On February 18, 2009, the first new episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV finally arrived.  The downloadable content (DLC), titled “The Lost and Damned,” costs a whopping 20 dollars!  Is Rockstar giving you your money’s worth?

The DLC includes approximately 20 new missions, totaling around 10 additional hours of game play.  Several new side tasks are also included, such as optional missions that involve gang wars and bike racing.  The bike racing is particularly fun, especially if you enjoyed the game “Road Rash,” which involved hitting people with a bats while racing.  Other additions include new internet pages, new TV shows, new vehicles, new music, and new games.  The graphics have also been updated in order to give the game a grittier, grainer look and feel.

Unfortunately, the friendly AI gang that accompanies you on many of the missions really cannot drive.  They often run into objects and will occasionally block your own path.  In addition, the physics still go crazy from time to time.  Who would have thought that driving over a curb in a motorcycle would cause you to fly 20 feet!

Overall, if you are a fan of Grand Theft Auto IV and are looking to expand its story, then you are sure to enjoy this DLC, but only if you are willing to shell out 20 bucks for it.

Pros

20 missions, totaling around 10 hours of game play

New music, vehicles, games, shows, and things to do

New visual elements that change the look of Liberty City

Cons

Relatively high price

The game’s physics are still crazy

The AI crew cannot drive