Forum:GTA IV Tips

Here are some general tips, hints and tricks to help you on your adventure through Liberty City.

General

 * To move up/down stairs more quickly, jump up/down them. You go much faster. Just be careful not to jump in the direction of the stair's edge, as you might vault over the side and fall.


 * Shoot the legs! If you can't bring down an enemy by shooting them in the head, shoot 'em in the knees. They'll crumple to the ground and you can get more shots in on them. This is also a great tactic for fleeing enemies.


 * Use the "Sleep Mode" on your phone. If you just want to cruise around Liberty City without being nagged by mission-givers, go the Options in your phone and choose to turn Sleep Mode ON. This will halt the story's progress so you can call up your friends to hang out with them or just do whatever.


 * Un-bloodify your clothes. Did you just get your new suit all bloody and you have an interview in 30 minutes? Go to a safehouse and either sleep or change your clothes & back again. Good as new. However, by saving (and therefore sleeping), time advances 6 hours.


 * How to deal with blindfiring enemies. If an enemy is blindfiring like his life depended on it, aim for his arm/hand, as it is exposed when blindfiring. If you hit it, he'll likely stumble out into the open, where you can hopefully kill him.


 * Save more cars. Outside of your safehouse, you can fit more cars than you think. As long as at least SOME of the car is in the yellow outlined area, it will be safe. Cars will also be automatically fixed when they're kept there.


 * Buy armor! If you know a firefight is coming up, buy yourself some armor. If the mission's begun, don't worry. The second destination listed in the taxi's besides the "objective" is the weapons store.


 * Keep the meter running, cabbie! If you just need to buy some ammo or food real quickly, when the cabbie drops you off, wait a second or two and whistle for the cab again. Then run and buy your stuff. Come back out and he'll be waiting for you right where he left you, if not, then he's around the corner.


 * Many of the Assassin's missions can be simplified if you can get hold of a helicopter. Just land on a high position overlooking the target and take them out using the rifle.


 * Also, if you leave a crime-scene in a helicopter, it is incredibly easier to lose any wanted level. They also work very nicely for any kind of chase-mission, as they are much faster than cars and you can keep better track of your target. Just be careful not to fly too high, as that counts into the maximum allowed distance to your target. That can make following targets in Algonquin a little tricky.


 * If you are ever in need of a Police Car, a Firetruck or an Ambulance, but are careful to take one in the middle of town, just call 911 and request one. You can do this somewhere in a dark side-alley, making it much easier to grab the car without too much attention. This can even save you a long trip, as getting into an Ambulance gives you a good amount of health back.


 * Another great spot to steal a Police Car is always the local Police Station. The one in Algonquin, which also features Francis McReary's missions has a Squad Car parked behind it. No one will see you take it.


 * Looking for a helicopter with a little more style? The Police Station in Northern Holland features one of the Black Hawks. Good luck stealing it though, the Cops there are armed to the teeth.


 * We've all been there. You look around, think that everything is clear and as you smash the window of a car the alarm comes on and a Squad Car turns around the corner. No worries. As long as they see you neither sitting in the car nor smashing the window, the alarm doesn't seem to bother them. Just interrupt your action, wait until the Police is gone and then get into the car.


 * If you're ever caught in a chase from the police, try to avoid driving too fast and constant make turns around corners (watch out for cars that you may crash into). Also, keep track of where the cops are on your minimap.


 * BRAKE when you turn! Because of the new physics system, vehicles handle more realistically. As a result, don't just hammer on the accelerator, and use a combination of hand braking and normal braking when you turn with just about any vehicle.