Game/Publisher/Developer
Grand Theft Auto 5, Rockstar Games, Rockstar North
First Look
The graphics were stunning for 2013. Los Santos felt alive in a way no open-world game had managed before; the scale, the detail and the sheer ambition of it all was immediately apparent.
The Trailer
My Reaction
The trailer sold it immediately. Seeing the three-protagonist structure was a surprise; switching between Michael, Trevor and Franklin mid-mission was something fresh for the series. The world looked massive, the story looked cinematic and the chaos looked as fun as ever. This was an easy buy.
Overview
Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. Released in 2013, it follows three protagonists; Michael, Trevor and Franklin. Across the sprawling fictional city of Los Santos. Players can switch between characters freely, tackle a lengthy story campaign, pull off elaborate heists and wreak havoc across one of the most detailed open worlds ever created. Available on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
What I Liked
- Los Santos is one of the most detailed and believable open worlds ever made.
- The three-character system keeps the story dynamic and the gameplay varied.
- The heist missions are some of the best set pieces in the entire series.
- The sheer amount of things to do; side missions, activities, random events, etc.
- Still looks great and holds up well years after release.
What I Didn’t Like
- The ending choices feel underwhelming given how strong the rest of the game is. I’ll in role-playing and code, as well. It is a gem.
Verdict
Grand Theft Auto V is as close to essential as open-world gaming gets. The world is extraordinary, the heists are fantastic and there’s enough content to sink dozens of hours into without touching the same thing twice.
Rating
93/100
Session Notes
Spent the first session just driving around Los Santos taking it all in. Stumbled into a few random events, caused the usual mayhem and got deep into the early story missions. The Franklin and Lamar dynamic is immediately entertaining. Hard to stop playing once you’re in.
Thoughts
Don’t rush the story, take time to explore the map and let Los Santos breathe. The heist missions are the highlights, so go in prepared. If you haven’t tried it yet, there’s never been a better time to jump in. Grand Theft Auto VI will be out in Fall 2026.