5 reasons why GTA 4 is still worth playing in 2025

Even as of 2025, Grand Theft Auto IV still holds its ground amidst a gaming landscape filled with glitzier graphics and over-the-top action. First released in 2008, Rockstar's gritty narrative of crime, deception, and survival within Liberty City is still an unparalleled experience. Though later installments in the series have overshadowed it in terms of scope, GTA 4 still provides that experience of realism, atmosphere, and depth that few games can match. Here's why it's totally worth playing today.


Liberty City in GTA 4 is not merely a setting, it's a character unto itself. The city has a dense, grounded, raw feel to it. From fog-shrouded alleyways to the honking bedlam of downtown traffic, it offers an atmosphere steeped in realism. It's not as flashy as GTA 5's Los Santos, but that's the beauty of it, Liberty City is real and unfiltered.


Niko Bellic isn't your average anti-hero. He's a battle-hardened immigrant pursuing the American Dream, yet ends up submerged in the same vicious cycle he attempted to flee from. His story is emotional, philosophical, and remarkably thoughtful for an open-world game. No other protagonists from the genre are as human, as well-remembered.


GTA 4 brought a degree of physical realism that was unprecedented back then, and remains so. With the Euphoria engine, shootouts feel heavy, NPCs respond dynamically, and driving is sophisticated but satisfying. It makes every second count, whether you're in a fight or driving.


Rockstar didn't leave things at the main story. The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony broaden the game's world with new characters and concurrent storylines. Throw in activities such as bowling, pool, and taxi rides full of quirky NPC conversation, and Liberty City never has a moment where it's not worth exploring.


From modders reviving it with visual upgrades to fans recreating Liberty City in GTA 5, the game’s legacy lives on. GTA 4 didn’t just influence future Rockstar titles, it helped shape modern open-world design.
If you’re looking for immersive storytelling, grounded gameplay, and a city that feels alive, GTA 4 remains a must-play in 2025. It’s not just nostalgia, it’s enduring excellence.
Also Read: 5 things GTA 6 needs to learn from Red Dead Redemption 2