10. Pick a fight
GTAIV's melee system has been completely remade to give it a more realistic feel. Once you've locked-on to an enemy you can choose between kicks, heavy and light punches and blocks. The three attacks can be strung together effectively but for the really devastating combos you'll want to tap the block button just before your opponent attacks, enabling you to dodge, then counterattack. Two ducking gut punches followed by a spinning snap-kick to the head was the first vicious counterattack we tried but our favourite had to be a horribly painful looking kick in the testicles, then a nose-shattering headbutt to finish the job. Kicking, and punching enemies while they're on the ground is both possible and effective. The meaty sound effects, the brutal attacks and the completely believable animations just felt right (get used to hearing that about GTA IV).
9. Steal someone's car
As you'd expect in a Grand Theft Auto game, pinching cars plays a large part in getting around Liberty City. You now need to elbow open windows (of locked cars) and wait for the more stubborn engines to start (which both add a whole new layer of added tension and excitement when being chased by cops).

Why not take your car thievery up a notch by adding a shotgun. See a car that interests you, but it's already occupied? Then shoot the driver through the windscreen. While this technique was possible in previous GTA games, the level of cinematic style and shocking intensity GTA IV delivers is absolutely unprecedented.

Squeezing off a shotgun round at the driver caused blood to splatter across the inside of the windscreen (which was now riddled with tiny bullet holes) as the driver's body was knocked violently back in his seat before slumping forward with his head resting on the steering wheel, causing the car's horn to constantly blare away. The intensity and detail witnessed in this split-second of gameplay would leave most gamers a little guilty about whacking the poor guy - at least you will put his car to good use. He would have wanted that.
8. Start World War III
In one mission you will need to intercept a shipment of drugs at a harbourside factory – the only catch is that the shipment was being protected by 30 or so crims armed with fully automatic weapons. With a pistol, a shotgun and an Uzi tucked under your jacket you head in. You shoot one guy and everyone else opens fire on you.

There are new controls for the shooting mechanics in GTA IV. Tapping RB near any cover will see Niko slide against it, automatically ducking if it's not full-length cover. From here Niko can safely move around behind the cover or commando roll over to other nearby cover. Niko has two options when shooting from behind cover; he can quickly pop up and lock-on to enemies or he can also shoot from safety by blindfiring (an option that seems far more effective than the similar techniques in Gears of War or Uncharted).When locked-on to enemies the true sharpshooters can even aim at specific body parts by slightly moving the right analogue stick (whereas moving the stick sharply flicks your aim to the next target).7. Lose the cops
Few people are likely to miss the constantly teleporting, omnipotent police force encountered in previous GTA games. In GTA IV the police behave realistically, needing to keep you in their line of sight to pursue you effectively. When you break this line of sight and manage to change cars before you're spotted again you can drive off in relative safety because the police will continue to search around your last known location. Although the police are constrained by more realistic rules it's still very hard to shake the cops, especially on any of the higher wanted levels. This is due to the police being generally far better drivers in GTAIV and because of the more realistic (read 'lengthy') car stealing aspects.6.Witness Euphoria
No I'm not talking about Niko watching his buddies getting high. Euphoria is the name of the advanced new animation engine featured in GTA IV. It's a simulation-based animation system that ensures that no matter what happens to a character (whether they're being shot in the foot, bowled over by a car or kicked in the nuts) they'll react realistically.

Because it's simulation-based (rather than scripted) this means no two actions will ever be exactly the same. Driving down the sidewalk will see pedestrians cartwheeling over the bonnet, being knocked sideways to slide along the road or diving out of the way in endless new and hilarious ways. Euphoria also makes shootouts far more believable.

Cap someone in the leg, for example, and you'll see their limb flung back as their body loses balance and topples over. Shoot them in the face and their head will snap back with great force, before their body crumples lifelessly to the ground. Euphoria makes all of the typical GTA sandbox-style antics you're used to seem fresh again.5. Play bumper cars in traffic
GTA IV's cars have been tuned up to deliver a much more weighty experience this time around. As you're sliding around corners you'll see the car's suspension reflecting the centre of balance shifting through the turn. Unless you're an absolutely god-like virtual driver, you'll invariably slam the side of your car explosively into passing buildings as you fight to control the slide.

When collisions like this happen sparks will fly out, windows will shatter and you'll even be able to see Niko (and any other passengers' bodies) being flung around inside like a ragdoll. If you happen to hurtle into an oncoming car fast enough it's even possible to launch Niko out of the windscreen and onto the road. Looks like that's checkmate for the Flatout series.
Remember to check back tomorrow for the final four!!