PS3 Review – Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City
Grand Theft Auto IV from Rockstar North, directed under the leadership of the legendary Houser brothers, brought the coveted sandbox series to the next-generation of gaming with the promise of episodic, downloadable content. Although the PlayStation 3 was kept out of the loop for a full year, the the Episodes from Liberty City have landed on the PlayStation Network and Blu-ray. Even two years after the release of the game, it is easy to see how the expansions reinvigorated Liberty City.
Each of the two episodes is essentially a separate entity under GTA IV, with independent Trophy lists, save data, characters, storylines; even the activities (like racing, golfing, etc.) are all-new. Besides the technical aspects, each episode comes with several gameplay improvements to suit the specific needs of each episode, new weapons, and even new vehicles. It is precisely this level of novelty that reinvigorates the installment.
What originally separated each Grand Theft Auto title from the others were the atmosphere. But since Episodes from Liberty City does not have the luxury of an all-new virtual world, Rockstar has made graphical tweaks to match the look and feel of each character’s narrative. While it is obvious that certain plot holes from GTA IV and were meant to be filled by the expansions from the beginning, the necessity for the downloadable content becomes more and more apparent as the tales of Luis Lopez and Johnny Klebitz progress.
Without a doubt, The Ballad of Gay Tony and The Lost and the Damned were originally crafted as fan service. Cameos, “easter eggs,” references to the other episodes, and even re-hashed cutscenes from the original game are aplenty. In both new chapters, players will experience a sense of nostalgia as more light is shed on the few cliffhangers remaining from Niko Belic’s adventure in Liberty City.
Next Page: The Lost and the Damned >>
10 Responses to “PS3 Review – Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City”
Can’t wait to play this the bogt looks spectacular
I was soo soo burnt out on playing GTA4 because the clowns down at R* made me go back an play from the beginning again just to get trophies that I had already earned. Now I might have done that on my own, but because I felt force the second play through wasn’t fun at all and I started hating the feel of the game that I had soo much fun beating the first time. So when I played this game on 360 I couldn’t play for more than several minutes. I was gonna buy it for the PS3 just to support Sony, but I’d never even unbox it. It has nothing to do with either of the games I just can’t stand Liberty City anymore. The color palette and controls. I’m just hoping RDR doesn’t remind me too much.
@ natie
I no right I was In love with that game then I find out they put trophies n by that time I ddnt feel like playin it no more
@Natiej85
Yeah I bought GTA4 in 2008 but traded it in as soon as I finished it. Then I find out it had trophies so I rebought it again in 2008 for $44.99 at Target the Collector’s Edition for PS3. The DLC is good got Lost and The Damned on PSN and will be getting Ballad of Gay Tony next month.
been debating on this… I kinda want it, but I am still pissed at Rockstar for making the deal with Microsoft and then offering us a ‘hand me down’ game. Maybe I’ll buy it when the price drops.
Both editions are gr8 but seem so dated now…. A year is a lifetime in gaming and Rockstar f****d up biG with their decision…………
GTA & Burnout were both ruined for me by 2nd play thrus for the added trophy support…. 
Good review
Wow comments here are ridiculous, Rockstar forced you to play the game by adding trophies.. yeah man, their ceo came to your house with a gun to your head right? Time to not take trophies so seriously.
I got this for 360 cause I couldn’t wait and didn’t have gta4 anymore, and I loved it. Bogt was my favourite cause it brought back the fun from san andreas and vice city with the golden chopper, the uzi, and the exploding round shotgun which kicked all kinds of ass.
i have both packs and they do bring more life to gta… i like both modes… the base jumping the weaponsm, the vehicles, the races the bikes….awesome… nice amt of content and story…and the missions arent incredibly easy
I was seriously contemplating getting this game, but now I don’t think it will happen. It is too old of an engine now,