GTA IV How To’s: The Snow Storm
Accomplishing The Snow Storm mission in Grand Theft Auto IV isn’t easy. It’s loaded with armed crack dealers, a persistent SWAT team, a drawn-out and dangerous car chase, a bag full of illegal drugs, and a few nasty surprises along the way.
There’s always a good chance one won’t survive the mission, so I’ve decided to create a little guide just for The Snow Storm. Beware; I’ve also embedded a video walkthrough at the end of this entry, but it contains major spoilers so watch it at your own risk.
Phase 1: Getting the coke
Getting into the old hospital is a piece of cake even in the ‘first’ attempt because the enemies involved in this part are your friendly-neighborhood dealers. Just choose any automatic firearm when approaching the place and take cover. Take note of the two guards at the door and another peeking from the second level. Make sure you’re crouched when approaching the entrance because of the hoods hiding inside.
By the way, I suggest you move the pickup closer to the entrance/exit of the old hospital, but make sure it faces the street. You’ll understand why later.
Hiding in cover from the first room, you’ll observe that there are many goons hiding in the corridor ahead. You can flush them out with grenades or just time them with well-placed headshots when they peek out. After taking all the dealers down, you can get the health pack hidden in one of the side corridors or the far room at the end of the hall. There’s also a body armor vest beside Elizabeta’s coke.
Once you get the coke, the second phase begins.
Phase 2: Getting out of the hospital
The place is now crawling with cops. There will be several SWAT team members that would be attacking in moments so it’s smarter to stay in the room where you got the coke and hide behind the square desk that gives you a good view of the door. Using the combat shotgun at this point would be wise because it can easily take down cops at one hit—even if you don’t aim for the head.
After taking down several cops, there would be a short lull as LCPD sends in more. This would be a good time to move. Do you still remember the place where the first health pack was hidden? There’s a metal safe behind it that would provide excellent cover. The room to your right is the only way out, so crouch/walk through it while pressing the aim button. There would be at least a couple of cops waiting for you here.
Remember the pickup I told you to move? It’s now waiting for you just outside the exit, perfectly positioned as your getaway vehicle. Enter the pickup and press the pedal to the metal.
Phase 3: Car chase city
The cops aren’t too happy with your escape so they pursue. Make sure you get out of the island where the hospital is located because there’s not much room there to maneuver. There is no one ultimate route to get rid of the cops. When you get to the city proper, make sure you use side streets or opposite lanes to shake your tail.
Do not try driving in a straight line to get out of the cops’ search radius because it’s a waste of time. Try turning left then right in every street corner. If you see a cop car ahead in your radar, make sure you avoid it by making a turn. Once you get out of the search radius, slow down or stop and count a few seconds. The cops would be gone by then.
Like I promised, here’s the video walkthrough. Just brace yourself for the spoilers.
One final note: the player in the video was rather reckless so I urge you to be more patient when dealing with The Snow Storm. Rushing out of a good hiding place could get you killed.
