Game of the Year:

Grand Theft Auto IV

Delaying a heavily anticipated title by six months into a less cluttered release schedule quite often suggests serious development issues exist. However it was very clear upon release that Rockstar were taking an old school ‘it releases when it’s done’ approach to their magnum opus, Grand Theft Auto IV. The sheer amount of polish and presentation of even the most minor details was truly astounding, Liberty City is one of the most impressive game worlds ever realised.

A game that makes you laugh out loud is truly one to savour. Grand Theft Auto IV seemingly had you giggling and cackling every ten minutes with Roman professing his love for ‘big American titties’, Brucie constantly spewing his bull shark testosterone-fuelled macho nonsense or the hilarious radio station commercials. At the same time we were treated to an extremely powerful crime drama that pushed the boundaries of what video games could deliver as a medium like nothing else before it.

With the game releasing all the way back in April, its sheen may have worn off for some as its faults became more obvious over time. Simply cast your mind back to your initial impressions when playing the game, there’s a reason the gaming world collectively held their breath at release. Adult gaming had truly arrived.

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