Wholly Schmidt!

Grand Theft Auto IV only came out about a month ago, so it’s almost a misrepresentation to lump it in with the embarrassing backlog of unfinished games that go back to the PS2. Still, any progress is noteworthy, and last night I completed GTA IV.

New York City’s stunt double, “Liberty City”, is one of the most expertly realized and beautiful settings video games have given us. It’s smartly crafted from top to bottom, and it’s not until you stop to really notice the details that you see how nearly ruined it was by a game that is too frequently an example of the most crass and juvenile elements video games have to offer. The game swings wildly (and often) from attempts at complex relationships, meaningful consequences, and serious reflections on the kind of amoral lifestyles lead by much of its cast, to jokes and gags so childish, perverse, obvious, and shallow, that the whole game is nearly dragged down.

Yet while the sense of humor is a near total loss, there’s still too much accomplished to look back at the game and be anything short of impressed. A massive world, well developed interactions with that world, some amazing voice acting, moments of beauty, and solidly presented action from start to finish leave you wishing Rock Star would grow up and get over themselves so they could simply make the greatest game ever.