Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, a remastered version of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, has been officially announced

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, with Android and iOS versions will be available in the first half of 2022 This is great news for GTA fans, but where in the world is a remake or remaster of "Grand Theft Auto 4" Since we know that "GTA 5" will be remastered for the next generation consoles, I hope that the previous "Liberty City" game gets the same treatment

"Grand Theft Auto: Trilogy - Definitive Edition" will include graphical improvements and "modern gameplay enhancements" According to Rockstar, the improvements will "maintain the classic look and feel of the original"

Interestingly, Rockstar will begin removing ports of existing original 3D titles from the digital storefront This may be to prevent buyers from mistakenly purchasing previously ported versions that they mistakenly believe are part of the remastered trilogy

And for those still playing GTA Online, Rockstar will begin offering more loot to commemorate the original 3D title

Still, one wonders why "GTA IV" is not included in this remastered collection

Somehow, Rockstar has not given 2008's "Grand Theft Auto IV" much porting love Yes, the game is not as quirky as its earlier entries or the enduring classic "GTA 5," but "GTA 4" was a more serious and dramatic depiction of the immigrant experience

In it, the protagonist, Nico Beric, is a former soldier of Eastern European descent who lands in America in search of the American dream His vision of America is soon frustrated when he realizes that his cousin is not a big shot What follows is a more realistic portrayal of the struggles of immigrants in America and how cutthroat the Liberty City, modeled after New York City, is

In fact, "GTA IV" on PS3 was my first 3D Grand Theft Auto experience I was unaware of the cheat codes and diverse characters that fans had become accustomed to in previous installments For that reason, I can understand why GTA 4 is the least loved in the series

Whereas "GTA 5" satirizes the vapid insta-performance art of the Los Angeles elite, "GTA 4" is not satirical at all Yes, it's exaggerated, but the rock star seems to have taken great care not to deny the struggles of poor immigrants trying to make it in America And as a child of immigrants who was also abused by my employer or held at gunpoint while working in a convenience store, I felt a certain kinship with Nico's struggle

"GTA 4" is distinct from other "Grand Theft Auto" games I felt like Rockstar wanted to focus more on the systems that make it cutthroat to get ahead in this country, rather than making sweeping commentaries on American society How the lack of some sort of safety net and, above all, a genuine reverence for the dollar makes people do things they normally wouldn't

And while "GTA 4" may not feel as relevant today, with the growing wage gap and shrinking middle class, it wouldn't hurt to revisit the pre-recession Liberty City of 2008

As someone who is more attached to Nico Bellick's story than Michael De Santa's in "GTA 5," I feel that a remaster of "GTA 4" will be warmly welcomed by fans; it may be a good introduction to "GTA VI" before it is released at any point in time