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Grand Theft Auto IV: Difference between revisions
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As read on the packaging of the game, Rockstar Games asks "what does the American dream mean today?". Niko is cynical about America, saying "capitalism is a dirty business" and only people who are extremely greedy and/or born into wealth have any opportunity. [[Mikhail Faustin]] also laments before he dies that "America made ([[Dimitri]]) greedy! ...This American greed takes everyone! It is like a disease!". Niko mocks American stereotypes like "strip malls and clinical obesity" (as do the makers of the game by hilariously parodying concepts like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-9/11 post-9/11 hysteria] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity celebrity obsession]). On the flip-side [[Roman]], as well as other characters ([[Brucie]], [[Bernie]], [[Ivan]] and [[Hossan]] among others) are optimistic about America and life in general, tend to do very well for themselves financially, and try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. | As read on the packaging of the game, Rockstar Games asks "what does the American dream mean today?". Niko is cynical about America, saying "capitalism is a dirty business" and only people who are extremely greedy and/or born into wealth have any opportunity. [[Mikhail Faustin]] also laments before he dies that "America made ([[Dimitri]]) greedy! ...This American greed takes everyone! It is like a disease!". Niko mocks American stereotypes like "strip malls and clinical obesity" (as do the makers of the game by hilariously parodying concepts like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-9/11 post-9/11 hysteria] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity celebrity obsession]). On the flip-side [[Roman]], as well as other characters ([[Brucie]], [[Bernie]], [[Ivan]] and [[Hossan]] among others) are optimistic about America and life in general, tend to do very well for themselves financially, and try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. | ||
The American dream is also shown not to be promised to anyone, not even when they already live in America. Social circles all the way from [[Playboy X|Playboy's]] and [[Elizabeta|Elizabeta's]] to [[ | The American dream is also shown not to be promised to anyone, not even when they already live in America. Social circles all the way from [[Playboy X|Playboy's]] and [[Elizabeta|Elizabeta's]] to [[Patrick McReary|Packie's]] all have trouble making and responsibly saving money, not restricting it to any one nationality. Early on, [[The Beat 102.7]] explains that their listeners "don't know how to manage their money yet!". Gerry describes his family's spending habits as "Never any fucking focus! Never! ...Oh yeah, wine and women as quick as possible, and remain a slave forever". Packie eventually says after [[Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend|a mission]] "Well, Niko, that was a whole lot of effort for no fucking reward. Story of my life." to which Niko replies "It is the story of a lot of lives, Packie. I'm getting used to hearing it". A very interesting part of the in-game media is a show called ''[[I'm Rich]]'', which documents the most outrageous displays of gluttony by the world's wealthiest people, enough to make anyone feel inadequate. | ||
:'''''"Only those who die get closure. The living do not."'' -- [[Niko Bellic]]''' | :'''''"Only those who die get closure. The living do not."'' -- [[Niko Bellic]]''' | ||
Grand Theft Auto IV has an extremely complex plot with a very long list of characters. It is also the first game that allows the player to change the plot by making choices, which all have consequences. This creates an atmosphere where Niko is haunted and shadowed by his past actions wherever he goes. He tells Roman "There is no such thing as a new beginning, Roman. With every day we live, we pick up new baggage, baggage we must carry with us for the rest of our lives. There's no dropping it and pretending we are fresh and clean, just because we get off a boat in a new place." Prime examples include his numerous run-ins with [[Ray Bulgarin]], most of the [[Random character|random characters]], and working alongside [[Johnny Klebitz]] or [[ | Grand Theft Auto IV has an extremely complex plot with a very long list of characters. It is also the first game that allows the player to change the plot by making choices, which all have consequences. This creates an atmosphere where Niko is haunted and shadowed by his past actions wherever he goes. He tells Roman "There is no such thing as a new beginning, Roman. With every day we live, we pick up new baggage, baggage we must carry with us for the rest of our lives. There's no dropping it and pretending we are fresh and clean, just because we get off a boat in a new place." Prime examples include his numerous run-ins with [[Ray Bulgarin]], most of the [[Random character|random characters]], and working alongside [[Johnny Klebitz]] or [[Patrick McReary]] while he had, either by not having met them yet or circumstances beyond his control, killed someone close to them. In the finale, Niko feels the coffin of Kate or Roman, depending on the player's choice, on his conscience because of his criminal lifestyle, saying they "never should have gotten close to me". He is deeply depressed about being trapped in the criminal lifestyle (by a need of income), telling Kate McReary and others that he wishes he could leave it behind, but often adds that he knows he can't. | ||
