As a self-proclaimed "Grand Theft Auto nerd" boasting over 200 hours across GTA IV and its expansions, I‘m on a relentless quest to uncover the definitive way to experience this classic open-world game. With the new Complete Edition and a decade of post-release updates under Rockstar‘s belt, determining the best version of GTA IV for your needs is no trivial feat.
Through exhaustive testing and modding, I‘ve pinned down the key factors setting apart each release. In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll find:
- Hard data and insights for weighing performance, visuals, and content
- Expert tips from customizing all versions of GTA IV extensively
- Guidance to match different versions with your priorities
- Clarification of the ongoing work by modders to improve and restore the Complete Edition
So you can focus on virtually living as Niko Bellic in Liberty City, not sorting through forum posts and configuration files. Let‘s get started!
GTA IV Version History – A Bumpy Road
First, some context on why picking a version of GTA IV feels like navigating a minefield…
Rockstar faced an uphill battle adapting the game to PC. The 2008 console release transported gamers to a stunning, living representation of New York. But the stripped-down graphics and plethora of issues in the 2015 PC port eroded that immersion substantially.
However, Rockstar kept tweaking and updating GTA IV well past its launch. And dedicated modders brought the visual splendor beyond even the original console editions. So PC gamers now have a bunch of versions boasting meaningful differences under the hood – for better and worse.
Here‘s the brief history:
- April 2008 – Initial GTA IV console release
- December 2008 – The Lost and Damned DLC
- October 2009 – The Ballad of Gay Tony DLC
- March 2015 – Disappointing initial PC port launch
- April 2015 – Version 1.4 with bug fixes
- May 2015 – Version 1.5
- March 2017 – Version 1.7
- March 2022 – Complete Edition bundles DLC
Tracking this context sets the stage to compare versions meaningfully…
Performance and Visual Showdown
While every GTA IV version is playable, performance and fidelity variations drastically alter how enjoyably the game runs.
According to mathematical performance benchmarks and players‘ real-world experiences, here is a breakdown:
| Version | Performance | Visual Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | Best | Moderate |
| 1.7 | Worst | Best |
| 1.8 | Good | Good |
| Complete Edition | Good | Good |
Clearly version 1.7 prioritizes higher visual fidelity at a steep performance cost. Striking this balance consumed much of Rockstar‘s optimization efforts across updates.
Now let‘s dive deeper on the interplay between aesthetics and fps…
Shadows Make or Break Immersion
Easily the most impactful visual variance between versions comes down to one setting – shadows. Dark, gritty nights lurking through alleyways define GTA IV‘s ambience. So losing shadow detail shreds that cinematic cop drama undertone.
Version 1.7 first introduced the lush, true-to-life nighttime shadows. But performance suffered drastically. Version 1.4 offers a simple "shadow density" option, while 1.8 and the Complete Edition have a binary "night shadows" choice instead.
Having extensively modded all four versions, I can definitively say version 1.7 shadows are unparalleled in creating a realistic and moody Liberty City.
Now you may wonder, as I did, why enhancements in 1.7 tanked performance. Did Rockstar not optimize the better shadows sufficiently? Or perhaps versions 1.8 and Complete Edition actually run smoother because they reverted shadow quality to lighten the load. Unfortunately without access to Rockstar‘s source code, we may never know…
Tweaks Distort Lighting Effects
Graphics consist of far more than shadows though. And oddly, Rockstar‘s changes broke certain other visual features in later updates.
Notably, light bloom and illumination from windows and signs at night completely stopped working after version 1.4. This drastically alters the vibe in dense urban areas like Times Square.
Additionally, level of detail (LOD) adjustments to smooth object pop-in had the adverse effect of aggressive fading between details. Now fire escapes and foliage may inexplicably vanish or shift as you approach them.
These regressions confirm version 1.7‘s shadows come at a cost by necessitating tradeoffs in Rockstar‘s rendering pipeline. However excellent mods have already restored most issues even in the Complete Edition, as I‘ll discuss shortly.
Recommendations Match Graphics to Hardware
Given this analysis, what does it mean for selecting your ideal flavor of GTA IV? Here is my advice:
If you have a strong graphics card, enjoy version 1.7‘s unparalleled visual presentation! My GTX 1080 Ti handles 1440p with high settings at a very playable 45-60 fps.
For low to mid range hardware, stick to version 1.4. The improved optimization best handles framerate dips and sacrifices the least aesthetically.
Alternatively, update to 1.8 or Complete Edition and turn off night shadows. This retains all Core graphics while lifting the heaviest performance burden.
Mods – The Essential Upgrade
Given the disappointing original PC port, getting GTA IV running smoothly almost necessitates modding under the hood.
Having played all versions extensively with and without mods, I consider at least basic community fixes practically mandatory. Otherwise, the gorgeous living world showcased on console never quite translates.
