Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV

Step 2: Use the Phone to Call Roman

Navigate the early moments of Grand Theft Auto IV. This guide covers the mission steps for calling Roman Bellic and starting your Liberty City journey.

·Multi-source verified (109/109)

The Cousins Bellic: Mission Walkthrough

Step 2: Confrontation at the Basketball Court

Following your arrival in Liberty City, your cousin Roman Bellic quickly enlists your help. The mission "The Cousins Bellic" serves as Niko Bellic's introduction to the city's criminal underworld, albeit on a very small scale initially. This step focuses on the immediate aftermath of picking up Roman and driving him to the basketball courts in Hove Beach, as instructed in the previous step.

Upon reaching the designated basketball court, a cutscene will trigger. Here, you'll witness Roman attempting to settle a debt with two local thugs. This confrontation quickly escalates from a verbal dispute to a physical altercation. The events unfold directly after your arrival at the court, initiating Niko's first physical encounter in Liberty City. This segment of the mission serves as a critical tutorial for the game's melee combat system.

Key Events at the Basketball Court:

  • Arrival: Drive Roman to the yellow marker located at the basketball court in Hove Beach, Broker. The court is easily identifiable by its chain-link fence and worn asphalt.
  • Cutscene Trigger: A cinematic sequence will play, showing Roman's tense interaction with two aggressive debt collectors. Their demands for money quickly turn hostile, highlighting Roman's precarious financial situation.
  • Physical Confrontation: The situation turns violent, and Niko is forced to intervene to protect Roman from the two assailants. This initiates the game's first hand-to-hand combat sequence, introducing players to the core mechanics of melee fighting.

Combat Mechanics: Hand-to-Hand Basics Tutorial

This encounter serves as a crucial tutorial for Grand Theft Auto IV's hand-to-hand combat system. You will be prompted to engage the two thugs in a fistfight. Familiarize yourself with the basic controls, as mastering these will be vital for many early game encounters and future brawls:

  • Punch:
    • PC: Left Mouse Button
    • Xbox 360: B button
    • PlayStation 3: Circle button

    Repeated presses will unleash a flurry of punches. Combining punches with directional movement can create different attack animations, such as hooks or jabs. Sustained attacks can stun opponents.

  • Block/Dodge:
    • PC: Right Mouse Button
    • Xbox 360: RB (Right Bumper)
    • PlayStation 3: R1 (Right Bumper)

    Holding this button will block incoming attacks, significantly reducing damage taken. Tapping it just before an enemy attack will perform a dodge, often leaving the attacker momentarily vulnerable for a counter-attack. This is a crucial defensive maneuver.

  • Grapple:
    • PC: F key
    • Xbox 360: Y button
    • PlayStation 3: Triangle button

    When close to an enemy, press this button to grab them. Once grappled, you can perform additional actions:

    • Punch/Kick while Grappling: Use the primary attack button (Left Mouse/B/Circle) to strike the grappled enemy repeatedly. This can wear them down quickly.
    • Throw: Use the movement stick/keys to direct the throw, then press the grapple button again to throw the enemy to the ground. This can be effective for creating space, knocking them into objects (like the fence or other enemies), or setting them up for ground attacks.
  • Ground Attack (after knocking an enemy down):
    • PC: Left Mouse Button
    • Xbox 360: B button
    • PlayStation 3: Circle button

    Once an enemy is on the ground, you can approach them and use the attack button to stomp or kick them, inflicting additional damage and ensuring they stay down.

Strategy for the Basketball Court Brawl:

The key to winning this initial brawl is to manage your opponents effectively. There are two thugs, and while Roman will attempt to assist, his fighting skills are limited and he can be easily overwhelmed. Focus on one enemy at a time to quickly reduce the threat. Here’s a recommended approach:

  1. Prioritize One Target: Immediately engage one of the thugs. Don't try to fight both simultaneously.
  2. Utilize Quick Combos: Land a few punches (Left Mouse/B/Circle) and then be ready to block (Right Mouse/RB/R1) if they retaliate.
  3. Dodge and Counter: Practice tapping the block button just as an enemy swings to dodge their attack. This will often leave them open for a quick counter-attack.
  4. Grapple for Control: If you find yourself taking too much damage, grapple an enemy (F/Y/Triangle). While grappled, you can punch them or throw them into the other thug, or against the fence, to momentarily incapacitate both.
  5. Ground and Pound: Once an enemy is knocked down, quickly move in and use ground attacks to finish them off before they can recover.
  6. Maintain Awareness: Keep an eye on the second thug. If they start to attack you, disengage from your current target briefly to block or dodge their incoming attack.

Remember, the goal is to incapacitate both thugs. Niko is a capable fighter, and with these basic techniques, you should be able to handle the situation without much difficulty. Don't be afraid to experiment with grappling and throwing to control the flow of the fight.

Common Pitfalls & Tips:

  • Don't Button Mash: While it might seem effective initially, simply mashing the punch button leaves you vulnerable. Integrate blocking and dodging into your rhythm.
  • Use the Environment: While not strictly necessary for this fight, remember that in future brawls, you can often use environmental objects (walls, cars, ledges) to your advantage for throws or knockdowns.
  • Health Management: Niko's health bar is visible in the top-left corner of the screen. If you take too much damage, you will fail the mission. Prioritize defense if your health gets low.
  • Roman's Role: Roman will attempt to fight, but he's not a primary damage dealer. Don't rely on him to win the fight for you. Focus on protecting him by quickly dispatching the threats.

After the Fight:

Once both thugs are dealt with, another brief cutscene will play, concluding the immediate threat. Roman, shaken but unharmed, will then instruct you on the next course of action. This mission emphasizes the immediate dangers Niko faces due to Roman's gambling debts and poor business decisions, setting the tone for their relationship throughout the game and establishing Roman as a source of both opportunity and trouble. The successful completion of this fight marks the end of this step and prepares you for the next phase of "The Cousins Bellic" mission.