Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

Forget GTA4 as Lost and Damned is the game that GTA4 should have been. Better Missions, better characters and even better music tracks too. I had more fun and excitement playing as the member of the biker gang than I had playing Niko in the proper game of GTA4. The story is good and the action is actually quite realistic, more realistic than GTA4. The music is to die for as it has grand bands providing the tunes like Deep Purple and Motley Crue for starters. It really helps you get into "the Zone" and then the concentration on the game becomes more clear and then the fun really begins. Also it incorporates some of the original characters of GTA4 into the new storyline which is a great touch, I think they did that just so the original characters are forgotten. If you wanna ride, I guarantee it will bring out the biker in you.

Being one of those unfortunate Playstation owners who had to wait for the much anticipated slice of Grand Theft Auto's DLC I can certainly say it was worth the delay; delivering a fantastic story that links into to the original instalment as well as a new protagonist, new weapons and pretty much everything a faithful DLC is made up of.

Johnny Klebitz is a member of the ugliest biker gang in Liberty City - The Lost (There is yet to be a playable character of the series that doesn't look like a shaven monkey - Sorry Rockstar). He has to, as expected; deal with all sort of shenanigans set to come his way within the course of roughly six to eight hours of story gameplay.

Now if you haven't already played the marvellous Grand Theft Auto 4(though you probably have, if you didn't purchase Episodes From Liberty City), then it is strongly recommended to play through Niko Bellic's story since plot details, characters and the ashamed knowledge that you know Liberty City better than your own city will all be very important to helping you appreciate the finer details of this DLC. If you do the unthinkable habit of skipping cut scenes then this obviously wont matter too much, but will help never the less.

The gameplay is the exactly the same as before so players who haven't used their dusty console in a long time shouldn't have too much trouble remembering the basics. The Lost and Damned adds plenty of fun elements to the sterling gameplay though - such as whacking people in the face with a baseball bat while racing and a Grenade Launcher that makes the old RPG look like an antique. Helpfully there are also some more useful elements such as checkpoints in long missions meaning no huge back tracking that was seen in the end of Grand Theft Auto 4.

The story ties up some unanswered loose ends of GTA 4, and creates new ones which The Ballad of Gay Tony will inevitably finish off. Also the plot despite using similar ideas seen in the previous game displays them in a different context and scenarios throughout, which does justice to the gritty tale of GTA 4 and makes the shoot-outs and killings feel more significant and varied because of this strong sense of story.

Rockstar have made a DLC worthy of any gamer's attention and made it in keeping with the tone, realism and depth fans received when they first stepped into Liberty City.

7/10, B tier. Decent dlc that definitely has a weaker story than the main game. It is good for what it is but does feel kind of weak. Jhonny is a decent protagonist but definitely doesn't have much character development.

Thank God they added mission checkpoints. I would however say that some of these missions are worse than GTA 4s. The prison bus one and the one where you take out the mob guys, just so fustrating. The final mission however was incredible. Such a great final mission.

The music is still as great as ever and the new songs are just amazing. Fit the biker theme perfectly and always make the game greater.

I love the new weapons, especially the over powered automatic shotgun but they don't have them in the gun shops to buy ammo so you can't realiably use them.

Loved all the nods to the main game and other dlc but did paint johnny in a less than favourable light.

In all a decent dlc that fixes allot of problems from the main game but ultimately has the same type of awful missions and a less interesting story.

Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned is a successful and exciting addition to the GTA universe, offering players a new perspective on the familiar world. This expansion adds significant depth to the original game, presenting an engaging story about a biker gang that unfolds parallel to the main storyline of Grand Theft Auto 4. This approach to expanding the game allows players to see familiar events and characters from a fresh perspective, as well as immerse themselves in a new, captivating criminal world.

