Tayla Lyell: 'Grand Theft Auto V' Review

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Developer: Rockstar North

Release Date: Sept. 17, 2013

Platform: Xbox 360 & PS3

Genre: Open-World Action

MSRP: $59.99

Welcome to Los Santos

With Grand Theft Auto V, Rockstar Games has pushed open-world gaming to a new era by smashing through the barriers and breaking all the boundaries set forth by previous iterations of the series.

While the formula is recognizable and familiar, the incredible tsunami of new content immerses gamers into an experience unlike any on the market today. At its core, GTA V retains the iconic sentiments and themes set forth by the seminal GTA III, which remains the gold-standard in open-world gaming.

The new chapter emphasizes that anything-can-happen randomness while capitalizing on the open-world freedom in exciting new ways. Players have the freedom to do what they want, when they want, and GTA V offers an unprecedented new level of choice to the series with a multitude of recreational activities, side quests, collectibles and character-specific missions.

Michael overlooks the sweeping skyline of Los Santos, filled with tall buildings that scrape the clouds above.

Feel like going jet skiing and catching some waves? Sure. Want to practice your tennis skills? Go right ahead. Need to improve your marksmanship? Check out Ammu Nation’s shooting ranges. Players can also go base jumping with parachutes, soar the skies in helicopters and planes, submerge underwater in a mini-sub, or even go to a strip club for a lapdance (or three).

We can’t forget the locale, as the franchise has always portrayed iconic cityscapes and in-game areas. Los Santos–the game’s virtual playground–truly is a world in itself that adequately mirrors California’s environs, down to the urban cities and beaches to the rural desert towns and rocky highlands.

No GTA game would be complete without incredibly offensive humor; GTA V kicks the shock-value up several notches by including the infamous satire as well as controversial violence. Gunfights and wanton shooting sprees have always been staples of the series, but now we have Trevor Philips–the one-man demolition crew who tortures and leaves rampant destruction in his wake.

Planes, trains and automobiles–GTA V has ‘em all (watercraft too!).

The mechanics have been completely overhauled to reflect every game Rockstar has worked on in the past; Red Dead Redemption’s slo-mo makes an appearance, as does Max Payne‘s weapon wheel. There are a host of new additions like Stealth Mode, a dynamic smartphone interface, character-specific stats, a highly interactive mini-map, and a snap-on cover system for firefights.

The most obvious change in GTA V is the inclusion of not just one but three main characters, an unprecedented move that brings a smattering of strategic advantages.

The introduction of a triumvirate allows Rockstar to build a rich and complex story arc with character-specific missions, expanding the traditional linear structure to three forking paths. Using this formula, Rockstar has mixed and blended an explosive and volatile concoction that once again proves that the studio knows their chemistry.

Michael stands sentinel against the iconic Vinewood sign, one of the game’s instantly recognizable landmarks.

Story

Right from the start, GTA V pulls you in and never lets you go. Rockstar has found a way to seamlessly blur the lines between a cinematic and gameplay experience; a trick that’s dependent on the game’s engaging plot, cinematic sequences and high production values.

The story arc is a blend of themes and plots from classic crime movies, incorporating many signature twists and elements found in action films that feature things like bank heists, shootouts, high-speed getaways, and of course blackmailing crooked agents.

Grand Theft Auto V‘s storyline breaks the mold of the single-protagonist linear structure; while the missions are in a set path, players can choose to replay them at any time as well as tackle character-specific missions. The game chronicles the paths taken by three diverse criminals who have their own personalities, styles, and roles:

The three players of GTA V (from left to right): Trevor Philips, Franklin Clinton, and Michael de Santa.

Michael de Santa - Michael is a retired bank-robber-turned-father who spends most of his time watching movies in his villa in Los Santos and reminiscing about his glory days of heisting.

Eventually his life of affluence and leisure bore him, and his desire to return to his old life provokes a mid-life crisis of sorts. Michael’s spitfire attitude eventually lead him to a series of circumstances that plunge him back into the only life he’s ever really known: crime.

Franklin Clinton -*A young rough-and-tumble gangbanger of sorts, Franklin survives by working risky jobs with his half-baked childhood friend Lamar, all of which usually end up with the two of them having to shoot their way out of a tough situation.

Franklin wants more than the odd hood-job has to offer, and isn’t satisfied with Lamar’s nickle-and-dime stunts; eventually Franklin meets Michael during a repo stint goes awry, introducing him to a new life of risky–yet rewarding–crime.

Trevor Philips -*There are few words that can aptly describe Trevor; he’s lewd, crude and sadistic, and often satisfies his psychopathic urges with torture and wanton violence.

