
These game modes are split into ranked and unranked matches. Players decide which game mode that they wish to play, including deathmatches and street races. Both cooperative and competitive game modes are available. The online multiplayer mode for Grand Theft Auto IV allows up to 32 players to freely roam across a recreation of the single-player world. The wanted meter enters a cool-down mode and eventually recedes when players are hidden from the officers' line of sight. Law enforcement officers will search for players who leave the wanted vicinity. On the meter, the displayed stars indicate the current wanted level (for example, at the maximum six-star level, efforts by law enforcement to incapacitate players become very aggressive). Should players take damage, their health meter can be fully regenerated using multiple techniques, such as eating, using medical kits, or calling for paramedics. If players commit crimes while playing, the game's law enforcement agencies may respond as indicated by a "wanted" meter in the head-up display (HUD).

In combat, auto-aim and a cover system can be used as assistance against enemies. There is a first-person perspective option when using vehicles. Players use melee attacks, firearms and explosives to fight enemies, and may run, jump, swim or use vehicles to navigate the game's world. At the beginning of the game, players can only explore the first island–composed of Dukes and Broker–with all other islands unlocking as the story progresses. Composed of the fictional city of Liberty City, the world of Grand Theft Auto IV is larger in area than most earlier entries in the series.


Outside of missions, players can freely roam the game's open world, and have the ability to complete optional side missions.

It is possible to have several active missions running at one time, as some missions require players to wait for further instructions or events. An Overview Grand Theft Auto IV is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. Players complete missions-linear scenarios with set objectives to progress through the story.