Now let‘s examine mod support differences between versions…
Complete Edition Ramps Up Modability
Actually, the Complete Edition marks a turning point in GTA IV‘s modding scene by fully exposing rendering internals to tinker with.
Previously, core graphics config was encrypted and signed to prevent tampering. But with access lifted in the final version, we‘ve seen rapid advancement.
Notably, the open-source FusionFix completely de-consoles GTA IV by extending a plethora of PC-centric graphics settings and optimizations. This initial release already resolves the lighting and LOD regressions discussed earlier too!
As the newest iteration, Complete Edition currently offers the least mods tailored specifically to it. But by virtue of its unrestricted access and active development from respected modders like aap, it‘s quickly become the preferable platform for enhancement.
Older Alternatives Still Solid Choices
Don‘t dismiss downgrading to earlier versions as pointless though!
If particular beloved mods like the diverse vehicle packs from Polos or gameplay expansions by kass only support older exe builds, you may prefer reverting back.
Fortunately, picking apart Rockstar‘s changes between updates helps immensely. For version 1.7, I recommend ZolikaPatch to restore broken rendering features omitted from later releases.
And by all means, enjoy the lively GTA IV multiplayer community still anchoring around versions preceding Complete Edition! Just beware needed DXVK tweaks to run properly on modern Windows.
My Must-Have Modification Picks
Here are the mods I personally consider essential for peak GTA IV visuals and smoothness:
- FusionFix (or ZolikaPatch) – Critical graphics unlocks and fixes
- Manual Transmission IV – Enhanced transmission and handling model
- Road Textures Reworked – Higher resolution asphalt
- Vegetation Overhaul – Lush plant models and textures
- HR Interior Lighting – Realistic indoor lighting bloom
Notice nothing drastic like ENB made the cut! I‘ve found subtler touch-ups better suit GTA IV‘s art direction.
And for the brave willing to tinker, combining multiple API layers like RenderWare modifications with DXVK translates to unprecedented fidelity and fps if properly configured. I may document my own adventures in a future guide!
Definitive Content – Complete Edition
Thus far we‘ve tackled the technical elements differentiating versions, but what about the actual gameplay and content?
Packaging All Expansions
GTA IV birthed two beloved expansions – The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. Console releases bundled these seamlessly, yet PC players originally faced challenges acquiring DLC.
Version 1.4 predated additional content availability so integrating add-ons necessitated fan-made patches. Version 1.7 attempted consolidation by including DLC assets but still required modding to fully activate.
That makes the Complete Edition the first officially unified desktop package with all prior updates pre-installed and no additional work needed!
Having the expansions‘ missions, weapons, vehicles, and characters consistently available ultimately crafts the most cohesive Liberty City experience. This alone greatly bolsters Complete Edition‘s relevance.
Music Downgrades Diminish DLC Value
However, the Complete Edition has one possibly disappointing concession – reduced radio music.
Likely due to licensing challenges securing all historical songs a decade post-launch, the Collection does omit some tracks across all stations compared to earlier consolidations.
But most prominently, songs added alongside The Ballad of Gay Tony get selectively cut. Losing these hurts retaining the DLC‘s uniqueness.
Fortunately, dedicated community members are recapturing and restoring much of the missing audio through mods!
Multiplayer Vanishes
Lastly, the Complete Edition infamously nixed GTA IV‘s competitive and cooperative online functionality. Likely another aging relic deemed expendable.
Yet once again, fans rapidly rallied to emulate and ultimately reimplement multiplayer directly into the latest build! Albeit through potentially questionable reverse engineering…
But beyond legal gray areas, the Complete Edition actually streamlines getting online by finally abandoning cumbersome Games for Windows Live requirements! So while official servers shut down, the modded replacements should prove more accessible than past hacky workarounds.
Bottom Line – Completing The Journey
While no universally "best" or "worst" GTA IV version exists given shifting priorities, the Complete Edition marks the pinnacle release for most players. Let‘s recap why:
By bundling all substantial post-launch content additions into a cleanly integrated package, it delivers the ultimately complete GTA IV journey.
Modding teams like aap‘s are rapidly rallying around the finalized codebase to restore aged components and unlock previously impossible graphics tweaks.
And for all lost features like multiplayer or soundtrack omissions, community creators spring into action developing complementary mods faster than ever thanks to Complete Edition‘s increased accessibility.
So rather than languishing as yet another inconsistent re-release, there‘s hope Complete Edition could evolve into the definitive way to experience GTA IV. Especially with sufficient modder support.
Ultimately personal preference around visuals, performance, or specific mods determines the ideal pick per individual. But viewing Complete Edition as a blank canvas for restoration and expansion makes its future shine bright as the GTA IV fan gold standard!
I hope this guide has demystified navigating the web of small but substantial differences spanning 10+ console and PC versions of this beloved open world game! Feel free to reach out with any other questions.