American scream.

Byline: Ewan Ross

Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar, Xbox 360/PS3, pounds 39.99) This week may prove to be a lonely one for the fair sex.

If you find yourself having accepted a shoddily-picked posy in the last few days - and naively given your man permission for 'a little time off' - then brace yourself for an extended holiday.

Grand Theft Auto has arrived and just like Scott felt when Oates piped up that he 'may be some time', you might find yourself left like the illustrious Arctic explorer ... alone, chilly and a wee bit narked at the understatement.

If the whole Grand Theft Auto thing is new to you, the premise of Rockstar's hit involves the megalopolis of Liberty city.

Essentially a 'free roaming' game, you play the character of Nico Belic, a Russian immigrant who has come to carve himself the American dream. But nothing comes for free and Nico and his remarkably stupid cousin are soon drawn into Liberty city's criminal underworld.

Although, you'll be hard-pressed to find a review that doesn't go on about the blast-athons or the adult nature of some of the material here, it should be mentioned that this story is not about one man's psychopathic descent into hell.

As soon as you step off the boat and begin to interact with the world, Nico's motives immediately establish pathos. This is built upon throughout and fleshes out the character as they would in a good gangster film.

The point is it is gritty, realistic, and an experience that doesn't play to expectation.

But it's the little things that really shine in this game, and it's difficult not to give a wry smile or gawp at some of the detail here.

Buildings' reflections show in the drizzle-soaked roads when it rains, people curse you when you knock into them, and you're free to wander into any clothes store and pick stuff right off the rack to improve the look of your character.

Then there's the mobile phone you have, the girlfriends, and the ability to wander into an internet cafe, spark up a conversation in a chat room and start dating should you so choose. The detail is quite simply unparalleled.

Rock star have proved that the games industry is the most forward-thinking in the entertainment market. Movies, music, interactivity, drama and action are all rolled into one experience, with you in control.

This is one of the best games to date on the consoles - polished, magnificently crafted and probably the main reason why there could soon be a shortage of posies.

RATING: 10/10 - Car-n't be better Time Crisis 4 (Namco Bandai, PS3, pounds 59.99) When the original Die Hard game appeared on the PS1, a war began to emerge over Play station accessories.

Die Hard came equipped with its own pistol which tried to establish itself as the industry standard 'light gun' for all point-and-shoot arcade games.

Then Time Crisis was released, and fans - unhappy that they had to fork out further to play the arcade classic -were drawn into a popularity war over the new gun model and the older one.

Fortunately, Time Crisis has landed first on the PS3;whichwill, hopefully, mean that gamers won't have to spend a fortune on further gun accessories.

This is bolstered by the fact that that the new, two-handed Gun Con 3 model is unique and unlikely be bettered.

Time Crisis 4 is the first light gun title for the PS3. It features Giorgio Bruno and Evan Bernard -who are dispatched to California to stop a terrorist organisation known as WOLF.

TC4 is a relatively simple game which doesn't concern it self with character dynamics and important plot points. And rightly so. If I'm standing up in my living room with a light gun, I just want to shoot things on screen - and possibly duck behind the couch too.

This is an enjoyable game that has introduced the PS3 to something a little more interactive.

Great to play, but may be slightly overshadowed by another release this week... RATING: 8/10 - Locked and loaded

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STAR IN A REASONABLY-PRICED CAR: Scenes from Grand Theft Auto IV (main pitcure and above right) plus Time Crisis (above left)