Grand Theft Auto V

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,127 out of 5116
  2. Mixed: 454 out of 5116
  3. Negative: 535 out of 5116
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  1. TheOnlineGamer
    May 15, 2021
    7
    While GTA V is certainly fun, and the gameplay is the more streamlined and easily accessible than its ever been, the game frankly comes nowhere near the deep emotional resonance and the gravitas of GTA IV - the best entry in the series by far.

    None of the game’s 3 protagonists were even remotely as interesting as Niko Bellic, and the game’s heavy reliance on satire over any meaningful    While GTA V is certainly fun, and the gameplay is the more streamlined and easily accessible than its ever been, the game frankly comes nowhere near the deep emotional resonance and the gravitas of GTA IV - the best entry in the series by far.

    None of the game’s 3 protagonists were even remotely as interesting as Niko Bellic, and the game’s heavy reliance on satire over any meaningful character or story development gets really old, really fast.

    The physics engine was severely downgraded, the world was nowhere near as detailed as Liberty City and the lack of single-player DLC really hurt the game for me.

    It does have a banging soundtrack though, and the heist missions are some of the series’ very best, but I’d take Vice City, San Andreas and GTA IV over this any day.    … Expand
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Oct 5, 2013
    7
    Rockstar Games and the GTA series helped make the open world action game genre what it is today, and because of that both deserve our respect. I'm just going to go ahead and say that this is just a review of the single-player experience only and not GTA online. I will reference GTA online in this review briefly, but will go more into depth about it with a separate review for it that youRockstar Games and the GTA series helped make the open world action game genre what it is today, and because of that both deserve our respect. I'm just going to go ahead and say that this is just a review of the single-player experience only and not GTA online. I will reference GTA online in this review briefly, but will go more into depth about it with a separate review for it that you can read when it is posted.

    GTA V's city of Los Santos feels alive, brimming with personality and activities. The story and characters are excellent and fully fleshed out. You may be playing as scumbags, but they are the kind of scumbags you can sympathize with and actually are actually likable characters despite their numerous personality flaws. There is some crazy funny stuff going on in Los Santos, stuff so bizarre and hilarious that honestly a lot of it wouldn't have looked out of place in a Saint's Row game. Just turning on your TV or radio and a commercial could pop up with some of the most hilariously un-subtle social commentary you'll ever hear, making for some intentional comedic gold. It's moments like these that help GTA V set itself apart from other games in the genre that its predecessors helped create, but inconsistencies with the gameplay make it feel like GTA is lagging behind recent competitors in the open world genre.

    The story missions are packed with some cool moments and tense shoot-outs, and the game is fun overall, but too often did it feel like the events leading up to these moments were just busy work used to extend the length of the game in some of the dullest ways possible. At one point the game tasked me with mopping, MOPPING! Who wants to do that in a video game? Cop chases are another frustration of mine, I can't tell you how many times I've almost escaped the cops only to have one cop car spawn right in-front of me alerting all cops to my new location and keeping the chase going. It's irritating to no end. Most of my other complaints are minor but did still hurt my opinion of the game. The graphics are a little dated, the radio stations never play anything good, and travel time can be a little too long at times. GTA Online is also still buggy, but you can read more about that in its individual review when I post it.

    All of these flaws bring GTA V down, but they don't make it a bad game. It's still packed with enough fun and impressive moments to make it a good game, it's just not as impressive or as fun as a lot of the other open world games out there. But if you're looking for an open world crime game with a fantastic story, or are just a fan of the series, then you may find GTA V worth your time. Just don't expect anything particularly impressive as far as gameplay is concerned.    … Expand
  3. TixyLix
    Sep 29, 2013
    7
    Pros:

    - Most playable GTA yet in terms of combat mechanics - Lots of fun missions - Great graphics (for consoles) - Great voice acting - Well crafted world - Rockstar are putting real effort into the MP this time (we'll see how they do on Oct 1st) - Very funny writing Cons: - I don't know if it's because I'm a PC gamer and not used to console controls, however I still don't    Pros:

    - Most playable GTA yet in terms of combat mechanics
    - Lots of fun missions
    - Great graphics (for consoles)
    - Great voice acting
    - Well crafted world
    - Rockstar are putting real effort into the MP this time (we'll see how they do on Oct 1st)
    - Very funny writing

    Cons:

    - I don't know if it's because I'm a PC gamer and not used to console controls, however I still don't think the combat is all that great, close combat sucks, it's hard to work out where people are also as often they're not shown on the mini map.
    - Stealth sucks, you cannot stealth anywhere with it really, again enemies don't have a cone of vision or often not on the mini map so it's hard to see where to stealth, the animation is also crap, hard to tell if you're even in it.
    - Radios suck
    - Lack of interiors
    - World feels smaller than they were claiming
    - The story is weak, it's not very well paced and individual character stories seem to end very quickly
    - Poor supporting characters, GTA 4 had Brucie and Packie who were amazing, GTA V doesn't really have anyone who is memorable, even GTA SA had a much better cast.
    - Damage is toned down, vehicles don't deform like they did in GTA 4
    - The driving physics are a step down from 4 IMO
    - You die too easily now, it's no fun to crash your car to destroy it or to run around causing chaos because you cannot take much damage any more.
    - Shooting from vehicles sucks, too hard to tell where you're aiming half the time.
    - Vehicles do not catch on fire to give you a warning when to bail anymore, they just randomly explode, again this makes it unfun to try to see how much damage you can cause to your vehicle.
    - slightest shunts can destroy a wheel making the car impossible to drive.

    etc etc.

