I haven't played online enough to be able to decide whether IV or V is better but regarding story, characters and atmosphere I agree with you 100%.

Together with San Andreas, IV is my favorite GTA game. For me V was a letdown because I couldn't sympathize with its story (get $100 mill because reasons) and characters (didn't help that you were forced to play as 3 different (yet all boring) guys).

Additionally, it lacked atmosphere and tension. Even the brightest and most "goofy" GTA games had some dark and serious moments as well as difficult missions but I didn't feel the atmosphere in V and I don't think I failed a mission once. That's why me and a few friends refer to V as "Grand Theft Autopilot".

Though, I do see why some feel that GTA IV is quite slow, grey and "serious". At least I feel IV has something to tell. When playing V I feel that I'm wasting my time.

OT: As I wrote in another thread:

A similar rumor proliferated in 2015:

"GTA 5 single-player mode has long been overshadowed by the popularity of GTA Online, which has often driven away Rockstar's developmental efforts including DLC releases towards the latter. However, renowned YouTuber MrBossFTW aka Ross has raised some hopes of seeing a new single-player DLC for GTA 5 based on some Liberty City game locales in near future.

Ross has also discussed a bunch of probable DLC releases ahead of the Christmas Day including Lowriders 2.0 DLC and Festive Surprise 3.0 update, besides the new Liberty City DLC for GTA 5. The leaked info about forthcoming DLC releases comes from prolific GTA tipster Funmw2 aka Tezfunz2, who has a consistent and reliable track-record of predicting multiple DLC releases with precision in the past."

Apparently a remaster of GTA IV is coming because the game is built in the same engine as GTA V and therefore comparatively easy to update.

"GTA V is based of GTA IV since they use the same game engine. They don't have to transfer the whole city, they can take a part of it and update it. Anyway I assume it's coming with SP DLC.

Because from what I saw, they are going to re-create how the map is loaded with SP DLC. Creating new versions of existing scripts. With every update, you can also see them taking stuff from previous games that use RAGE engine (Max Payne 3, Red Dead Redemption, GTA IV, etc) and update it to transfer it into GTA V."

That's a Red Dead sequel though right??? Right?????

I found GTA IV to be the most boring I've played in the series, so I personally wouldn't be too hyped for a remaster.

Better question is... Does GTA IV NEED a remaster? With mods the PC version can look better than GTA 5.

For critically acclaimed its not remembered too fondly. DLC was better than the base game though.

A remasmter with improvments in gameplay certainly appeals to me. Also, it would be an excuse to replay the DLC.

I hope it isn't. I'm hoping for it to be an expansion for GTA V, where I can fly from Los Santos and rack up some money over there. If that were to happen, the assets they've used for GTA IV (interiors, models, buildings, etc.) need some serious revamping. Like the Grotti showroom on Middle Park East. It needs to either include more cars in there, or becoming a Legendary Motorsport dealership where you can buy any exotic car the game offers. Speaking about cars, it's going to be a problem if all cars are limited to two per safehouse parking spaces as shown in GTA IV. They need to be creative, like with those space saving parkings.

Good thing I have it on PC... lol...

I hope not, a waste of resources.