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Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned Preview for Xbox 360

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned Preview for Xbox 360

The Lost, Soon to be Found

January 30, 2009 – As a series, Grand Theft Auto (GTA) has had a huge impact on gamers and the video game industry alike. GTA III introduced gamers to open-world, sandbox experiences, in no small part helping to solidify the PS2 as the console of choice last generation. A couple years later, GTA: San Andreas made a serious splash by pushing the boundaries of the ESRB’s rating system and turning “Hot Coffee” into one of the most widely over-used phrases in pop culture history.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned screenshot

While Sony may have enjoyed the exclusive/timed rights to this juggernaut series last generation, Microsoft wisely got GTA IV released first on their console this time around. In another shocking move, they also managed to secure the exclusive rights to two downloadable projects, despite their hefty collective $50 million price tag.

As February 17 rolls around, Xbox 360 owners will finally have the chance to start reaping the rewards of this massive deal as the first expansion entitled GTA IV: The Lost and Damned will at long last become available for download. While it would be easy to label this package simply as downloadable content for an existing game, that might be a bit of a misnomer. Although it may not come from a store shelf, will require a copy of GTA IV to play, borrows its disc-based predecessor’s backdrop, and enjoys a storyline that interweaves at times with Niko Bellic’s exploits, The Lost and Damned is very much its own unique and sizeable experience.

GTA IV had players chasing the “American Dream” as Niko, an interesting character who was tricked into relocating to Liberty City (LC) by his cousin. This time around, players will be in control of the longtime LC resident Johnny Klebbitz, second in command of the biker gang The Lost. While Johnny is more of a business and money oriented character, the same can’t be said about Billy, the president of the gang who retakes control of it after just recently being released from rehab. It doesn’t take long for some bad choices, and perhaps some irrational thinking, to result in Billy shooting a member of the rival biker gang The Angels of Death, instigating a full-scale gang war.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned screenshot

Unlike Niko’s fairly lonely adventure that saw players functioning as their own personal one-man-army, Johnny’s outing seeks to foster feelings of brotherhood and camaraderie amongst the members of The Lost. At almost no point will Johnny ever be alone, having at least a member or two of your gang in tow at all times. These members will be an invaluable commodity while playing, as they will help you complete missions, cover your back, and even become more useful as you play.

While it is entirely possible for a member of your gang to die at any time, you’ll never run out of fresh recruits waiting in the wings to replace your fallen brothers. However, the stipulation that will give value to these otherwise very expendable characters’ continued existences is their ability to better themselves over time. Sure, early in the game, if gang member one dies, gang member two steps in and nothing has really been affected. Of course, if gang member one has already been by your side through a few missions, gaining permanent bonuses to his health, accuracy, and ability to do damage, an entry level replacement certainly won’t feel like an even trade.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned screenshot

As expected, motorcycles will also play a major part in The Lost and Damned. Johnny comes equipped with his own unique ride, the Hexer, which is actually the only one of its kind in the game. Still, no matter which bike you happen to be taking for a spin, it’ll be easy to notice the improvements made to these two wheeled vehicles’ performances since GTA IV. All motorcycles in the game will be quicker, have tighter steering, and be substantially more stable than before, allowing players to enjoy their motorized experiences rather than worrying about constantly wrecking their rides.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned screenshot

Even if you do happen to take a spill and need a new bike, Johnny can just make a quick call and have a replacement delivered. While Niko was new to town and had to work hard to make contacts and earn safe houses, Johnny starts in much better shape. Since he’s a longtime resident of LC, he will begin his adventure with several safe houses and every contact he’ll ever need already available to him. Thankfully, this not only makes sense from the perspective of the story but should also help to provide a more intense, albeit condensed, adventure.

During the ten to twenty hours The Lost and Damned is said to take to complete, players will also be treated to a host of other new content that should help make it worth the price of admission. Aside from its new missions and better handling bikes, there will be a bevy of new weapons, mini-games, music, television shows, internet sites, and multiplayer modes to enjoy. Johnny will get to handle new killing instruments such as automatic pistols, sawed-off and automatic shotguns, and a new grenade launcher, even when on the back of a motorcycle. Of course, if you’re looking for something a little less violent, there’s always arm wrestling or playing hi/lo card mini-games with members of The Lost to help you pass the time.

While the rest of the new content will likely remain a mystery until The Lost and Damned is released, it already sounds like an appealing package. The prospect of playing through a few missions included in GTA IV from a differing perspective is reason enough for most GTA fans to get excited. Add in the rest of the new content and missions and suddenly the twenty dollars starts looking like a really good deal. Check back for our full review of GTA IV: The Lost and Damned after it is released to see if it manages to live up its full potential.

Game Features:

  • Continue to chase the American dream with the first downloadable expansion pack to the blockbuster fourth Grand Theft Auto franchise entry.
  • Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, The Lost and Damned features a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV.
  • In this expansion pack are new missions offering an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City, new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles, and a diverse soundtrack with additional music — all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto.

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