This is Why Niko Bellic Was the Greatest Character in GTA...
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Too bad they did her character dirty in GTA V. This was an oddly endearing random encounter, one of the many small things that made this game so memorable - and Niko as the the most legendary and unique character of the series.
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#grandtheftauto #rockstargames #reddeadredemption
I used to be judging my mom for watching soap operas... here I am watching GTA 4 drama
😂😂
those soap operas are pathetic dramas for drama's sake, they have no quality in merit
This beautiful game on the other hand is a commentary on life and American dream chasing culture
Not even remotely comparable
I know you did NOT just compare this masterpiece to "Days of Our Lives"
@@LatinGiudo817this was and still is my mom’s favorite soap lmao
@katlyndobransky2419 Same with my mom. Only reason I used that as a reference. 😂
The voice acting in GTA IV is top-tier. What a timeless masterpiece this game is.
Sad that rockstar did the voice actor for Niko dirty though he deserved to be paid more
That is quite a standard voiceover for tv\movies producing.
I disagree, they should have at least hired an actual serbian and not american actor for Niko's character. As sebian, it bothered me a lot inaccurate accent, pronounciation, phrases and even NAMES while playing. This is my least favorite GTA game. Other than inaccuracy, it's very depressive, gloomy and riding around is a nightmare.
@@thalassophile_artistas a fellow Serb a couple of scenes bothered me too, especially the scene with Darko, almost no real words spoken there let alone the pronunciation. Nothing game ruining tho. As for atmosphere and driving those were the best parts of the game for me and made it stand out among other entries in the series. Dark atmosphere has it's purpose here. Serbian voice actor would've been amazing but I suppose it would have given away who the main character was an it would be hard to find a good one. If only that Russian actor didn't refuse...
@@masnidebelicrnac about inaccuracy, I think it should be a big deal since Niko is the closest to possitive Slavic character representation in western culture that I have seen, especially as Serb. We are always portrayed as villains and made fun of.
When it comes to atmoshphere and game overall I understand that some people like it. It's just not my cup of tea. I look for escapisim in games and not real life simulation. That's why I prefer Vice City, San Andreas and GTA V over GTA IV
The one thing that I always think about when it comes to GTAIV is that the studio themselves said that they were depressed. They said it was a dark time for everyone and it bled into the game development and the overall tone of the game. GTAIV's colors are drab and desaturated and the storyline down to the sidequests were sad and nobody really got out whole. You don't even really win in the end, you just survive to see the world a darker place. Hands down one of the best videogames I've ever played.
Why was that? Cuz of the 2008 crisis? Just curious
@@DavidDexterTheGenius
GTA4 came out only a couple of months or so after the 2008 financial crisis first started, so I don't think it would've had an impact on the writing.
The studio was laden with lawsuits following San Andreas (hot coffee content, etc) and the general state of the work life of the employees and leads at Rockstar North contributed. Everyone felt overworked and used and with the lawsuits it all helped paint a shitty picture of the American dream which became a big part of the story and direction of the game and it's characters.@@DavidDexterTheGenius
@@michaelham7224 worked well in the end for us! But how did you get this info??
@@DavidDexterTheGenius I believe I read it in a gaming magazine article/interview around that time with Houser.
6:05 “When you qualify, maybe you can help me discover why I am crazy, too.”
That is such a wholesome, thoughtful line from Niko.
same my heart just exploded 😩
(don’t look at my non-wholesome comment 💀)
@@tigrispanthera5496 Bro 😂
i like the subtle body language in the interactions, like when marnie said "Fuck you" to Niko, he turns around and she's worried that maybe he's mad but when Niko responds with "what's wrong?" you see her start to relax more. he understands her lashing out meant that something might really be bothering her and he's going to help her solve it
Neat analysis.
That's because nico bellic is just the greatest gta maun character of all time. The characters from story to side quests are realistic and believable. And nico cares about people more than most.
If it was Trevor or idk, Johnny Klebitz hearing her say it. They would probably beat the hell out of Marnie.
This is why I find Niko being my favorite protagonist of all time. He genuinely tries to help people, without showing much aggression unless if he were to be in a fight.
Yikes. The drug signs you gotta look out for...
@@Pikmewidk why it's hard to understand, He is here for the American Dream but he sees Americans ruining that opportunity for themselves.
Fun fact: Marnie is in GTA V as well. You meet her as Michael during the epsilon program sidequest. She got off of heroin, flew to vinewood to became a member.
Thanks, did not know that!!
Yeah they ruined her just like every other gta 4 character that comes back in 5.
@@thestrong2401 that is very true 😂
@@thestrong2401I have a theory that R* really hated GTA IV for how they present the characters and their future lack of acknowledgement of the game besides fucking up updates and their ungodly launcher
@@thestrong2401Packie McReary was pretty much the same isn’t he?
Niko despite being a crazy murderer is probably the closest aligned to being a lawful good character in the entire series.
definitely one of the most human protagonist out of all GTA characters
hmm maybe Frank is a close shout
Niko doesn't have to be a crazy murderer. You can play him very mercifully in the game. He's one of the few GTA protagonists where he gives you the option to not harm even some of the really awful antagonists. He does hold back, and he's one of the only GTA protagonists who does.
What would you call the others?
The only others I have a grasp on are
(1) Claude is definitely true neutral considering he is a silent protagonist through and through.
(2) Tommy is chaotic evil.
(3) Trevor also chaotic evil.
Niko was a tragic anti hero, forced into war, wanted tk escape his past and live the American dream, unfortunately being once forced into again crime, he is a moral type of guy who is sympathetic. the war broke him.
The stranger missions in IV are so wholesome, meanwhile the stranger missjons in V are some of the craziest shit you've ever seen.
Too much parody in gta V
@@solinvictus2045 Both fit their respective games and settings, I can't complain.
@@solinvictus2045stranger missions in both game are fire
There are some crazy ones in 4 too
they are funny as hell man especially the one where u collect celeberties and shit for 2 old people
This is why I admire GTA IV. It has these types of character-building and wholesome side missions you'd only see in Red Dead games. It's a shame they didn't follow-up on Marnie becoming a psychiatrist in GTAV and put her in the Epsilon Program, which while seems like something she'd wind up in, undermines her growth here.
