First Thoughts: 'Grand Theft Auto IV' (Xbox 360)

After nearly seven years of doing punchbutton, I'm still not worthy enough to receive a review copy of most games (except from D3... they ROCK)! That being said, I stayed up late last night to snag my collectors' edition 'GTA IV' at midnight from the local GameStop.

I played for 2 hours.

First thoughts: I love this game. It's everything I hoped it would be and more. The graphics look better than I thought they would, the city is staggering in size and the story line has been engrossing.

Here's what else I think in a bullet list:

• The opening title sequence is awesome. It's part cut-scene, part Hollywood movie opening. The graphic designer in me was doing backflips.

• Concerned parents are going to have a heart attack over this game. This is one of the most "M" rated games I can remember. The first couple of hours offer many adults-only surprises including a flash of a fairly risque scene, countless curse words, overt sexual harassment and ability for the player to drive drunk. I was giggling at most of these, but I DO NOT condone them. Giggle.

• The music is fantastic. There are 18 radio stations to listen to while driving through Liberty City. Techno, Funk, Jazz, Rock, whatever... it's all there with some great new songs and great classic tunes, too. Nitzer Ebb is there! I can't believe Nitzer Ebb is in this game!

• The bowling mini game is OK. I'm dying to know why the mini-golf and go-kart track fences are wide open... are those mini games for later?

• I found a glitch! In the first car chase mission, the warehouse below your target has some weird alternate universe of disappearing boxes and a pitch-black void where Niko can vanish and reappear. Weirdness.

• On my first date with Michelle, she just left me her car. I wrecked it.

• Also on my date with Michelle, I accidentally fell into the pond at the mini-golf course. I climbed out and turned around, Michelle was standing neck-deep in the pond staring back at me. Hilarious.

• I want the amusement park to be open (it's closed for the winter)!

• Someone on the beach, next to the boardwalk, said something quite shocking to me. I won't repeat it.

• The car physics are awesome. All the vehicles feel heavier and more realistic than before. You can't just use gas and steering, you have to use the brakes a LOT. Also, gently bumping a pedestrian can produce some extremely realistic results... you don't knock them down, but you can knock things out of their hands or knock the hats of their heads.

• I hate my cousin (in the game).

• Liberty City is crazy gigantic. Seriously, it's almost daunting to think where the next 38-plus hours will take me in the game.

• Niko walks down stairs with a sideways twitch... just like a real person. A real person with a leg problem.

• My in-game stats show that I've already racked-up a 56-foot free fall. This occurred when I fell from a warehouse into the river. Oh, and then I swam for 50 seconds (also in my stats).

• I predict that 'GTA IV's' in-game stats will be as addictive as achievement points.

So there you have it. If I had more sleep I would have had more to discuss. But that's all I can remember.

I will remember to take the day off next time a 'GTA' game is released.