The Complete Edition bundles Grand Theft Auto IV with both episodes, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, into one Steam entry. The March 2020 update stripped out Games for Windows Live and the original multiplayer, added Steam achievements and moved DRM onto the Rockstar Games Launcher. Three campaigns overlap in the same Liberty City: Niko Bellic's 88 missions, Johnny Klebitz's 22 and Luis Lopez's 26, and all three converge on the same diamond deal from different sides.
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broker | Story missions 1 to 20 | First safehouse, Roman and Little Jacob contacts, early pigeons | Johnny Klebitz |
| 2 | Dukes | Story missions 10 to 30 | Airport access, open roads for vehicle escapes | Johnny Klebitz |
| 3 | Bohan | Story missions 25 to 45 | Second safehouse, Elizabeta's mission chain | Niko Bellic |
| 4 | Algonquin | Story missions 40 and later | Middle Park, Star Junction, the largest weapon and clothing selection | Niko Bellic |
| 5 | Alderney | Story missions 50 and later | Final safehouse, Pegorino mission chain, quiet roads for collectibles | Niko Bellic |
Broker: Starting Area
Where Niko arrives and where Roman's apartment and taxi depot sit, modelled on Brooklyn. The early missions rarely leave it, so it is where you learn the driving model and the cover system.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Story missions 1 to 20 |
| Key Rewards | First safehouse, Roman and Little Jacob contacts, early pigeons |
| Recommended Role | Johnny Klebitz |
| Key Weapons | Carbine Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Euphoria ragdoll physics. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first weapons upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Dukes.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Dukes: Early Game
The Queens equivalent, connected to Broker and holding Francis International Airport at its edge. Wide roads make it the easiest borough to lose police in during the early game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Story missions 10 to 30 |
| Key Rewards | Airport access, open roads for vehicle escapes |
| Recommended Role | Johnny Klebitz |
| Key Weapons | Carbine Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Friend like percentage and favours. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Carbine Rifle if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Bohan.
Bohan: Mid Game
Liberty City's Bronx, opened after the first bridges unlock and home to Elizabeta Torres and Manny Escuela. It is compact and run down, and the missions here mark the turn toward the darker second act.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Story missions 25 to 45 |
| Key Rewards | Second safehouse, Elizabeta's mission chain |
| Recommended Role | Niko Bellic |
| Key Weapons | Carbine Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Combat Pistol becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Branching story choices for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Algonquin: Late Game
The Manhattan analogue, dense with traffic, one way streets and the Star Junction lights. Police response is fastest here and the grid makes helicopters effective, so the subway is often the only clean escape.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Story missions 40 and later |
| Key Rewards | Middle Park, Star Junction, the largest weapon and clothing selection |
| Recommended Role | Niko Bellic |
| Key Weapons | Combat Pistol |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Combat Pistol should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Wanted level search circle mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Alderney.
Alderney: Endgame
The New Jersey stand in across the water, industrial and comparatively empty. It holds the Pegorino family's territory and much of the late campaign, and its open lots suit vehicle heavy missions.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Story missions 50 and later |
| Key Rewards | Final safehouse, Pegorino mission chain, quiet roads for collectibles |
| Recommended Role | Niko Bellic |
| Key Weapons | Combat Pistol |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Drug wars and club management for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Broker → Dukes → Bohan → Algonquin → Alderney. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your weapons: Some areas favor different weapons types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Guides
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Overview
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Best Builds
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Tier List
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Walkthrough
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Beginner's Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Tips & Tricks
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Weapons Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Combat Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Boss Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Crafting Guide
- Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Classes & Characters
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