True but a lot of cults will prey on people like Marnie that can be easily manipulated to join them, regardless of how well they were going prior to joining
@@caledonianwarrior6288 That's a fair point and as I said, Marnie seems like the type that will easily find herself part of a following she doesn't fully understand. Just from a writing perspective I would've liked to see them follow up on her growth and becomes a psychologist.
I couldnt put into words why I felt so disappointed at GTA V's characterisation of Marnie but you said it perfectly, it undermined her growth.
They couldve used any other new character for the Epsilon thing, and sure her 'drug addict' background would've been the type that these cults wouldve preyed on. It just felt inappropriate for multiple reasons.
Mainly that it undermined her growth. Her encounter is meant to be the only mini-story in the GTA IV storyline with a sense of warmth and colour to it. Even in that cold, distraught city Niko was exploring, there was something good he could do for others even in a strange way. The email was such a great touch.
@@Jupa 100% agreed with every word. Glad to see deeper analysis comments like this on GTA IV on this channel. Especially the parts where you said the idea was to shine a little hope into the dark, cruel world of HD GTA only for GTAV with it's overly cynical satire to go "no, doesn't matter" and undermines her growth for humor. And when you said the sense of sonder asserted, GTA IV's Liberty City and the stories within it give me that feel better than any GTA game before or after.
Gta 6 finna be on some woke shit.
(If the women protag doesn't have mental break down, like the chola In gta4. I don't wan't it)
Sorry. i was harsh
Niko was undoubtedly the most human character in GTA. Which is what made him so great.
I will give that title to Victor Vance.
@@maxpayne4315he was black, nah jk
@@coltforceplayer 💀
@@coltforceplayerwell actually he was Dominican and Hispanic and darkskin not really Black. I think he was mixed-race too because being darkskin does not mean your Black.
@@maxpayne4315 Last dance for Lance Vance
The ending with the emails exchanged is what made this plot line an extra level of wholesome. It somehow grounds it in reality more so then if they had some other exchange like a phone call or something else. Just a real moment shared between two people through text, not glamorous, just reality.
A shame she ended up being a Cultist.
@@beingadeeb2345
Really what happened? She doesn't really seem like a Cultist type..but that's just sad.
@@Worldofdocumentary_nowGTAV did it to her.
@@Worldofdocumentary_now She turned herself in that creepy light blue clothes Cult. I forgot it's name.
@@beingadeeb2345 Epsilon
Man Marnie's voice actress is stellar. She sounds 100% realistic.
I just love Niko. He has a golden soul. Even though he has committed horrible things. He still has the angel inside him.
He just don't have choice bro. Same like vic
Niko is a good man in a foul, greedy, insane and unjust world. Guy honestly tried his best to just have a good life after getting Fucked in the war, but he just couldn't catch a break
And thank god they didn't butchered his character in GTA V
I hope niko found some measure of peace after all this. Losing Roman was probably the hardest part for me.
@@midigenz It kinda worked out his voice actor quit. If he stayed, Niko would've been done terribly
Holy shit. Niko was already a compelling character. But I knew little about the random encounters, especially this one. And you can see it in him. She flips out and lashes out at him, but for all the stains on his souls he still has a mountain of empathy and is there for her because he knows she wants help. He truly was a well written character.
Gotta give credit to her voice acting too. She sounded like she needed help. She truly sounded like she was at rock bottom and desperately wants to get out
I think Niko can see through all the anger and understood that she had deeper issues.
Niko is really the most compassionate GTA main character ever.
He's not evil just a bad guy who does what he thinks is right😮
@@aymuhspunj❤❤❤❤❤ctHhgv😮 TU UN JU😅GADOR K Un momento t1o.o. lm
@@aymuhspunj The Director told her to "channel the spirit of someone in a terrible situation who needs help" so she thought about her Rockstar voice acting contract.
Her sincerely wishing that all of Niko's dreams come true has got to be one of the sweetest things in the entire GTA series.
Makes the ending even more tragic…😔
If a compliment at the end of an email is the best (or "sweetest") thing you've seen in the entire GTA series then you haven't played the entire GTA series
@@fedcab4360 Sweet, as in nice or cute. I'm not saying it's the most artistic or moving thing in any GTA game you dipshit I'm saying it's nice.
My favorite's CJ getting a cut of the casino with the blind pal, who somehow races and beats him in videogames lol
The Taxi Driver vibes these missions have, how amazing!
Niko Bellic is such a great character, the most profound and complex in all GTA series.
The dynamic between niko and marnie is pretty similar to the one between Travis and iris now that you mention it. Good thing niko didn't blow some guys brains out in front of Marnie
@@dualtahunter4043 Hahaha, exactly, that would have been quite disturbing. Anyway, even though Niko has traumas, he's not as deranged as Travis.
The Only one of his kind, since GTA was never supposed to be this dark.
Came for Niko, stayed for the girl. What an amazing voice actor.
When she said Eff You I felt that shit lol
"When you qualify, maybe you can help me figure out why I am crazy too."
Niko had a lot of demons. :(
That line always stuck with me. I can relate.
@@jonnyg9865 Not to jump to conclusions, but being involved in the Bosnian war may have led to some issues.
@@Firespectrum122I poslije rata je rat..
I loved that line. Such a perfect send off for this little story between these two.
remember his line towards faustins wife when she asked him if he is afraid about his soul. ''when you see a bunch of kids lined up with their throat cut infront of a school you realize whoever was responsible for this has no soul''
GTA IV is the best one. Period. Most realistic and honest about life, about people. Best story.
It's the most boring.
@@HappyCynic It shows clearly that you play GTA because:"pew pew, bang bang & vroooooom." There is so much more to these games especially GTA IV.
@@skylinesenpai5554 Yeah, it's called having fun. I watch movies and read books for storyline. GTA IV was boring in terms of gameplay and it's only people who like to think they are smart who say otherwise.
@@skylinesenpai5554 If you want realism, go outside.
@@HappyCynic you will understand IV's true value after growing up. For now, of course, you'll be enjoying your "fun" of GTA V's laser guns and other fantastic crap.
*Does anyone remember getting a phone call from Jacob a little after Roman was killed? He didn't want anything, he was was checking in on Niko and seeing how he was holding up. Always stuck with me.*
No because canon Roman didn’t die.
GTA 5 revealed a lot.