Mr. Philips of TP Industries is chaos incarnate, but this is precisely what makes him a valuable asset–as long as he can be controlled.

Trevor is a ticking time bomb, but that’s exactly why we need him, as he brings an explosive element to every job. Trevor’s fierce and unrelenting nature isn’t without its quirks–he has quite the sadistic sense of humor, often laughing like a madman as he wreaks chaos during the job.

Like it or not, Trevor and Michael go way back, and for all of his craziness he’s quite loyal. Being one of the more memorable characters, Trevor carves out a swath of fury and total havoc wherever he goes, making him the wildcard of the criminal triumvirate.

As players continue completing the tangled webwork of quests and missions, the plot thickens and becomes more layered, often revealing key points of each character’s pasts. The criminal anti-heroes all have their own lackeys and accessory followers: Michael has his family (his wife Amanda, his son Jimmy and his daughter Tracey), Franklin has his homies (his friends Lamar and Stretch), and Trevor has his “business associates” (Nervous Ron and Wade).

Base jumping isn’t just an exhilarating sport; it’s part of the job for any serious professional criminal.

Game Mechanics

Grand Theft Auto V has been completely refined to bring remarkably fluid mechanics to gameplay. Whether you’re tearing through the streets of Los Santos behind the wheel of a Bravado Banshee or gunning down rival gang members in the hood, the controls and general mechanics are superbly defined.

The game’s UI is minimalistic this time around, featuring combination interface that lumps in your on-screen mini-map, health, armor and special skill meters. The upper right hand side shows how much cash you have, and the lower right-hand displays the current location as well as the model and manufacturer of a vehicle. Pressing Start brings up a six-pane menu plotted with various windows such as Map, Brief, Stats, Settings, Game and Online.

The Map window is perhaps the most useful as it shows the entirety of GTA V‘s virtual world, with various locations plotted via the legend. Unexplored areas will be cloudy, so you’ll have to visit them to fill in the map. Additionally players can set active waypoints to track a path to any location, which is essential since Los Santos is such a massive city with a dizzying number of roads.

Michael, Franklin and Trevor all have their own stats that are tailored to their specific roles in combat and heists, but these proficiencies can be raised with various training activities.

Stats & Skills

Michael, Franklin and Trevor all have their own unique stats and Special Skills that define their personas as well as roles in combat and missions. The statistics include Special, Stamina, Shooting, Strength, Stealth, Flying, Driving and Lung Capacity–all of which determine a character’s proficiency in various activities.

The stats aren’t fixed and can be raised, and each character has their own specific requirements to raise certain stats; for example, raising Michael’s driving skill requires him to drive fast at high speeds, whereas to raise Trevor’s skill you’ll need to hold wheelies and land squarely after big jumps.

Improving your Flying stat reduces turbulence and makes soaring the skies a more fluid experience–which can be quite valuable during high-stakes missions.

Improving stats have noticeable affects on certain things like flying helicopters and planes as well as how vehicles handle at high-speeds. All of the stats are inherently useful and can help get the higher scores on those tough jobs. The Special Abilities determine certain things like mission roles–you’ll want Franklin as the getaway driver due to his skill, whereas Trevor can be a bullet sponge/executioner.

Michael - Slows down time while aiming/shooting, perfect for multiple headshots when things get out of hand.

Franklin - Slows down time while behind the wheel of any vehicle, perfect for those tough races or split-second turns during high-speed chases.

Trevor - Psychotic rage brings Trevor to the point of near-invulnerability, enhancing the amount of damage he can take while delivering a rampage of destruction.

The skill bar is finite and drains rapidly, but you can always refill it by scoring headshots and earning kills. Sometimes the requirements to fill the special ability bar vary from character to character, as Trevor can refill his bar by taking damage whereas Michael’s bar refills steadily when you score headshots.

Combat can be quite explosive, as Trevor demonstrates his love for wanton chaos.

Combat & Stealth Mechanics

Combat mechanics have been refined as well to provide players with tactical advantage during dangerous firefights. When the bullets start flying, its best to take cover with RB to avoid getting shot. Unless you’re using Trevor’s special ability or have high Strength, it doesn’t take very much to get killed in GTA V, especially if the enemies are using certain weapons like shotguns.

Making strategic use of cover can be the difference between life and death, and you can practically use anything as cover; a wall, barricade, a car, dumpster–as long as its solid, you can use it. The cover mode automatically snaps a player to the nearest protective fortification, and players return to cover after they’ve returned fire. Firearms can be purchased at Ammu Nation stores across Los Santos, all of which are cusotmizable with scopes and suppressors which improve the weapon’s overall stats.

