Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned
by Rockstar Games
Rating: Mature (17+)
Number of players: 1 (up to 16 via System Link or Xbox LIVE)
Genre: Third person action-adventure, with driving elements
review by Wade Manns
—–
Last year, Grand Theft Auto IV was released to rave reviews, and in August of last year, it was stated that downloadable content would be released soon. Well, last week, the first of those downloadable content packs was released. That is The Lost and Damned.
This expansion pack puts you in the role of the Vice President of a motorcycle gang in Liberty City, or rather in Alderney, GTA4’s equivalent of New Jersey, known as the Lost. Johnny Klebitz is as hardened a biker as they come, but when the president of the gang, Billy Gray, is released from prison on charges of possession of heroin, he shocks even Johnny with his thirst for vengeance and bloodlust. Billy immediately starts up his old feud with the rival gang known as the Angels of Death, otherwise known rather pejoratively as The Deadbeats, for perceived slights against the Lost.
I honestly have not played too much into this expansion, but I can say that the gameplay is just as good if not better than the original game. From what little of the story I’ve seen, Johnny is a rather likable character from the beginning, although his compatriots are definitely not, as they are just as rowdy and foulmouthed as any biker gang you’ve seen on TV or in movies. I have also read about, and suspect that I’ve just about to enter into, a crossover with the original story including Niko Bellic. The latest trailer for the game even indicated that Johnny would be fighting alongside Niko at one point.
The graphics for this new expansion pack are just about the same as those from the original game, with the addition of a noise filter (which can easily be turned off). The sound is highly expanded though, including many more songs for each of the radio stations, new news reports that update your actions in the game, and much more voice acting. The gameplay is about the same as in the original game, although during the times of visions when you ride with your gang, you’ll be asked to drive in formation behind Billy, who is the president, for a health boost and a quick repair of your motorcycle. Also, it is a lot harder to fall off motorcycles, which is a nice addition considering the fact you’ll be riding on them a lot more. And, controls are just about the same as in the original as well. I haven’t had the chance to try multiplayer out yet, but I have read that there are several new multiplayer modes, not just duplicates of the old ones.
All in all I give this expansion pack a 10 out of 10. 1600 Microsoft points well spent.