3:04 The fact that Niko turned around and asked “what’s wrong” at that specific point is insane. Probably 100/100 people would take that as either the cue to speed on up, or turn around and give a “what did you just say to me?”, especially to a relative stranger with a clear drug problem. It’s a level of concern that doesn’t even occur to most people. Hell, I know I wouldn’t have asked “what’s wrong”.
i dont blame you, risking ur REAL-LIFE time and safety for some bums who could be potentially bad ppl is different from doing it with an invincible immortal character in a videogame. been almost sucker punched twice saying no to hobos even as politely as you can downtown.
I understand what you mean.
I haven't yet played GTA IV so when he turned around I was thinking: "Oh, he's not gonna let that slide, huh..."
And instead he goes "What's wrong?" and I realise that mate is genuinely concerned. Talk about defying expectations!
@@streetplaya23that's fair but you can usually tell when the person is mentally unstable or on drugs sometimes both but then there's always the ones with a dog and a run of bad luck.
@@Madcat1331 lol i thought that too!
That what’s wrong esp in that moment means so much
Her voice actor poured every once of talent and passion into this character.
I had to scroll too far to find this. This was award winning voice acting. You can hear the pain and suffering in her voice. I never really played this game. I played the other GTAs but for some reason, not so much this one. Think I might have to revisit this game after seeing this.
Yeah. That performance was super realistic. Made me sad.
Indeed, Reyna de Courcy did an amazing job.
@@Minimeister317why did you Google the name 😂😂😂
@@Link-rp7eelmao
For as much as I love GTA V, they did the GTA IV characters dirty.
the only one that wasn't done as dirty as others was Packie
Especially Johnny.
Didnt they make the biker dude a cuck in gta 5 lol
Trevor called him a “generic goon”
@@BellicVTrevor is the worst GTA characters.
“ I don’t know something in your eyes, you look like you have a good heart “ what a sweet thing to say. He really does have a good heart 😢❤
Something about Niko is so interesting as a character. He's a good soul that's seen the worst of humanity, to the point he doesn't believe in the human soul anymore, telling himself to don't care about the world or anyone. But he can't help but care about others and be a good person. The world failed Niko, but that doesn't mean he has to fail others.
❤
Well, you see, kind sir, the world itself not always twists your arm and forces you to become a war criminal, a human-trafficker, a professional bowler etc. Niko's problem was all about finding excuses for all the shit that he has done and hoping that "perhaps here things will be different". Just another scumbag, like any other.
@@khajiittyNiko actually admits in the the game the whole “things will be different” is just a cop out and that he realizes after moving too or any other place doesn’t change the things you’ve done there is no washing them away or something along those words which makes him a lot more realistic of a character compared to gta’s other main characters!
So basically Geralt of Serbia
@@MotherOfAnimalsno. He is like protogonist of "Brat2" film. Also fck CDPR.
It’s unbelievable that this single mission in GTA is better than most main stories of any AAA game put out today.
that is true, this video liturally put me into thinking I experienced real emotions its just real...
Really? This story? The one that is oldest as time?...
Lol how many modern AAA games have you played to make that judgement
@@blackpanda7612my thoughts exactly 😂
He means how well the mission is done.... short and sweet, not over long with a well constructed beginning middle and end with a satisfying conclusion.
So no need to get your panties in a twist guys. I'm sure they didn't mean to hurt your AAA game's feelings.
Niko is one of those anti hero characters I can really appreciate. Unlike most protagonists where they go on murdering sprees and somehow have the audacity to claim moral high ground, Niko is fully self aware he is a trained killer that trades blood for money. Nonetheless he is inately a good person within and always tries to do the right thing when presented with a choice. He's been backed into a corner since arriving in LC; no money whatsoever and a burning feeling for revenge he cannot suppress any longer. He had no choice but to go down the path of violence. GTA IV was a masterpiece.
You are softer than 🧈
It was my man, it was...
Niko was backed into a corner since he fought in the Balkan Wars.
Okay, why did your description made me think of Kazuya Kyrio from the Yakuze games xD
hes not an anti hero
This game absolutely destroys GTA 5. Everyone had access to everything. No hover bikes with missiles, No Subs with controlled missiles. Just plain old gaming. R.I.P. GTA 4 The Goat
That's not GTA 5's fault. GTA 5 was also a pure gaming experience in and itself. The real culprit is obviously the GTA online.
Why you compare gta online to gta iv singleplay kid ?
I thought I was the only one having complaints on the overall GTA5 experience... I mean, Im still playing it now and looking at things that could be better..
The GTA 5 story is stellar. It's the online part that ruins It's name. The thing that I didn't like about GTA 4 was the lack of buying abilities. Wasn't much to buy and spend on.
Damn, when I played this I was a kid thinking it was just a boring part of the story. Now I have kids of my own... this whole thing hits different.
Your parents where not doing there job allowing you to play this then and I can bet you also don’t know what your kids are playing.
@@TheCriticalMastermindokay
@@TheCriticalMastermindthanks Karen for your input
@@TheCriticalMastermind🤡
@@TheCriticalMastermind🤓
I can't believe I just watched a full 6:30 clip of a 10 year old game whilst being fully invested. Not only that, it also instantly made me nostalgic to replay the game. That's how good this game's writing is. For me personally, by far the best GTA game, probably the best Rockstar game.
15 year old game
i just watched a whole clip while i eat my lunch
Like it but I would argue Bully was the best.
This game is 15 years old now not 10
Funny thing is that gta 5 is 10 years old lmao...
And then, like most things, they fucked up her character in GTA V for "laughs".
Well, she got pretty tame unlike klebitz
GTA V thinks it's being so hilarious and funny. It sucks.
They did everyone dirty
What they did to Johnny K is a crime.
that's a common theme, "and then they fucked it up completely in gta 5"
with no hope for better in gta 6 sadly
rockstar already proved they care about online microtransactions
I remember this mission and I had forgotten all about it until now. Her voice was familiar. GTA4 was the first game I got for the Xbox 360 in 2010 and I thought it was the craziest thing I couldn’t believe the graphics and options of things to do along with how smooth the guns were. A shotgun that actually blew enemies away! A pistol that popped and recoiled like a real pistol! I played online for the first time and met my friend BoscoCake. I haven’t talked to him since I lost my old gamertag in 2014/15. It was LunaticPrune440. I miss my boy Bosco
absolutely, some of the coolest people I've met were in random GTA lobbies. really good times. Hopefully one day you will be able to catch up with him!
Its the little side quests like these with follow up messages that really make this game so special and down to earth
True, makes the game world alive and thriving .There's reason why often get sidetracked in games since it gives the best immersion when you are given the freedom to do your thing.