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*[[Niko Bellic]]: The playable protagonist, through whose eyes the player sees the world of the game. He is morally upstanding and logical despite his criminal life, but is often shown to have authority issues. He is also more cynical and pessimistic than is good for him. He seems to sort people into three categories: | *[[Niko Bellic]]: The playable protagonist, through whose eyes the player sees the world of the game. He is morally upstanding and logical despite his criminal life, but is often shown to have authority issues. He is also more cynical and pessimistic than is good for him. He seems to sort people into three categories: | ||
*[[Roman Bellic|Roman]], [[Little Jacob|Jacob]], [[Brucie Kibbutz|Brucie]], [[Kate McReary|Kate]] and [[Bernie Crane|Bernie]]: The '''optimists''', people Niko likes because of their positivity, and they all try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. Many are foolish and could be mistaken for comic relief, but they do offer pearls of wisdom about life and success, a realization that Niko must make at the same time. Other interesting cases are [[Ivan Bytchkov|Ivan]] and [[Hossan]], both immigrants like Niko but with much more confidence in the American way of life. | *[[Roman Bellic|Roman]], [[Little Jacob|Jacob]], [[Brucie Kibbutz|Brucie]], [[Kate McReary|Kate]] and [[Bernie Crane|Bernie]]: The '''optimists''', people Niko likes because of their positivity, and they all try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. Many are foolish and could be mistaken for comic relief, but they do offer pearls of wisdom about life and success, a realization that Niko must make at the same time. Other interesting cases are [[Ivan Bytchkov|Ivan]] and [[Hossan]], both immigrants like Niko but with much more confidence in the American way of life. | ||
* | *Patrick, [[Gerald McReary|Gerald]], [[Derrick McReary|Derrick]], [[Dwayne Forge|Dwayne]] and [[Phil Bell]]: The '''pessimists''', people Niko likes because they have angst that he instinctively responds to. Packie and Dwayne especially become friends of Niko because of their shared struggle; Niko confides in Dwayne remarkably early in their relationship "you remind me of me". It's also notable that he relates well to [[Jon Gravelli]] and his bleak sense of humor, despite an enormous age gap, other lifestyle differences and Niko's traditional dislike of his bosses. | ||
*[[Vlad Glebov|Vlad]], [[Dimitri Rascalov|Dimitri]], [[Mikhael Faustin|Faustin]], [[Ray Bulgarin|Bulgarin]], [[Francis McReary|Francis]], [[U.L. Paper|UL Paper]], [[Manny Ecsuela|Manny]], [[Elizabeta]], [[Playboy]], [[Ray Boccino|Boccino]] and [[Jimmy Pegorino|Pegorino]]: The '''corrupt''', people Niko doesn't like (or forced to take orders of them) because of their greed or immorality. He had to take orders from all of them, considers killing most of them at least once, and inevitably kills above one third of them. This, combined with his dislike of capitalism, shows that Niko has authority issues and can't stand corrupt people in power. With the exception of [[U.L. Paper]], [[Elizabeta]] (who ends up in jail) and only if spared [[Playboy X]] and [[Francis McReary]], all of the corrupt end up dead. | *[[Vlad Glebov|Vlad]], [[Dimitri Rascalov|Dimitri]], [[Mikhael Faustin|Faustin]], [[Ray Bulgarin|Bulgarin]], [[Francis McReary|Francis]], [[U.L. Paper|UL Paper]], [[Manny Ecsuela|Manny]], [[Elizabeta]], [[Playboy]], [[Ray Boccino|Boccino]] and [[Jimmy Pegorino|Pegorino]]: The '''corrupt''', people Niko doesn't like (or forced to take orders of them) because of their greed or immorality. He had to take orders from all of them, considers killing most of them at least once, and inevitably kills above one third of them. This, combined with his dislike of capitalism, shows that Niko has authority issues and can't stand corrupt people in power. With the exception of [[U.L. Paper]], [[Elizabeta]] (who ends up in jail) and only if spared [[Playboy X]] and [[Francis McReary]], all of the corrupt end up dead. | ||
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===Bohan and early Algonquin=== | ===Bohan and early Algonquin=== | ||
Mallorie introduces Niko to both [[Manny Ecsuela]], a community organizer making a documentary about his good deeds, and [[Elizabeta Torres]], an extremely influential drug supplier (who, in turn, introduces Niko to [[Playboy X]] and [[ | Mallorie introduces Niko to both [[Manny Ecsuela]], a community organizer making a documentary about his good deeds, and [[Elizabeta Torres]], an extremely influential drug supplier (who, in turn, introduces Niko to [[Playboy X]] and [[Patrick McReary]]). Through Manny, Niko is blackmailed by police chief [[Francis McReary]] into silencing people for him, including famous lawyer [[Tom Goldberg]]. As the authorities close in on Elizabeta's drug ring, Niko's girlfriend Michelle reveals that she is an undercover agent and Niko will be forced to work for her boss. Elizabeta is arrested and sentenced to 300 years (but not before she kills Manny, for trying to citizen arrest her for publicity). Niko moves on to work for Playboy, who is embarrased to welcome back his old-fashioned mentor [[Dwayne Forge]] from prison. As their views conflict and their friendship deteriorates, Playboy and Dwayne each try to have Niko kill the other. Niko's decision of who to kill is one of seven pivotal choices in the game, left to the player. Niko is paid twenty-five grand to kill Dwayne, who could be framed as suicidal, delusional and ready to die. However, if he kills Playboy, who could be considered very greedy and disrespectful to his mentor, he is rewarded with his penthouse and car (worth much more). Niko also does very secretive work for [[U.L. Paper]], the front company which Michelle's (real name Karen) superiors cover themselves with. Niko is ironically told to kill other criminals who immigrated from Eastern Europe, for their ties to financing terrorist activity. | ||
===Late Algonquin and Alderney=== | ===Late Algonquin and Alderney=== | ||