Grand Theft Auto V was a game so preposterously future-proof upon its 2013 launch on Xbox 360 and PS3 that its subsequent ports to modern machines have remained the benchmark for open-world action-driving games. At the conclusion of this GTA Legacy Review project, Grand Theft Auto V stands as the peak of the series.
13 years. Three console generations. 230 million copies sold. Over $10 billion in revenue. The numbers that tell the story of Grand Theft Auto V’s longevity and success are wildly impressive and virtually unprecedented. Yet, these figures do not fully explain why GTA V continues to sell copies months after release or what makes it special.
A Sprawling and Varied World
While GTA IV’s Liberty City was a dense, modestly-sized, and entirely urban environment, GTA V’s vision of Los Santos is considerably more sprawling and varied. The map encompasses an area far beyond the city itself, featuring a sun-drenched San Andreas with a distinctly different aesthetic from GTA IV’s cold, drab, and gritty Liberty City. The game’s Los Santos is splintered into dozens of distinct districts, from the affluent mansions of Vinewood Hills to the struggling suburbs of South Los Santos. Outside the city, the countryside includes deserts, forests, mountains, and small towns, making the map more than twice the size of GTA: San Andreas’ entire map. The world remains a stunning achievement, packed with countless details that contribute to its authentic, lived-in feel.
The Trio of Protagonists
GTA V’s defining innovation is its trio of protagonists: Michael De Santa, a retired criminal; Franklin Clinton, an aspiring hustler; and Trevor Philips, a volatile psychopath. This system is more than a novelty; switching between them allows Rockstar to direct players to different parts of the world and experience the narrative through distinct lenses. The transition between characters is rapid, creating the illusion that these individuals continue to exist beyond their missions. This approach evolved from GTA IV’s approach, which featured multiple protagonists but lacked real-time switching capabilities.
Evolved Mission Design and Heists
GTA V’s missions are generally more varied and layered than those in GTA IV. The introduction of mission checkpoints, a feature experimented with in The Ballad of Gay Tony, eliminated the frustration of restarting missions from the beginning after failure. This allowed for longer and more ambitious mission designs. The highlight is the focus on elaborate heists, which serve as the central pillar of the campaign. These multi-layered scores can be tackled in different ways, and the ability to replay missions easily facilitates experimentation. The planning and preparation phases of these heists effectively utilize the distinct skills and traits of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, lending a sense of scale and variety to the campaign.
Refined Driving and Combat
Vehicles are more approachable in GTA V, with sharper response to steering input and hard braking. The game returns to the broad spectrum of vehicles seen in GTA: San Andreas, offering everything from 18-wheelers to fighter jets. Combat was also polished, featuring more nimble movement and dependable cover shooting. The sound design of firefights is particularly noteworthy. The integration of a weapon wheel, similar to Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3, allows players to carry more weapons and store them permanently, even after they run out of ammo.
A Forward-Looking Statement
When GTA V launched in September 2013 on Xbox 360 and PS3, it felt like the last great statement of that console generation. Its scope and ambition were so advanced that it seemed to upstage the upcoming next-generation consoles. Even with subsequent ports to newer machines, GTA V has continually set a new benchmark for open-world action-driving games. Combining its enormous and detailed world, compelling protagonists, varied missions, and the foundation for a robust multiplayer experience, Grand Theft Auto V represents the zenith of the series.