All the hype over Grand Theft Auto IV has been great so far, all pros, which is good. We don't doubt the game will impress all fans and most likely new players as well, but what flaws could make things a little less terrific? Nothing is perfect, and with all great things comes a few things people aren't going to like. Specifically hardcore fans. Well GamesRadar has taken a step backwards and looked at potential flaws in the game, something nobody has yet done.

Now it's certainly not just an article bagging the game, no not at all, it's a very well-written article covering 12 potential flaws with reasoning as well as arguments against why the flaw won't be a major issue. All 12 potential flaws can be read on GamesRadar or you can read our small overviews of each below:

#1 - The sandbox has shrunk
Reason: We went from a city in GTA3 and Vice City to an entire State in San Andreas. Now we're back down to a city again.
Argument: It may be smaller, but the city is so detailed who cares about it being smaller?

#2 - Liberty City... again?
Reason: Back to Liberty City for the 5th time. Why not an entire new city, there are more than 5 cities in America after all.
Argument: This isn't the same Liberty City we've seen many times before, this is an actual recreation of the real New York city.

#3 - You won't recognize the music
Reason: Unlike Vice City with the 80's music we all knew and loved, and San Andreas with the 90's gangster rap, GTA IV has entirely original tracks we will not recognize or be able to sing to straight away.
Argument: It's all about helping new artists, and support future hits.

#4 - You won't recognize the controls
Reason: Controlling cars may be more realistic and true-to-life, but it is also more difficult. Don't be expecting to turn a corner easily at first.
Argument: Driving in previous games was nothing on this though, it was horrible. GTA IV is all about realism, and although it's difficult it's loads of fun!

#5 - The plot's not as fun
Reason: Unlike past games you don't work your way from rags to riches, you work your way from rags to slightly cleaner rags.
Argument: Once again, it's about realism. The past games were mere fantasy, GTA IV is all about the real-possibility of striking it rich through the life of crime.

#6 - The protagonist's not as fun
Reason: Past protagonist's were fueled by something, Tommy, rage, Carl, protecting his family and Claude, scorned love. Niko has nothing like that, which makes him less fun.
Argument: Niko isn't a cardboard cutout or cartoon. He is meant to be like a real person. Not a Hollywood story basically.

#7 - The canon has been erased
Reason: Past characters are a no show. Nothing relates to them in anyway, you won't see them, hear them or hear of them.
Argument: A new series of events, a new series of people. It's not all about reseting the console, it's about replacing the game disc with a new game and starting it up. All new, no old. Removing the old, starting over fresh.

#8 - You've been grounded
Reason: No more planes! No more jetpacks! No more parachutes, mountain bikes or tractors! No more swimming underwater, climbing mountains, hiking through forests or off-roading through deserts! No more freedom!
Argument: The basics are perfect, and fantasy has been removed for realism.

#9 - The multiplayer is limited
Reason: Multiplayer doesn't offer what other next-gen's do. It's limited, and not exactly what we expected or wanted.
Argument: No but thats whats unique about Rockstar, making something completely new an interesting. For what it does have, it's damn fun!

#10 - The customization is limited
Reason: San Andreas let you create your player the way you wanted him, physics and styles of hair. GTA IV only allows switching of outfits.
Argument: Many people hated the San Andreas exercise regime, and hey, this isn't about role playing, it's about playing the part of Niko. Not the part of John Doe.

#11 - What happened to all the celebrities?
Reason: Sam Jackson, David Cross, James Woods, Peter Fonda, Ice T, Axl Rose, The Game, Andy Dick, George Clinton, Chris Penn. They put other games and even movies to shame with their appearance in past GTA games. San Andreas had more celebs then any other game, and even movie. Why has GTA IV got celebs this time, and thats not because they wouldn't take part.
Argument: Rockstar wanted unknowns, similar to how the music in the game is.

#12 - The violence is no longer funny
Reason: In the past violence was fun, yeah? This time it's more realistic, and running over little old ladies can make you go "oh, thats not really right, why did I do that?!"
Argument: The realism can be funny, if not, than you shouldn't be playing GTA IV. Stick to the little kiddies games.

Read the entire article at GamesRadar.