Grand Theft Auto V, or for short GTA V, will be released for the PC on 14th of April 2015. You can pre-order it via Steam for 59,99$ right now!
GTA V is an open-world, action adventure game created by Rockstar North, and published by Rockstar Games. Grand Theft Auto isn’t a term created specially for the game, but it stands in US law as – a felony crime defined as the theft of objects exceeding a certain monetary value, as set by statute or court ruling. It is usually distinguished from petty theft where the value of the item taken is substantially lower in value. Theft of an automobile is usually considered Grand theft even if the vehicle is a salvage or scrap vehicle having no value or a very small value. The value necessary for a crime to rise from Petty to Grand theft can be as low as $100 depending on the jurisdiction, but is usually $200 or $1000.
GTA V is a behemoth!
It was released in September of 2013 for the PS3, and Xbox 360, and September of 2014 for the PS4, and Xbox One. Although it had received positive reviews regarding the last gen title, it still felt lackluster, and awkward looking sometimes – with walktrough breaking bugs that would put a dent in the enjoyment of the game, graphical glitches that appeared randomly while you played, and the on-line experience with its poor server stability that sometimes would lead to frustration of the highest degree.
GTA V is a behemoth in the video-game industry, and each title sells millions of copies – engaging its audience in a world full of violence, crime, sex, drugs, and just mindless fun.
Almost two weeks ago Rockstar patched the game without stating exactly what it fixed ” Fixes for GTA Online to improve stability, and other minor fixes for both GTA Online and Story Mode.” Not much to go on. They definitely didn’t change the architecture of the game, but they did something. And we hope that the something they fixed on last gen consoles doesn’t suddenly break for PC users. But seriously, it is the most useless patch notes I have ever read – ” We fixed some stuff, we hope that the stuff we fixed will remain fixed.”
After two years of waiting, the Heists DLC Pack has finally been released, and it has crippled the on-line enjoyment of it due to the high user load that hugged the servers to death. The Heists DLC adds to the immense world that is GTA V – with a new mode called cooperative heists. It teams you with other 3 players, each having different tasks, to take on a heist. It will test your helmet to the metal – flying, combat, stealth and driving skills must be practised thoroughly. Or if you want to make the gang a fool of themselves, then by all means don’t get a hold of the frying pan before jumping in the kitchen.
Take control of 3 characters!
GTA V’s storyline is one that we are accustomed to – superb narrative, exciting plot twists. The game is set in Los Santos where the people of the city, and the country alike, are on the brink of dividing even more due to the wake of the global financial crisis. In this new installment you will take control of three characters Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. They form an unique bond over their abilities to perform a clean, and quick heist. Their criminal fraternity is fuelled by their sense of crime, and not always, but sometimes, hatred towards the establishment.
The player can switch between each of the characters. Unlocking the main story, and different side quests, by playing with each and every one of the main protagonists – but you can do so only when you are not in a mission!
Switching between characters is a great way to see how well thought the game is. Each individual is independent, and sees the team as something more than a bunch of guys robbing a bank – only if they work together they can reach their goals. It’s like when the villains of a cartoon realise they have a chance of defeating the super-heroes if they team up, but alas, they end up divided due to their humongous egos, and hidden motives.
Heist missions are the pillars of the game that make GTA V an unique team-work experience. A player needs to prepare for a heist – and that preparation require reconnaissance, staking out the place, acquiring certain weapons and ammunition and executing the plan in a certain style. Well, a certain style is a too loose of a term. The game offers you the possibility of going the subtle way, or heads first, aggressiveness to the max. While I do recommend to have fun while playing a game, and more so an open-world action adventure like GTA V deserves every bit of violence that you can put into, I would let you think twice before going into a bank and setting off the alarms in 5 seconds flat.
GTA V for PC will be a one of a kind experience!
GTA V PC fans will have the time of their lives. Not only that the game has gone through after-release patches, and content has been added, but the hardware capabilities of a PC are vastly superior that of any console available at the time. Of course, it’s a ton more expensive than a PS4 that is about 400$, or an Xbox One that stands at almost the same price. But you’ll notice how the traffic, and people that roam the street, is much more denser, and the little details like how the wind blows and the trees move, how tall-grass interacts while you move through it – makes the game an unique experience.
With the release of the title on last gen consoles, GTA V has added a new perspective – that of the first person. It substantially immerses the player into the chaotic world of Los Santos, and it adds depth to the tons of detail that the developers have worked so hard on.
With over 3000 new animations made specifically for the new perspective, one could feel madness taking control, and going on a rampage – of course, in the game. You’ll be able to see how Michael is reloading his weapon, throwing punches at unfortunate passers by, and how frustrated he is when he gets stuck in traffic – hitting the steering wheel with the wrath of a thousand suns, or the wrath of not having a drink in the morning.
As if Rockstar has thought of everything, you can preset your camera to change to the third person in particular situations. For example, when combat unfolds, and you need to duck for cover, you can set the camera to automatically change to the third person – the game is meant to be played in third person, and I’m not saying that the first person perspective doesn’t offer the same fun, even more so, but shooting out of a cover, and panning the camera right and left is crucial to the game’s playability. You will be swarmed by enemies trying to out-flank you because the first person perspective doesn’t allow you to pan the camera – it’s like real life, and you’ll die countless of times before getting fed up with it.
Lost Santos, and Blaine County – beautiful landscapes!
The locations of Los Santos, and Blaine County have a magic in them that will most likely make you wander around the place just visiting shops, parks, forests, beaches – immersing yourself in the virtual world. And you know how strolling around a Birch Wood forest can get better? Riding your dirt bike through it, while having the option to listen to over 300 tracks, spanned over 15 radio stations – with 2 of them being talk radio. I remember how much fun I had in GTA: Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA IV by just getting into a car and listening to the radio.
GTA V is an icon in the video-game industry, and it revolutionizes how a player embodies an avatar, and has tremendous fun over and over again. It will hit PC stores, both physical copies and digital ones, on the 14th of April 2015. I can hardly wait!
Has the Grand Theft Auto franchise marked our childhood with its breakthrough free world? Or has it left you down by taking a more gritty, and dark path?