    This is by far the world GTA released relative to the time released, it really doesn't feel much of an evolution over GTA 4, it's worse in some cases, I just expected more 5 years later than just better graphics.

    There are many more good and bad points, I'm just listing the ones that spring to mind.    … Expand
  4. norris_
    Sep 28, 2013
    7
    An OK game. Nothing spectacular. As with many open world games, it becomes boring in a short while. Travelling from point A to B and watching cutscenes, that's how I would describe the gameplay. This is essentially GTA IV loaded with more features. If you weren't a fan of the previous games, don't buy this and expect it to be any different. If you were however, then you're gonna love it.
  5. DenKnight-
    Sep 22, 2013
    7
    I appreciate the scale and extra content Rockstar has put into the game. It does feel like there is a lot to do, and it's making me slow down the pace of the story just to check stuff out. However, the story is kind of doing that already. It really doesn't flow well. The characters are ordinary in the previous games there were seriously funny characters and cutscenes, this feels like aI appreciate the scale and extra content Rockstar has put into the game. It does feel like there is a lot to do, and it's making me slow down the pace of the story just to check stuff out. However, the story is kind of doing that already. It really doesn't flow well. The characters are ordinary in the previous games there were seriously funny characters and cutscenes, this feels like a fairly action film.

    What it does it does well, driving and shooting is still fun, some of the race have been great, but for difficulty and longevity of the missions themselves, I'm feeling there is something missing. The missions are so short and have not yet been a challenge...

    Great game as to be expected but they could have put more time in where the game needed it, rather than building a huge map, of which most of it you'll never see....    … Expand
  6. mrnice
    Oct 23, 2013
    7
    I've completed 80% of all the challenges this game offers, and got the achievement for exploring all of the map. I was quite underwhelmed by the story. I expected something fresh. Like a sudden china town mission or catching a whale or something. But it stayed way within the GTA formula, using some non-exceptional settings spread around the map, and it never felt like anything was reallyI've completed 80% of all the challenges this game offers, and got the achievement for exploring all of the map. I was quite underwhelmed by the story. I expected something fresh. Like a sudden china town mission or catching a whale or something. But it stayed way within the GTA formula, using some non-exceptional settings spread around the map, and it never felt like anything was really at stake.

    The shooting mechanics are not deserving of a game world of this caliber. You can read about that before you buy the game if it matters to you.

    The side missions were often more 'wacky-fun' than the main ones, and they made me like the game more. The best thing about GTA V is the satire, which is uniquely expansive and cynical. Oh and the soundtrack might be the best GTA soundtrack ever. So many lyrics that comment on the game. So many hidden gems from recent music history.

    The worst thing about the game (GTA games infamously have one element that sucks) was diving for collectibles. Outside of the main missions, I spent one full hour diving for 30 x 'nuclear waste' and it might have been the most boring fetch quest I've ever played.

    I've played the game for about 40 hours and I could still keep playing it for more achievements, not mentioning Online which is 'acceptable' despite crazy loading times and often mediocre sessions. A game that ticks all the right boxes but nonetheless plays like yesteryear's. A bit like a really big Fifa game with a new campaign and new amazing stadiums. It could just benefit from a game-changer, like when planes were introduced.