Every single side character/quest was brilliantly tied to the central theme of "the American Dream"
I feel like GTA 5 really lacked that
@@CaptainEffortGTAV is nothing but a huge messed up fun fair.
Nothing beats the atmosphere or GTA IV.
I feel for Niko so hard in this video. I'm a country boy living in the city for the first time as an adult. It's so depressing seeing people like this poor girl everywhere you turn. People's lives can be so hard and I feel for all of them. Just a few small mistakes and you end up like this poor woman here.
I just love that Niko ignored all her insults and focused only on helping her. He’s this big bad criminal that’s killed a lot of people. Yet he genuinely cared about this girl and went out of his way to help her. And I can relate. I’ve lived in a smalltown all my life. Maybe 1 or 2 homeless people but that’s it. When I visited bigger cities in my area I saw a lot more homeless people like this girl. People that just need help, but they’re constantly looked down upon and treated like worthless junkies. Even though many homeless aren’t junkies at all, that stigma still exists. I wish more people cared enough to help them. Help them get a hot meal, a shower. And hopefully, maybe eventually, a stable job and healthier living situation.
Niko was a "volunteer" in the bosnian war. This war ruined him. Things much darker than a junkie happened constantly all around him for nearly half a decade. He's simply become jaded to life and everyone. He's seen what people can do to each other and doesn't hold any illusions anymore. Many volunteers became "tourists" later on in their lives or turned to crime.
@@Crow__007Honestly, there is always a reason why people stay on streets. Sometimes people drop on streets for different reasons, but they rarely stay here. Usually it's some kind of a mess up in the head. And why this happens and how really fix them, well, it's not an easy question actually.
@@Crow__007 Insults are an expression of anger. Niko correctly listened and realised that, while the insults were directed at him, the anger wasn't, so he had no reason to become defensive or fight back. He's genuine and just trying to help.
@@Crow__007 kinda like the others are saying, her saying "fuck you" when he walked away was clearly "please don't leave me, I need help" and he listened. People in the depths can't communicate in a clear and open way, otherwise they open themselves up to harm. People like her need people to listen to what they're actually saying.
When playing GTA4 I've always felt Niko was more of a hero that just got caught up into stuff and the other main characters of the series were more in it for the money and the frill of the action.. Well most of them Franklin was kind of a good kid who grew up in the ghetto
But Niko was a young soldier caught up in a senseless war that gave him a form of PTSD and was trying to find a man who did some horrible things during his time fighting that's why he came to liberty City in the first place plus Roman's bullshit letters about the land of opportunity
But they were lovable characters and the game engine used was absolutely fantastic it's a shame the moved on to the Rage engine for GTAV I think GTA6 could learn a lot from GTA4 and bring back this environment
They actually use the same game engine, it's the Euphoria (software) part that's been toned down.
This actually reminds me of the scene in GTAV when Lester was trying to get a crew together for the heist and he mentioned a guy in Liberty City was making a lot of noise before he suddenly went quiet. I’m assuming that was Niko and he was able to finally get his peace and quiet.
@@TheGary108or maybe he’s dead
@@jonathanmolina1428you can see an easteregg of him in gta 5, he’s alive
@@jonathanmolina1428He’s not dead
We went from this, to flying bikes that shoot misless
This is honestly an uncharacteristically good depiction of addiction, considering how tongue in cheek the rest of the game could be
Yup. Even down to the sad but accurate portrayal of her believing the stigma around methadone, which unfortunately stops a lot of people from saving themselves in real life. Even worse, the stigma comes from those that aren't even addicts themselves. It's just a bunch of lips flapping in the wind, and has led to a huge stigma and ultimately the demonisation of a life saving route to recovery. And its mostly just people on the Internet, with no education on the subject, repeating verbatim, what they heard some other person of the same ilk say, leading to People like the girl in the game, making that same decision, and ending up dead after multiple failed attempts at what never ever works outside of fairytales. "Cold turkey"
Sad, but you were right. Very accurate, especially for a videogame. And even more so a game as satirical and exaggerative as gta always is.
Niko has seen and done so much bad things, in the war, after moving to LC, yet he never lost his morals. Amazing character, definetly the best protagonist of the series
Niko was one of the best characters in a videogame period. It also helps the fact his voice actor did a PHENOMENAL job. I still remember to this day that revenge cutscenes thanks to his voice acting.
To make it even more fantastic. If you notice. Niko voice acting in English get better through the game. In the early stages of the game you heard his accent being thick and strong but the through the story his English get better and better
@@RomnysGonzalez damn I never really noticed that to be honest with you. That's another amazing detail if done purposefully.
Niko does not even pronounce his last name properly...
@@pedesettrik what do you mean? if anything he's the only one the pronounces it right 😂 but I honestly don't remember how Niko said his last name so wdym he dosent pronounce it correctly
@@SN4KE3ATERI'm from Croatia and Niko is from Serbia. The languages are 98% similar. His last name should be pronounced Belich (written Belić). There's no double letters in our last names unless you have parents that are from other nationalities such as German/Austrian, Italian
To be fair, one of the best lines ever written in the GTA series is when Niko is about to meet Mikhail Faustin for the first time and talks to his wife, Ilyena Faustin. And she asks him about his soul. And over a cup of pleasant cup of tea, Mrs. Faustin asks him about his soul and what he does. And Niko talks about his time during the Bosnian war and what he saw. That was... just powerful writing.
Niko is one of those characters that, no matter what, is a good guy. He does fucked shit, but he still has enough compassion to help folks like her.
The real difference between a bad guy and a good guy its that, while both may be on the same situation, only one of them knows its wrong, and feels bad about what must be done
This reminds me of a high school classmate, who wasn’t completely present (most likely high), approaching me at my mall food court job back in early 2020. She recognized me and was curious on how I was doing. Made some small talk and I saw her off. She was wearing all black, vaping in public, and was kinda stumbling. It was a surreal experience for me because it made me wonder if she was always like that.
During high school, she seemed to be the type of girl who likes good vibes or to be positive during high school (Uggs, Pink brand hoodie, Starbucks, social media, friends, etc). I barely knew her as we had like one class together in our high school junior year.
I hope she’s doing alright.
gym class knew a guy in gym who was always cracking stupid drug jokes asking me and everyone if we were high but really it was gym class as the first period at 9am in the morning so no. harmless dude. years later hes on the news, died getting jumped and stabbed in the back of a car during some minor drug deal.
