Review: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Is this the better half of the two GTA4 expansions?
Article written by FRUIT0FDOOM in Featured Stories, XBox 360 Reviews, Xbox 360, on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 16:30.

I am in the crowd that really loves Grand Theft Auto 4. The moment I got off the boat and into Roman’s cab I held the trigger down and floored it, only to realise the handling was drastically different this time around. At first I was worried but then it took only minutes to get to grips with it and to me it became the one fundamental improvement to an already fantastic series. I love the new handling mechanics, the more serious direction the game took, the character interaction and development. I love GTA4, simples.

So when I had completed GTA4 I wanted more. Despite the game being brilliant on a first play through, there was little to entice me back to just mess around like there was in San Andreas. That is, until now.

The Ballad of Gay Tony is the second part of a deal ensuring Xbox 360 owners can download exclusive game add-ons for GTA4. The first DLC made available “The Lost and Damned” offered a fantastic story that crossed paths with existing GTA4 events and The Ballad of Gay Tony offers a new story that ties up events surrounding the diamonds that were a focal point in GTA4’s main story and The Lost and Damned too. The conclusion is simply brilliant and the whole thing comes together a treat. The expansions leave you thinking that Rockstar had the whole thing laid out from the moment Niko leaves the boat, and that additional events are not simply “slapped on” with minor references.

This time around Rockstar have put you in the shoes of Luis Lopez working for a guy named Tony Prince, who (being the title character) is a gay nightclub owner. Whilst Tony is popping pills and stirring crap, Luis is left to pick up the pieces and take the initiative. I will refrain from going into too much detail here as this story really needs to be experienced first hand. Needless to say this title retains all the great character development and interaction, with some very funny people indeed. Brucie is here again and as funny as ever but the show does get stolen by a new guy called Yusuf Amir, this guy is crazy and will have you in fits of laughter.

Story aside this addition simply blows GTA4 and The Lost and Damned out of the water, bringing back some of the over-the-top gameplay the series is renowned for: you will be driving an APC through (literally) traffic with your finger on the trigger of a cannon capable of folding SWAT vans in half; you will be sky diving onto the top of a skyscraper, taking the stairs down to the offices and wiping out all who wish to stop you, assassinating a target before jumping out the window to parachute onto a moving vehicle and escape. And then there’s the nightclub shootout involving a grenade launcher and a generous supply of Russian mobsters. Want to get information out of somebody? Then strap him to the front of a golf cart and swing golf balls at him until he squeals like a pig on a honeymoon.

Perhaps my favourite was running along the top of a train taking choppers down with an explosive round shotgun, before having the front carriage air lifted off the track once I’d unhooked it. The action here is simply brilliant and all the variety you could wish for.

So much is new. The main menu is now full of colour, the action is ramped up to near Hollywood stunts and new weapons ensure you always have the tools you need to make things fun. We also get to drive new vehicles too: the APC as mentioned is by far the best addition and with helicopters now packing missiles, cars packing nitrous, you almost struggle to decide which vehicle to take. Thankfully after completing the main story all these things become available to use as you wish. Meaning an APC rampage or rocket barrage from an attack chopper finally gives me a reason to go back to Liberty City time after time again.

A nice addition is the new mission scoring feature that gives you objectives to meet and then scores you based on your performance. This usually involves beating the mission within a certain time frame or a limit to how much damage you can take. It also offers you the ability to upload your score to the Rockstar social club where you can compare stats with friends. Again, once the main story is completed you can replay any of the missions by activating them using you in game mobile phone. New mini games / side quests are on offer too. Play some golf, go dancing, intercept drug deals, manage a nightclub or enter a cage fight championship. Perhaps the best addition in terms of things to do on the side is the base jumping. Launching from a chopper, the top of a high rise or even a motorbike, you get a fun yet challenging activity that makes great use of the new parachute feature.

Multiplayer offers a few new additions. As well as using the parachute you can now get multipliers that give extra cash and nitrous for those classic races. However the multiplayer in this game still feels like a bit of a “slap on” and I personally would rather have seen the effort go into more of the good stuff, that being the single player. Still, this is fantastic value either way: you can buy this as a download for 1600 Microsoft Points or on disc bundled with The Lost and Damned for around £25 which doesn’t need the original GTA4. I enjoyed every moment and thank Rockstar for giving me another reason to soak up all the fun to be had in Liberty City. Now, time for that five star wanted level, an APC and an itchy trigger finger..

