Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition vs Grand Theft Auto V
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition is an open-world action-adventure game that follows the story of Niko Bellic, a war veteran who comes to the United States in search of a better life. The game features a vast open world, engaging storyline, and improved gameplay mechanics.
Grand Theft Auto V places players in the sprawling, sun-soaked metropolis of Los Santos, where three very different criminals—Franklin, Michael, and Trevor—navigate a world of economic uncertainty and reality TV culture. The game blends storytelling and gameplay, letting you jump between the three protagonists to experience interwoven narratives and high-stakes heists. Beyond the single-player story, GTA V offers a massive online component where players can team up, compete, and create their own chaos across a living, breathing city. With a mix of shooter, racing, adventure, and sandbox elements, the game delivers endless replayability and a vibrant, comedic take on modern crime.
- Engaging storyline with well-developed characters
- Improved gameplay mechanics and graphics
- Large and detailed open world to explore
- Variety of multiplayer modes and co-op missions
- Rich, multi‑character storytelling
- Huge, detailed open world
- Robust online multiplayer with constant updates
- Variety of activities from racing to shooting
- Mature themes and content may not be suitable for all players
- Some players may find the game's satire and social commentary to be off-putting
- Steep system requirements may make the game difficult to run on lower-end hardware
- Mature content may not suit all players
- Online component requires stable internet
- Performance varies on older consoles
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
View all →Alternatives to Grand Theft Auto V
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataGrand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition is the higher-rated, cheaper, and more focused default choice, whereas Grand Theft Auto V offers vastly superior platform availability and a later release date.
Key differences
- •GTA IV: Complete Edition has a significantly higher critic score (98/100) compared to GTA V's 88/100.
- •Platform availability differs widely: GTA IV supports PS3, PC, and Xbox 360, while GTA V adds support for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
- •GTA IV: Complete Edition has a specified MSRP of $29.99, whereas GTA V's pricing is not specified in the data.
- •GTA IV has a specific target audience of mature gamers and open-world fans, while GTA V's audience is not specified.
Gameplay & fun factor
GTA IV features a rich storyline with Niko Bellic, improved physics engine, day-night cycle, and advanced AI.
Platform availability
GTA V is available on 7 platforms including modern consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X|S), while GTA IV is limited to 3 older platforms.
Price & value
GTA IV: Complete Edition has a clear MSRP of $29.99, whereas GTA V's pricing is unknown.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both games support multiplayer and co-operative modes, with GTA IV specifically noting both PvP and co-op.
Content & replayability
GTA IV includes a large detailed open world, variety of multiplayer modes, and co-op missions with a 98 critic score.
Difficulty & accessibility
GTA IV lists steep system requirements that may affect lower-end hardware; accessibility for GTA V is not specified.
Graphics & performance
GTA IV explicitly highlights improved graphics, gameplay mechanics, a new physics engine, and advanced AI.
Choose Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition if…
Players wanting a critically acclaimed story with Niko Bellic on PC, PS3, or Xbox 360.
Choose Grand Theft Auto V if…
Gamers playing on modern consoles like PS5 or Xbox Series X|S who want GTA V.
Common questions
How much do these games cost?
GTA IV: Complete Edition has an MSRP of $29.99, while the pricing for GTA V is unknown.
Which platforms can I play these on?
GTA IV is available on PlayStation 3, PC, and Xbox 360. GTA V supports PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Which game received better critic reviews?
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition received a higher critic score of 98/100 compared to Grand Theft Auto V's 88/100.