    All in all, a very polished and ambitious GTA game. Maybe the most ambitious, and certainly the most expansive and detailed. But also the one where each gameplay element doesn't feel as rewarding as back in the old days of difficult gameplay.    … Expand
  7. reviewobsession
    Jan 21, 2015
    7
    This is another evolved big franchise in fast changing game industry. If you're an old GTA fan, don't expect too much from this title. It's lighter, thinner, shorter and easier than its predecessors. On the other hand game's production quality is unquestionable and it has the best interactive story mechanic in series. Story is realistic and entertaining. And it works well with newThis is another evolved big franchise in fast changing game industry. If you're an old GTA fan, don't expect too much from this title. It's lighter, thinner, shorter and easier than its predecessors. On the other hand game's production quality is unquestionable and it has the best interactive story mechanic in series. Story is realistic and entertaining. And it works well with new multi-character system but too short for me. Shooter mechanics is okay and challenging if you turn off auto aim. (but don't expect RDR or GTA 4 mechanics) Game world is huge. But after 3 hours of gameplay it feels lifeless. Game map has no role on game progression. All parts of map are accessible. Almost all vehicles are presented from beginning of the game. And there is no more "i'll unlock other side of the map" motivation. Last and disappointing part of the game is driving mechanics. I think Rockstar tried to grab NFS and Midnight Club players with new car physics but i am out their scope. This game has too many casual design elements when compared to old GTA games. Non of these elements bothered me except driving. Driving the fastest car of the game nearly feels same as driving the slowest one (steering experience). If you're not obsessed with old game mechanics like I am, i guarantee you'll enjoy with this high quality experience. PS 4 version has stunning visuals and FPS mod. I advice PS 4 version if you really want to pay for this game.… Expand
  8. Nednerb
    Mar 21, 2014
    7
    Grand Theft Auto V. Exactly how a open world experience should be. Cars, Boats, Jets, Helicopters, Strip Clubs, Hookers Cultists, Gang bangers and a crazy Zombie that wants to eat your brain. The game improves its predecessors on a grand scale. More could of been doing to increase the difficulty in the game it was rather easy to get Gold Medals throughout every mission. The HeistsGrand Theft Auto V. Exactly how a open world experience should be. Cars, Boats, Jets, Helicopters, Strip Clubs, Hookers Cultists, Gang bangers and a crazy Zombie that wants to eat your brain. The game improves its predecessors on a grand scale. More could of been doing to increase the difficulty in the game it was rather easy to get Gold Medals throughout every mission. The Heists were fun, but there just wasn't enough! GTA Online is great, but the lag is unbearable at times and even worse when you try to play Tennis. Trophy Hunters, the game is a grind to get Platinum but manageable. Great game.… Expand
  9. ffs
    Sep 21, 2021
    7
    Another GTA game by R* where they continue to show off their craftsmanship, which they've been honing for pretty much 15 years. It's a quality product like you'd expect hindered by a weird decision to include three playable characters, which doesn't necessarily help its narrative.
  10. claudionmc
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    claudionmc
    Sep 17, 2013
    7 First of all, I really liked the game, and I'm not a hater... but I think that getting a 10 is too much for the game overall. The amount of things that you can do is tremendous, but also the amount of bugs. Regarding graphics, they are "good" (for a 256mb console), but I cannot give them a 10 remembering graphics of metro:last light, uncharted 2/3, gears of    claudionmc
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    First of all, I really liked the game, and I'm not a hater... but I think that getting a 10 is too much for the game overall. The amount of things that you can do is tremendous, but also the amount of bugs. Regarding graphics, they are "good" (for a 256mb console), but I cannot give them a 10 remembering graphics of metro:last light, uncharted 2/3, gears of war: judgement or the last of us.

    Finally, the IA is not very good, and there is a lot of scripted issues along the game. So that's why I think that a 7/10 is appropriate.    … Expand
  11. bluesoulreaper
    Nov 29, 2013
    7
    GTA V is a good game yet it does not truly reach the upper scores of 9/10. I have completed everything within the single player domain and cannot help but feel that there isn't much left to do after 100% completion; the few things left at the end are mainly activities that quickly lose interest and of course there are still plenty rampages to go on. The game-play is pretty good bothGTA V is a good game yet it does not truly reach the upper scores of 9/10. I have completed everything within the single player domain and cannot help but feel that there isn't much left to do after 100% completion; the few things left at the end are mainly activities that quickly lose interest and of course there are still plenty rampages to go on. The game-play is pretty good both offline and online. The story is decent but what it lacked was an interesting plot; that been said the interactions between characters at certain times are funny and commendable. The online aspect of the game was repulsive when I attempted to play online but to each individual their own opinion. Many of my friends play it online but I stopped playing due to issues with their servers which oddly enough never allow me to play online regardless of my superb internet connection. In any case, GTA V is a game that is worth buying but not at $60.… Expand
  12. footysurfrat
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    There is no denying that this game is huge and was always going to be a smash hit....but you can't help but think as you play that GTA IV was better, i preferred the characters, the story was better as well as the city. There have been improvements in some game play (though aiming is too easy and makes shoot outs almost pointless) but it doesn't feel like a new game, simple a continuation.There is no denying that this game is huge and was always going to be a smash hit....but you can't help but think as you play that GTA IV was better, i preferred the characters, the story was better as well as the city. There have been improvements in some game play (though aiming is too easy and makes shoot outs almost pointless) but it doesn't feel like a new game, simple a continuation. Had it's day??? Probably not, there will always be a new generation of game player who wants to experience the thrill of gansta life, init!… Expand
  13. naveedesahar
    Oct 15, 2014
    7
    I have never played a GTA game, played san andreas a little. I dont play many games only the best selling and those which are critically acclaimed well. Whether GTAV deserves 10/10 or 0/10, its upto one's personal opinion.

    Talking about the positive things, it has open world environment offcourse you can go anywhere and do anything, anytime you want. Story is good but not great. You can    I have never played a GTA game, played san andreas a little. I dont play many games only the best selling and those which are critically acclaimed well. Whether GTAV deserves 10/10 or 0/10, its upto one's personal opinion.

    Talking about the positive things, it has open world environment offcourse you can go anywhere and do anything, anytime you want. Story is good but not great. You can play mini games and other stuff (doesn't matter you like it or not). Thats all positive I can say about it.

