We remember when we first played GTA IV and we felt the physics in action. Its just so responsive, realistic and seamless that we almost instantly forgot that there exists a formula somewhere that makes it all happen. We were astounded at first. Just at simple things like how Niko runs up and down stairs, or how we he falls if hes hit by a moving car. We couldnt believe how good the ragdoll effect looked when an enemy died, how they reacted to a shot in the arm, how the blood spatter was administered. And lo, Rockstar decreed the standard and it was set. Eventually though, youll forget about the physics, which is a good thing. The mark of a good mechanic is that its invisible; it doesnt feel like a mechanic, it feels like a natural extension of your fingers. Just a part of the world; no big deal. But then when you play a less well-exectued game and this sophistication isnt present, the disappointment is bitter. Not every game can be as big, as well made and as unprecedentedly awesome as GTA IV (GTA V maybe) and when the inferiority of 90% of the other games out there gets too much to bear, we turn GTA IV back on to get our fix of perfection.