Edit: In March 2020, GFWL was removed from the PC version and my copy was upgraded to "The Complete Edition" (adding the EFLC DLC from TLaD and TBoGT) for free.

This removes multiplayer from the game, but it required a long-dead service to play anyway- you had to poke holes thru your firewall, all P2P, and cheating was rampant as there was nothing to prevent players from using trainers -- so...good riddance. Not to mention, there's an easy-to-install community mod (similar to MTA:SA) that brings back multiplayer functionality and works far better anyhow. And since it's server-based, cheaters can easily be kicked/banned.

Really enjoying TBoGT. It's really quite a gem I had glossed over before (no, the character you play isn't Tony). New vehicles, weapons, etc. Great story and characters.

Because of these changes, i'm changing my review from "Negative" to "Positive". Honestly, really surprised they came back and fixed all these things -- major kudos.

Original review below:
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4 words: Games For Windows Live

To say the least, this game has not aged well. Sandwiched between GTA: SA and GTA5, its successor (now 7+ years old), has enjoyed far better support over the years. Last I knew, thanks to GFWL integration, the PC version of GTA4 has become virtually unplayable on any modern OS.

Mod support is virtually non-existant compared to the older GTA3 titles (MTA:SA) and even GTA5 (FiveM). The story mode is solid, but a one-time experience. The online mode is (was?) complete trash compared to anything you'd expect from a modern title. 100% P2P, no lobbies, rampant cheating (yes, even MORESO than GTA5 at its worst, if you can manage to believe that).

That said, i'm sure there are those nostalgic enough to want a modern re-release/remake of the game. In the meantime, I'd highly recommend folks check out the Liberty City mod for FiveM.

Edit: In March 2020, GFWL was removed from the PC version and my copy was upgraded to "The Complete Edition" (adding the EFLC DLC from TLaD and TBoGT) for free. This removes multiplayer from the game, but it required a long-dead service to play anyway- you had to poke holes thru your firewall, all P2P, and cheating was rampant as there was nothing to prevent players from using trainers -- so...good riddance. Not to mention, there's an easy-to-install community mod (similar to MTA:SA) that brings back multiplayer functionality and works far better anyhow. And since it's server-based, cheaters can easily be kicked/banned. Really enjoying TBoGT. It's really quite a gem I had glossed over before (no, the character you play isn't Tony). New vehicles, weapons, etc. Great story and characters. Because of these changes, i'm changing my review from "Negative" to "Positive". Honestly, really surprised they came back and fixed all these things -- major kudos. Original review below: ---------------------------------- 4 words: Games For Windows Live To say the least, this game has not aged well. Sandwiched between GTA: SA and GTA5, its successor (now 7+ years old), has enjoyed far better support over the years. Last I knew, thanks to GFWL integration, the PC version of GTA4 has become virtually unplayable on any modern OS. Mod support is virtually non-existant compared to the older GTA3 titles (MTA:SA) and even GTA5 (FiveM). The story mode is solid, but a one-time experience. The online mode is (was?) complete trash compared to anything you'd expect from a modern title. 100% P2P, no lobbies, rampant cheating (yes, even MORESO than GTA5 at its worst, if you can manage to believe that). That said, i'm sure there are those nostalgic enough to want a modern re-release/remake of the game. In the meantime, I'd highly recommend folks check out the Liberty City mod for FiveM.