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Grand Theft Auto IV: Difference between revisions
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:'''''"The American Dream's a fairy tale. It was never meant to be taken literally."'' -- [[Bobby Jefferson]]''' | :'''''"The American Dream's a fairy tale. It was never meant to be taken literally."'' -- [[Bobby Jefferson]]''' | ||
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 Bellic|Roman]], as well as other characters ([[Brucie Kibbutz]], [[Bernie Crane]], [[Ivan Bytchkov]] and [[Hossan Ramzy]] 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 Rascalov]]) 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 Bellic|Roman]], as well as other characters ([[Brucie Kibbutz]], [[Bernie Crane]], [[Ivan Bytchkov]] and [[Hossan Ramzy]] 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 [[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. | 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. | ||
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Roman is kidnapped by Dimitri's Russian mob once again, after his gambling habit led him to "gambling in their private club!". After Niko rescues him, Roman finally becomes a millionaire and purchases a luxury condo for him and Niko. Soon after he is contacted again by Packie McReary, and begins working with his family and friends in the Irish mob (also finding out chief McReary is his brother). Niko becomes a family friend, eventually dating Packie's sister [[Kate McReary]]. Niko is introduced to [[Ray Boccino]] of the [[Pegorino Crime Family]], who employ Packie's crew as extra muscle. Ray leads everyone involved in a messy, complex [[Diamonds|diamond]] deal that pits them against the [[Ancelottis]], resulting in Niko and Packie kidnapping the don's [[Gracie Ancelotti|daughter]] to demand back the diamonds that were stolen back from them. The diamonds are lost in garbage during a firefight between Niko/Packie and [[Ray Bulgarin]] again, who was the very first owner of the diamonds. Niko is later forced to make a choice of killing one of Packie's brothers, [[Francis McReary|Francis or]] [[Derrick McReary|Derrick]]. | Roman is kidnapped by Dimitri's Russian mob once again, after his gambling habit led him to "gambling in their private club!". After Niko rescues him, Roman finally becomes a millionaire and purchases a luxury condo for him and Niko. Soon after he is contacted again by Packie McReary, and begins working with his family and friends in the Irish mob (also finding out chief McReary is his brother). Niko becomes a family friend, eventually dating Packie's sister [[Kate McReary]]. Niko is introduced to [[Ray Boccino]] of the [[Pegorino Crime Family]], who employ Packie's crew as extra muscle. Ray leads everyone involved in a messy, complex [[Diamonds|diamond]] deal that pits them against the [[Ancelottis]], resulting in Niko and Packie kidnapping the don's [[Gracie Ancelotti|daughter]] to demand back the diamonds that were stolen back from them. The diamonds are lost in garbage during a firefight between Niko/Packie and [[Ray Bulgarin]] again, who was the very first owner of the diamonds. Niko is later forced to make a choice of killing one of Packie's brothers, [[Francis McReary|Francis or]] [[Derrick McReary|Derrick]]. | ||
For his assistance, Niko demanded that Boccino lead him to Florian - he successfully tracks Florian down, who changed his name to Bernie Crane. Niko discovers that Florian/Bernie was innocent and a closeted homosexual (leaving Niko to hunt down the real traitor, [[Darko Brevic]]). Niko continues to help Bernie as a friend, helping to ward off blackmailers of his boyfriend, closeted politician [[Bryce Dawkins]] (the demands, control of construction unions, are from | For his assistance, Niko demanded that Boccino lead him to Florian - he successfully tracks Florian down, who changed his name to Bernie Crane. Niko discovers that Florian/Bernie was innocent and a closeted homosexual (leaving Niko to hunt down the real traitor, [[Darko Brevic]]). Niko continues to help Bernie as a friend, helping to ward off blackmailers of his boyfriend, closeted politician [[Bryce Dawkins]] (the demands, control of construction unions, are from Dimitri and [[Ray Bulgarin]] of all people). After his help they have a profound friendship, and Bernie rewards Niko with an [[Infernus]] supercar. | ||
Niko works his way up in the Pegorinos, eventually meeting their boss [[Jimmy Pegorino]] and working directly for him (eventually, he is told to kill Ray Boccino). United Liberty Paper contacts Niko again to work for [[Jon Gravelli]], the head of the city's most powerful mafia family and now on his death bed. In exchange for his help, United Liberty Paper kidnaps Darko (who lived in Bucharest, Romania) for Niko to confront personally. Darko admits to betraying the group to pay for his drug habit, and Niko must make the personal choice of either killing him or, as Roman encourages him, forgetting revenge and letting him suffer alive. | Niko works his way up in the Pegorinos, eventually meeting their boss [[Jimmy Pegorino]] and working directly for him (eventually, he is told to kill Ray Boccino). United Liberty Paper contacts Niko again to work for [[Jon Gravelli]], the head of the city's most powerful mafia family and now on his death bed. In exchange for his help, United Liberty Paper kidnaps Darko (who lived in Bucharest, Romania) for Niko to confront personally. Darko admits to betraying the group to pay for his drug habit, and Niko must make the personal choice of either killing him or, as Roman encourages him, forgetting revenge and letting him suffer alive. | ||