Pros:

  • Fantastic story that concludes key events from GTA4
  • New vehicles, weapons and mini games
  • The same great character interaction
  • Parachutes

Cons:

  • Multiplayer still feels un-polished

The Ballad of Gay Tony is more than just another reason to visit Liberty City again, it offers another fantastic GTA experience that no fan of the series should miss. Perhaps deliberately testing the water with these new features for future titles, Rockstar has also created the feeling that the gameplay available here should have been present in the entire GTA4 experience. With Hollywood style action, additions such as nitrous in vehicles and the ability to parachute, The Ballad of Gay Tony is a case of the very best saved until last: 9/10

Comments

Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.

Newer Comments

  1. cc_star | 08/11/2009 16:41
    Team TSA: Writer
    5868 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

    I really want this, seems like it adds the fun back in to the series that I felt was missing from IV.

    Curse my lack of 360!

    Although I played it for about 10mins round my brothers yesterday and I felt the cover & shoot mechanics were bloomin’ awful after playing Uncharted 2

    R* really need to get a grip on that for the next one (and the rather crummy online experience)


    • BlingOnMyWrist | 08/11/2009 16:47
      Member
      1357 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

      Ditto!

      As I read with one half of my brain, the other half was figuring out how I could get a hold of this.
      Should I buy a cheap 360 for it or buy it for my brother and hope to get a chance to play it…

      Being that you can just buy the episodes without having to own GTA IV itself almost makes this a completely new game. And a fun one at that.

      One question: I know that when you buy the disc-based expansion, you don’t need GTA IV, is the downloadable version the same way?


      • FRUIT0FDOOM | 08/11/2009 17:12
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        490 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009

        With the DLC you need to have GTA4 (hard copy or via Games on Demand).


      • BlingOnMyWrist | 08/11/2009 17:16
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        When I watched the video interview on Live, whoever the guy was stated that you don’t need to own GTA IV to play it.


      • FRUIT0FDOOM | 08/11/2009 17:21
        Member
        490 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009

        You DON’T need GTA4 if you buy The Lost and Damned & The Ballad of Gay Tony on disc. But you DO need GTA4 if you download the two expansions via Xbox Live Marketplace ;-)


      • BlingOnMyWrist | 08/11/2009 18:11
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        1357 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

        Ahh, when you said “hard copy or via Games on Demand” I thought you meant the expansions. I was unaware that GTA IV was on Dames on Demand.

        Sorry ’bout that and thanks for the info! ;)


      • Gamoc | 08/11/2009 18:49
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        Dames on Demand sounds awesome. Women from the 30s on demand? Awesome.


  2. ShovellyJoe | 08/11/2009 16:53
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    Bah. How much was the exclusivity deal, $50 million? I bet R* could have made double that if they released the DLC on PS3 as well.

    (Read: I’m jealous of 360 owners)


    • skibadee | 08/11/2009 17:53
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      me too i hate this excl dlc stuff


      • BadBoyBoogie | 09/11/2009 16:48
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        2516 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009

        Me three!! ;) I’m even more disappointed now after reading that review!!


  3. iNsAnE_gAmInG | 08/11/2009 16:54
    * Banned *
    -1930 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009

    Well I never actually finished GTA IV and I can not remember why. I think it might have been the bank mission which frustrated me too much. The best part of GTAIV in my view was the mindless mutli-player fun, it was bloody brilliant and was a wonderful break from the competitive online side of COD or Fifa.
    I am sure the DLC is great, as was the main story (well I thought it was up until the bank mission when I lost interest), however it does not particularly bother me that it is currently Xbox exclusive.
    Nice review though. :)


    • rht992 | 08/11/2009 19:58
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      how can you lose interest at the most explosive mission in the game?


  4. Rob92 | 08/11/2009 17:01
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    1230 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008

    Meh. Although I’m intirgued that the hideously dull and boring GTAIV could be fun again (I’m one of the ones who thought it was crap if you hadnt guessed ;) ) Rockstar had to go an sign that exclusive deal didnt they! No pennies from me!


