Let me go ahead and get this out of the way; I never actually got around to playing Grand Theft Auto IV. Between school, work, and copious amounts of other new video game releases, Rockstar’s newest opus managed to slip through my thumb pad blistered fingers and sank into obscurity. With the HUGE amount of press the game received at the time, I felt like I had already played the thing at least a dozen times over. So, coming into the DLC package Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City, I had the sinking feeling that my time spent sadistically brutalizing innocent bystanders and hijacking my way through the Totally Not Big Apple was going to be marred by plot holes, a steep learning curve, and general hysteria. After spending several hours rolling through the streets of Liberty City however, all I want to do is speed on over to the local Gamestop and forcibly extricate a copy of the game which started it all. How many DLC’s do YOU know make you want to go out and buy the original?

Episodes from Liberty City collects the two DLC’s that have been released since GTA IV’s 2008 street date on one disk, and neither require you to actually own a copy of the original GTA IV. This was an interesting move on Rockstar’s part, and one I feel will pay off seeing as how uninitiated gamers like me will dig the hell out of these two titles. Right off the bat, players have access to the entirety of LC, and can utilize many of the familiar features found in GTA IV. Internet cafes, cell phone texts, clothing customization, and cover based combat all remain intact while each episode brings its own unique flair to table. Also along for the ride are a few new multiplayer modes, as well as updated TV programs and radio shows to keep you entertained on the side.

The Lost and the Damned has you taking on the role of Johnny Klebitz, member of the brutal Liberty City biker gang, the Lost. A dark and gritty tale centers around Lost leader Billy Gray being released from rehab and turning the Lost’s successful business ventures into an all out war between rival biker gangs, the mafia, and anyone else looking for a good blood bath. Gameplay centers on the strengths of motorcycle mayhem instead of the normal four wheel drive shenanigans of previous titles. This might be a welcome change for some (and I’ll admit, pumping away with a shotgun astride your thrumming hog looks all kinds of badass), but the mechanics controlling the bike challenged me a bit. As a member of a biker gang, you’ll explore areas of the LC you might not have gotten around to as Nico, enjoying  the company of brethren at the Clubhouse, engaging in arm wrestling tournaments all over town, and riding out with an entire crew to take down rival biker gangs.

As a member of the Lost, Johnny enjoys a level of teamwork Nico probably didn’t have access to. You can call up backup whenever you need it, and phone in for a friendly gunrunner to mobilize his merchandise and meet you wherever. Interestingly, Lost members who ride with you (and survive) gain more experience which in turn makes them better backup as the bullets start flying while fallen riders end up on the Clubhouse memorial wall. Riding in formation not only makes you look cool, but will also raise health and repair your bike, adding some distraction to otherwise mundane rides around town.

The storyline was suitably violent and gritty, but I couldn’t really relate to a bunch of characters who constantly yelled at one another and tried to stab their buddies in the back. The Lost are a bunch of jerks who have little redeeming value, spiraling out of control while their leader goes unbelievably bonkers, leaving his “brothers” to suffer the consequences.  On the other hand, I thought it was incredibly cool to see how their story intertwines with Nico’s from time to time and even crosses paths with the heroes of the next episode, The Ballad of Gay Tony.

This is where things got fun, at least for me. While the Lost and the Damned throttled through the criminal underbelly of Liberty City players of GTA games are used to, The Ballad of Gay Tony lets gamers have a taste of the high life. Exotic cars, exclusive clubs, high profile deals, and gorgeous women, this second DLC is all about wrapping up the tales of Liberty City with a sensational bang. Playing as Luis Lopez, gamers take on the role of bodyguard and business partner to club owner and nightlife king Tony Prince, a.k.a. Gay Tony. Tony has found himself striking a deal with two competing mafia families, so it’s up to Luis to keep both sides happy and unaware that they are being duped. This means taking out standup Union reps, torturing informants, and running guns while trying to keep Tony’s high class clientele happy through fulfilling their own eccentric and highly illegal whims.

Luis also has ties to his old neighborhood, and will often take some time to help out his childhood buddies as they try and work their way up from dealing dope on the sidewalk to controlling Liberty’s entire drug racket. The mission structure of Gay Tony is zany and varied and will force Luis to do some downright crazy stuff to help out his friends and family. Airlifting moving subway cars, obliterating yachts, driving golfballs in someone’s face and  chasing down bisexual celebrities via Bleater (like Twitter only even lamer) are just a few of your diverse tasks.

While Luis himself isn’t all that compelling, the people he runs with are the best bunch of criminals, crazies, and queens I’ve ever had the pleasure of committing felonies with. The relationships at play are real and engaging while the dialogue between friends and enemies alike made for both gasps and laughs. Rockstar appears just as committed to creating good story via quirky characters as they appeared to be with GTA IV. Puttering along on a golf cart with a mob informant handcuffed to the front while being tailed by enemy SUV’s, Tony girlishly tries to fire off some shots while complaining that he doesn’t thinks it’s tasteful to die in such a dainty vehicle. That’s when I knew I was in for a ride.

The Ballad of Gay Tony also brings with it the ability to base jump, parachuting from great heights and soaring through the skies of Liberty City to either score points or complete missions both online and off. Swing by one of Tony’s clubs to engage in some creative dancing mini-games, a VIP drinking challenge, and unlimited free shots from the bar or stop by the driving range and let off some steam.  Luis can also engage in underground cage matches to earn cash and street-cred, or he can sit back while betting or simply watching other fights.

Together, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City earns the distinction of being the best piece of DLC I have ever seen come out of this console generation. Not only do you get some new weapons and game types to play through, but two well crafted single-player campaigns that are able to stand entirely on their own merits. Great characters, deep stories and explosive action ensure that every minute of these sizeable side-stories is even more enjoyable than the last. If you haven’t already, I can’t recommend purchasing this package enough, either on disk or via Xbox Live. Liberty City is calling, and it would be crazy of you not to answer.