GTA 4 isn't even current 'gen' or however you want to put it. The gameplay is shallow and repetitive! I mean, if controlling the cars isn't poor enough, the movement of your character is very clunky and awkward. I don't know how much times I tried to get Niko to climb up some damn stairs in one of the earlier missions! All because he wouldn't turn properly.
The graphics are horrid aswel, they seem the exact same as San Andreas with a little bit more shine to them. I don't care if they have put more effort into the (poor)gameplay and map area itself, the graphics should be better, I mean its been what, 4 years since San Andreas! In 4 years previous, Rockstar released GTA3, GTA VC and GTA SA, 3 great games and they take this long to make this crap!
The music is also dire to say the least. In previous GTA's they had excellent music, none more so that in Vice City, and now we have to contend with this! I mean don't get me wrong, I like a bit of Queen - One Vision. I can listen to some Bob Marley, but what else is there to listen to?
And please don't get me started on the multiplayer!
All in all a very poor game that has far too much hype, I don't see any changes from other GTA games, other than it's a bit more shiny. I would give this game maybe a 5/6 out of 10 at most, because the story is ok. But as soon as I can i'm taking my copy to trade in.