GTA IV fan-built realism mod makes us question our own eyes

This first version is of an old version of the mod, but it was still enough to make our excitement glands flare up like a bloom lighting effect set to maximum flaryness. It should be pointed out that the gameplay footage was being recorded using FRAPS, which is a great program but does force the frame-rate to take a hit in busy scenes like this. The real thing supposedly moves nice and smoothly on a decent PC.

Then there's this newer mod which is still at the tinkering stage. Its special effects are more subtle, arguably making it look more like the existing GTA IV.

But the point that should be taken from this is that even aging games can be made to look cutting edge, just so long as modern special effects are applied to their rhumatic bones. We haven't downloaded the mod ourselves so can't vouch for its safety, but there's a link to it viaaimedehaire'svideo page on YouTube if you're keen to try it for yourself. As for us, we just hope GTA V can look as good as this... when its existence isfinally announced, of course. And for some more Grand Theft Auto goodness, check out our GTA IV cheats page for codes and walkthroughs for all things GTA IV.

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Justin was a GamesRadar+ staffer for 10 years but is now a freelance writer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.