Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is currently the latest installment of the criminal saga series. Following the three protagonists, you make your criminal career in hot and rich Los Santos.

Graphics 5/5

It’s not as photorealistic as the next project by Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption II. Instead, highlighting its conventional essence, the designers make it very comic-like, with hypertrophied coolness, luxury and violence. This comic-like 3D world on one of the largest maps ever looks impressive. As for voicing, its, on the contrary, very vivid and realistic. Finally, the music played on the radio is a special sort of fun, featuring dense, rocking urban soundtrack to the adventures.

Gameplay 5/5

Like in previous GTA installments, you get into a fictional city (Los Santos inspired by LA) and get familiar with its underground life, as well as luxury based on ill-gotten gains.

The story of the three partners-in-crime, two of them being long-time fellows and one joining recently, is shown through the eye of each of them. Michael, Trevor and Franklin have their special abilities. You may select the best one when you need to shoot sharp, drive fast, or steal around unseen.

Along the saga, you’ll need to fight and drive, rob and play, gain reputation and skills, restore powers and learn new skills. You’ll need to live in the game to enjoy it. Along with core missions, you can run guns, go to the casino, change cars and weapons, change appearance, eat and drink, visit gyms and bars – live an everyday life of a criminal.

The game has about 70 missions to complete, and its open world lets you go beyond these. In addition, there is an online mode now, with its own perks. PC users can also enjoy various unofficial mods; on PS4 or Xbox they aren’t available.

Controls 5/5

GTA V, available for PC, PS3/4, and Xbox 360/One, utilizes the default control schemes for first-person adventures. With a gamepad, you use the left joystick to move your character, the right one to look around, buttons for certain operations, and triggers to shoot or accelerate the car. On PC, you use your mouse with WASD, E for interaction, and so on. Controls shift their meaning when you fight, walk or run, drive a vehicle, etc., but it’s all quite logical.

As for touch devices, it’s tougher. GTA V for iOS or Android was never released (except for fan-made ports). Still, if you have a touchscreen-equipped laptop, you can try it.

Replay Value 5/5

This game never lacked updates and addons, since its very release. Stories included criminal, military and recreational content, like Flight School, Heists, Lowriders, Cunning Stunts, and so on. In 2019, there was only Casino for GTA Online, and that seems more than one could expect six years after the release. Online mode, along with lots of side quests and missions, makes the game quite playable for at least six more years.

The Bottom Line

GTA V is the criminal adventure #1 in today’s gaming, and it’s been developing through. If you haven’t played it for two or three years, it means you don’t know what it’s like now. Alas, the DLC mania is probably over, as hardly will GTA V make it to the ninth-generation consoles. But even the existing content is enough to enjoy for six more years.