    The game have more Cons then Pros in my opinion maybe because its not my type of game. Negative things include sexual contents, bad morality, lack of addiction to keep playing a game etc. In the beginning i felt like boring, i felt i should be watching a movie instead or any other entertainment stuff. But as i went further in the story, I wanted to know what's next and thats the only thing why i finished this game. My review doesn't matter the game has done business and already well acclaimed critically. But maybe it is the game of generation for those who like this kind.    … Expand
  14. will760
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    I figure I'd start at a 5 rating if the game was as good as its predecessor; then work up or down from there. If you’ve played the previous GTAs allot, then this game will feel much the same. Better controls, nicer graphics, more verity, and more realistic sound, but essentially the same. This of course is expected (it is a sequel to a very successful game that works on a provenI figure I'd start at a 5 rating if the game was as good as its predecessor; then work up or down from there. If you’ve played the previous GTAs allot, then this game will feel much the same. Better controls, nicer graphics, more verity, and more realistic sound, but essentially the same. This of course is expected (it is a sequel to a very successful game that works on a proven formula) and welcome since it’s been quite a while since I’ve played a GTA game (it is foreign enough to enjoy again). That all said, it still has that clunky feel of old GTA games and it will grow mundane fairly quick if you’ve really played others in the line. If you’ve never played a GTA game then it’s an absolute must buy, otherwise; I’d recommend renting, borrowing, or buying at a reduced price later in the year.… Expand
  15. minus15t
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    Let me start by saying that I have not finished this game yet, I am around a third of the way through the main missions, and completed some additional activities on the side.

    Grand Theft Auto V is the story of 3 lead characters and their interwoven stories. Michael, Franklin and Trevor. The 3 character system is a great idea, and I can see the advantages from a story point of view.    Let me start by saying that I have not finished this game yet, I am around a third of the way through the main missions, and completed some additional activities on the side.

    Grand Theft Auto V is the story of 3 lead characters and their interwoven stories. Michael, Franklin and Trevor. The 3 character system is a great idea, and I can see the advantages from a story point of view. However, I feel that it simply isn't implemented as well as it could be, or as useful as some of the pre-release footage showed. Any mission I have played to date with multiple characters doesn't let you switch as much as I would like. Chasing a boat with Franklin and Michael was fun, But when Franklin boarded the boat, I wanted to control him, not follow the chase as Michael. Later in the same mission, I would have preferred to continue driving, instead of being forced to switch to the shooter. Maybe that seems like a minor gripe, but the more I have played, the more I see the switching system as an inconvenience. Missions that can only be completed by specific characters, property that has to be bought by the right character, and separate pools of cash and ammo.

    The gameplay aside from switching is tight. Cars control well for the most part, cover and gun play are fun, and the tennis and golf activities play better than some full fledged sports titles I have had the misfortune of playing. But I still find myself getting bored. For such an expansive map there are wide areas of nothing. Mount Chiliad for example. Is massive, it looms large as you approach it, and the mountain base sprawls to cover an area not dissimilar to the area covered by Los Santos itself. But it is barren. I have flew over it a number of times, drove past it even more, and have no desire to go anywhere near it.

    The game is technically very impressive, with no load screens in sight, however, the resulting frame-rate issues occasionally make me wish the game would have stopped for 10 seconds to finish what it was doing before letting me carry on. Graphically it's competent, it does what it sets out to do, and the explosions are very pretty, but graphics are not this games strongest asset.

    The characters are, at least most of them. Most of the characters are well written, well voiced, and have their endearing aspects. At the same time, there are a handful of characters that have bit parts that you feel should be fleshed out more, perhaps I will see them again later in the game. However, I had read other reviews, and from what I was expecting, Trevor was supposed to be the favourite for the player, and Chop the dog was supposed to be a great leap in the 'dogs in games' movement that Peter Molyneux seems to have started.

    But Trevor is just a scumbag, and not the funny kind that he should be, but just a straight out scumbag, his motivations are skewed in such a way that it's hard to empathise with him, when he does some of the things he does, you just wish he would stop. As far as Chop goes, I was forced to use him in one mission, which was painful to see included in a game of this calibre and haven't looked at him since, which makes the companion app redundant so far.

    I feel like I am focusing too much on the negatives, but it's only because I had such hope and hype for this title, and 15 hours in, I am only still playing it because I have nothing else taking me away right now. (So much so that I am taking to writing a review on a site I have never written on before so that I have something else to do for a while)

    It's a solid game, it has some brilliant moments, but just isn't what I was hoping for, and feels like a step in the wrong direction since GTA IV. Perhaps the game will prove me wrong by the time I reluctantly finish it. But right now it feels like there will be more monotony than joy to reach the end game    … Expand
  16. Grade247
    Sep 23, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well thank god I DIDN'T buy into the hype. This game even not all hyped up failed to meet expectations. The 3 characters Trevor especially was WAY beyond over the top and just stupid and irritating. The Soundtrack don't even get me started talk about pure GARBAGE worse soundtrack yet. Trevor kills of Jonny from The Lost expansion in the first 20 seconds of first seeing Trevor that's some BS Jonny would trash him. The Heist were a HUGE let down there is all of what 4 MAYBE 5 that you get to plan and that's IT?! The mission are fun and the game is beautiful and fun but NOT even remotely worth game of the year I don't care about sale those mean nothing other then people buying into mass hype. Bioshock Infinite and Splinter cell blacklist are FAR more fun in my opinion and id get them over GTA 5. I will say that online hant been release YET BUT if it is ANYTHING like GTA 4 online it will just morph into a damn mass kill fest and get incrediably old very fast. To me this felt like a glorified GTA 4 with a GARBAGE sound track bad driving physicis and glitchy garages (car saves) and 3 main characters that I couldn't ever follow or ever connect with because I couldn't even lable them as anti-heros or protagonists that are all just complete scum.

