We know you can't get enough GTA IV coverage, so how about a different viewpoint? Our sister mag Xbox World 360 UK recently put up a massive multi-part preview, which we will now promptly lay bare before your greedy eyes.

Part 1: Multiplayer (below)

Part 2: Single-player

Part 3: Easter Eggs

Part 1: Multiplayer

Here are our good friends at Xbox World 360 UK, Tim Weaver and Rob Taylor, and their takes on the game types they played.

#1: Cops ‘n Crooks
It’s pretty simple stuff, but it’s hugely effective. One team of Cops. One team of Crooks. And the Cops have to stop the Crooks. This does go a little deeper though - the team of Crooks includes a Don, who has to be protected from the pursuing team of Cops, and delivered to a drop-off point unharmed...

Rob: There are a couple of cheeky caveats in this mode that really turn a simplistic-sounding experience into something more. One: a random member of the criminal posse is branded the ‘boss’, and if he’s taken out then it’s a premature Game Over. Two: the police can always see where their prey is lurking via the radar, but conversely the cons are totally ignorant of their pursuers’ location. So, with the odds stacked firmly against the bad guys - the chase is on!

Tim: This mode was superb. First game, I was part of the Cops, and Rob was a Crook. As a Cop, you start in a police vehicle, so there’s no need to nick a car. Remember, though: smash your window with the right shoulder button. Your character will elbow out the glass, allowing you to shoot even as the vehicle is moving. Vital for when you get up close and personal with the Don’s crew.

Rob: We Crooks commandeered a couple of vehicles - two of us in each, making it harder for the Cops to corner us - and commenced driving to the refuge point marked on our map. Making excellent time, things were looking good - especially since we had wisely decided to move in convoy. Trouble is, not being able to see the Cops puts you at a disadvantage.

Tim: In a nice twist, spawning points mostly ensure you’re close to your target - so it wasn’t long before we were onto them.

Rob: When we heard them, we furiously started to lay down covering fire and managed to give them the run around - at least for a bit. Trouble was, the Don’s car got its tire blown out in the shootout - and in this new GTA, that spells big trouble.

Tim: Cars become virtually uncontrollable once they’ve been bashed up. You can still drive around on the rims - and watch sparks kick up as you do - but steering becomes twitchy and unresponsive, and in a mode like this, where every second counts, that’s bad news.

Rob: Despite a sterling driving effort from our chief wheelman we soon ended up on our roof, after hitting a wall. The car flipped and then just started spinning helplessly!

Tim: We were able to exit our squad car, and move in on the Don while he was still trying to get out.

Rob: If you ask me, playing as the Cops is an altogether less stressful experience, as you constantly have your target in your sights - although it pays to have a driver who knows the city. One wrong turn and you risk letting the prey slip through the net.

Tim: That’s interesting, because I reckon Crooks is more fun. When the tables were turned, we made it virtually to the drop-off - a speedboat at a waterfront in Broker. Er, until me and a fellow criminal ended up plunging into the water after hurrying down the jetty too fast! Swimming around to the boat, we watched as - hurrah! - the Don made it onto the boat… only for Rob and his team of boys in blue to storm down the jetty and pop the boss as he pulled away! So near, yet so far.