Grand Theft Auto IV changed the way the series was directed imo. The realistic thing about it made it feel like you were actually playing as a immigrant trying to make it in the American Society. The Controls and camera (at first) are hard to navigate with... This jumping from one Era to another though... So it's good that Rockstar did change a bit of the things, but in that process they did remove the freshness of the "Grand Theft Auto" we all know and loved. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has that cartoony feel and the humor is something that kept you playing for hours non stop. It was (And probably still is) one of the best games created in it's Generation. As all good things are bound to be replaced sooner or later, Grand Theft Auto: IV took the plate, it did well.. But it isn't a remarkable change like Vice City - To - San Andreas. The Storyline in GTAIV is really interesting to me (I enjoy that immigrant lifestyle and what not)... San Andreas Storyline was amazing; don't get me wrong.. Sadly, San Andreas Storyline also jumped a bit off course after a while. What I am saying is -- It started at a Ghetto "Compton" like location... Then in the wilderness, then in a suburban like city, than in a Real classy "Las Vegas" style? The mission flow did change real randomly as well, from robbing a Pizza Joint with your homie Ryder, to robbing casinos with armed Triads. Grand Theft Auto IV's storyline did jump off a bit as well, but it seemed to keep it a bit smoother than San Andreas (San Andreas was longer? I think so, so it was probably harder to keep it that smooth at the time.) Overall, Grand Theft Auto IV is a really great game, during, and after the storyline... Then again -- It isn't a San Andreas, nor will it ever be.