    These are just MY OPINIONS don't get all butt hurt and offended because I DIDN'T like the "best game of 2013"

    END RANT.    … Expand
  17. JetSetter20
    Sep 24, 2013
    7
    I love this game, it bring backs some elements of old GTA games. Those who are giving this game 0's just to be complete the game isn't THAT horrible, it's not horrible at all. It has flaws yes, but what game doesn't?. It might not be GOTY worthy, but it certainly is a fun ass game to play. The problems I have with it though is the vehicle controls, their so sensitive, one tiny jerk ofI love this game, it bring backs some elements of old GTA games. Those who are giving this game 0's just to be complete the game isn't THAT horrible, it's not horrible at all. It has flaws yes, but what game doesn't?. It might not be GOTY worthy, but it certainly is a fun ass game to play. The problems I have with it though is the vehicle controls, their so sensitive, one tiny jerk of the analog stick and my car's doing frickin' donuts on the other side of the road. It's hard to make a sharp and complete turn without coming to a complete stop first then stopping. PPL claim The Last of Us is GOTY, that game is not impressive to me in the least bit, it's glitch galore. But we're not talking about The Last of Us. GTA V is beautiful, the graphics are impressive. the transition from cutscene to gameplay is well done and the characters are fun to listen to and watch during cutscenes. Their relatable in a way and I'm glad the protaganists are given more dialogue in and out of cutscenes, makes them more human. Los Santo's looks beautiful, as well as the countryside.. I just love this game and I rarely ever get tired of it. There's always something to do.… Expand
  18. Oldson
    Sep 25, 2013
    7
    I'm going to go against the trend here. I'm a good few days into the plot now and mixing up the characters is a good addition and the missions I have played have all been up to the usual standard BUT, and its a big BUT for me. It feels like a game put on as the last swansong for the console generation. I can see why there is no PC release it would have been slaughtered. A massive map withI'm going to go against the trend here. I'm a good few days into the plot now and mixing up the characters is a good addition and the missions I have played have all been up to the usual standard BUT, and its a big BUT for me. It feels like a game put on as the last swansong for the console generation. I can see why there is no PC release it would have been slaughtered. A massive map with large sections largely for show, doors which might as well be walls and generally off the linear path is a deserted one. I'm thinking this is like when sonic the hedgehog first came out on the MegaDrive. Us Master system owners got a version, lacking in speed content and just everything. I think the better version of this game is in it's future release. Running a console version on the PS3 and 360 with the limitations they have done the best they can. the game is stunning to look at and despite dodgy collision controls, long periods of driving to here and there there is some value, I'm just not sure I've fully found this yet. compared to what Skyrim achieved on the 360 (the PS3 not so much) this is still a question mark to me...... To be continued… Expand
  19. Megacritc
    Mar 5, 2014
    7
    The most over rated game ever! The whole game was made strictly for people who just want to goof off. The developers gives you an absurdly large open world city that allows you to do what you want just for the sake of doing it. Nothing in this game stands out as bing great. The driving in this game is good, but not great. The shooting in this game is good, but not great. The characters inThe most over rated game ever! The whole game was made strictly for people who just want to goof off. The developers gives you an absurdly large open world city that allows you to do what you want just for the sake of doing it. Nothing in this game stands out as bing great. The driving in this game is good, but not great. The shooting in this game is good, but not great. The characters in this game are good, but not great. Because their is so muc stuff to do in this game you would expect that this game would provide endless fun. But you soon start to get bored and begin to wonder why you're not having as much fun as should. Another huge problem I have with GTA is the fact that it completely glorifys the three things people love most: sex, drugs and alcohol. The problem is that it attracts some of the worst, most immature gamers around. Overral GTA is good game that suffers from focusing too much on trying to give quantity rather than quality in some of most explicit ways possible (you can even golf). Thus keeping it from being a great game. The only reason it gained as much popularity as it did in the past was beacause it helped popularize mature games (and for no other reason but that).… Expand
  20. Richyse7en
    Oct 4, 2013
    7
    I'm going to keep this shirt, sweet and to the point.

    I did not enjoy GTA4, I found the storyline tedious and Nico Belik an empty shell In comparison to Claude Speed and Carl "CJ" Johnson.... Granted Franklin didn't ring my bell, but Michael and Trevor Phillips (especially "T") were tremendous. The game is pretty same as any other GTA game since 3, however the storyline, crude humour    I'm going to keep this shirt, sweet and to the point.

