Grand Theft Auto V Review

We are big fans of Rockstar Games here at GameDroid and feel that they really pulled it off yet again with Grand Theft Auto V, 5 years on the game is still as interesting as the day it was when it first come out. However, can it be the first game to hit the 10/10 mark on the leaderboard? Let's review this!

The Story

The story of GTA V revolves around three main characters, Michael Townley, Trevor Philips and Franklin Clinton. The story starts out with a flash back to Michael and Trevor with a team robbing a bank vault. After events go wrong Michael and another team member, Brad, is shot and thought to be dead. It then cuts to a scene of Michael watching over a funeral before the game cuts back to the current day.

Micheal is under witness protection when he meets Franklin for the first time. Franklin is a gang member and is hired to fraudulently repossess Micheal's son's car. Michael catches Franklin in the act and after using Franklin to confront his boss Michael ends up making friends with Franklin. Michael later finds his wife cheating with her tennis trainer and in a rage attempts to go after him. Michael ends up destroying a mansion in the hillside, that mansion turns out to be Martin Madrazos, a Mexican drug lord. In a panic Michael agrees to pay for the damages, he then contacts Franklin and an old friend Lester to carry out a job. The job turns out to be a heist on a jewellery store, when the job is a success it is broadcasted all over the tele. This is where Trevor realises Michael is still alive and tracks him down.

As the story carries on the three characters have their own lives which you also live through. Micheal becomes a film producer, this causes his issues with another billionaire producer and causes Micheal to take action. Franklin is wrapped up with his gang life and Trevor's erratic behaviour sees him fighting the Lost Motorcycle Club, Merryweather, Triad kingpins, street gangs, rival drug dealers and hillbillies.

Due to Michael being under witness protection the FIB (Federal Investigation Bureau) contacts Michael. Agents Dave and Steve try to blackmail him to carry out a number of jobs to get one better than the IAA (International Affairs Agency). With the help of Franklin and Lester they carry out jobs such as attacking armoured vans carrying cash and stealing chemical weapons. The last job for Micheal to do is to erase evidence that the agents where involved in the crimes however Michael takes the opportunity to delete his history, thus removing the leverage that agents have on Micheal.

While all that is going on with Michael, Trevor finds out that Brad was not missing but dead. He also finds out that Brad was buried in the grave that was thought to be Michael's. Michael's betrayal to the agents causes him to be caught in the middle of the FIB, IAA and the private security Merryweather however Trevor feels that he is the one to kill Michael, so he agrees to help fight. The three characters also plan to do one big final heist, the Union Depository being the target.

The heist is carried out and is a success. Franklin is then approached by the agents who wants him to deliver Michael for his betrayal, they also say that Trevor is a liability and should be taken care of. Franklin then has to choose between killing Michael or Trevor. Another choice is that the trio take on the FIB and Merryweather while trying to take out the two agents and other large characters in each of the rival groups. In the end everything is a success, Trevor and Michael agree to remain friends and everyone goes off in their own ways.

Gameplay

Grand Theft Auto can be played throughout either in 3rd person or 1st, 3rd person is the favoured choice but with the tank like controls at times it can be a bit of challenge to carry out the smaller movements. 1st person also has this feel to it where you need to over exaggerate the movements before you get any real responses. This isn't always a problem but playing the game for a long period of time you do notice it every now and then. When driving, flying or sailing however things are completely different, the controls are smooth and very responsive.

From the beginning of the game until the end the map is open and you are free to roam where you please. Of course as you progress through the story parts of the map become more busy with side missions, events and general gameplay content. Each mission to GTA is very linear, the missions are set up in a way that you must follow but this doesn't take away any of the experience at all. The missions are still enjoyable, over the top and explosive, literally. Each mission is only played by one of the main characters however there are big missions that feature all three and allow you to switch between each person. This gives you a different experience and just allows you see what is going on from another point of view. You also have the option to change between characters when your outside roaming and see how each character lives their lives.

The Visuals

Visually the game is very pleasing, even five years on this game could still stand up to some of the bigger titles released today. The level of detail to even the smallest of things is impressive and this gives you the feeling that your always finding something new. Each area shows off, whether you in the city at night with it all lit up or out in the desert while the sun sets. Either way night or day, sunny or raining this game looks impressive.

The Soundtrack

The soundtrack to this game is also something that is very enjoyable. You have a number radio stations to choose from depending on the taste of your music with some rather questionable but funny adverts in between. Bigger missions also have music played in the background, this causes you to get more engrossed and makes certain missions very memorable.

The day to day sounds within the game is also interesting, whether you stand in the city and listen to two people arguing in their cars or out in the middle of know where with the sounds of a mountain lion getting ready to attack, it just shows to the level of detail. It is that level of detail that increases its score.

The Verdict

I can't praise this game enough, the level of detail that has gone into this game along with its hours upon hours of playability makes it something that will be remembered for a very long time. The characters along with the dialog is hilarious and sometimes shocking but this just forces you to like them and want to play on. After delaying this game initially Rockstar really pulled it off, with a game like this we can only look forward to what is to come in the future for Rockstar games, but they have set the bar very high. For the first time on GameDroid, Grand Theft Auto is our first 10/10 game, it really is 'THE BIG ONE'

10/10 - Outstanding

Pros:

Level of Detail

Hours of Playability

Interesting Characters

Visually Stunning

Cons:

Tank like controls

No Bowling

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