We sure have come a long way since the 1st GTA game in 1997 w/ the 2-D, helicopter view of vehicular mayhem. Part III launched in 2001 and changed everything. We left the 2-D world and entered a 3-D, 3rd person view. The last time we were in San Andreas (aka California) was in 2004 w/ CJ looking for respect. Time flies doesn’t it?
Fast-forward: 2013 is the year that Grand Theft Auto took the world by storm. Whether through controversy (explicit language, female nudity, drug use/reference, or torture scene) cost to make or it, or whatever. The game that took 5 years to make, cost over $260 million to make and grossed over $1 billion in revenue in only 3 days after launch. Does all of that math a great game make? Let’s begin.
Like any other GTA game, we have a brand new cast of characters to the mix w/ a few references from those past games. You take control of one of three characters throughout the game: Michael, Franklin, & Trevor. Michael is a retired bank robber turned family man under witness protection, Franklin is a young man w/ gang ties looking to do more than just gang-banging, and Trevor is a sociopath that is a meth dealer and Michael’s former partner-in-crime.
On a visual level, GTA V is beautiful: cinematically & story-wise.
Rockstar made sure to add some Max Payne-like abilities to the mix as each character has their own special one. Michael will enter Bullet Time slow-motion in combat, Franklin will slow down time while driving, and Trevor will deal twice as much damage to enemies while taking half as much in combat as part of his rampage. Also each character specializes in different attributes like Franklin is more athletic (run faster, hold breathe longer underwater, etc.), Trevor is the better pilot, and Michael is average in most areas. More you complete different activities, your skills will improve.
What would Grand Theft Auto be without cars? Coming from Saints Row 4, it took me a while to get used to the more realistic driving in GTA V. I destroyed almost every car during the 1st half of the game until I got used to drifting properly in specific vehicles. But that’s just me, I definitely drive better in reality than virtually. Rockstar made sure you had guns for days to go against any disgruntled pedestrian, coyote, or police officer. With access to a grenade launcher, sticky bombs, high-powered sniper rifles, chain guns, body armor, and more. Fun is the game, missions can easily become optional.
It’s all about the big score as you set intricate heists. You get to choose your what members you want on your crew and based on their ability, how much of a cut they get as well. You can executive a heist in stealth & grace or loud & aggressive. Mind you, there are tons of side missions and other random activities to keep you going. Such as shooting coyotes w/ sniper rifles, playing tennis or golf, assassinations, etc. The downside is that you have to complete them in order to advance the game.
Rockstar definitely raised the bar of limitations on GTA V.
I was able to go to a strip-club, get lap dance, and take the stripper home for sex. I was able to drive past the gates at the airport (which automatically gives you 3 stars) and steal a private jet to fly to the mountain side of the massive map. You can take to the ocean and stab a shark and even sat through a terrible movie in the theaters. However, there is a lot you can do in this game but still some things are off-limits.You still can’t enter every building like I’d want to. Not that everyone would want to but you can’t.
A very graphic, well-written film in the form of a video game.
TG 2 Cents
With everything Rockstar put into this game, this is hands-down the best in the GTA series. Maybe even the best game of the year thus far. Yup. it’s that good. There a few minor details that can be tweaked like when you switch characters, it could be a lot quicker when not in combat. It’s not perfect but pretty damn close. It offers a scope of what developers can do with games on a massive level. Games like this will cause gamers on the fence of picking up a next-gen console to wait. The complexity and depth of GTA V shows there’s still life in the current consoles.
To Buy Or To Rent
This is a must-buy. It offers multiple endings based on your choices along w/ online multiplayer. Giving you great replay value. If you are on the fence, hit up Redbox and rent it, you will become a believer.
Disclaimer: Grand Theft Auto V for the Xbox 360 was provided by Rockstar Games.
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