Grand Theft Auto IV

What does the American Dream mean today? For Niko Bellic, arriving in Liberty City from Europe, it’s a chance to leave behind the shadows of his past. For his cousin Roman, it’s the belief that, together, they can strike it rich in a city that promises wealth and opportunity to those willing to take it.

But the reality of Liberty City is harsh. Pulled into debt and lured into a ruthless criminal underworld, Niko and Roman find themselves entangled with a dangerous cast of con men, thieves, and ruthless opportunists. In this city that worships wealth and status, life is paradise for those who hold power and a nightmare for everyone else trying to survive.

As the two struggle to navigate a world that feels increasingly stacked against them, Niko’s search for redemption and Roman’s dreams of success collide with Liberty City’s darker truths. In a place that offers the illusion of freedom, they must choose between survival and ambition, facing moral crossroads that test their loyalty to each other and their own limits.

Two expansion packs—The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony—bring new perspectives to Liberty City’s streets, with fresh protagonists and missions that reveal even more of the city’s gritty and unforgiving landscape. Each story further explores the highs and lows of ambition, weaving together the brutal reality behind the so-called American Dream.