I would love to tell you that this is a full review of the game, but since I have only been able to spend a few hours in the vast world that is Grand Theft Auto V, all I can offer are my initial thoughts on what Rockstar has given us. And I can sum it up in one word:
Wow!
Rockstar has consistently set the benchmark in what is available to players to do in an open world, sandbox style game, and what I love about the developer is that with each release, they are never happy to make small, evolotionary steps, but revolutionary changes that quickly become the standard that countless other games try to emulate.
But you aleady knew that, so let’s talk about GTAV.
First and foremost, the graphics are breathtaking by console standards. The jump from GTAIV and even Red Dead Redemption is easily discernable and is the first thing to leap out at you. The draw distance goes for miles, and you can literally see across the entire vista of Los Santos. When you are brought back down to the gritty streets, buildings and inhabitants around you, the visuals pop and show what these consoles can do when pushed to their limits. It’s not perfect, as some of the character models aren’t as good as what we had in L.A. Noire, but GTAV demonstrates that there is life left in our consoles that developers can still take advantage of as they cross over in to the next-gen era.
Credit: Game Informer
The first few hours are a masterfully paced tutorial that helps the player learn all the skills necessary to be competent at what’s to come. Whether you need to know how to take cover during a shootout (which is handled much better than GTAIV and is rather reminiscent of Gears of War), swap between active players to find a fugitive or help characters jump to and from moving vehicles, each lesson takes what it taught you before and builds on it. It walks the fine line between holding your hand and letting you figure out what the hell to do next without ever making the situation feel too easy or cheap. I died a good number of times in a few of the opening missions, and since it was due to the fact that I hadn’t mastered a necessary skill, I never found it frustrating. And considering how much fun and action packed these missions were, it didn’t seem like a chore having to redo parts of them (thankfully, the game includes checkpoints within missions that don’t force you to start them all the way over if you fail).
One big change from the last games is that your characters have ‘powers’ that will help you accomplish what’s been set before you. Since I’ve only unlocked Michael and Franklin, I’m unaware of what Trevor can do, but the two of them have the ability to slow down time while running and driving, respectively, while still allowing you to control them at normal speed. Activating your powers so you can thread your car through two semis while trying to shoot your target off his motorcycle is exhilirating, and since you have to recharge your power meter, it’s something you only get to do ocassionally which makes it all the more fun.
I was also happy to discover that it appears you will meet all three characters in a completely organic and natural way. I’m not going to share any spoilers, but the first few interactions between Michael and Franklin worked wonderfully and easily explained the bond that will develop between them.
Lastly, I wanted to check out some of the extra stuff you can do instead of just the missions, so I drove over to a movie theatre to see what was playing. After sitting down and enjoying the obligatory trailer reminding the audience not to talk, use their cell phones or masturbate (of course this is a problem!), I was treated to a foreign and pretentious art-house film about a hermaphrodite that probably would have won some type of audience award at Sundance or another film festival. So if you were worried that any of the great tongue-in-cheek humor wouldn’t be here in abundance, never fear, as it’s much more entertaining and fleshed out than ever before.
All of this, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of what I can find in the game. Like I said, I haven’t even met Trevor yet or gone on any of the trademark heists that everyone has been talking about. Also, online play hasn’t been launched yet, and while I’ve downloaded their iPad app, iFruit, which allows you to customize characters, weapons and cars and train your pet dog, I have yet to be able to access that as well. Basically, I’m having a ton of fun and can’t wait to dive back in!
Rockstar has delivered a masterpiece that will easily find itself in the running for Game of the Year. If you aren’t playing it yet, run out and get it now!