The depth of Liberty City makes GTA IV a masterpiece worth replaying

Send us Fan MailWhat makes a game truly stand the test of time? In this episode, George and RGT dive deep into the enduring appeal of Grand Theft Auto IV, a game that's potentially better than its successor in ways that matter most.Liberty City comes alive again as RGT shares his experience revisiting Rockstar's masterpiece on PlayStation 3. Though the driving mechanics and camera initially feel jarring to modern sensibilities, they quickly transform into appreciated features that add weight and realism to the experience. What sets GTA IV apart is its immersive world—from watching Space Rangers on Niko's TV to maintaining friendships and relationships, the game creates a lived-in atmosphere that some argue even GTA V couldn't match despite its technical improvements.The conversation shifts to George's passionate rediscovery of Lord of the Rings: Third Age on PS2, where the surround sound alone creates a stunning 360-degree soundscape that places you directly in Middle-earth. The borrowed Final Fantasy X combat system works brilliantly, and the game's seamless integration of movie footage creates an experience that still impresses today.Along the way, the duo discuss gaming news including Sony's potential MLB The Show mobile game and rumors of Starfield coming to PlayStation 5, raising questions about Xbox's strategy of releasing former exclusives on competing platforms. Could the PS5 versions with DualSense features become definitive editions?Whether you're a gaming historian or simply looking for forgotten classics worth revisiting, this episode highlights what truly matters in creating memorable gaming experiences. Follow us on Twitter and join our Discord community where we're playing through GTA IV together and sharing our discoveries!Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at [email protected] DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.