Grand Theft Auto V

Editor's Notes

Digital copy reviewed for Xbox One. Note that this includes update 1.04, which Rockstar said would have some improvements for 'GTA: Online's' performance.

Introduction

'Grand Theft Auto V' was first released in September of 2013 for the 360 and PS3. It was the first brand new GTA since 2008 (not including handheld spin-off 'Chinatown Wars') and the first game in the series to be set in Los Santos since 'San Andreas' nine years earlier. It sold a billion dollars' worth of copies in a couple of days and is one of the highest-rated titles of the last generation. It has now been released on eighth generation consoles with a slew of promised goodies, such as a first-person mode, new guns, critters, and other sundries, enhanced visuals, and more.

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

The essence of 'GTA V' remains unchanged from its previous iteration. In the campaign and multiplayer, the sprawling map of Los Santos (LS) and its rural northern environs play host to a huge amount of optional activities, many centered on driving and/or shooting. The single-player story has three protagonists, each with his own backstory, personality, and skills - Michael the retired thief, Franklin the ambitious repo man, and Trevor the aspiring meth lord with incredible anger management issues. During much of the campaign, the characters can be swapped out as the player wishes. The online mode lets players create their own characters and then embark on a criminal career of their own choosing.

The game is set in Los Santos, a digitized version of Los Angeles. LS is full of people who are plastic in both body and mind. Many characters are self-absorbed, neurotic, degenerate, and in general a depressing portrait of humanity. It is here that Michael, Franklin, and Trevor band together to make their fortunes with violent aplomb, often through some sort of armed robbery. The story is highly entertaining and, despite the caricatures, satire, and over-the-top action, manages to achieve some level of believability, and is at least compelling at various high octane points in the story.

This is further magnified by the enhanced edition’s optional first-person mode. Far from tacked on, this mode is so well done that after an hour or so, it felt native. It changes the tone of the action from stylized, almost cartoonish, to visceral and personal. As an ardent FPS fan, this was surprising to me. I have played many a violent first-person game and not felt this involved since 'The Darkness' or even older homeless beating sim 'Condemned: Criminal Origins.' There are many new animations, several control schemes and options, and even granulated modes for walking and driving. For instance, I prefer the first-person mode on foot but a distant third-person camera when driving, as the hood and dashboard of the vehicle obscure the screen real estate and turn my already perilous driving downright shameful (although of course I did practice my windshield ejections). Cover can be used as the player wishes, switching automatically to third-person or staying as-is. FPS mode can take some getting used to, especially for a longtime GTA fan, but I love it and hope it becomes a mainstay option for the series going forward.

Other new features in the campaign are relatively small. There is a new collectible, the peyote plant, which temporarily turns the player character into an animal when consumed. A wildlife photo challenge, complete with new animals, can be completed for a reward of a submarine. A cryptic murder investigation can be carried out by Michael. There are a few new weapons and vehicles, like a rail gun and the Stallion muscle car. Additions to GTA Online include a larger roster of players (up to 30), all previously released DLC, and a character transfer from the last generation. All told, the gameplay elements outside of the FPS mode are pretty light, especially in the single player.