Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV

Story Synopsis

Follow Niko Bellic's story with this Grand Theft Auto IV synopsis. Learn optimal strategies for main missions and key objectives in Liberty City.

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Story Synopsis

Welcome to Liberty City, cousin! This section provides a detailed walkthrough of the main story missions in Grand Theft Auto IV, guiding you through Niko Bellic's tumultuous journey from Eastern European immigrant to a hardened criminal in the pursuit of the American Dream. We'll cover key objectives, optimal strategies, and important items to ensure your success.

The Beginning: Fresh Off the Boat

Your adventure begins as Niko Bellic arrives in Liberty City aboard the cargo ship, the Platypus. He's greeted by his cousin, Roman Bellic, who has painted a grand, albeit false, picture of his success. Roman quickly introduces Niko to the harsh realities of his life, which involves running a struggling taxi business and being indebted to various loan sharks.

Mission 1: The Cousins Bellic

  • Objective: Get picked up by Roman from the docks and drive to his apartment in Hove Beach, Broker.
  • Location: Starts at the docks in Broker. Ends at Roman's apartment on Mohawk Ave, Hove Beach.
  • Strategy: This mission serves as a basic introduction to driving mechanics in Liberty City. Simply follow the GPS route provided on your mini-map. Roman will provide exposition about his "successful" life.
  • Reward: Access to Roman's apartment as your first safehouse, allowing you to save your game and change clothes. Unlocks the ability to call Roman for taxi services (though he's often busy).
  • Key Mechanic Introduced: Driving, GPS navigation, safehouses.

Mission 2: Bleed Out

  • Objective: Help Roman deal with Russian loan sharks at the basketball courts.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's apartment. The confrontation takes place at the basketball courts behind Roman's taxi depot in Hove Beach.
  • Strategy: Roman will drive you to the courts. Upon arrival, you'll confront two Russian thugs. This mission serves as the introduction to melee combat.
    • Melee Combat Tips: Use the right mouse button (PC) / L2 (PS3) / LT (Xbox 360) to block incoming attacks. Counter-attack immediately after blocking or when an enemy is open. Aim for quick combos. The game will prompt you with on-screen tutorials for blocking and attacking.
    • After defeating the first two, another thug will appear with a baseball bat. Disarm him or pick up a weapon from the ground if available.
  • Reward: $50. Unlocks the ability to use melee combat effectively.
  • Key Mechanic Introduced: Melee combat.

Mission 3: It's Your Call

  • Objective: Roman asks Niko to call his girlfriend, Mallorie, and then drive him to pick up a fare.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's apartment. The fare pickup is near the Cluckin' Bell in Hove Beach. The drop-off is in Schottler, Broker.
  • Strategy:
    1. Call Mallorie: Roman will instruct you to call Mallorie. Open your phone (Up arrow on D-pad / T on PC), navigate to 'Phonebook', select 'Mallorie', and choose 'Call'.
    2. Pick up Roman: Drive to Roman's taxi depot.
    3. Pick up Fare: Drive Roman's taxi to the highlighted location near Cluckin' Bell to pick up a passenger.
    4. Drive Fare: Drive the passenger to the designated drop-off point in Schottler.
    5. Confrontation: After dropping off the fare, two Russian mobsters will ambush you. This is your first introduction to gun combat.
      • Gun Combat Tips: Take cover behind the car or nearby objects (Q on PC / R1 on PS3 / RB on Xbox 360). Aim for headshots to conserve ammunition and take down enemies quickly. You will automatically pick up a Pistol from one of the fallen enemies.
    6. Escape: After dispatching the mobsters, drive Roman back to his taxi depot.
  • Reward: $30. Your first Pistol (automatically acquired).
  • Key Mechanic Introduced: Phone use, taxi missions (as a story element), gun combat, cover system.

Rising Through the Ranks: Early Associates

As Niko helps Roman, he'll be introduced to a cast of unsavory characters who will pull him deeper into Liberty City's criminal underworld. These early missions focus on establishing your reputation and expanding your network.

Mission 4: Three's a Crowd

  • Objective: Pick up Mallorie and her friend Michelle from the subway station, then drive Michelle home.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's apartment. Pick up at the Hove Beach subway station. Drop off in Outlook, Broker.
  • Strategy: This mission is primarily a driving and dialogue mission. Follow the GPS to the subway station, pick up the women, and then drive Michelle to her apartment. This mission introduces Michelle, a potential love interest, and sets up future missions.
  • Reward: $50. Unlocks Michelle as a potential girlfriend (you can call her for dates).
  • Key Mechanic Introduced: Dating system (indirectly).