    I did not enjoy GTA4, I found the storyline tedious and Nico Belik an empty shell In comparison to Claude Speed and Carl "CJ" Johnson.... Granted Franklin didn't ring my bell, but Michael and Trevor Phillips (especially "T") were tremendous. The game is pretty same as any other GTA game since 3, however the storyline, crude humour and engrossing side missionscharacters kept me giggling like a school girl from start to finish..... Time to develop the basic fundamentals of what made GTA, GTA I think guys, another title using the same control mechanism's and game dynamics isn't going to cut it..... Fun, laugh out loud humour, lacking in the gameplay department.... Enjoyable, not an instant classic, role on Dark Souls 2.    … Expand
  21. PessimisticMan
    Oct 22, 2013
    7
    Grand Theft Auto V had my expectations high and it almost reached them.
    Like every game GTA V has pros and has cons. Somethings I have a problem with might just be my opinion, so they won't be listed as pros or cons.
    PROS: +The story/dialogue; even if you don't like the plot of the game, you must admit that the dialogue makes the characters feel very real. +Los Santos. The open world    Grand Theft Auto V had my expectations high and it almost reached them.
    Like every game GTA V has pros and has cons. Somethings I have a problem with might just be my opinion, so they won't be listed as pros or cons.
    PROS:
    +The story/dialogue; even if you don't like the plot of the game, you must admit that the dialogue makes the characters feel very real.
    +Los Santos. The open world is the most famous thing about the GTA series, and this doesn't disappoint! It feels so alive and is incredibly large!
    +Missions, lots of 'em! The story is fairly long, but there are dozens of side missions, and my favorite: the random events that happen are just as enjoyable as the regular missions, and can add hours to your experience.
    +The abilities. Not really much to say on this one; chances are you know about them.
    +The customization! Customize your save into a completely different story than anyone else's! There is so much to customize: weapons, vehicles, and the 3 stooges.
    Now we get into the not so nice part the cons.
    CONS:
    -The missions are very linear. You do have the options on how you rob something, (stealth or loud), but nothing has been more frustrating to my game time than having to land a helicopter EXACTLY on the yellow target area. Seriously, why can't I land it 5 feet away? While there aren't really many ways to go about missions, still, why are we punished for trying something we see just as logical.
    -A game about heists has a lack of them. When there are heists it is superb, but unfortunately, you have to beat 50-60% of the game to really get into it; overall, the heists are too far between.
    -Not noob friendly. Probably my biggest problem with the game is it isn't noob friendly. Now, I had trouble with 20% of the missions, and I'd say I am slightly less than the average gamer, but I know that there might be people just getting into video games, or people who just might enjoy video games but are simply just not good at them, they are not going to enjoy the missions later down the road. But I guess everything is a matter of practice.
    -This is a very, very, VERY teeny-tiny complaint; the women in the game are 2D. Again, this isn't a huge issue, it is just that Franklin and Michael are 2 very rounded, realistic characters and they don't have to look like super-models to appeal to people. But the female characters seem to be nothing more than a pair of in this game.
    Overall I would say this a good game if you have patience for a few things. I'm not fully sure if I'd say spend $60 on it, but if you like open world, amazing character development, and a challenge, why the heck not.    … Expand
  22. ozoneking
    Nov 30, 2013
    7
    Very over rated, yet very good. This game receives way too much praise for what it has. Yes, it's a great game, but it's not nearly as good as many other triple a titles that have come out this year. Definitely not 10/10, and definitely not GOTY.
  23. nonbiased
    Nov 1, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Is this game amazingly fun. Yes... but game of the year is just out of bounds for this game.
    Grand theft auto has taken a massive step forwards from the austerity that was GTAV. A well improved visual engine and spectacular views are to die for as well as countless ways to customise your characters the way you want. the characters are humorous and have neat little abilities for you to use. Not to mention the overwhelming amount of missions activities you can enjoy within the game.

    However this game does have its flaws. the worst of which are the protagonists behaviours. Franklin is the "good guy" in the situation and is probably the most believable/enjoyable. Michael is unusual in that he is sometimes fun to play and other times not so fun. Trevor is hilarious when first met but becomes a hindrance to the fun of the game later.
    side characters in the game sometimes have nothing or little to do with the plot. If you are expecting to meet Tanisha, she will only appear once in the game (excluding a certain animation when you choose to play as Franklin. Tonya also disappears after her missions are completed.
    statistics are useless in the game as they either make you superhuman or do nothing at all. E.g. flying at stat 20 is incredibly difficult. Flying at stat 100 is still incredibly difficult. stamina at 80 means you can run for a while without hurting yourself but at 100 you can run forever? weird.
    Many side missions are sub-par but most are very enjoyable. However I was quite disappointed with the heists. I love the fact that you can decide what to do for it but your crew levelling up is useless as there are only five heists in the game (two of which they aren't needed). Also the last mission was horribly easy. All this build-up for a heist easier than the first? that's not how you end on a high note. Money was a problem in the game. Throughout most of the game you will be lucky to make 6million dollars for each character if you spend nothing. As soon as you finish the game you have 30 million dollars more. suddenly you become over encumbered with wealth and go on a shopping spree only to find out that a 150 million dollar golf course can be bought. When making money was so difficult and dare I say it boring before, why would we want to try and reach 150 mil.

