Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned

Grand Theft Auto 4 introduced DLCs to the franchise. The Lost and Damned is the first of two expansions which together form the Episodes of Liberty City. While Lost and Damned's story cannot compete with the main game's, it's still worth playing.

It introduces some new features like calling gang members and riding with them in formation. It also features some new weapons which are fun to use.

However, there are some major issues: First and formost the frustrating bike riding which is caused by the main game's vehicle control. It's just unrealistic how easily these bikes turn out of a curve and it is very frustrating to put it nice.

Second issue I had, playing the game on PC were infinite loading screens at two points of the story. I had to restart the game and play the whole mission all over again. This is sad for a 15 years old DLC.

All in all an experience worth being played. It adds some interesting parts to the main story and has some great missions.

"The Lost and Damned" expansion for "Grand Theft Auto IV" offers a unique take on Liberty City's criminal underworld - this time, not through the eyes of a lone immigrant, but from the perspective of a true biker. And if you thought life in a gang was all about beer, rock music, and cruising around the city, you're in for a surprise: there's betrayal, brutal showdowns, and even a hint of drama. Well... almost.

The protagonist is Johnny Klebitz, a member of the biker club "The Lost". Johnny's life is anything but smooth: loyal brothers on one side, internal strife and turf wars on the other, plus the constant feeling that everything's about to spiral out of control. The story unfolds with confidence and keeps you engaged, with events stacking neatly and characters that stick in your mind. At some point, though, it becomes clear that the game tries to be emotional - but never quite hits those truly powerful notes. Still, it's nice how well the story fits into the broader "GTA IV" narrative and even intersects with it at times.

In this game, the bike is more than just a vehicle - it's practically the co-star. Everything revolves around two wheels: missions, side activities, getting around town. If you didn't know how to handle a motorcycle in "GTA IV", you'll learn here - there's no other choice. And for me, those rides were an absolute blast.

Visually, the game seemed slightly different. It felt darker, the colors more subdued. Though maybe that's just how I remember it.

"The Lost and Damned" is a solid biker story that could easily stand on its own. With engaging characters, intense shootouts, and its own gritty vibe, the expansion is well-crafted and genuinely fun to play. I definitely enjoyed it.

7 out of 10.

Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned is a successful and exciting addition to the GTA universe, offering players a new perspective on the familiar world. This expansion adds significant depth to the original game, presenting an engaging story about a biker gang that unfolds parallel to the main storyline of Grand Theft Auto 4. This approach to expanding the game allows players to see familiar events and characters from a fresh perspective, as well as immerse themselves in a new, captivating criminal world.

One of the greatest strengths of The Lost and Damned is its new storyline, which not only introduces new characters but also allows for a deeper understanding of Liberty City through the eyes of a different protagonist. Players take on the role of Johnny Klebitz, a member of the biker gang The Lost, who is involved in various criminal activities and tries to survive in a world of corruption, drugs, and betrayal. This storyline is skillfully intertwined with the events of the original game, maintaining the overall atmosphere but adding new shades and dimensions to it. Johnny's story is just as gripping as Niko Bellic's, showing another side of Liberty City's criminal underworld, focusing on the life of bikers and their internal conflicts.

In addition to the story, the developers have added many new elements that make this expansion unique and distinct from the original game. One of these elements is the new weapons. Players can use a variety of weapons that were previously unavailable in the original game, adding more variety to combat. For example, new shotguns, automatic rifles, and other weapons allow for more effective battles and completing challenging missions. This expands the gameplay possibilities and makes the combat system even more engaging.

A special feature of The Lost and Damned is the introduction of new vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Although the original game already had many types of vehicles, this expansion focuses on bikes. As a member of a biker gang, Johnny Klebitz spends most of his time riding motorcycles, which adds a sense of dynamism and thrill to the game. The motorcycles are more maneuverable and realistic compared to previous games in the series, and their handling has been thoughtfully enhanced. This allows players to fully experience the biker lifestyle, cruising the streets of Liberty City, participating in races, fights, and other activities on their steel steeds.

In addition to new weapons and vehicles, The Lost and Damned delights players with fresh music. The soundtrack has always played an important role in the GTA series, creating the atmosphere and immersing players in the game's world. In this expansion, the developers added new radio stations and songs that perfectly fit the biker theme and the criminal world. This adds a special vibe to the game and underscores the rebellious spirit of the protagonist and his gang. Players can enjoy new musical tracks while driving around the city, making the gaming experience even more enjoyable and immersive.

Another important element of the expansion is the new activities available to players. While the focus is on the story and combat missions, players can also engage in various side activities that add variety to the game. For example, Johnny can participate in biker races or fight for dominance in the criminal world by completing tasks for different characters. Additionally, players can interact with other members of The Lost gang, allowing for a deeper dive into the atmosphere of brotherhood and unity that exists among the bikers. This adds further depth to the game and makes players feel like part of a large criminal family.

Overall, Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned is a significant step in the development of the GTA series and an excellent addition to the original game. It not only expands the storyline and adds new mechanics but also deepens the world of Liberty City, giving players the opportunity to become part of a biker gang and embark on new criminal adventures. With new weapons, vehicles, music, and activities, The Lost and Damned offers a unique experience that will undoubtedly appeal to all fans of GTA 4. This expansion brings new colors and impressions to the game, making it an important and unforgettable experience for everyone who appreciates the Grand Theft Auto universe.

This time around, you get put in the driver's seat as the Vice President (and eventual President) of Liberty City's hardest-riding Chopper gang, The Lost, as Johnny "The Jew" Klebitz, a commander trying to keep his M.C. chapter together as it splinters into factions. This entry feels more toned-down than the main game, and probably the weakest of the GTA IV trilogy, but it's still a solid ride; the controls (especially the driving) are solid, the motorcycles handle smoothly, the action is fun, you've probably heard this whole rundown before. Point is, these characters thunder down the streets of Liberty, full-throttle, this be-damned-to-you attitude where you're part of Liberty City's alpha pack, and it's a fun ride-along to go on when you have a few hours to kill. Not their best, but still another fine example of why Rockstar are among gaming's best.

7/10, B tier. Decent dlc that definitely has a weaker story than the main game. It is good for what it is but does feel kind of weak. Jhonny is a decent protagonist but definitely doesn't have much character development.

Thank God they added mission checkpoints. I would however say that some of these missions are worse than GTA 4s. The prison bus one and the one where you take out the mob guys, just so fustrating. The final mission however was incredible. Such a great final mission.

The music is still as great as ever and the new songs are just amazing. Fit the biker theme perfectly and always make the game greater.

I love the new weapons, especially the over powered automatic shotgun but they don't have them in the gun shops to buy ammo so you can't realiably use them.

Loved all the nods to the main game and other dlc but did paint johnny in a less than favourable light.

In all a decent dlc that fixes allot of problems from the main game but ultimately has the same type of awful missions and a less interesting story.