Grand Theft Auto IV is often hailed as the best game in the GTA franchise. Its characters, story, atmosphere, and, of course, missions are universally praised. The game broke records at the time of its release, with fans taking to its darker themes. But let’s see which missions were the best and added to its legacy. While some provided intense shootouts and battles, others had gripping stories and relationships. Regardless, each mission is iconic and some of the best in the entire series.
Late Checkout
Similar to many other missions on the list, Late Checkout feels like it’s straight out of a movie. Niko heads to Drusilla’s and finds Ray yelling on the phone and arguing with Issac. After losing his money and diamonds, Ray tells Niko to go to the Majestic Hotel and kill Issac. Niko successfully kills him and two other associates of Issac’s but refuses to do any more work for Ray.
The mission starts innocent enough, with a simple job to kill someone. However, when the player arrives at the hotel, they are met with wave after wave of enemies. Players experience shootouts through the hallways, going up multiple levels, and killing anyone in Niko’s path. If there ever was a mission that made players feel like John Wick, it’s Late Checkout.
Also, the mission has multiple ways to kill Issac and his associates, with different ways of escaping the hotel. Killing Issac with a pistol will initiate a cutscene before Niko shoots him. On the roof, players can choose to shoot one of the associates or blow up a propane tank, which shows a cutscene of the target catching fire and falling off the hotel roof. Then there is a window cleaning elevator to escape with, the front door, or a parked helicopter if players bring one.
Due to the variety of options players are given and the intense shootouts as Niko slowly makes his way to Issac, Late Checkout easily makes for one of the best missions.
Stevie’s Car Thefts
The next entry isn’t a single mission but a series of thirty side missions for players to complete. After unlocking the Alderney Safehouse and completing various missions, Stevie, a friend of Brucie Kibbutz, will contact Niko. Each text message describes the vehicle’s location and tasks Niko will deliver to Stevie for cash rewards. The better the car’s condition, the more money will be given.
What stands out about these missions is that they do not mark the areas on the map. Instead, players must find the locations independently, given the hints and clues. This means knowing where landmarks and buildings are and spotting the correct car. While it may be annoying to some, these offer a unique and much-needed challenge to the game.
Players can easily search online for the answers or follow streets and use their knowledge to determine where the car could be. It also rewards patience and caution, ensuring players drive carefully for more money. These missions are a welcomed addition to GTA IV and hopefully make appearances in future Rockstar titles.
Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution is a short mission but leads to big events, plus it features Little Jacob, which is always great. Niko is trying to collect his money for assassinating Faustin from Dimitri. Being suspicious of his motives, Niko brings Little Jacob for backup, just in case. Once at the meet-up spot, Dimitri brings out Ray Bulgarin, Niko’s former employer, who blames him for losing him money.
The deal turns into a shootout after a mobster tries to kill Niko, with Jacob fighting alongside the player. After fighting through the warehouse and escaping the police, players are left with a sense of dread, further escalating with the next mission in the main storyline.
Roman’s Sorrow
Not every GTA mission needs heavy gunfights or brutal death scenes. Some missions tell a good story and push the plot, making them memorable. Roman’s Sorrow does precisely this, as Niko doesn’t shoot or kill anyone but just talks with Roman the entire time. After the events of Russian Revolution, Niko finds Roman hiding in a car trunk in an alleyway. He confesses what happened at the deal and apologizes to Roman for ruining his life and catching him up in the heat.
Trying to lay low for a while, the two head out back to their apartment, which has been set on fire. Romans cab company has also been burned to the ground, causing the duo to flee to Bohan, where they get a new apartment until things cool down.
What draws players in is the exchanges between Roman and Niko, along with the emotional connection of their old apartment. The car ride is filled with highs and lows, with Roman describing a dream in which he married Mallorie. Later, he blows up and blames Niko for everything that happened. The attachment players have to these two makes the scenes hit harder. The turn of events is hard to stomach as it completely changes what players know.
The old apartment was small, dirty, and overall unpleasing. However, seeing it set on fire, you can’t help but feel part of the game is lost. The apartment helped set the mood for GTA IV and had players work from the bottom up. It’s a big contrast from something like GTA V, where we see Michael living a millionaire lifestyle. Even Franklin and Trevor don’t feel as poor or broken.
Hostile Negotiation
Living out another John Wick fantasy, players are tasked with saving Roman, whom Malc and Klebitz kidnaped. Arriving at a warehouse, Niko battles his way to the top floor, killing every henchman in the way. On the top floor, Roman is interrogated and told to turn over Niko to settle his debt, but he won’t budge. Once Niko finally arrives, Roman will be in a chokehold with a gun to his head. Players must accurately aim to kill the kidnapper and save Roman before escaping.
The mission allows players to work through a gauntlet of enemies and offers a stronger relationship between the cousins. Saving Roman and having him admit to his gambling addiction represents the message that family is everything and that they should stick by one another. Roman refuses to give up Niko, whom he trusts, while Niko will do anything to save Roman, even if it means killing.
Three Leaf Clover
While some other missions may overshadow it, Three Leaf Clover is an exceptional mission that’s intense, funny, and chaotic. Niko meets with Packie, Michael, and Derrick as they plan a heist at the Bank of Liberty. The plan is to control the crowd while a bomb explodes, opening the vault and allowing for easy access to the money. During the mission, a courageous patreon of the bank uses his gun to shoot Michael, causing Packie and Derrick to kill him. Niko and the crew must then escape the police, first through the street, then down into the subway.
The movie Heat inspired the mission, which can be seen through character interactions and shootout moments. Players may notice how the mission is similar to heists in Grand Theft Auto V, using it as a foundation for future installments. It was a mission ahead of its time and left the player satisfied with their accomplishment, given that its more challenging than most others.