I don't hate GTA4. I also like GTAIV. I have a mixed relationship with. I don't MIND the tone, at least in the earlier set of missions in Broker. I don't MIND a more "realistic" (lol) take on the series. I think TLAD is GTAIV done right in that it creates the tone that IV sought after consistently, from beginning to end and I love that TLAD for that.
One problem with GTA4: GTA4 lacks any sense of progression. GTA is all about progression; in SA, you go from using pistols, to uzis, to shotguns, to dual wielding shotguns, to dual wielding uzis, to get satchel charges, stealth kills, a jetpack. The game continously introduces new weapons and new things to do which allows the player a sense of empowerment. Every GTA, aside from IV, employs this method. Even the expansions to IV do it! With IV, the takes are never raised in favor of - highly flawed - storytelling that loses itself half way.