WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Never before has there been a title that offered quite as many gameplay options as “Grand Theft Auto IV.” Sure, most of those options involve murder and theft, but that’s why it has the M rating.

As Soviet thug Nico, you come to Liberty City with a dream of making it big in America and an agenda to unravel your complex history.

The game is brilliantly directed. Every aspect of every mission feels ripped from a Scorsese film. The lighting and visual effects are brilliant, the voice acting is perfect, and Liberty City itself is a living thing that leaves players feeling as if they’re on vacation.

Drive a cab, help the cops by taking out criminals or take your girlfriend to the bowling alley. The world is open to you to enjoy it as you wish.

Unlike “San Andreas,” which focused a lot more on the character, “IV” brings a lot of advancement to transportation. The game introduces a GPS pathfinding system, similar to “Saints Row,” and the ability to hail cabs and pay to get where you need to go. This can get pricey, but it’s important to get around the massive map (unless you have a helicopter).

This is easily the best use of the next-generation consoles to date.

‘Grand Theft Auto IV’

?????