Post-Game Content
Congratulations, Niko! You've navigated the treacherous streets of Liberty City and completed the main storyline. But the journey doesn't end there. Grand Theft Auto IV offers a wealth of post-game content to keep you engaged, from achieving 100% completion to exploring hidden secrets and continuing your criminal enterprises. This guide will help you maximize your post-story experience.
Achieving 100% Completion
For the truly dedicated player, 100% completion is the ultimate goal. This involves ticking off a comprehensive checklist of activities and collectibles. While the main story is complete, many tasks remain. Consult your in-game Stats menu to track your progress.
Key 100% Checklist Items:
- Story Missions: All 90 main story missions must be completed.
- Side Missions:
- Assassination Missions: Complete all 9 missions for the enigmatic "Darko" contact. These are accessed via payphones marked on your map after a certain point in the story.
- Car Thefts for Stevie: Deliver all 30 requested vehicles to Stevie's garage in Bohan. You'll receive text messages with vehicle descriptions and locations.
- Exotic Exports for Brucie: Complete all 10 car delivery missions for Brucie. These are initiated by calling Brucie after unlocking his special ability.
- Vigilante Missions: Complete 20 levels of Vigilante missions (10 per borough). Access these by entering a police vehicle and selecting "Vigilante" from the computer.
- Paramedic Missions: Complete 12 levels of Paramedic missions. Enter an ambulance and select "Paramedic" from the computer.
- Firefighter Missions: Complete 10 levels of Firefighter missions. Enter a fire truck and select "Firefighter" from the computer.
- Taxi Fares: Complete 10 unique taxi fares. Simply get into a taxi and accept a fare.
- Friend Activities: Achieve 100% like with all available friends (Roman, Little Jacob, Brucie, Packie, Dwayne). This involves going on various outings like bowling, darts, drinking, and eating.
- Unique Stunt Jumps: Successfully land all 50 unique stunt jumps scattered across Liberty City. Look for ramps, broken bridges, and other opportune launch points.
- Pigeon Hunting: Find and shoot all 200 flying rats (pigeons). These collectibles are often hidden in obscure locations, on ledges, or perched on buildings. A good strategy is to systematically sweep each island.
- Random Character Encounters: Complete all 14 random character encounters. These individuals appear at specific locations on the map after certain story missions and offer unique side quests. Examples include Brian, Mel, and Hossan.
- Activities:
- Win a game of Darts.
- Win a game of Pool.
- Win a game of Bowling (full game).
- Win a game of QUB3D (arcade game).
- Complete a full round of Golf (driving range).
Exploring Liberty City
Even after the credits roll, Liberty City remains a vibrant, dangerous playground. Take the time to simply cruise around and discover its hidden gems.
Points of Interest:
- Statue of Happiness: Visit Liberty City's iconic landmark, a parody of the Statue of Liberty. You can even climb inside for a unique view.
- Star Junction: Experience the dazzling lights and bustling crowds of Star Junction, the city's entertainment hub.
- Broker Bridge & Algonquin Bridge: Drive across these impressive structures and appreciate the city's scale.
- Abandoned Casino: Located in Alderney, this dilapidated structure offers a glimpse into the city's past.
- Hidden Interiors: While not as prevalent as in previous GTA titles, some buildings have accessible interiors not tied to missions. Experiment with doors and explore.
Weapon and Vehicle Acquisition
With unlimited funds (if you've been smart with your earnings) and no mission constraints, you can now freely acquire any weapon or vehicle you desire.
Top-Tier Gear:
- Combat Shotgun: A devastating close-quarters weapon, often found in police stations or purchased from Ammu-Nation.
- Assault Rifle: Excellent for sustained firefights, readily available at Ammu-Nation.
- RPG: For when you need to make a statement. Look for it in specific weapon spawns or purchase it from Ammu-Nation after completing certain missions.
- Infernus: One of the fastest sports cars in the game, often found cruising around Algonquin or parked in affluent areas.
- Turismo: Another high-performance sports car, similar to the Infernus in terms of speed and handling.
- Patriot: A durable SUV, perfect for off-road excursions or ramming through traffic.
Replaying Missions and New Game+
While GTA IV doesn't feature a traditional "New Game+" mode, you can replay individual missions from your phone's menu. This is excellent for trying different approaches, improving your mission completion time, or simply reliving your favorite moments.
Multiplayer Mayhem
Don't forget the robust online multiplayer component. Join friends or strangers in various game modes:
- Free Mode: Explore Liberty City with up to 15 other players, causing chaos or simply cruising.
- Deathmatch: Classic player-versus-player combat.
- Team Deathmatch: Work with your crew to eliminate the opposing team.
- Race: Compete in various vehicle races across the city.
- Cops 'n' Crooks: A team-based mode where one team plays as police and the other as criminals.
- Mafia Work: Complete objectives for a crime boss.