Grand Theft Auto IV was a critical and commercial juggernaut. It holds a 98/100 on Metacritic (tied for highest-rated game of all time) and shipped over 25 million copies. It won numerous Game of the Year awards and was praised for its mature storytelling, complex protagonist, and living world.
Characters and NPCs lack pre-baked animations. When Niko bumps into a pedestrian, they stagger based on the exact angle and force of the impact. If a car hits a civilian, their limbs wrap realistically around the bumper. Procedural Combat
The most immediate change was the handling of vehicles. Cars and motorcycles had a heavy, weighty feel, with momentum and suspension playing key roles. While divisive among fans used to the arcade-style handling of previous entries, this more realistic driving forced players to rethink their approach and master a new skill.