Once again, it’s time to take a drive through the dangerous streets of Liberty City. Grand Theft Auto IV elevated the GTA series to a whole new level back in 2008; combining all of the things we had grown to know and love about the past series entries and presenting it all in a glorious High Def experience. Shortly thereafter, Microsoft shelled out a shitload of moolah in order to present their Xbox 360 flock with two exclusive expansion games.
At first, I was furious — uttering the familiar expression that anyone who has ever used a PC has cried out at one point or another: “Fucking Microsoft!” Thankfully, my ire subsided when the Xbox 360 uniqueness wore off and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City was released to PS3 — this time giving way to a less-frequently heard, but just as poetic statement…
“Halle-fucking-lujah!”
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City contains two separate (not to mention completely different) standalone games from the GTA Universe: The Lost & Damned and The Ballad Of Gay Tony, each of which contains their own individual line-up of content (i.e. music, weapons, DJs, TV shows, games, etc.).
Since it was the first game to select on the disc, we’ll begin with The Lost & Damned. It is, without question, the “seedier” tale of the two, taking us on the plight of Johnny “The Jew” Klebitz, a member of Liberty City biker gang, The Lost. Officially the vice president of the gang, Johnny played the role of impromptu leader for a twelve-month stretch following the incarceration of the The Lost’s president, Billy Grey, who was sentenced to rehab on narcotics possession. During that time, Johnny devoted most of his time as boss to improving The Lost’s “business” strategies — which mainly involved repairing ties with rival gangs that Billy and his drug-fueled frenzies had severed.
In the beginning of the game (look quick for a cameo by Nico Bellic from Grand Theft Auto IV), Billy is released from rehab, and immediately wants to go back to the way things were. Naturally, this causes tensions to mount between the recently-reinstated president and Johnny, who wishes to continue improving The Lost’s reputation and steering away from the drugs and violence.
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