Grand Theft Auto IV marks 18 years since release

Eighteen years after its release, Grand Theft Auto IV remains a significant milestone in the franchise, holding a Metacritic score of 98. While fans often cite San Andreas, Vice City, or GTA 5 as their favorites, GTA 4 is distinguished by its gritty, dark, and realistic tone.

Released in 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, followed by a PC release later that year, the title marked Rockstar Games' transition into a new console generation. It established the HD era of the series, moving away from the previous 2D and 3D eras by introducing advanced features like Euphoria physics technology.