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Grand Theft Auto IV

Also known as: GTA IV, GTA 4, Grand Theft Auto 4

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Grand Theft Auto IV - updated impressions

New key gameplay details revealed in our most thorough look at the car-crime epic yet

Words: Mikel Reparaz, GamesRadar US

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More cops piled on as Niko's wanted level rose, with normal cruisers quickly being replaced by helicopters and imposing police Humvees. A nearby subway entrance offered a possible means of escape, but that wasn't in the cards for Niko; the demo ended with him gunned down in the street as the familiar helicopter view slowly panned away from him.

While that was the end of our best look at Grand Theft Auto IV so far, however, we were able to glean one final, somewhat shocking piece of information from Rockstar. When we asked if there was any advantage to owning the PlayStation 3 version of the game - in light of the downloadable episodes being Xbox 360 exclusives - Rockstar spokesman Hosi Simon said, "not that I can think of."

"They're identical games," Simon continued. "But I guess if you want the complete experience with the episodes, then yeah, you should buy the 360, I suppose." Of course, we haven't seen the game running on a PS3 yet (all demos up to this point have run on Xbox 360 hardware), so it's still possible there could be a difference in visuals or performance. But in terms of something to rival the 360's expanded content, for now it looks like PS3 owners can expect to get stiffed.

Aside from that sad news, GTA IV is shaping up to be everything we've been hoping it would be. The sheer size and scale of Liberty City really drives home the game's big-fish-in-a-small-pond concept (unlike previous GTA "heroes," Niko won't be clawing his way to the top of any criminal underworlds), you're surrounded by constant activity and the city gives an impressive illusion of being alive independent of you, rather than being just a clockwork sandbox in which you can wreak havoc. The action looks like a hell of a lot of fun as well; we'll let you know for sure next month, when we expect to get our first hands-on with the game.