    • iNsAnE_gAmInG | 08/11/2009 19:16
      * Banned *
      -1930 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009

      I agree it was a bit more tedious and it did not draw me in as much as previous titles.
      Nothing… in my view, will EVER compare to GTAIII, what a game; the reason I bought a PS2. :)


      • G_The_Enemy14 | 08/11/2009 20:29
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        My friend had GTAIII and i would always go to his house and play that game for ages. Best one by far :D


  5. Broonba | 08/11/2009 17:43
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    Great review mate……..almost makes me wish I had a 360……..almost :D


  6. Lfc-Gaz | 08/11/2009 17:43
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    Im jealous of all 360 owners because of the gta dlc, that is until Christmas when i get an xbox! Woo! I can’t wait! If anyone has seen the south park episode when Cartman is waiting for the Wii to come out, im like that right now :P


    • Broonba | 08/11/2009 18:12
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      LMFAO……….Just don’t have any crazy ideas about freezing yourself :D


  7. gazzagb | 08/11/2009 18:06
    Master of speling mitakse
    2388 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009

    Why doesnt PS3 get ANY gta4 dlc? :(


    • cc_star | 08/11/2009 18:12
      Team TSA: Writer
      5868 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

      The Sony business plan involves pumping money into 1st & 2nd party exclusives. Not sure we’ll ever see a major 3rd party exclusive again.

      Other than Agent obviously, which R* are making to a) help the PS3 as a platform b) Use Sony’s support in creating it as an exclusive to help with PS3 development on all their titles


    • BlingOnMyWrist | 08/11/2009 18:42
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      1357 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

      In congruence with this DLC:
      http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/05/13/the-lost-and-the-damned-not-heading-to-ps3/
      While it isn’t completely certain that there will never be PS3 DLC, the current episodes are exclusive to the 360.

      But cc is right when he states that Sony puts more money into 1st than 3rd parties. So we may not see any content from GTA IV.


  8. iBirch | 08/11/2009 18:29
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    229 TSA Points | Member since: May 2009

    Looks ace! Also jealous of 360 owners lol. I think I will get a 360 eventually want to borrow my bros first tho see what it’s like lol.


  9. BigCheese | 08/11/2009 19:10
    Member
    307 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009

    Oh wow, those screen-shots look amazing! Shame its not on Playstation :( it looks like a must-buy. Good review, Liam :)


  10. Mike | 08/11/2009 19:25
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    609 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

    Coincidentally I have just completed the main story of TBoGT and I have to say, it was absolutely superb. There were many of times during the story when I thought to myself, how did I not realise the crossover paths in the main story and the DLC. The new features in this episode is more than welcome and I love the parachuting. Hopefully this will make an appearance in the next GTA.

    An excellent review Liam. Sums up nicely the new additions brought in with this episode. However, I am debating over the score. In my mind I think it is a 10, however, there are other features that could have been introduced and also the length of the episode which would make it a 9. However, with what is there in the game, I think I would give it a 10.

    If you don’t have a 360, you should get one purely for the GTAIV episodes. It truly is an amazing game.


    • rht992 | 08/11/2009 19:55
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      2284 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009

      if i had the money chances are i would. then i’d try this halo thing everyone keeps going on about


  11. rht992 | 08/11/2009 19:55
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    2284 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009

    I’m now depressed because of this. for the first time after reading a review I’m depressed i can’t play the game


  12. skibadee | 08/11/2009 20:36
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    1970 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2009

    is there no way this will come for us next year on ps3? if not might buy one just for this wish i kept the one i had now


  13. Quinlank | 08/11/2009 21:01
    Member
    661 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009

    I’ve played about two hours on this now, and it might be because I’ve been through GTAIV multiple times now and am suffering from burn out on the game, but it really just feels like more of the same to me. It has actually thrown up a few irritating points about GTA IV I never really picked up on in the main game, in particular I actually hadn’t realised how bad the close combat in GTA IV was until I tried the cage fights in this expansion.

    Fun enough for sure if you like GTA IV, and certainly worth the download price, but so far it’s not really bringing anything new to the conversation… guess I’ll see how it goes in the later stages… once I’m done with Dragon Age at any rate.


  14. Michael | 08/11/2009 21:06
    Team TSA: Development
    2026 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

    I miss the old days. You know, when 9 was an excuse for people to abuse the reviewer for hating the game. This site is going to the dogs.


    • rht992 | 08/11/2009 21:11
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      Your right! fruit of dooms a ps3 fan boy!


    • toutski | 08/11/2009 21:14
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      LMAO!


  15. pitchforkdisney | 08/11/2009 21:27
    Member
    115 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009

    It’ll come to ps3. just wait.


    • carlosfilippsen | 09/11/2009 20:42
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      1314 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009

      I hope so. Otherwise, I will have to buy a 360 just to play this!



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