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That Score

So yeah, as you've probably heard by now, Grand Theft Auto IV is the first game since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 to score a perfect 10 on GameSpot. To paraphrase our review guidelines, this means that GTAIV, at the time of its release, could not have been improved in any meaningful way. That doesn't mean that GTAIV is perfect, because it isn't, but on this occasion it means that a few minor flaws are easy to overlook when considered in the context of everything that the game gets right.

You should know that awarding a 10, or any score for that matter, isn't something we take lightly. All of our reviews have to be approved by the entire reviews team as well as other editors before we post them, and this one was no exception. In fact, as soon as the idea of us awarding our first 10 since 2001 was mentioned in the office, a meeting was called in which everyone who had spent any time with the game or who is involved with reviews on GameSpot was invited to express their opinions.

I'm sorry that GameSpot's review arrived a little later than some of you would've liked, but to be perfectly honest I just wasn't ready to write it until I'd beaten the game at least once (check), spent plenty of time with both versions (check), and played every multiplayer mode online alongside a good number of other players (check). While playing through the story mode I also wanted to take as much time as my deadline allowed checking out some of the optional content, which is clearly a big deal in a game like this. I'm satisfied that I got a good taste of everything that GTAIV has to offer, but even now I'm eager to head home and fire the game up again so that I can complete some of the side missions I skipped.

In fact, I also plan to play through the entire story again. Not only because I want to see how it pans out if I make different decisions, but also because I didn't get to review GTAIV using my own gamertag on this occasion and... you know, I need the achievement points!

At the time of writing our video review isn't up on the site yet, but be sure to check it out when it hits because one of our video guys has been working all kinds of crazy hours to make it something special. Just for you.

15 Comments

  • alexl86

    Posted Jun 7, 2008 2:24 pm PT

    I've played GTA IV for 75+ hours and it's frozen on me once. That's hardly a big issue, it's not enough to bring down the score. I think the game really deserves the 10. The graphics are amazing when you consider the scale, the sound is equally or maybe even more impressive. The game is long and you can pretty much keep playing it forever. On top of that, the gameplay is better than ever, with a great cover system and better aiming than any GTA before it.

    For the record, I play the 360 version.

  • JusticeCovert GameSpot staff member

    Posted May 12, 2008 2:38 pm PT

    TurtlePerson2: The problem with our old system was that the final score was arrived at by applying a formula to the component scores for graphics, sound, and the like. Not all games need great graphics or sound to be great, and while the "reviewer's tilt" component score went some way to letting us address that, it wasn't perfect.

    I could see GTA IV scoring a 10 using our old scale, but I'm not entirely sure that it would've got a 10 using the old system. I don't know that any game ever would have again, honestly.

  • TurtlePerson2

    Posted May 11, 2008 2:21 pm PT

    If Gamespot still used the scale that allowed for a 9.9 or 9.8, would GTA IV still have received a 10?

  • cosmostein77

    Posted May 5, 2008 10:54 am PT

    I have always tried to summerize why I tend to hold Gamespot reviews in a higher regard then many other gaming sites, and this sums it up:

    "I just wasn't ready to write it until I'd beaten the game at least once (check), spent plenty of time with both versions (check), and played every multiplayer mode online alongside a good number of other players (check)"

    You guys play the games like we will play the games, and that makes all the difference. As for the comments of some that the freezing takes away from the game, If we lived in the NES era, heck even the PS2 era were patches were not available, then sure the game is flawed. Being in an era were patches are available why would you punish a game that can be fixed for free in some cases days after the review is out? Great work guys!

  • Kevin-V GameSpot staff member

    Posted May 4, 2008 7:39 pm PT

    reckeweg, not in the least did we pander. Multiple editors played a good amount of Grand Theft Auto 4, and Justin finished the entire single-player story. We all fully back Justin's review. For what it's worth, we can't "ignore" any freezing issues when none of us experienced any freezes, on either platform. At this time, my personal 360, which experienced multiple freezes while playing Bully, has not frozen while playing GTA4, not has my launch 80GB PS3 frozen while playing. I am not sure of the other editors, but I don't think any of us have experienced the issue.

    Obviously, had we experienced freezes while playtesting, we would have noted as much. However, we can't fairly report a problem in a review if we didn't encounter it. Such is the nature of reviewing.

  • Proman84

    Posted May 4, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    If you feel the game deserves a 10, then it deserves a 10. I just wish the rating system was more flexible... you know, like before.

  • IrishThisUp

    Posted May 3, 2008 6:04 am PT

    Wow, I normally wouldn't have cared for this, but you've just added it to my wishlist if I ever get a 360 or PS3. This definitely looks like great fun, and I know you guys don't give tens unless you mean it.

  • reckeweg

    Posted May 2, 2008 1:41 pm PT

    I appreciate your explanation but I really think you guys jumped the gun and got happy feet on this one. The freezing issue alone warrants a lower score. No, I don't believe the freezing issue was unknown to all until after the game shipped and folks started playing. I do accept the fact that you may not have known about it though. I'm not pinning the freezing on to you guys. However your first sentence suggests that games games with a score of 10 are what we would deem as perfect. Thats why its called a perfect 10. I love you guys to death and I appreciate all the work you do. I just feel a little let down about this one. It feels like GS pandered a little to the market.

  • Duh_to_the_avo

    Posted May 2, 2008 11:13 am PT

    I won't agree that the game deserves a ten, not even close to that unfortunately. But it is nice to see you explaining your dedication to how the game should have been reviewed.

  • Cyber-

    Posted May 2, 2008 2:56 am PT

    the sad thing is the general public either sees this game as "so badass cause Im shooting cops" or "lets ban this game cause your shooting cops"
    Its misunderstood and really is a good game.

  • deathtoallgods

    Posted May 1, 2008 10:38 pm PT

    Great review. I agree in all respects. There will never be a "perfect " game, but there is a 10's worth of fun in this one.

  • jsmoke03

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:44 pm PT

    you think this wouldve still be a 10 under the old component scoring. you didn't think that having to restart a mission because of a.i. not faulty enough to give it a 10? its cool, i respect the score since it is an awesome game, but im still a little in shock

  • gbrading Site moderator

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:45 pm PT

    I still don't really think it's sunk in yet. A 10 is such big news, I had expected a 9.0 or 9.5, but a 10 just blows me away.

  • fal

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:06 am PT

    having been there when GS gave Tony Hawk 3 a 10..and also when Chrono Cross clocked a 10 as well...so i was like scremaing at the laptop screen when i a saw a 10 for GTA 4..i mean this is big...huge even!!..cant wait get my ps3 copy soon!!!

  • dchispirtle

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 9:27 pm PT

    Whoo, first comment. I'm psyched to play through for the first time Justin. I am unbelievably in awe that this game has lived up to all the hype that has surrounded it and there are so many perfect reviews out there. I can tell that countless hours of my life will be spent with this game

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