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Grand Theft Auto V (PS4) Review
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Genre: Open-World Action-Adventure
Release: 2014
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most ambitious open-world games of its generation. Originally released on PS3 and Xbox 360, the PS4 version substantially improves the experience with higher visual detail, increased draw distances, denser traffic and wildlife, additional activities, enhanced effects and a first-person mode. ()
Set across Los Santos and Blaine County, the game combines a massive open world with three playable protagonists, a lengthy criminal story, an impressive variety of missions and the enormous GTA Online. Even years after its original release, the PS4 version remains an exceptionally complete open-world experience.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The defining feature of Grand Theft Auto V is its freedom.
You can drive cars, motorcycles, boats and aircraft, participate in shootouts, explore the countryside, play sports, go shopping, hunt wildlife, gamble, customize vehicles and simply cause chaos throughout Los Santos.
The game also introduces three protagonists:
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Michael De Santa a retired criminal attempting to live a comfortable life.
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Franklin Clinton a young street hustler looking for a way into the criminal world.
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Trevor Philips an unpredictable and violent criminal with very few boundaries.
The ability to switch between them is particularly effective. During many missions, the player can switch characters in real time, allowing each protagonist to perform a different role.
Strengths
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Excellent driving mechanics.
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Huge variety of weapons and vehicles.
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Three protagonists provide different perspectives.
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Character-switching works extremely well during missions.
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Excellent shooting mechanics.
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Numerous activities outside the main story.
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Vehicle customization adds depth.
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First-person mode provides a completely different perspective.
Weaknesses
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Some mission structures are overly scripted.
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Police AI can occasionally be frustrating.
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Character progression is relatively limited compared with traditional RPGs.
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Certain activities feel more like distractions than meaningful gameplay.
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Driving physics can take some adjustment.
The core gameplay remains incredibly versatile. Very few open-world games offer so many different ways to interact with their environments.
Exploration & World Design
Los Santos is an extraordinary open world.
The city itself contains skyscrapers, suburbs, industrial areas, beaches, shopping districts, highways and wealthy neighbourhoods. Outside the city is Blaine County, featuring mountains, deserts, forests, small towns and rural communities.
The contrast between Los Santos and the countryside is particularly effective.
The world also feels alive because of its population and environmental activity. Traffic, pedestrians, wildlife, random encounters and various scripted events make simply travelling around the map entertaining.
The PS4 version significantly improves the world compared with the original PS3 release. Increased draw distances, denser traffic and vegetation, additional wildlife and improved weather effects make Los Santos feel more detailed and populated. ()
There are also plenty of secrets and hidden locations to discover.
Story & Themes
The story follows three criminals whose lives become increasingly interconnected.
Michael wants to escape his criminal past but finds himself pulled back into the world of crime. Franklin wants to rise above his current circumstances, while Trevor represents an almost completely uncontrolled form of criminality.
Their personalities clash constantly, creating some of the game's most entertaining moments.
The story satirizes numerous aspects of modern American culture, including:
The writing is frequently hilarious but also deliberately excessive and provocative.
Trevor in particular can be difficult to sympathize with, but his unpredictable behaviour creates some of the game's most memorable scenes.
The main story also benefits enormously from the heist structure. Players are often given preparation missions before carrying out major robberies, sometimes allowing them to choose between different approaches.
The biggest weakness is that the story occasionally sacrifices character development for shock value and comedy.
Final Verdict
Grand Theft Auto V is an exceptional open-world game and one of Rockstar's most accomplished releases. The combination of a huge world, three playable protagonists, excellent driving, satisfying shooting, spectacular heists and an enormous selection of activities makes it remarkably difficult to exhaust.
The three-character system is particularly successful. Michael, Franklin and Trevor provide completely different personalities and perspectives, while switching between them during missions creates some genuinely memorable sequences.
The PS4 version is also an excellent upgrade. The improved visuals, increased environmental density and first-person mode make Los Santos feel significantly more immersive than the original PS3 version.
Its biggest weaknesses are relatively minor compared with the overall package. Some missions are too scripted, certain activities become repetitive and GTA Online can feel heavily focused on grinding for money.
Despite those issues, Grand Theft Auto V remains an outstanding example of open-world game design. It combines freedom and spectacle better than almost any other game of its generation.
Score: 9.5/10