@@streetplaya23 Wow that is sad. :(
It’s really crazy to figure out what some of the people you used to know, one guy I used to go to school with died.
@@blueizumi yea life is mixed. theres plenty i see on social media with kids and nice homes and great jobs with money too.
Life really does take a complete 360 around our teenage years. I was part of this misfit group during middle school. We were always joking around and having a good time. But once we started high school, we drifted apart. A few including me focused on school while the others focused on getting popular and making money and just partying. Then when college started, we all just became different people. I’m currently a junior in college, a few of my friends are junkies and deal in drugs, another one is trying to become the next Kai Cenat or speed (he’s always showing off his twitch streams on his instagram stories. His streams are just really bad), and another one stopped with his education after graduating high school. The only one of my old friends I hope that does well in life is the one who didn’t go to college after high school. He wasn’t exactly the smartest of the bunch, but he was always chill and is the only one that checks up on me every few months.
I miss Niko, he was such an interesting character, he reminds me of some Eastern European immigrants I know (family mostly), they have this sense of optimism even in totally desolate situations and seem to be good at looking past people’s issues at who they really are. Rockstar needs to look at how they did Niko for whenever they write a new lead character
They must have had input from someone who knew what went on in the bosnian war and the soldiers who survived it. Im from those parts and i hope the horror never happens again...
I do agree with your point overall, but I think it's worth pointing out Arthur Morgan and John Marston from Red Dead Redemption.
The ones that suffer the most are the most wise
This game had soul
5:49 A friend wants to meet you “Ecuuumm Icummmm”
Niko is in my opinion the greatest grey character ever. He has a very dark past where he did horrible things as a young and stupid kid. Its still a part of him since he can just murder people who are threats without hesitation. But the great thing about him is that he really tries to be a good person. He has grown over his old self, a kid full of hate, and knows what matters in life. Family, friendship and peace. His past still catches up to him but he keeps on trying.
And i love it when Niko is in conversations with idiots who think how great it is to be a brutal and ruthless criminal. He can be more brutal and ruthless than these loudmouths could ever imagine but he doesnt brag with that. He only uses as much of his questionable skills as needed. And he only uses them for his dream of a good future and not to be a piece of shit.
He is a good man in a rough shell cause since he is young the world around him was always rough. But he doesnt want to be a part of this anymore. A very human character.
GTA 4 is just a treasure! Such a great story with insanely well written characters.
This comment made me relate to Niko even more than I did
it hits a lot deeper as well if you are from the balkans and you fully comprehend the horrors of the 90s war, as much as it was a war of politics it was even more a war on a personal level, i only pray something like it never happens again 🙏
and he's always the first to tell people about it. He is constantly staring his darkness in the face yet is true to himself and those around him despite it. He is a great-souled character.
Niko and Arthur Morgan are unmatched. I don't think Rockstar will ever top those characters; especially since Dan Houser left
@@Sternertime especially when he rawdogs a prostitute, then backs over her in his car and collects his $48 again. foh with all of this nonsense
War is when the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.
One of the most philosophical quotes to come out of a video game. GTA4 was an exceptionally written game, all the characters were unique and had their quirks and struggles. Even the characters like Marnie who don't share as much screen time as others.
Pretty sure that is a quote much older than the game itself, but still a good one.
@@flotnar2512 I see, so what was it origin? Any ideas?
The closest I can find is:
“I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.”
― George McGovern @@habeeburrahaman257
@@habeeburrahaman257 Plato and Cicero talked about it over 2 thousand years ago. The quote that R* actually based it on was probably the one by Franklin Roosvelt.
FDR said something along the lines of war being young men dying while old men speak. Marxists always said that soldiers die while the generals get medals and that war is always for the profits of the elite, to advance or protect the ruling aristocrats and wealthy owners that support the state.
The way he is acting in the cutscenes reminds me a LOT of Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2
GTA IV is underrated to me, their efforts in the story writing are so well done
I like it more than 5 because of the story
underrated? it got game of the year award and what not. when it came out it was that game. everyone played it i have not heard one bad thing about it.
or i dont understand your meaning of underrated. for me it means it flopped or is a hidden gem or smth
GTA fans think not popular = underrated.
If anything, GTA IV is mad overrated
@@blaykay-4797but gta4 was extremely popular and topped the sales charts..
@@Agretand won GOTY
The best GTA ever... It's just so sad that a bug keeps me from finishing the game.... I can't climb that f*cking helicopter!
You have to limit your framerate to 30 FPS. You can do it using your graphics card control panel.
Fuck well I gotta keep that in mind but as Jaymson said try limit your framerate if you have to.
Sucks how much technical traversal this game requires just to play smoothly
Though I agree wholeheartedly best GTA ever by a mile.
@@Jaymson_ .
@@Jupa Ok, thank you, to both of you. I just gotta have to figure out how to do that on an Xbox Series X.
@@NautyCat Oh, it is a PC method. For Xbox I think you acctually need to do tapping faster. There is a method where you slide your finger on and off the button really fast.
GTA IV is by far my favorite entry in the series, and much of it comes to Niko. The plot of the immigrant finding the truth about the american dream is incredible, and even of the game has it's WTF moments, they never undermine the core of the story. Still one of the best.
What do you feel are some WTF moments in GTAIV? It's been too long since I've played it!
@@Squalla1 I haven't player It in more than ten years, and compared to the level of nonsense in GTA V, there's very little WTF in IV... But, everything with Brucie, for instance, is very weird in the context of the overall game, the end of the Manny Escuela plot, too.
well cock knows. i played it only once and forgot bout its plot like instantleh. but VC and SA will stay in ma ass foreva. (wot bout gta5, well, it suck bolls. deep.)
@Rodytohti true what u said in your original post and your next response. My favorite in the series as well mainly for the antagonist (Dmitry) and the DLCs. Really enjoyed this entire game
Of all the games it had the absolute best writing. It was up there with sopranos-esque writing
I remember doing this mission I thought it was so cool how this was put into the game. When I read that email I couldn't help but smile because even though it was a game it hit me hard because I lost a friend to suicide because of drugs and at that time I wish I was able to help her. 😔
2:25 Nico sarcastically saying “ you seem to be having a great time” is gold 🤣🤣🤣
Niko was an actual good person in a crappy world. That is what makes him different from all the other GTA protags. He's a good man, and I could only pray for more men like him irl.
