The Cousins Bellic

Updated 2 November 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

The Cousins Bellic is the first story mission in Grand Theft Auto IV (2008). Niko Bellic arrives in Liberty City aboard the cargo ship Platypus, is met by his cousin Roman, and drives Roman's taxi to his flat in Hove Beach, Broker. The apartment is nothing like the rich life Roman described. The mission pays $25 and unlocks the first safehouse.

What is the first mission in GTA IV?

The Cousins Bellic opens Grand Theft Auto IV. It introduces Niko Bellic, his cousin Roman and Liberty City in a single short drive. There is only one objective, getting to Roman's place, so the mission doubles as a driving tutorial. Our GTA IV missions hub shows what comes next.

What happens in The Cousins Bellic?

The game begins on board the Platypus, the cargo ship that brings Niko to America. Niko and his shipmate Hossan Ramzy help with the docking, and on deck Niko talks about the rich lifestyle Roman has bragged about in his emails. When the ship ties up in Broker, Roman arrives in a taxi, clearly drunk, and greets his cousin warmly. He asks Niko to drive, and explains away the missing sports car by saying it is being repaired.

On the drive Roman mentions that a terror alert has closed the bridges, and says that, without a visa, Niko should stay in Broker for now. They pull up at a run-down building in Hove Beach. Inside, the flat is a mess, and Niko realises the luxury life was invented; Roman actually runs a small taxi firm. Niko decides to stay anyway. As the scene ends, Roman heads out to return the cab and takes an angry call from Vlad, a loan shark who becomes Niko's first enemy.

What do you get for completing The Cousins Bellic?

These rewards are listed on gta.wiki. The mission fails if Roman is killed or left behind, or if his taxi is wrecked or flipped.

Why is the opening of GTA IV so well known?

The mission sets the tone of the whole game. Instead of a crime or a shootout, Grand Theft Auto IV starts with an immigrant stepping off a boat and finding out that the American dream he was sold is a lie. Roman's warm, chaotic welcome and the bleak apartment set up the cousins' relationship, which drives much of the plot up to the ending choice. The first song heard is the game's theme, Soviet Connection, according to gta.wiki.

Where does Niko go after The Cousins Bellic?

The next job, It's Your Call, follows straight on and teaches the phone. The early part of the story stays in Broker, where Niko helps Roman with his debts and his taxi depot and soon runs into Vlad and, later, Dimitri Rascalov and the Russian mob. The rest of the city opens up step by step as the story moves on. The Hove Beach flat remains Niko's first save point, and our Roman Bellic page follows the cousin's story to the end.

Trivia about The Cousins Bellic