With "The Lost and Damned" and "The Ballad of Gay Tony" two extensions are identical served - better than GTA IV?

With two add-ons Rockstar served each on an almost full-fledged game. In "Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City - Two complete games:" The Lost and Damned "+" The Ballad of Gay Tony "we slip into the role of the rough-Johnny, a member of the legendary motorcycle gang called" The Lost ". In "The Ballad of Gay Tony" you stand with Luis Lopez as a bodyguard of the gay nightclub owner Tony the center of attention. Motivating affects two extensions especially the varied mission design, as known from "GTA IV" lengths and repetition are found far less often ,

As in the main game, the story revolves around Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez to Sex & Crime and plays in the seedy locales of the sprawling metropolis of "Liberty City". In addition to the approx 10-hour main story but there are numerous optional side missions, especially chases, races, but also "classic" contract work, to choose from. GTA veterans will recognize this quickly, that with two add-ons no new areas are available, but only the well-known from the base game terrain to new missions and locations has been extended. New songs, minigames and vehicles round off the harmonious overall picture of the innovations - despite the Abweseneheit of new mission fields - very nice from. In "The Lost and Damned" Johnny are a member of a biker gang of course more motorcycle types to choose from. Conveniently, a new bike can be ordered by calling a band member over the phone as well as weapons and ammunition supplies. In some missions Johnny may even call other "The Lost" -Biker to help. It is worth noting in particular that the comrades gain experience and be replaced by a biker Greenhorn in death.

At the core of the gameplay little has changed. Unfortunately, both Luis and Johnny control one tick portly as Nico Bellic, the protagonist of the main game. The sluggish control of both alter egos frequently leads to annoying failures. In particular, in those missions where it is to be successful in shoot-outs in a small space, it is in the skin of Louis and Johnny sadly repeated fighting a losing battle. This should perhaps be bearable for "GTA" veterans of the first hour and gamepad acrobats, for casual gamers make such frustration experiences, however, a significant hurdle since. On the plus side, it is expected the developers, that in contrast to the main game in most missions a checkpoint system was introduced to avoid unnecessary journeys. Nevertheless, it should Rockstar for "GTA V" a fair checkpoint system - ideally with optional switchable, free memory function - take serious consideration.

Apart from the sluggish controls and despite the antiquated Speicherystems, points both extensions through the dense atmosphere and the exciting story, which is broken up by many sloping minor characters repeatedly and with great humor. Guests of the case of "The Ballad of Gay Tony" also some original mini-games like dancing, flirting and drinking games. The bikers of "Lost" -speed turn is provided with card games and wrestling for Kurzweil. Johnny may even play a slot machine, a Tetris variant. These mini-games provide refreshing change and will integrate very well in the game world. The variety of available radio stations contributes to the authentic mood and reinforces the impression of breathing metropolis. In some missions, the protagonists of the respective extensions meet even on well-known characters from the main game, even Nico Bellic has some guest appearances in cutscenes and as mission partner.

Thankfully, the multiplayer mode is the story campaigns to nothing. DC 5 new modes are offered. Only the access from the mobile phone looks a bit fake. Here the direct selection of multiplayer options from the main menu would have been desirable. Graphics and sound move at the level of the main game.

Conclusion: Both episodes include those features which estimates the fan base to GTA 4 so. The add-ons, the main game even offer: In particular, the exciting story and the varied missions, but also the refreshing mini-games and the slanted characters provide gaming fun. Although the storage system has been improved slightly compared to the main game, the lack of free memory function affects more and more anachronistic. The sluggish control ensures frequently for frustration. Nevertheless, offer "The Lost and Damned" and "The Ballad of Gay Tony" a worthy ending of a very respectable fourth part of the GTA series.

Graphics: 8.5 / 10
Sound: 8.5 / 10
Control: 6.0 / 10
Fun: 7.0 / 10
Total: 7.5

Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games