CJ wasn't all that bad either, imo.
@@antonzhdanov9653 I can agree to that.
@@antonzhdanov9653 like Niko Cj was also born into a very fucked environment he didnt choice that life same goes for so many in the real world
@@antonzhdanov9653he fucking massacred a bunch of construction workers in san fierro lol
@@BiggieSmokes187 Only the foreman and for talking sh*t about his sis. Still, kill a guy by burring him in concrete bed in a portable toilet for letting his men to call your sis a wh*re which he could even don't know about is indeed freaking idiot grade brutal.
This game's handling of addiction is so well done it's disturbing. From Marnie to Derrick.
Don't forget the comrade crack addict who gives Niko 100 bucks.
Vlad also is the typical Coke addict.
Brucie with the testosterone, women and success
And not just substances, Roman is addicted to gambling
Mallorie is addicted to dick
Francis Mcreary addicted to soul cleansing and power.
Manny escuela addicted the appearance of Justice.
Dimitri being addicted to power and pills.
Patrick and the entire Mcreary family are addicted to danger even Katie.
The Mafia bosses all addicted to control and infighting
Niko himself is obsessed with money.
There's so many addicted people around Niko you'd think they had a message with it.
an absolute wholesome ending, need more missions like these in games
I liked Niko so much that I named my first dog after him. Had to put him down last year and now I get sad when I see Niko Bellic.
i love gta IV and i love dog too ( me too i lose my dog in march 2022) so i really understand your feeling, soory for your lose.
Awwwww..... Much love to you. Hope life is treating you wonderfully, besides losing your doggy.
Thk you bro @@hypolyxa7207
I named my first dog Johnny. My next one will be named Niko
GTA IV was such a gem. It was grim and realistic. All those characters and side quests had such dramatic and sad stories. I hope they'll go back to this tone in the 6th.
Judging by the trailer, no
@@CoolSaverThe trailer showed a lot of twerking and a lot of weird ass people
No, they wont, they abandoned realism for the "american dream" since gta v
My favorite GTA to date. I honestly don't like 5 at all
GTA5 is corny
The way this game treated cell phones and email like some kind of magical gameplay element was so funny and charming even if it felt out of date by the time the game launched. You can tell that conceptually the whole "wow we'll give the player a phone and email" was a concept they probably had from when the development started, and GTA games take a long time to make.
Sort of like how GTAV is so referential with the 2008 recession even though the game came out a few years later.
You know, I find it best never to correct someone, but here I am correcting you. Weird
@slow-adhesiveness-4933 you know, I find it best never to correct anyone, its unlikable, but here I am correcting you, weird huh?
but they even referred the recession SEVERAL times over TBoGT
It sounds ridiculous, but this scene touchs me a lot. I'm a Police officer and had a encounter very similar to this. I was 24 back then and patrolling a train station until my colleague saw a young girl with a dog going to the toilets. He already knew her, saying that she was an drug addict and homeless. We had the assumption that she was going to consume drugs there, so we followed here but couldn't find here. After like 30 minutes she crossed our way again and we had a little talk. She was a young beautiful blond girl, not very much different from Marnie. I checked her ID and noticed that she was only 10 days younger then me. She told us that she wasn't consuming anymore, but lost her appartment and was afraid of getting incarcerated due to fines she can't pay. She said that she hadn't anybody left anymore in her life except her dog.
After we finished the control my colleague and me gave her some money. I gave her everything I had even though it were just few bucks I had in my uniform. She was very thankful and said "This never happened to be before” and was nearly about to cry when we left. I will never forget the look the gave us when we left and I turned myself to her a last time.
One month later when I had a evening walk in the city while I was off-duty I suddenly saw her and her dog on the other side of the street. I went and greeted her, asking if she could remember me. She couldn't, so I told her I was one of the police officers who controlled her last month. Then she said that she can remember but she couldn't recognize me without my uniform. I asked her how she have been doing. She said that she flew out of the accommodation she was living in and that her dog was very sick after he drunk some sewage. I told her that I was sorry to hear that. Due to her accent I realized that she comes from another region. I told her that our encounter touched me a lot and I was thinking of it even weeks later. She said that she noticed it back then, saying that she rarely meets police officers who are actually willing to help people. I wished her all the best and gave her a couple bucks I had left in my wallet.
Months later I read that she was caught committing different crimes and of possesing Heroin. I was shocked reading that.
I've tried to contact her about her social media to help her, but every attempt failed unfortunatly. Maybe she didn't realized the message request or she was intentionally ignoring it. I'm still hoping that she goes good and eventually finds her way into life again.
I'm amazed that my story draw attention from quiet a few fellow users. Feel free to share your thoughts about it, since I haven't told this story to anyone in RL before.
This comment feels like a Sad Movie, I hope that Girl is doing okay… And good of you to help her
@@JohnDoe-eu5dl Honestly I'm one of those people that says allot of negative stuff about police, and I think allot of it is deserved. However I also recognize that even in a perfect society we need police to actually protect and serve. From this story you are that model policeman that is almost mythical at this point, and If all police behaved like you I would have a much different opinion in general, and I think most people would. Respect.
Some people in our society are down on their luck and people too often are revolted by them, but it could be any of us in different circumstances, I can't fault anyone really, be it by nature or nurture. This is a extreme example but I always think of the Texas clocktower shooter when crime and the justice system comes up. Reason being he did a terrible evil unforgivable thing, a terrorist attack targeting innocent people at a school campus. Yet he wrote a letter before he did the deed, explaining that he was afraid and confused and when he is dead he wants someone to study his brain, prior to this incident he was reputably a normal nice family man and marine corps veteran. Well they did that autopsy on his brain, and discovered a massive tumor pressing on the amygdala in his brain, the part of the brain the regulates emotional control. Suddenly you realize how profoundly unlucky he was, not just evil but a tragic twisted victim of bad luck and biology. So we shouldn't be so quick to judge those around us, because the truth is always more nuanced than black and white, good and evil. I think you understand that too and that's why you helped, I wish more people did.
@@-Zevin- Cops are cops.
That's all I have to say.
@@JohnDoe-eu5dl you can't save her. I was an addict and pushed away everyone close to me, untill we hit the bottom,we keep rationalising the addiction
1:27 The Niko I know would have jumped out and taken that sweet Turismo.
