That Score

Even though I got my first and last RROD while playing this game it still deserves the perfect score.

sucks that you can't play it on your own gamertag for the review which is understandable (might get sidetracked to get the achievements and for multiplayer you need to be recognized by your company for security reasons). Great job with the score though! It's well deserved.

gta 4 is great, but gta san andreas should of also goten a 10 because that game was fill of fun. you could do almost anything and somethings are not in gta 4 as they r for san andreas like flying. i know thats because they wanted to make gta 4 more realistic including car handling (which is the best). Still, i agree gta 4 is a perfect 10.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!!

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