My theory

[THEGTAGUY4]

WARNING,SPOILERS AHEAD

Roman complains throughout the game how Niko ruined his life and how he does nothing but killing people etc. 

But he was the reason Niko was involved with the Mafia by killing Vlad who threatened Roman all the time.

Niko worked for the mafia so he could save Roman's ass,then he worked for other crime members and families so he could save his own ass (just like Ray said,you need friends in a city like this),he didn't really have a choice. Also by saving his own ass,he saved Roman once again as he would be nothing (or even dead) without Niko.

Niko worked for the government because of Roman,as he introduced him to Michelle. He had no other choise once again,and that would lead him to find the person he was looking for 10 years,the person who basically destroyed Niko's life.

Niko then killed Dimitri and Pegorino and saved both Roman and himself (if you choose the Revenge ending of course)

Lets dont forget that because of Niko,Roman bought a penthouse in Algonquin,something he has always dreamed for as he said in the prologue of the game.

Basically,Niko saved Romans life as he probably would have gone bankrupt (due to gambling and his debts) or even die(by the Albanians or Vlad)

 

 

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23 minutes ago, THEGTAGUY4 said:

But he was the reason Niko was involved with the Mafia by killing Vlad who threatened Roman all the time.

Tbf though, Niko killed Vlad not because of any threats he made but because he slept with Mallorie. I guess that's the criminal world for you but still it wouldn't be considered the right course of action to kill someone if they slept with your cousin's love interest so I guess it shows while Niko can be a sweetheart he can also be one cold muthaf*cka. Ngl I felt bad for Vlad. 

 

23 minutes ago, THEGTAGUY4 said:

Lets dont forget that because of Niko,Roman bought a penthouse in Algonquin,something he has always dreamed for as he said in the prologue of the game.

Technically it's because of the arson money insurance paid Roman cause the Russians burned down the apartment, so I guess you gotta thank Dimitri more than Niko   

 

But about your general point that Niko saved Roman's life and Roman would have been screwed without him, I agree. I think Roman is just stressed a lot when he complains about Niko screwing up his life and doesn't mean it, he would have been under Vlad's thumb perpetually if Niko didn't arrive and possibly a victim to his gambling addiction.

 

At the same time though because Niko was making so many enemies in LC, Roman was always in danger just by being the closest person to Niko, if you think about it ,it would be pretty scary for him after a point just to walk outside and see someone looking at him funny, he might feel, what if it's someone trying to get him to get at Niko, and that's what happened too when he was kidnapped to get at Niko. 

 

So I do understand when you say Roman would have been nothing without Niko, but then I can also understand Roman when he says it feels like there's a constant sword hanging over his head since Niko came. But I do think Roman was really glad Niko was there in LC overall, he only complains when something bad happens to him or he gets hurt and I think it's understandable in a way. 

Edited February 16, 2021 by Wayne Kerr

[THEGTAGUY4]

1 minute ago, Wayne Kerr said:

Tbf though, Niko killed Vlad not because of any threats he made but because he slept with Mallorie.

That was the nail in the coffin imho

Also,lots of people call Mallorie a whore for f*cking Vlad but she did it to help Roman with his debts

Im not saying it was a good move but she wanted to help Roman somehow,and tbf she is not the brightest character around.

[reeversky]

8 hours ago, THEGTAGUY4 said:

That was the nail in the coffin imho

Also,lots of people call Mallorie a whore for f*cking Vlad but she did it to help Roman with his debts

Im not saying it was a good move but she wanted to help Roman somehow,and tbf she is not the brightest character around.

 

Cut content reveals the actual reason why Mallorie cheated on Roman. It's a shame they removed this call from the game.

[THEGTAGUY4]

9 hours ago, reeversky said:

 

Cut content reveals the actual reason why Mallorie cheated on Roman. It's a shame they removed this call from the game.

She doesn't mention why she did it tho. I think Rockstar never mentioned the specific reason Mallorie cheated on Roman so we could figure ourselves out why and make our own scenarios. 

Also "Vlad could be dead in a river",uhhh yeah,about that......

[billiejoearmstrong8]

I think regardless of the cut phone call the game did a good job of suggesting the reasons Mallorie did that, and that it isn't just one reason. First of all there's the pressure (whether he explicitly said it or it was just implied) placed on her by Roman's situation with Vlad which might make her want to keep him sweet to prevent him doing anything to him. Second she does seems to be genuinely impressed by his macho charisma. Third it's stated that Roman also cheats on/has cheated on her and the relationship is on somewhat shakey ground at the point we come into it. It's only when Roman proposes that they both decide to take it more seriously and be fully committed to each other.

 

So I don't think the Vlad thing really ever places her in a bad light, whether it was more to protect Roman or more just because she was attracted to Vlad and/or sick of Roman being the only one to sleep around she's no worse than Roman at that point. The relationship just wasn't that serious yet. 

 

Considering this it was really was quite rash of Niko to go and kill Vlad over it, not his smartest move. Roman and Niko each did their fair share of things that helped the other and their fair share that hurt the other throughout the game. Niko had reasons to be annoyed by Roman and reasons to be grateful to Roman and vice versa, but they ultimately wanted the best for each other. And I think they both recognised this.

Edited February 17, 2021 by billiejoearmstrong8