Now gamers can equip more than one type of weapon in each slot, which is a helpful feature to say the least. To improve your Shooting stat, you can always visit an Ammu Nation shooting range, and getting certain scores in all of the challenges unlocks a discount on future purchases.

Just about every mission has some instances of combat, whether its a quick snatch-and-grab pictured above or an all-out gun battle.

The weapon wheel has six slots–that is six types of weapon–and each slot can hold multiples. Stopping by your local gunstore and stocking up can lead to some pretty interesting results during your next mission, especially if you get creative and use certain guns in tandem.

For gamers who prefer flexing their Metal Gear Solid muscles, GTA V also has a new Stealth Mode. Certain missions require you to sneak up on enemies, and there are many advantages of using stealth: if you catch them off guard you won’t get reinforcements gunning you down, and the cops won’t usually show up either. The only trade off is that using Stealth Mode is slow and steady and thus requires patience.

Additionally enemies are sometimes unpredictable and can turn around abruptly, but if you’re using the cover function to hide behind objects you should be fine. Stealth Mode also reduces the noise you make, as general footsteps and running will alert nearby enemies.

Gamers can also shoot out nearby lights Splinter Cell-style in order to hide themselves or dead bodies from the prying eyes of guards, which opens up quite a bit of tactical advantage.

The grenade launcher is handy for creating fiery havoc and reducing enemies to charred smoke.

Missions

GTA V is punctuated by a vast webwork of missions, many of which weave in and out of each character’s respective paths. How the missions are handled, the objectives they entail and where they take place are determined by which character is taking part.

Franklin’s missions, for example, often take place with his homie Lamar in a series of ill-fated stints, whereas many of Trevor’s missions take place near his trailer in Sandy Shores. You’ll get rated upon completion of every job and quest, with an aggregate score based on your performance and pre-set modifiers, and there are three grades: bronze, silver and gold.

Heists are bigger in scope and aren’t as simple as driving to a certain checkpoint; these escapades have to be planned and prepared. Before the heist can begin, players must pick their team and select the method it’ll go down: usually the choices are “loud and stupid” or “quite and smart”.

Afterwards *you’ll have to gather supplies based on which option you select, which range from specific weapons, vehicles or even chemicals–and of course you’ll have to steal them.

Planning a score is a dynamic process that players get to take part in, choosing which methods as well as the crew members.

There are four main elements to any given heist, which include the preparation stage where the method of execution and crew are selected, the job itself which culminates in high-risk situations, the getaway, and finally the division of the take:

Preparation & Planning -*Players get to choose how they want each job to go down, with various options that each require certain tools and crew members. Go in rough and risky, or do things with finesse and be sneaky; both ways have their own variations in requirements, risk and circumstance.

You’ll get to choose your own crew as well, and each member has their own proficiencies and skill sets.

The better a crew member is, the more they cost, and the better the job will usually be. The more you use a crew member the higher their respective skills become, so there’s an inherent balance. Basically, if you don’t pay for a quality crew, you’ll pay later when they mess up and lose their part of the take in the process.

So when you can, be sure to try to balance your team with reliable partners. Stealing/buying/attaining the proper tools for the job, whether its a pest control van, a specific set of guns, or even chemicals to knock people out.

Often you’ll have to wear disguises while taking on those risky jobs, especially when robbery at gunpoint is a must.

Heist Proper -*After everything’s set up, the heist begins and the action starts. Usually culminates in forcibly taking the score, be it gems, money or other valuables. During the heist, players switch between various characters to experience the full effect, from the grabbing of the take to the high-speed getaway.

The Getaway -*Once you’re out of the bank or the store, the job isn’t over: now you have to take the money and run. Getting away from the cops is immensely fun and puts an emphasis on the thrill of crime, but it can be challenging as cars are everywhere and often you’ll have to take side-roads and shortcuts into incomplete subway tunnels to escape.

Getaways aren’t easy, as players must navigate traffic and avoid police while staying with the rest of their crew in the process.

Sportscars make great getaway autos, as they handle well and get good top speeds–both of which are must-haves when trying to lose the cops during a chase.

Dividing the Score -*Once the heat has worn off and you’ve gotten away from the cops, it’s time to pay your crew. Each member takes their cut, including Lester, leaving our protagonists with their own percentages.

The remainder funds future projects–you didn’t think you’d get it all, did you? The quests, heists and jobs can be any number of combinations of driving/operating vehicles–from cars, mini-subs, helicopters and planes–to explosive firefights against dozens of baddies.

There are also some high-speed chases thrown into the mix as well, along with specific environment interactions required to complete the mission. Every heist is unique in its own way and Rockstar has made very single job a memorable and entertaining experience with a blend of pure action with emphasis on shoot-em-up and vehicle operation skills.

