For all its over-the-top aberrance and brash transgressiveness, GTA IV doesn’t really wrestle with the radiant feverish nightmare labyrinth that post-9/11 America has become. Which is too bad.

Grand Theft Auto IV, coming to PS3 and 360 on April 29, is arguably the most anticipated game of the year. And with good reason. Rockstar is offering gamers a chance to explore the most authentic ...