Grand Theft Auto V Review

Grand Theft Auto V is the newest addition in Rockstar Game's GTA franchise, known for being one of the most best-selling and controversial franchises in videogame history. The series suffered minor shortcomings in it's 2008 release Grand Theft Auto IV, which got mostly "meh" responses from fans of the series. However, GTA V kicks back into the good old GTA spirit.

Gameplay mostly revolves around three characters -- Trevor, Franklin, and Michael -- which the player can switch between freely. Each character has their own special missions, whether related to the main story or connected to side-missions with the colorful characters they meet with "Strangers and Freaks". Each character has their own cash reserve and stats, which you can build up as time goes on.

The world itself is massive. Previously in other GTA games, there were only a few minor businesses (Burger Shot, Didier Sachs, Binco, Sprunk) who's store you could go into and buy, though some of these businesses you can't even interact with. GTA V contains over 70 companies, some new some returning, which you can completely interact with. Almost every company comes with its own website (which also makes GTA's virtual internet massive), own stock, billboard ads, radio ads, etc. The world also contains a wide variety of animals, ranging from moose to coyotes to sharks and more in which you can interact with and hunt, either for money or for fun.

Speaking of hunting, it is only one of the incredible amount of activities available in the GTA V universe. Things such as camping, tennis, triathlons, and dirt racing only scratch the surface of the things you can do in this world. It's massive, immersive, and fun.

One of the newest and biggest features in GTA V though is heist. Unfortunately, you can not stage your own heists on a whim (NOTE: This is how it is at the percentage of the game I have finished. I will edit this if it turns out to be untrue), the heists are realistic, immersive, and exciting. 

Gameplay-wise, you can easily tell Rockstar listened to the fans by adding Max Payne 3's incredible and highly praised shooting into GTA V. Though auto-aim sometimes gets annoying and makes the game too easy, the gameplay is a load of fun.

Another feature GTA V adds to the table are mission checklists. To the average player these aren't very interesting, but to a completionist it is a whole new challenge to try to complete.

Overall, GTA V's world is immersive and incredible. For those who have been waiting to buy this game because they were unpleased with GTA IV, GTA V fixes a ton of the problems the fourth had.

THE VERDICT -- 10/10

GTA V rivals with the previous successes of Vice City and San Andreas, and is the best game Rockstar has made in years.

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