The city’s night life is quite eye-catching and affords for a scenic view across many different perspectives.

Unique Features

Grand Theft Auto V has a myriad of unique features that set it apart from other games in the genre. Coupled with the amazing size of the game’s virtual world, there are a few mechanics that deserve some time in the limelight: the ability to switch between Michael, Franklin or Trevor on the fly is such an example.

While you’re playing as Michael, for instance, the other members of the crew aren’t just idly waiting around for you to choose them; they’re out wandering around, doing crazy things and getting into trouble. Players can jump into Trevor’s shoes when they’re not on a mission and tackle some of his side quests, or hang with Lamar and Stretch as Franklin back in the hood.

This mechanic is also utilized frequently within heist missions, too. Each of the three have certain roles in every mission, and to get the full experience, Rockstar will choreograph certain events that are tailored for each character role.

For example, if enemy helicopters swoop in when Michael’s flying the cargobob with Franklin in the gunner seat, you’ll get an on-screen prompt to switch to Franklin and gun down the baddies–giving a total experience for gamers to enjoy.

From the warm sands of Los Santos’ many beaches to the verdant highlands of Blaine County, GTA V’s virtual world is a myriad of environments and regions.

The size and intricate region-based detail of Los Santos is another excellent example, as Rockstar has fashioned a dynamic series of environments that make up a thriving world that’s complete with beaches, lagoons, mountain ranges, deserts and the sprawling metropolis of LS itself. The weather and lighting effects are also superlative, creating an incredibly realistic virtual canvas that stretches across the entirety of the island.

The sheer size of the landmass is just as impressive as the buildings, wildlife and people that inhabit it. Every region has its own diverse climate and regional population, representing Rockstar’s flair for stereotypes. The humorous satire is featured throughout the cultural traits as well as dialogue, and you’ll see examples just about everywhere you look; from advertisements to store names and even the radio stations.

Rockstar has used Los Santos as a backdrop to poke fun at all of the pop culture references that surround Los Angeles, creating hilarious moments that ridicule everything from celebrities and Scientology to yoga and health nuts. Another unique feature is GTA V‘s range of characters.

Franklin cases the shores while the Golden Gate Bridge looms in the fog.

Every single person–whether its a key player like Michael De Santa, a lackey like Wade Herbert or just a random hipster strolling the pier–is fully fleshed out with their own personalities and appearances. The main characters are the most engaging, of course, as we get first-hand experiences with their back-stories and their everyday lives, and Trevor is one of the more curious spectacles that the game has to offer.

As the personification of chaos, Trevor Philips expresses himself best with violence and destruction, but he does have his own sense of loyalty and a twisted honorbound creed that somewhat redeems his wild nature.

Trevor is entertaining and steals the scene every time he’s featured, but Michael and Franklin are just as interesting in their own ways. Michael is a silver-tongued snake that usually gets out of any situation unscathed–as was the case during the game’s prologue–whereas Franklin has an attuned sense of loyalty; which is probably why he keeps on helping Lamar screw things up even more (other than the promise of cash, that is).

Search for undersea wreckage and submerged collectibles in Trevor’s mini-sub, and be sure to take a look at the aquatic wildlife while you’re down there.

Conclusion

Grand Theft Auto V is by far the must have game of 2013, and has proven to be Rockstar’s magnum opus swan song. The game features such an astounding amount of in-game content that players could keep themselves busy for months on end, especially since every mission is replayable and that the game’s randomized nature means that anything can happen at any time.

Rockstar Games has fully captured the magic and mayhem of the series while introducing a slew of new features to keep things fresh, while showing their mastery of the multifaceted story which weaves in and out of three major plot arcs. The cinematic sequences and fluid gameplay mechanics blur the edges between gaming and film, creating an interesting example of a hybrid gaming experience that is hard to find within the open-world genre.

GTA V has everything you’d want in an open-world crime title: dozens of hours of content, end-game mini-quests, side-missions and high-stakes capers, a dynamic series of storylines that bleed into one another, and a smattering of new vehicles, environments and weapons to deliver the definitive GTA experience.

Pros

+ Massive virtual world

+ Amazing graphics & lighting

+ Incredible environmental effects

+ Immersive character-driven story

+ Fluid & diverse game mechanics

+ Wide range of activities & missions

+ Active character switching

+ Humorous satirical wit

+ Dynamic stat system

+ Vehicles, guns & customizations

Cons

- Minor bugs here and there

Grand Theft Auto V is now available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. For more information be sure to check out our recent coverage or visit Rockstar’s official website.

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