One of the greatest strengths of The Lost and Damned is its new storyline, which not only introduces new characters but also allows for a deeper understanding of Liberty City through the eyes of a different protagonist. Players take on the role of Johnny Klebitz, a member of the biker gang The Lost, who is involved in various criminal activities and tries to survive in a world of corruption, drugs, and betrayal. This storyline is skillfully intertwined with the events of the original game, maintaining the overall atmosphere but adding new shades and dimensions to it. Johnny's story is just as gripping as Niko Bellic's, showing another side of Liberty City's criminal underworld, focusing on the life of bikers and their internal conflicts.

In addition to the story, the developers have added many new elements that make this expansion unique and distinct from the original game. One of these elements is the new weapons. Players can use a variety of weapons that were previously unavailable in the original game, adding more variety to combat. For example, new shotguns, automatic rifles, and other weapons allow for more effective battles and completing challenging missions. This expands the gameplay possibilities and makes the combat system even more engaging.

A special feature of The Lost and Damned is the introduction of new vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Although the original game already had many types of vehicles, this expansion focuses on bikes. As a member of a biker gang, Johnny Klebitz spends most of his time riding motorcycles, which adds a sense of dynamism and thrill to the game. The motorcycles are more maneuverable and realistic compared to previous games in the series, and their handling has been thoughtfully enhanced. This allows players to fully experience the biker lifestyle, cruising the streets of Liberty City, participating in races, fights, and other activities on their steel steeds.

In addition to new weapons and vehicles, The Lost and Damned delights players with fresh music. The soundtrack has always played an important role in the GTA series, creating the atmosphere and immersing players in the game's world. In this expansion, the developers added new radio stations and songs that perfectly fit the biker theme and the criminal world. This adds a special vibe to the game and underscores the rebellious spirit of the protagonist and his gang. Players can enjoy new musical tracks while driving around the city, making the gaming experience even more enjoyable and immersive.

Another important element of the expansion is the new activities available to players. While the focus is on the story and combat missions, players can also engage in various side activities that add variety to the game. For example, Johnny can participate in biker races or fight for dominance in the criminal world by completing tasks for different characters. Additionally, players can interact with other members of The Lost gang, allowing for a deeper dive into the atmosphere of brotherhood and unity that exists among the bikers. This adds further depth to the game and makes players feel like part of a large criminal family.

Overall, Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned is a significant step in the development of the GTA series and an excellent addition to the original game. It not only expands the storyline and adds new mechanics but also deepens the world of Liberty City, giving players the opportunity to become part of a biker gang and embark on new criminal adventures. With new weapons, vehicles, music, and activities, The Lost and Damned offers a unique experience that will undoubtedly appeal to all fans of GTA 4. This expansion brings new colors and impressions to the game, making it an important and unforgettable experience for everyone who appreciates the Grand Theft Auto universe.

"The Lost and Damned" expansion for "Grand Theft Auto IV" offers a unique take on Liberty City's criminal underworld - this time, not through the eyes of a lone immigrant, but from the perspective of a true biker. And if you thought life in a gang was all about beer, rock music, and cruising around the city, you're in for a surprise: there's betrayal, brutal showdowns, and even a hint of drama. Well... almost.

The protagonist is Johnny Klebitz, a member of the biker club "The Lost". Johnny's life is anything but smooth: loyal brothers on one side, internal strife and turf wars on the other, plus the constant feeling that everything's about to spiral out of control. The story unfolds with confidence and keeps you engaged, with events stacking neatly and characters that stick in your mind. At some point, though, it becomes clear that the game tries to be emotional - but never quite hits those truly powerful notes. Still, it's nice how well the story fits into the broader "GTA IV" narrative and even intersects with it at times.

In this game, the bike is more than just a vehicle - it's practically the co-star. Everything revolves around two wheels: missions, side activities, getting around town. If you didn't know how to handle a motorcycle in "GTA IV", you'll learn here - there's no other choice. And for me, those rides were an absolute blast.

Visually, the game seemed slightly different. It felt darker, the colors more subdued. Though maybe that's just how I remember it.

"The Lost and Damned" is a solid biker story that could easily stand on its own. With engaging characters, intense shootouts, and its own gritty vibe, the expansion is well-crafted and genuinely fun to play. I definitely enjoyed it.

7 out of 10.