3:40 You can almost feel the moment of Niko thinking 'you still HAVE a home to go to...', thinking of his own life, and realizing 'Ok, time to help"
Her joining a cult makes sense for the character and fits in with the nihilist world view of GTA. But the Epsilon cult was way too on the nose and her being a high ranking member undercuts it.
It also fits real life and is something gta replicates very well. Cults often prey on the vulnerable, former drug addicts, people lonely in a new city, those who don’t fit in etc. It is sad that a video game portrays the exploitative nature of cults.
Gta V being a shitshow as always
@@LaloSalamancaGaming69lmao so now people hate gta 5? What is this
@@ryderls2729people definitely hate how the gta 4 characters were treated in it
@@ryderls2729GTA IV fans hate GTA V
This is why I love GTA IV’s story. There are so many interesting characters and it makes me happy that Niko sticks to his values throughout the game.
Niko was the only gta protagonist that was a good man with high moral standards despite being a criminal. Well him and Vic Vance. Except Vice City seems to imply Vic became a drug addict after Vice City stories and the death of his woman.
I Always looked at a vice city vic as some sort of unplanned, non-cannon fluke. It seems like rockstar picked this random dude from an already existing game as a protagonist of this new game just for the sake of connecting the worlds and not really caring about the story.
id argue franklin fits the bill as well
Vic did some pretty bad shit all on his own too. Franklin wasn't so bad. But to be fair most of the protagonists of GTA are messed up in their own way, not exactly a game/universe for heroes
@@eldritchskye2608yeah wasn't he just trying to get out of the hood? It's been 10 years, I don't remember too well but I don't think Franklin was a "bad guy", at least not from the start.
@@JB-xl2jcYeah Vic and Franklin didn't regret their bad deeds though. It's implied Vic, who was a good person in the end let the events of the game turn him into a bad person, while franklin just doesn't seem to care one way or another. He says he knows what he does is wrong and doesn't pretend he is doing good things but he still does it. Niko however is the only one who regrets his actions and even says at one point he wishes to have died along his friends during the war cause he became a man he hated. In the ending Revenge Niko is also the only one who says he doesn't want to be a criminal anymore and wants to try to be good and have a normal life with Kate. Of course Pegorino shooting Kate at Roman's wedding didn't allow Niko to do that in the end, but the intention was there, which makes Niko the character with better moral standards in the series.
I never met this NPC in my original playthrough in 2008. I forget how good the writing and characters were. Niko was so down to earth, relatable in a way. Came from a hard background, did hard things, but deep down he was trying to be a good and loyal person. Well.... I think it's time to replay GTA IV
I despise the way rockstar treated her character just for the lulz in GTA 5.
Yeah dont expect much from gta v honestly. Got to learn that years ago
What happened? I never played 5
@@bryant475
Micheal has an optional sidequest to join the Epsilon cult from (I believe) GTA San Andreas, and Marnie is one of the folks who's a higher up that gives you your objectives.
CLOWN PFP L YOUR LIFE
@@arbuzz7373ok, hohol
I’m still really upset that we never saw Niko after GTA IV in other games. It’s a long shot at this point but I’d love to see him in GTA VI
Man... this is probably the GTA game I wanna play for the plot and character development.
And this is just one of the smaller random citizen side missions. This isn’t even one of the main stories you can do.
@@gabethebabe3337 yeah, that's what got me so impressed! We get an interesting and internally complex main character, and we can understand that just by looking at a set of side missions regarding a single and rather minor side character!
Imo people have their nostalgia glasses on hard but yeah it’s good
@@blazaybla22 the funny thing is, I have no nostalgia for this game. I only know the GTA games I saw others play (and by "play", I mean use cheat codes to get cool cars, tanks and guns, just to wreck the whole city), and I'm pretty sure they were playing mostly San Andreas, and maybe even Vice City.
This one? It's pretty much news to me.
@@Mike14264 Yeah and I’m saying GTA 4 comment sections are mostly giant circlejerks that are basically the same as the comment sections of every song from 25+ years ago or older whether it was good or not. GTA 4 is good, I say play it, but I’d rather you go in with your expectations low and get more than you expected
Remember, Niko isn't a criminal because he wants to
It's because he has no choice if he wants to keep his people alive.
Roman however reignited his past and while trying to keep Roman out of trouble, he has once again resorted to crime and violence which eventually got him into trouble with other people who in the end, had him work for them. One contact to the other
The story in GTAIV is a masterpiece.
I mean he was literally ready to leave this life for Kate before she got killed in the Revenge Ending.. this scene was so incredible sad
Same for claude. He isn't a criminal. All he wanted is to live peacefully
The American dream...
GTA IV is something I should not have been playing as a kid but I genially loved it as kid. The physics were honestly amazing. The amount of times I would ride a bike and try to go pass the speed limit just to get hit by a car and rag doll was genially funny to me. The story is a heartbreaking and I genially love Niko as a character.
The look on Niko's face 3:38 - 3:45 😂😂😂 So priceless and genuine ❤
It boggles my mind that Rockstar can write such a compelling, complex, but lovable character like Niko and then write a reactive character and 2 angry middle aged men for protagonists 5 years later.
They probably don't mention Niko by name in GTA 5 so you don't remember how absolutely amazing 4's writing is.
They killed Johnny Klebitz in 5. Best way to describe gta5 is wasted potential.
@@HellsFury-fu3qk Everyone called saints row a wannabe gta while the fifth chaper of the latter is a saints row 2 wannabe.
Packie mentions the Liberty City heist in GTA V on a bank heist and mentions his brothers and says they're dead and mentions Niko by name saying he's probably dead too, which means Niko probably went under the radar instead of actually dying
Gta V is just a fking parody of gta
Gta IV has these missions about helping a drug addict to get off the streets
Meanwhile gta V is like:LOUD EQUALS FUNNY,SCREAMING SEX PENIS VAGINA EQUALS FUNNY,LOOK A PARODY OF POPULAR THING! PENIS!
5 probably would’ve been better had Franklin been the sole protagonist.
This game is insanely well done and I love it. I love how it makes you question things and feel empathy for the minor characters as well as the main ones.
Marnie’s voice actor talked more than Niko, she basically carried that quest with how real of a junkie she sounded
GTA IV will always be my favorite. Not just because it came out during a high point in my life, with friends and a future to look forward to, but because it's the best GTA.
I remember thinking these graphics were like real life. It's a trip looking back on it
Niko is the one that can save people. Not just kill, this is what I like on gta 4.
