[Miamivicecity]

I've been thinking about this for a while and one thing I really think that sets GTA IV apart from the GTA III era is how side missions actually seem like they have a purpose.

Think about it for a second in the GTA III era doing taxi missions for example was just jumping into a random taxi and doing taxi missions in succession before the time ran out. The only reason I really done them was for extra cash. Other than that they were boring and tedious. Same can be said for firetruck, paramedic, pizza boy missions etc.

In GTA IV however doing taxi missions aren't just a way of making cash, but because Roman owns a taxi depot doing them does actually feel like you're helping him out. Similar for LJ's drug runs, Brucie's imports/exports and Stevie's cars. I like how R* integrated the side missions into the story somehow instead of just making them random time wasters.

It also took me a while to notice when I first got the game that vigilante and most wanted missions don't give a cash reward which makes sense with how R* wanted to make things more believable. As if a vigilante would get rewarded when they're infact breaking the law.

I just love how they used their heads this time around.

This post has been edited by Miamivicecity on Friday, Jun 22 2012, 04:49

[lzw3]

I completely agree. Although GTA 3 Era was my favourite era, the IV Era had a much better and well thought-out storyline regarding storyline missions and optional side missions.

Regarding your fourth paragraph, I recently submitted this picture to /r/GTA on Reddit and received 40 Karma. I name this piece of art GOOD GUY NIKO BELLIC:

[ANzey]

I couldn't agree more.

It all has a personal touch, and that's enough to really make you care about what you're doing. If you cock up a fare, by crashing e.g, you call Roman and say you're sorry. He then either tells you it's alright or that it isn't a game. And even next time you ring him up for a taxi mission, he'll say 'You're sure you want to do this after what happened last time?'. Love it!

I adore the Stevie Car Missions btw. It forces me to explore parts of the city where I otherwise would never go. One time I spent ages looking for a car in Rotterdam Hill; I'd found the LC Transport Department but I couldn't find the car. I ran into a bus depot, a park where children could play, hell I even irritated some workmen who were digging a hole.

This city is so alive, and the side missions all add to that brilliantly.

[DaWiesel]

Miami, you're right. Almost every side mission is connected with the storyline, something that is better than some bunch of random missions. I also love it that you can find informations about some side missions at a internet side - maps with steve's cars, flying rats and the monsterstunts. R* did a great job with that and since it was their first next gen game i'm very satisfied with the amount of side missions in GTA IV, my favourite game of the series.

[huevos_benedicto_180]

Indeed. However, I don't think it would've hurt to carry on the taxi missions after 10, that was annoying.

[lol232]

Completely agree with it. GTA IV is too underrated.
Far better then GTA San Andreas.
The Taxi missions for Roman were fun, you explore the city additionally, they aren't needed for 100%,
but they were a bit fun, also, you only need to rush to get the Fare, sure you can't get there in 10 yours, I will be a fail,
but you have enough time to do it, unlike GTA III Era. I always did them, second reason is because I want my stats to say I did them, because, it is pointless to have 0 fares done in the stats. There are overall 10, after that, Roman send you a text message that other drivers are jealous, and that him and Niko should just hang out from now on.
It is a very realistic game, too.
Also, loved Most Wanted and Vigilante, they were actually fun,
unlike in all GTA III Era's, simply chase down a criminal driving a car.
In IV Era, there are variates, Kill criminal on foot, chase car jacker, gang activity, etc.
Most Wanted brilliant!
Only thing that was least fun were the Pigeons, I never taught I would do them, they weren't that bad,
I taught it was gonna take me ages. Since Had no time I did it 25 on a day.
It actually took me around 45ish minutes to get 25, depends where are they located.
They were much fun then GTA III, VC and LCS hidden packages, GTA SA Snapshots, Horseshoes, Oysters and Tags,
but VCS Red Balloons were fun actually.

[AlexGTAGamer]

The one thing I really loved about the side missions in IV is that they didn't have that annoying countdown clock in the corner, in the III era GTAs that clock would terrify me.

The only side missions in IV that I could remember having a set time to complete would be Little Jacob's drug missions, and even then that made sense what with nervous drug addicts and dealers being watched by the LCPD being the customers.

[jlamay]

I loved Roman's taxi service. Picking up fares for him. I wish I could still do them after the game is over. I also loved Steve's cars thefts! Gosh, I soo loved looking around for his cars, and finding them. Bruice's car thefts were fun also. I loved doing them also.

I don't really like being counted down to get to a check point. It really made me nervous on one of LJ's drug missions. A few times I ended up failing it, but once I got the hang of it I got there in time! But it still made me nervous...like if I don't get Niko there to do the deal LJ will get mad at him. LOL.

And I love doing Bruice's races. They are a real good heart pounder for me! Very exciting. Niko always wins them!

I also loved the vigilante missions. It's fun for Niko to go after some bad guys instead of being the bad guy! Ha!

This post has been edited by jlamay on Friday, Jun 22 2012, 19:17

[MrMateczko]

There's NO REWARDS FOR THEM! An Infernus or two would be nice. Or some weapons before you can get them from gun shops, like RPG.

[Blazevski12]

IV had better side missions then San Andreas.

[AceRay]

And once again, MVC makes one of the best posts on GTAF.

[Magic_Al]

A lot of people didn't like the forced ending of the taxi missions but at least the story gave a legitimate reason, that Roman's employees were getting pissed off that the owner's relative was taking all the work. That's absolutely what would happen. Roman makes the correct decision because if anyone quit Niko would feel obligated to drive full time and then the perception of nepotism would get worse and more drivers might quit.

[Miamivicecity]

QUOTE (Magic_Al @ Saturday, Jun 23 2012, 13:37)

A lot of people didn't like the forced ending of the taxi missions but at least the story gave a legitimate reason, that Roman's employees were getting pissed off that the owner's relative was taking all the work. That's absolutely what would happen. Roman makes the correct decision because if anyone quit Niko would feel obligated to drive full time and then the perception of nepotism would get worse and more drivers might quit.

My only criticism with taxi missions is it would've been nice to do them again once Roman got his business up and running.

Glad to see most people agree with me.