Liberty City under a grey sky, Niko stepping off the boat with nothing in his pockets.

No preference ranking here, so let us read the profile criterion by criterion, knowing several lines rest on few votes, so take them with caution. The art style stands out, ahead of six games out of ten, and both the desert island and the controller feel flirt with average. But the rest leans low. Attachment puts it ahead of only a quarter of games, fun lower still, and the soundtrack nearly scrapes the bottom of the pack. The tension is there: a world you admire for its look, but that struggles to build connection and immediate joy.

Next to the open worlds that came after, GTA IV carries its reputation as the serious entry, more realistic than thrilling. Its dark tone and heavy driving divide where others bet on pure mayhem.

So who is it for? You, if you love a believable city, the story of a disillusioned immigrant, an atmosphere that takes its time. Much less if you want the sandbox you relaunch for raw fun and a soundtrack that sticks in your head.