Mission 5: First Date

  • Objective: Take Michelle on a date.
  • Location: Starts by calling Michelle. You can choose a location like the Cluckin' Bell or a bar.
  • Strategy: Call Michelle on your phone and ask her out. Drive to a chosen activity. Successfully completing a date improves your relationship with her. This mission serves as a tutorial for the dating mechanic.
  • Reward: Improved relationship with Michelle.
  • Key Mechanic Introduced: Dating activities.

Mission 6: Easy Fare

  • Objective: Pick up a fare for Roman, but the passenger turns out to be a target for Russian mobsters.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's taxi depot. Pick up the fare in Hove Beach. The chase leads through Broker.
  • Strategy:
    1. Pick up Fare: Drive to the designated location to pick up the passenger.
    2. Chase: Immediately after picking him up, a car full of Russian mobsters will pursue you. Your primary goal is to protect the passenger and escape. Drive aggressively but carefully to avoid too much damage to your vehicle.
    3. Drop off Fare: Once you lose the pursuers, drive the passenger to his destination.
  • Reward: $100.
  • Common Pitfall: Don't let the mobsters destroy your car or kill the passenger. Keep an eye on your vehicle's damage meter.

Mission 7: Jamaican Heat

  • Objective: Meet with Little Jacob, a Jamaican drug dealer, and assist him with a drug deal.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's taxi depot. The meeting point is in Schottler, Broker. The deal takes place in East Island City, Dukes.
  • Strategy:
    1. Meet Jacob: Drive to the designated spot in Schottler to meet Little Jacob.
    2. Drive to Deal: Drive Jacob to the location of the drug deal in East Island City.
    3. Stakeout: Jacob will instruct you to stay in the car. Observe the deal.
    4. Shootout: The deal goes bad, and you'll need to protect Jacob. Exit the car and take cover. Engage the rival gang members. There are multiple enemies, so prioritize targets and use headshots.
  • Reward: $150. Unlocks Little Jacob as a contact.
  • Item: You'll gain access to the Micro SMG during this mission (Jacob will give you one, or you can pick one up from fallen enemies).
  • Tip: Maintaining a good relationship with Little Jacob will eventually allow him to provide discounted weapons and car services.

Mission 8: Concrete Jungle

  • Objective: Assist Little Jacob in taking down a rival gang's drug operation.
  • Location: Starts by picking up Jacob. The mission takes place in East Island City, Dukes.
  • Strategy:
    1. Pick up Jacob: Drive to Jacob's location.
    2. Drive to Location: Drive Jacob to the building where the rival gang operates.
    3. Assault: This is a straightforward shootout mission. Enter the building, taking cover behind obstacles. Work your way through the building, clearing out all gang members. Jacob will provide covering fire.
    4. Escape: Once the building is clear, exit and drive Jacob back to his safe spot.
  • Reward: $200.
  • Recommended Loadout: Pistol, Micro SMG. Consider purchasing body armor from an Ammu-Nation store before this mission for increased survivability.
  • Common Pitfall: Don't rush into rooms without checking for enemies. Use your mini-map to locate red blips (enemies).

Escalation and New Territories

As Niko's reputation grows, he'll attract the attention of more powerful figures, leading to more complex and dangerous assignments. You'll begin to explore new boroughs of Liberty City.

Mission 9: Uncle Vlad

  • Objective: Deal with Vlad Glebov, the Russian loan shark who has been harassing Roman and extorting his business.
  • Location: Starts at Roman's taxi depot. The mission takes you to Vlad's bar, then through a chase sequence in Broker.
  • Strategy:
    1. Confront Vlad: Drive to Vlad's bar. A cutscene will play where Niko confronts Vlad.
    2. Chase: Vlad will flee in his car. Get into your vehicle and pursue him. The chase will lead you through the streets of Broker. Your goal is to keep up with him and eventually corner him.
    3. Final Confrontation: The chase will end at the docks. Vlad will attempt to hide. Follow him to the end of the pier.
    4. Execution: A final cutscene will play where Niko executes Vlad.
  • Reward: $250.
  • Consequence: This mission marks a significant turning point, drawing Niko into deeper conflicts with the Russian mob, particularly with Mikhail Faustin and Dimitri Rascalov. It also opens up new mission strands.
  • Tip: During the chase, don't worry too much about damaging your car, but try to avoid crashing completely. Focus on keeping Vlad's car in sight.

Continue to follow the mission markers on your radar (yellow icons for main story missions) to progress through the main storyline. Remember to save frequently at your safehouses and stock up on weapons and armor from Ammu-Nation when possible. Always check your phone for calls and messages from contacts, as these often trigger new missions.