GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony

[Jason]

Clocking in at another 10-12 hours of gameplay, Rockstar's newest addon pack for the Grand Theft Auto series isn't bad for what's barely half the price of a full game. This time the protagonist is one Luis Lopez, business partner of the eponymous Tony.
As could be reasonably expected, the game is typically un-PC, typically chaotic, and typically over the top. One of the new features is the ability to Base Jump from one of 15 set locations onto a moving target. Also, missions are now scored based on time taken, damage taken and enemies killed, and you can upload them to your leaderboard.

The one thing a lot of reviews have picked up on is the lack of new multiplayer features, which is a shame, but seeing as users got that with The Lost and The Damned, it's not too much of a loss.

So, anyone played this? Any opinions on this, and most importantly, is it worth the money?

[BannanoPeel]

<sigh> This is the only reason I wish I had fast internet so that I could download games. A well GTA episodes well make up for it. Has that came out yet?

[Jason]

I think it has. I have to say, I'm a little surprised Rockstar didn't just release the two standalone packs as a purchase option for those without XBL. Still, those that really, REALLY want them can at least get them through Episodes.

[CemeteryGates]

Well, I got Episodes... recently and The Ballad of Gay Tony is awesome!
I haven't finished it yet (60-something% according to stats, after almost 9 hours), but apparently you can replay all the missions after you beat it, which is something I've always wanted from GTA (who didn't start another file just to repeat the bank heist mission in GTA IV, getting the mansion in Vice City, or stealing the Harrier fighter from the carrier in San Andreas?).

Although on Episodes... a lot of stuff, like new vehicles and music, seems to come from The Lost And Damned, there's also some fresh stuff here.
There are a few silly new features, like a dancing mini-game, which are nice additions.
There's also some fun, insane, new weapons, and for people like me who are into guns, it's absolute porn.
I also enjoyed the whole nightclub concept, despite my severe dislike for nightclubs in real life.

[Landy]

GTA IV was good, but once u played through it, you've pretty much seen and done it all. If it wasn't for the fact that XBL is filled by screaming-high-pitched-mickey-mouse-sounding kids, the MP would have been a lot more enjoyable.

[Knighto]

I think it has. I have to say, I'm a little surprised Rockstar didn't just release the two standalone packs as a purchase option for those without XBL. Still, those that really, REALLY want them can at least get them through Episodes.

They have indeed released a standalone edition that has both DLCs on one disc and it's called Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City I rented it 2 months ago, playd through The Lost and Damned, hated the whole bikers shit and returned it without playing The Ballad of Gay Tony. But when Gamespot gave the best new character award to Yusuf Amir I decided I should give a try so I re-rented it 3 days ago. One word, AWESOME!

[dimples]

I have the Lost and Damned and I can say that I would be enjoying it very much. But I told myself I can't buy the other one before I finished this one :D Blah!!

[JustaBitOutside]

I just wasn't that crazy about GTA IV, and have yet to complete it. Every couple of months I get that GTA itch and play it for a few days, and then remember how much I think Nico Bellik sucks. It just felt so stiff to me. I miss the sandbox days, where I could come up with more solutions to end the missions. Oh well, it is what it is I spose. haven't played the expansion yet. My favorite hands down was VIce

[dimples]

Nico was not the best choice for a main character. I want someone handsome haha :D And I want to be able to buy more stuff and customize the characters appereance more. Mustach, hair and so on. Just like the good old San Andreas

[Lance]

I miss San Andreas and Vice City - if only those games had GTAIV graphics and I'd be in heaven.

But anyways - just finished Lost and Damned, which I have to say I found more enjoyable that the Niko missions, but they were still good. I liked the missions and especially the one where I now realize you play all 3 characters in it (the museum shoot out, or am I wrong that the main character from Gay Tony is the one that shoots through the window?)

Anyways - once I have a normal limit again, I'll be downloading Ballad and playing through.

And then.... dreaming of the next GTA being in Vice City or San Andreas

[Steph]

I miss San Andreas and Vice City - if only those games had GTAIV graphics and I'd be in heaven.

Anyways - once I have a normal limit again, I'll be downloading Ballad and playing through.

And then.... dreaming of the next GTA being in Vice City or San Andreas

Where's that rep button.

My favourites =)

[MyNameDidntFit]

San Andreas was definitely the best. GTA was never meant to be a serious game :( Not exactly in SA, but a game with the same level of awesome -- just in a new locale.

[dimples]

I miss San Andreas and Vice City - if only those games had GTAIV graphics and I'd be in heaven.

But anyways - just finished Lost and Damned, which I have to say I found more enjoyable that the Niko missions, but they were still good. I liked the missions and especially the one where I now realize you play all 3 characters in it (the museum shoot out, or am I wrong that the main character from Gay Tony is the one that shoots through the window?)

Anyways - once I have a normal limit again, I'll be downloading Ballad and playing through.

And then.... dreaming of the next GTA being in Vice City or San Andreas

Oh don't get me excited :D GTA IV graphics to Vice City, and then add the features from SA to it, and you have the greatest game ever.

Have you tried Saints Row 2? It's so much fun. And the way you can customize everything is something that I really love

[Jason]

I keep meaning to dip into Saints Row 2, but I don't know if it might be just a bit *too* over the top for me.

EDIT: I know what, I'll add it to my Lovefilm list. Problem solved. :)

[Lance]

Oh don't get me excited :D GTA IV graphics to Vice City, and then add the features from SA to it, and you have the greatest game ever.

Have you tried Saints Row 2? It's so much fun. And the way you can customize everything is something that I really love

I've finished both Saint's Row games 100% - I've lost many hours, and eagerly awaiting the third game (there's a few hints around about it here and there)

I think it is the level of customization that is fantastic... but also some of the mini-games like Insurance Fraud and Mayhem are just damned addictive (I'd play Level 8 on them constantly for easy money)

I can't really fault SR1 or 2 for anything - they're exactly what they're meant to be, a tounge-in-cheek version of GTA

[MyNameDidntFit]

EDIT: I know what, I'll add it to my Lovefilm list. Problem solved. :)
I, too, have been meaning to play it... I got it with the THQ pack when it was at $50, so I got it for what probably amounts to about $3 :p

[dimples]

I bought them both at the same time, the second one arrived earlier, so I started with that. I couldn't play SR1 anymore after playing SR2 :D It was just too great!
There is just so much to do around SR2. I still haven't finished it.

[Conor]

Played TLAD and TBOGT, they're pretty good.