GTA 5 (85/60$)
I can’t tell if this is better or worse.
Grand Theft Auto 5 set a gold standard for video games. Despite criticism levied Rockstar and 2K Games, it is impossible to overlook just how amazing Grand Theft Auto 5 is in every aspect. Originally released in 2013, this game looks comparable to nearly every other major release 7 years later The map is huge and varied. The driving feels as good as a high end racing game while giving satisfying destruction and damage. There is something about having your character launch through the windshield of a car that just feels so good, despite technically failing the mission. These moments give GTA a staying power that,can not be beat. Couple this with an online experience that is just as good as the offline portion, albeit with long load times, and you have a game so good it makes sense that it is still amongst the top games sold every month, despite releasing in 2011. GTA 5 is a worthwhile investment for anyone, even if you don’t like video games.
The story of GTA 5 is solid, verging on great. Tt’s only error is being slightly too outrageous. If GTA 4 was a Soccersse movie, then GTA 5 is a Micheal Bay movie, and it’s one of his best. You’ll be stealing planes, jumping out of moving cars, repelling down government buildings, and much more before the game finishes it’s 35 hour long story. Yet, the story content is just the tip of the iceberg when exploring Los Santos, as there are numerous side missions and activities like Tennis and Golf that offer good simulations of these sports while still being fun to play. GTA 5 does not need these minigames to hold it’s value either, simply driving around the city with their finely tuned cars is enough to enjoy yourself. These drives are set to one of the best soundtracks in gaming, from classical music, to certified ghetto anthems, this game’s original tracks and radio stations sound better than anything in real life. The three main characters are all incredibly well acted both in motion capture and in voice. It all comes together in a story that serves as a perfect vehicle to whisk the player from outrageous situation to outrageous situation.
Which is good, because underneath the show are weaker plot bones. The characters are well written, but since they are satirical they always go with the most outrageous option. A lot of fun to play, less fun to think about. Other lows of this game are when it takes simulation too far and has you stack crates at the cargo port or mop a floor pretending to be a janitor. At first it is novel and cute, 15 minutes later it feels like a chore. Same thing with some of the car rides that are longer, but that is why it pays to have a plane, or steal one. .
These low points do not detract from the quality of this game. Most hate for the game comes from it’s online features. GTA Online is essestianitlly a whole game by itself. It is so massive, Rockstar dropped planned single player content in favor of making more online content, which has received large updates that are free and hard to be mad at. It is pay to win/have the coolest stuff. But it is still fun without the bells and whistles and some pretty nice extensive forge tools on PC and is still incredibly popular and fun to play. It is the reason that Rockstar has stopped making new games, and I can’t say I blame them. Driving around Los Santos racing cars and blowing each other up has never been more fun and more worth the price, even if you normally hate video games (85/60$).
