GTA IV Worth Buying on Steam?

[four2nothin]

I've seen a couple of discussions online and many reviews regarding the fact that there is no longer windows live support for the game. However, I'D REALLY like to get it and am wondering if I should and if it will work on steam? If not, will it work on the Rockstar Games Launcher?

Thanks!

[Yujah]

If you get it on Steam you will get the version that runs under/with the Rockstar Games Launcher as well; the change wrt the old version is that GFWL-integration, Games for Windows Live, has been replaced with RGL-integration due to Microsoft retiring GFWL. If you get it directly from Rockstar you get the same version minus the Steam integration but I would personally not. In neither version is multiplayer still present, as the other significant change; good riddance.

Yes, the current Steam version of the game "runs as well as it ever did on PC" as to the game itself. Runs a heck of a lot better for most as to no GFWL anymore; runs worse for some as to the RGL crapping out for them, but that's probably PEBCAK, and you moreover as to that part don't have a choice anyway, the RGL version being the only remaining version (although if you insist you can after buying it downgrade it to the old GFWL version --- but for pete's sake don't insist).

[ant_sh]

If you install latest radio downgrader you are all set for offline play without mods.

For modding support (Zolika mods are required for GFWL multiplayer) you still have to downgrade and that is where it gets tricky.

[Yujah]

If you do not install latest radio downgrader you are by the way also all set for offline play without mods. As in; poster seems relatively uncertain on what's what so let's not muddy the answer: yes, current Steam version works fine out of the box.

[ant_sh]

Originally posted by Yujah:

If you do not install latest radio downgrader you are by the way also all set for offline play without mods. As in; poster seems relatiovely uncertain on what's what so let's not muddy the answer: yes, current Steam version works fine out of the box.

Of course it is not absolutely necessary but radio downgrader now is fixed to work with latest GTAIV version and if one wants the OG experience it is quite helpful in providing that.

As for 'muddying' it is for @four2nothin to decide - I think my addition only improved the answer.

[four2nothin]

Awesome! Thank you all! Have really been wanting to play this game again, so I appreciate your time and feedback.

I will do research on the radio downgrader to see what it does and likely install it if it makes the experience better. I am glad however that GTAIV works as is!

Thanks again!