The glory of the Grand Theft Auto franchise is that there’s no one right way to play it. Whether you want to aimlessly wield a rocket launcher like the maniacal sociopath you really are or enjoy the finer points of gangster life through the game’s story arc, you’re well served. Add in the new online mode, and you can now bond with other maniacal sociopaths around the country.

As a strong recommendation, I implore you to save your unnecessary blood lust until after you’ve conquered the hearty campaign. GTA IV‘s story and characters will grip you courtesy of a combination of expertly written dialogue and storytelling. You assume the role of Niko Bellic, a bad dude with a good heart. He’s led a miserable existence in Eastern Europe, just barely scraping by and having to fight in wartime combat, as well as do other things of which he’s none too proud. In an effort to turn his fortune around, he embarks on a trip to Liberty City in the United States. In addition to the attraction of the American Dream, Niko is also just looking for that “special someone.” He arrives in Liberty City to the joyous salutations of his slovenly cousin, Roman, a man who claimed to be living this American Dream, full of sexy cars, sexier women and more money than he could count, but of course, Roman is a drunken mess. He operates a cab company and nothing he bragged about in his emails is of any substance.

What follows is a 45-hour adventure leading our main protagonist through a life very much like the one he was living in Eastern Europe, and he’s soon dragged into the seedy underbelly of America and forced to kill to make ends meet. What makes the plight of Niko so brilliant is the depth of his character, so don’t disregard him as an ordinary brute thug. His loyalty, love and care are exemplified by his dedication to Roman many times throughout the game, as well as the interactions with his mom via email. Of course, his other, more animalistic side is explored several times as he confronts those who betray him, most notably during an incredibly dark kidnapping sequence.

When you need a break from the main quest, you’ll find an entirely new game awaits you online. Accessible through your cell phone, the online mode features everything from standard modes to team based objective modes to co-op and the all-out crazy free roam mode. Up to 16 players can join in on most matches and, unless otherwise stated, have the entire map at their disposal. It’s the same thing you’d expect when you’re playing offline, only 15 other crazies are out there with guns probably bigger than yours. Good luck!

But in the end, was it enough to live up to the hype?