    My verdict is that this game is definitely worth the £40 or $50 you pay for it. In fact I would like it if you did play it. But don't listen to all this "best game ever" nonsense. It like a blockbuster. It had a huge budget and gained a colossal amount of money but we all remember the classics better.
    thank you for reading    … Expand
  24. KreamyK2
    Nov 3, 2013
    7
    Let me start by saying, I love the GTA series and it's ALWAYS a day 1 purchase for me. With that said, I was underwhelmed by GTA 5 for many reasons.

    Like always, you can see the time and effort put into this game, much like every other game made by Rockstar year in and year out. The map is a generous size and very nicely detailed, you definitely get plenty to explore and keep you busy.    Let me start by saying, I love the GTA series and it's ALWAYS a day 1 purchase for me. With that said, I was underwhelmed by GTA 5 for many reasons.

    Like always, you can see the time and effort put into this game, much like every other game made by Rockstar year in and year out. The map is a generous size and very nicely detailed, you definitely get plenty to explore and keep you busy. I never count graphics into my reviews for a game, but Rockstar certainly delivered there.

    My gripes are...

    1. Outside of the 3 main characters, there's only maybe 1 or 2 other interesting characters that you interact with, unlike in other releases where I found the characters to be vastly better.
    2. For a game that was supposed to be centered around heists, there isn't that many, and they drastically overhyped how much control and input you have on them, along with being kinda dull in the first place.
    3. The missions are more detailed and involving than previous titles in the series, but the game still seems way too short, and the side missions aren't that spectacular.
    4. The story didn't click with me... this goes back to the "Heist" part, outside of that, you do some mundane little tasks for each character.
    5. The online, while a GREAT idea in theory... not really that well implemented. GTA online is a perfect candidate for something called a "Beta". I'll admit, after they made it somewhat "stable", it was enjoyable for a few days, then it either deleted all of my characters progress (many times), or the cloud storage was down, etc.

    Overall, I'm sure rockstar busted their butts to make this game, it just didn't do it for me like the other games in the series, outside of online, it's a quality game like every other Rockstar release. I played through it to 100% completion and traded it in. I thought this could topple San Andreas, but to no avail.    … Expand
  25. nyjets-2012
    Nov 6, 2013
    7
    Its good but its not great. The story lacks and is very boring for most of the game. The controls are a bit clunky especially when it comes walking/running.
  26. Pickle-Tickler
    Apr 26, 2014
    7
    This game is so overrated. The single player mode and story I must admit is top notch, but GTA online is literally worthless if you have no friends to play it with. This decreases the replayability a tonne. GTA online is full of pre pubescent 12 year olds that constantly kill you because they must get this game confused with Call of Duty. The map is also a lot more boring in my opinionThis game is so overrated. The single player mode and story I must admit is top notch, but GTA online is literally worthless if you have no friends to play it with. This decreases the replayability a tonne. GTA online is full of pre pubescent 12 year olds that constantly kill you because they must get this game confused with Call of Duty. The map is also a lot more boring in my opinion compared to GTA IV which then again makes the game get boring rather quickly. Saying that, I did pump in about 80 hours into the game in the first two weeks of release, but haven't really played it an awful lot since. Looking forward to a PC release sometime soon so I can play with all my friends on that.… Expand
  27. Guy_McDude
    Nov 28, 2013
    7
    To call it excellent would be disingenuous. GTA V is a good game. It has very high quality banter going between characters most of the game and it does have a wealth of content. Main story missions are somewhat varied even if all of the side missions are mind numbingly generic.

    The game suffers from occasional pop-ins, a still inept multiplayer experience, and the famous jack of all    To call it excellent would be disingenuous. GTA V is a good game. It has very high quality banter going between characters most of the game and it does have a wealth of content. Main story missions are somewhat varied even if all of the side missions are mind numbingly generic.

    The game suffers from occasional pop-ins, a still inept multiplayer experience, and the famous jack of all trades master of none phenomenon. You can do anything which often feels a lot like nothing.

    Ultimately, I sunk a week into it and have no inspiration to continue the game. Not something I'm fond of with full price games. Get it on a sale or in an inevitable bundle some day.    … Expand
  28. JohannAlbrecht
    Dec 14, 2013
    7
    As always, rockstar has released an excellent open-world adventure. The driving has improved brilliantly over IV, the map is the largest ever in the series(bigger than all others combined!) and the story line is enthralling. It's nice to see they've finally gone about fixing that annoying random cell phone calls from your buddies. Indeed, You'll never hear, "Hey Niko, wanna go bowling?"As always, rockstar has released an excellent open-world adventure. The driving has improved brilliantly over IV, the map is the largest ever in the series(bigger than all others combined!) and the story line is enthralling. It's nice to see they've finally gone about fixing that annoying random cell phone calls from your buddies. Indeed, You'll never hear, "Hey Niko, wanna go bowling?" in this series, ever. There are several disappointments, however. I'll break it down for you;

    My first qualm is with the map. Although it's big(Huge, infact.) the problem is that it lacks the ability to interact with the environment to any real extent. i'd say 98% or more of the buildings are unenterable shells. that's not much of a change from the other series, but i'd have been willing to sacrifice large sections of this huge world just to be able to enter a casino, break into someones home etc.

