What Happens If You Let Ivan Live in GTA 4? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of what to do with Ivan Bytchkov in Grand Theft Auto IV is a common one among players, and for good reason. This early-game encounter presents a significant choice: should you spare Ivan, or should you finish him? The immediate aftermath of your decision is straightforward, but the long-term implications are often overlooked. This article will break down exactly what happens if you choose to let Ivan live, and delve into related aspects of the game to give you the full picture.
The Immediate Choice: Spare or Kill
During the mission “Ivan The Not So Terrible,” Niko Bellic corners Ivan on a rooftop. The game presents you with a clear binary choice: you can either help Ivan up, allowing him to escape, or you can kill him. Killing him involves either shooting him or stomping on his fingers, sending him plummeting to the street below.
Choosing to let Ivan live is a deliberate act of mercy that has a specific consequence: he becomes a Random Character. This means that he will reappear later in the game, offering a side mission that is not mandatory but can provide additional context and rewards.
If you choose to kill Ivan, he is permanently removed from the game. You won’t encounter him again and will forgo the chance to do his associated side mission. While this might seem like the most straightforward option, you’ll lose out on a bit of additional content.
Ivan as a Random Character
By choosing to spare Ivan, you open up a new aspect of GTA IV: the Random Characters system. Ivan becomes one of several individuals that Niko can encounter as he explores Liberty City. These encounters are marked on your map with a blue silhouette icon when they become available.
Ivan’s specific reappearance occurs some time after the initial mission, usually several hours of gameplay later. He will call Niko on his phone to explain his situation and request help. Upon meeting him, he will ask for your assistance to kill someone who has wronged him. This mission is simple but offers a short break from the main storyline and a bit of extra cash.
The side mission is called “Ivan The Not So Terrible” (again), and upon completion, there is no additional content for Ivan. His story concludes, and you won’t see him again.
Consequences and Rewards
Whether you decide to kill Ivan or not, the mission itself will end in victory and you will receive the same amount of money. The major difference lies in the additional content available after letting him live. This is not related to achieving 100% completion of the game. The Ivan side-mission is not required to reach 100%.
Choosing to spare Ivan will reward you with:
- A different mission: The side-quest associated with Ivan is unique and exclusive to players who chose to let him live.
- Extra dialogue: Interactions with Ivan as a Random Character add small nuances to the narrative.
- A slightly bigger pay: While not significant, successfully completing the Ivan side-mission will offer an extra payout.
Choosing to kill Ivan will result in:
- No additional missions: Ivan will be gone from the game entirely.
- No additional dialogue: No other interaction is available after the initial choice.
- No extra rewards: The mission ends, and your cash is the same either way,
Decision-Making and Player Agency
The choice regarding Ivan Bytchkov is a small but crucial example of the player agency present in GTA IV. While the outcome of the game does not change significantly, these small choices contribute to the player’s personalized experience. Ultimately, whether you choose to kill or spare him comes down to your preference, with the side-quest providing additional interaction that some players will find more rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ivan and GTA 4 Choices
1. Does letting Ivan live affect the main storyline ending?
No, letting Ivan live does not affect the main storyline or either of the two endings. The choice only determines whether you get a random character side-mission.
2. Can you miss the Ivan random character mission?
Yes. If you do not trigger the blue silhouette icon on your map to encounter him, you could pass the side quest completely and not play it. However, if you do not play the mission you can always go back to his spot and get the mission.
3. Is the Ivan side mission difficult?
No, the side mission is relatively simple and does not pose any significant challenge. It involves driving and shooting and should be straightforward for most players.
4. Does letting Ivan live affect your relationship with other characters?
No, the choice about Ivan does not impact your relationships with other characters in the game, such as Roman or Kate.
5. What happens if you kill Clarence instead of letting him live?
Much like with Ivan, killing Clarence Little means you do not get his random character side quest, as he will be removed from the game. If you spare him, he will reappear and attempt to kill Niko, also initiating a side quest.
6. How many endings does GTA IV have?
GTA IV has two main endings: the “Deal” ending, and the “Revenge” ending. Your choice in the final mission dictates which ending you receive.
7. Does the final choice in GTA IV really matter?
Yes, the final choice significantly impacts the story, specifically which main character is killed. One ending sees Roman die, while the other sees Kate die. This makes the final decision a big one.
8. What is the “canon” ending for GTA IV?
There is no officially designated canon ending, but many players consider the “Revenge” ending to be more fitting for the game’s themes and Niko’s character arc, as it involves him not agreeing to a deal.
9. Is GTA IV harder than GTA V?
Many players consider GTA IV harder due to its more realistic driving physics, the lack of a checkpoint system in many missions, and its overall slower pace compared to GTA V.
10. What’s the best way to make money in GTA IV?
Completing missions, taxi side jobs, and doing police computer activities are all effective ways to earn cash in GTA IV.
11. Are there any other difficult choices to make in the game?
Yes, you have a few choices such as whether to spare or kill Cherise, Dwayne Forge’s ex-girlfriend, and other minor moral choices during the story that can affect random missions and your friendships.
12. Can you date Michelle after a specific point in the story?
No, you must reach a 100% fondness rating with Michelle before “The Snow Storm” to continue dating her. After this mission, it is no longer possible to date her.
13. What’s the difference between GTA IV and GTA V in terms of story?
GTA IV is often praised for its deeper, more mature storyline and character development, while GTA V has a more action-packed, multi-protagonist narrative with a larger open world. The story of GTA IV is generally considered better.
14. Is GTA IV a “low-end” game?
No, GTA IV is not a low-end game. It requires a decent computer to run at its best and was considered demanding when it first released.
15. Does anyone from GTA IV appear in GTA V?
Yes, Johnny Klebitz, the main character from GTA IV’s “The Lost and Damned” DLC, makes a cameo appearance in GTA V’s story. This is an important crossover between games.