Scenes like these are why gta iv is the best in the series imo. Characters like her actually exist irl & it just takes a kind person to send them on the right path sometimes. The writing for this game is superb!
Dude, in 99% of cases they exploit and suck dry every kind person they meet like vampires. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.
Of all the GTA protagonists Niko is the one I can relate to the most, he's done a lot of bad stuff, but still there's a good side in him that wants to believe in the good side of people.
This is why Niko is such a loveable character. He tries to do the right thing and those in need.
When GTA IV was released, it was something. First time HD Universe, the graphics were amazing. First time introducing "cover system", which turned my expectation true.
And then there was Niko Bellic. He did do anything to get the money, but unlike other GTA protagonists, he wasn't straight out a criminal. In fact, he was a veteran. He was just trying to make a living in a strange city, to start a new life. He was not trying to become a criminal boss like the others. And he had a heart. First time introducing "choices". It let you choose to do a mission your way, to end a life or not even if most of the time the savings/killings don't have huge impacts on the story. But the nice thing about giving the players the ability to choose brings about more freedom to the players, allowing them to express themselves, to attach to the protagonist.
All of those makes GTA IV the best game, makes Niko Bellic the best character in the franchise.
4:43 We hardly heard Niko curse like this. It shows he was truly disgusted from the bottom of his heart about the things they had done to her.
Love the burger guy in the background the whole time 😂
this is the best gta, right mate?
Niko bellic must be the most likeable killer of all time , and this game will always have a special place in my heart
Come on you know 0:53 you want a tasty BURGER !
I never read the messages, but man this is so wholesome.
God knows how many other things i missed.
I always liked how Niko handles his meeting with Marnie. Although Niko is a ruthless killer-for-hire, he knows what is right and wrong and helping Marnie showed he had a good heart despite doing bad things. GTA 4 was like a good gangster movie, it was bleak, dark and gritty with memorable characters and a troubled protagonist. To me, GTA 5 had a really poor story compared to 4
tbh I never played any GTA title other then GTA 5 which I've spent a LOT of time playing but after this little random encounter storyline it feels kinda shallow, like they already showed they can write compelling characters that the player can relate too, then they throw it all out and made GTA 5
Gta 5 sucks. It's just about making fun of everything 24/7. The previous titles had more serious moments like these and better character development. It's the marvel effect.
The writing of GTA 5 (and even the 2 DLCs for GTA 4) felt rushed in comparison to 4.
@@berylbell8452its a sin to not had played GTA 4 since day 1 😤
@@GrumpyLoco6 agreed
_”Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”_ -Niko Bellic, probably
fuck man i knew niko was a good person but after that man i cant stop to think than i really like niko really the best character thank you for this video
He's definitely not a good person. He's the most villainous protagonist in the entire series.
@@charlie1234500Bruh, Toni Cipriani literally blew up a city bloc in a terrorist attack. Not even Trevor would do that.
@@RAAM855 Trevor is a cartoon character.
@@charlie1234500 yeah but you get my point. Niko is tame compared to other protags like Toni, Tommy, and Claude who have no problem doing legit evil shit
@@RAAM855 They're all cartoonish characters. One of them is a completely mute character.
Niko is written to be human compared to any of those. They're like self inserts for the player.
What I find more villainous is someone who is most likely to exist.
This is what modern games lack....emotion, and thats why this game was so good
Not really
The way Niko says "motherfucker" after Marnie tells him about the producer at 4:34 sounded really sincere and sad.
Since Niko was once a human trafficker to get by, I think that twinged a nerve in him.
Niko: *agrees to do good deed*
Niko: * steals car immediately afterwards *
Niko had all the chance to use her for his sexual needs but instead he chose to be a gentleman and help that lady
It's not really a good idea to fuck a junkie either. Getting STD's chances are though the roof
Wiko
He saved himself from a STD
The parking garage in Algonquin was the best for some tramp lovin
All due respect to the poor lass, but there ain't much sexually pleasing bout a homeless, on edge drug addict. Well, to the sane at least. Or whatever mental level Niko is on.
GTA IV has always been my favourite. So many details in each characters like Marnie. It really felt alive and real. It still lives on in my mind.
I clicked on this video not really knowing anything about video games and ended up watching the whole thing. This was a very sweet little story.
Some video games are more slow paced Beautiful written stories and adventures… you should totally give a try to a few of them. I swear some of them I hold them in my heart with stories as good as classic movids
He was the most heart felt GTA protagonist of all GTA
What about victor Vance?
This is too sweet for GTA IV, i was genuinely surprised it ended up so well, very wholesome really.
I dont play GTA at all but i was really expecting this to go complwtely left. I cannot believe something this positive and wholesome happened in this game series.
The stories of the games ultimately wind up being about principles like sacrifice, integrity, brotherhood, etc… casually playing them can be violence for the sake of violence but that’s not what the larger stories are about. This is a touching moment but it’s definitely not that surprising after you’ve played a full game.
It happens more often than you would think. There are countless positive interactions and moments from GTA 3 and on. Everything before 3 was just carnage.
You havent seen RDR2 !!!
It's a MASTERPIECE
@@shadyfuucktherest wait whose that?
@@mindyourbusinessxoxored dead redemption 2. It’s a really incredible game made by the same people who make the GTA games. The characters and stories are much more complex than media will lead most to believe
i remember playing both of her missions in gta4 and 5 but never really out together that they were the same person until i had replayed 4 a couple times and started Michael's epsilon quest again
then i was absolutely shocked
i felt even worse because she was stuck in another addiction thats holding her back
Also nico manages to be the straight man but also the one who actually initiates things as well. With franklin in GTA V he was purely a reactionary character, one who never did anything unless someone else put him in that situation, and that made him really boring because he just had no character to him. With Nico though everything that happens in the game is purely because he decided he wanted to head to america, and a lot of things are decided based on his moral principals, something franklin had none of, franklin who at the end of the day was more than happy to kill the people who cared about him just to appease people who wanted him dead.
Only if you picked the bad endings they give you no incentive to choose. And Franklin while not as proactive is just as interesting a story for the same reason - he is having to actively resist being constantly drawn back into the small time petty bullshit in his neighborhood and balance his commitments to the people he grew up with achieving the life he aspires to. He also isn’t solely reactive, as he’s absolutely proactive in pursuing Michael’s mentorship because that is what he knows will help him get where he aspires to be, which ties back into the first theme.