    My second qualm is in regards to the heists. Yes, those heists that we were promised. They're awesome, and fun. The problem is, you only get to experience them in the storyline and never again. The great thing about GTA that has made it stand out was it's open and interactive world. I think that is where the developers went wrong this time, they focused on size and less on interaction and depth. The other problem with no-heists-after-the-story-line is that after that, making money is hard as hell. Considering the sheer depth of new things to spend your money on besides guns(such as customization), you don't have enough opportunities to earn serious cash to fund your extravagant lifestyle after the several heists on the storyline.

    My third qualm is in regards to the stock market, i still haven't fully figured out how to use the thing and it wasn't fully explained to me at any point in the game.

    My fourth issue is the three character system. Don't get me wrong, it was fun, entertaining and new. But i'd rather have one character i could customize. Maybe buy a house for him, his cars and so on. But having to buy new things for all three characters, such as ammunition and guns etc was seriously irritating to me after the storyline was over.

    My last qualm is that they abandoned San Andreas humor and adventure, in my opinion, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, for it's time, was a better game than GTA V. It had more to do, it was more entertaining and memorable for me, considering the limitations they had at the time. GTA San Andreas is still the high water mark in the GTA series, and they should look back at it before considering GTA 6.

    Oh, one more, really minor thing. They should have waited several months or a year and just released it on PS4 and Xbone. They could have upgraded all the graphics, etc. It's obvious that the current generation of consoles struggles to bring this great vast expanse of a game to life and it would have been much better on PS4 than PS3.    … Expand
  29. LegacyFlareGame
    Dec 26, 2013
    7
    GTA V offer the BEST open world in a game ive ever seen EVER. it is alive and awesome ranging from the city to the giant mountain scapes GTA V has detail everywhere. You play as 3 main charters Michael the rich dude, Franklin the guy who likes to go the strip club and then the best of them all the psychopath trevor philips. Michael and Franklin are horrible protagonist feeling very weakGTA V offer the BEST open world in a game ive ever seen EVER. it is alive and awesome ranging from the city to the giant mountain scapes GTA V has detail everywhere. You play as 3 main charters Michael the rich dude, Franklin the guy who likes to go the strip club and then the best of them all the psychopath trevor philips. Michael and Franklin are horrible protagonist feeling very weak development and generic with Michael getting a little better charter at the end Trevor is amazing this psychopath dose whatever the he wants and great charter with amazing development ahh i just love trevor. The gameplay is really weak with the guns felling all the same and generic the gunplay is really garbage and with the auto assit running aiming the gun recoil is horrible if there is any the cars handle and drive very well tho with plenty of cars and upgrades to them the story is very weak but the heist are amazing with a depth planing setting up and varying the gameplay. GTA V is packed with a whole load of content that im surprised it runs on the 360 and ps3 the graphics are fairly decent but in certain parts looking amazing. the gta online allows you to go online with friends and take part in missions but where it really shines is the creator mode you can make races and death matches its very deep and amazing. I rate GTA V a 7.5 this game is great but in my opinion its not the 10 out 10 game of year masterpiece but i can see why people would think that GTA V is more of a mess around sim for me i loved messing around making my own fun exploring the open world and chilling with mates in the gta online i can redmond this game to anyone who wants to mess around in a open world and found the one in saints row 4 and Trevor ahhhhhh when the price drops this a defiant buy you need to explore the open world you get alot of play time and fun but the general gameplay really lacks… Expand
  30. LORJUSTICE
    Feb 13, 2014
    7
    Decent. Gets boring when you finish it, and online mode is garbage. Worth a rent, but buying it, it's a waste of money. .
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS3 Game of 2013
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2013
2
#2 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 14, 2013
    90
    The best way to bid farewell to the retiring consoles is to spend dozens of hours having fun in Los Santos: robbing, abusing illegal substances, breaking all laws and enjoying everything else that GTA V has to offer. And after we finish the game, we should all say loudly: ‘okay, Rockstar girls and boys, it’s high time to make a truly new GTA, not just a gigantic DLC’. [12/2013, p.36]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 24, 2013
    100
    GTA V fulfills the idea of a gaming sandbox, where you can entertain yourself in many different ways - and also experience a superbly written story of three gangsters, if you want. [Issue#234]
  3. Play UK
    Oct 16, 2013
    97
    Gigantic and stupidly detailed, GTA V is everything we hoped it would be. Individual components could be a touch better, but when a game does literally everything, nobody can expect perfection across the board. That it even comes close is incredible. [Issue#236, p.62]
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