Maybe it works well for the story, but just because Niko doesn’t know about places doesn’t mean they shouldn’t exist for the player to find.

I don’t really mean crazy side missions, more small side content similar to how San Andreas had bars with arcades and pool, horse betting, driving school, flying school, collectibles, dancing, low riding, delivery missions, home robbery. Or how III had a place you could go get bombs put in cars. Small stuff that I think fleshes out the world.

The thing is, GTA IV and V do have some of this stuff, but I think their worlds are getting so big that Rockstar just can’t make enough content to fill them the way they used to. I know they like to push bigger worlds and better graphics with every game, but I think if GTA VI had a map the same size as V with the ability to enter every building and a ton of different businesses and activities populated throughout, it would feel much fuller and more alive.

But that also doesn’t invalidate what you’re saying about GTA IV. If it feels right, it feels right. And that’s the best feeling a game can give you. Fallout 3 is a busted mess with some of the worst shooter controls I have ever used, but maaaaaaaan do I think that game feels right.