Grand Theft Auto IV [X360]

The combat, previously a sticking point in the series, has been rebuilt. Melee entanglements are said to be more natural and fluid, while drawing a gun brings up a simple crosshair targeting system. But that's just a basic detail. Rockstar has created a new system to communicate Niko's physical mass, and expect that to play into the totally overhauled combat systems.

Both sound and vision have been given massive upgrades this time out. Early teasers show a far more detailed high dynamic range lighting model than every before, and the textures and structures of Liberty City are obviously unlike anything we've seen in the series to date. The sound design is also more immersive, with ambient sounds realistically presented as if they were actually bouncing off buildings and traveling from varying distances. Expect to hear the cacophony of a real city replicated in a totally new way for a video game.

Despite the size and realism of this Liberty City, including the ability to enter more buildings than in the past, don't expect load times. Rockstar claims you'll be able to play the game from beginning to end on both the 360 and PS3 without seeing a single load screen. After the long loads of previous entries, that's a thrilling development which could massively affect the game's immersion factor.

One of the new controversies to surround the game is related to downloadable content. At this time, Take-Two seems to be angling to offer episodic content only on the Xbox 360. Recently revealed business details indicate that Microsoft plans to pony up $25 million for each of two content packages. The first package is tentatively planned for March '08, the second for later in 2008. The nature of the content is currently unknown -- likely new missions to expand the Liberty City storyline -- but 50 million bucks means serious business, especially to a company that's had as many problems as Take-Two has in the past two years.

Finally, there's one more way to spend extra money on GTA this year: in addition to the regular $60 version of the game, an $89 Special Edition will be on shelves. What does the extra thirty bucks get you? A soundtrack CD, art book, keychain, duffel bag and lockbox. Furthermore, games analyst Michael Pachter has speculated that GTA IV might be delayed a couple of weeks, both to separate it from Halo 3 (out on September 25) and to push into Take-Two's 2008 fiscal year. Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick, however, said in the company's recent earnings conference call that "we're confirming the release date and we're going to meet the release dates."

Want more GTA details? Check back with Yahoo! Games on June 27 for an exclusive interview with Rockstar VP of creative, Dan Houser.