6. Liberty City
Theres something about Liberty City that I find irresistible as a location, and although it's been the setting of GTA games in the past (III most notably), it's never been quite as detailed or lovingly rendered than it is in IV. Its the way its been executed no doubt, which again, probably comes back to the capabilities of the current-gen platforms that it was released on. In certain areas, its bleak and washed out, creating a tone of hopelessness and accentuating the poverty. In other areas (and at different times in the day), it feels warm and inviting, juxtaposing the previous bleakness beautifully. Maybe its because Liberty City is the closest location in the GTA franchise to my own former place of residence (the City of Liverpool) and as a result I can relate more easily to it, but I just find Liberty City to be a starkly beautiful city, equally is treacherous as it is inspiring. Again, Im not trying to say other GTA locations sucked, Im merely stating that out of all of them, Liberty City seems to be the one to which I keep returning.