With a one-two punch of great DLC at an enticing price, Episodes from Liberty City easily trumps GTA IV itself.
The Lost and Damned is about a third of the length of the original, clocking in at between 10-15 hours. That's pretty impressive for a single player game, not to mention for downloadable content that costs less than a full game. TLAD also brings with it an interesting new character (who in my mind rivals and perhaps even eclipses Niko), a new storyline (that adds and expands upon the original in meaningful ways), new missions (though there still isn't enough variety), a new motorcycle mechanic (that fleshes out something often overlooked in previous GTAs) as well as new multiplayer modes, new songs and new experiences in the always thrilling setting of Liberty City. For me, that equals a bargain and a definite buy.
The Ballad of Gay Tony would be a great purchase even if it were a fully priced game, there's just so much content and fun packed in. New weapons, new cars and helicopters create entirely new ways of wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting denizens of Liberty City. The missions on offer are by far some of the best offered in the GTA series so far. There's just no two ways about it; had GTA IV been created following this formula, it had been an immensely better and more enjoyable experience. It's rare for an expansion pack to outshine its parent, but that's just what The Ballad of Gay Tony does.
For a more in-depth look at either game, check out their respective reviews.
All in all, Episodes from Liberty City presents a far superior experience than GTA IV itself. There have been a lot of great new additions ranging from new weapons and vehicles to substantial gameplay tweaks. In addition, some of the biggest complaints about GTA IV have been rectified. EfLC won't turn a non-believer into a convert, but for everyone else, it's undoubtedly a great return to form for Rockstar.