand, it is cool to serve as the catalyst for others like, "Hostile Negotiation" and "Taking in the Trash." Overall, what you get in TLAD outweighs that of many other games which cost three times as much. If you're a fan of GTA4, or thought Niko's story only scratched the surface, give Johnny and The Lost a shot.
But where Lost and GTA4 spend a lot of time with carefully crafted stories and fleshed-out characters (although I've always felt that GTA4 falls off the rails a bit towards the final act, whereas Lost offered a tighter overall narrative), The Ballad of Gay Tony, however, pulls back on the serious tone and throttles the fun quotient forward, bringing back a lot of the series' lampooning hallmarks. At the cost of characterization, it offers a lot of laughs; I didn't find BOGT's cast to be as compelling as Niko Bellic or Johnny Klebitz.
Beyond the jokes, strip clubs, and bits of the ultra-violence, BOGT finally gives you a reason to keep playing long after you've completed Luis Lopez's 10 hour story. Base jumping, booty calls, club management, air hockey, golfing, television shows (in particular, Princess Robot Bubblegum) and multi-vehicle races help extend the life of the city for just that much more in addition to the new multiplayer additions (check out our news story covering some of the new multiplayer modes).
