If you are a fan of the thrilling and dramatic Grand Theft Auto series, this review is sure to take you back to the roots. After releasing GTA IV in 2008, the development process of GTA V had begun. The game drew inspiration from previous games and some classical movies. 

Like the earlier GTA games and the GTA aeries to come after, GTA V was surrounded by a series of controversies resulting from the nature of the game and storyline. Despite these controversies, the game had gained popularity as it generated over a million dollars on its first week of release.

GTA V was developed by Rockstar North in 2013 and was published by Rockstar Games in the same year. The storyline and plot are based in Southern California, and it centers mainly on a series of heists, corrupt government officials, and gang star life.

Not-So-Different Storyline

The main plot of Grand Theft Auto V is not much different from the other games in the series. GTA V centers its story in Los Santos (more like) Los Angeles and tells the story of the life of crime, theft, and corruption. The main characters in this plot are Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, who embarked on a series of missions with the aim of making as much money as they could while taking on different tasks.

Players can easily switch between these characters at will (as long as there is no ongoing mission. The game is set on a series of dramatic and funny twists as the main actors get involved with all kinds of drug dealers, mafia lords, corrupt government agents, the list goes on.  GTA V is all about survival of the fittest in the world of crime.

Nature of Missions in GTA V

In GTA V, the players are to (through the main characters in the game) undertake different tasks as assigned to them. Once each task is successfully completed, the players are given a monetary reward. The amount of money awarded after each mission depends on the complexity of the mission. To progress in GTA V, you must complete these missions, after which more tasks will be unlocked. There are over seventy missions that must be completed in GTA V.

Apart from the major missions in the game, players also have the freedom to embark on different side missions to earn more cash or simply get the hang of the game. The players can also invest in different ventures to increase their wallet sizes. Such ventures include real estate investment, dealing in the stock exchange, or even club management. 

Some of the kinds of tasks you should expect when playing the game include collecting and delivering packages, shooting different targets, and other similar tasks. More complex tasks in the game involve pulling off minor to major heists. To prepare the players for what is ahead, most heist missions offer some prep missions that ultimately aim at ensuring the success of the heist. Some of such prep missions include getting the perfect masks, getting and hiding the cars used for the getaway after the heist, etc.

Weapons, Ammunition, and Vehicles

Since the game is primarily centered on violence, heists, shootings, killings, and other gang star activities, it is expected to see all kinds of weapons in the game. The game has various ammunition stores (Ammu-Nation stores), where players can visit when they need to stock up their arms. Common weapons you can find include different kinds of guns, including some assault rifles, all sorts of knives, grenades, etc. Some weapons are specially assigned for specific missions in the game.

There are also various vehicles in GTA V, including different kinds of cars, motorbikes, helicopters, armored tanks, lorries, etc. Players can possess these vehicles using different means including snatching (which is the most common), completing missions, etc. Special vehicles are also assigned for specific tasks in the game. Vehicles can be fixed and repainted when taken to the garage. You should however note that these vehicles will be taken away if parked carelessly. To retain possession of the vehicles, they must be parked in the garages at any of your properties.

The Major Strengths of GTA V

GTA V is a great game  that has won the hearts of so many gamers. GTA V has an incredible and intriguing storyline with lots of unexpected twists. The graphics of the game are incredibly beautiful and the game has a well-organized plot. Some of the things that keep me glued to the game are the funny characters, the suspense, and the thrills of completing missions. GTA V is one of my all-time favorite game series. 

Flaws Spotted in Grand Theft Auto V

Although this game is one of my favorite games, some flaws must be pointed out. Just like the other games in the series GTA V was not designed for kids. This has drawn many criticisms to the game due to the high rate of criminal acts perpetrated in the game. The game plot was to some level gender insensitive as women were hardly given any major roles but rather given supporting roles or made to act as prostitutes, strippers, or just  passersby.

Final Words

After all has been said, one can easily conclude that GTA V is a great game. One of the most annoying things I noticed about the game is that some of the mission rules are not entirely clear, making it difficult to complete some of the missions. Grand Theft Auto V is available on different platforms, including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, and Windows, which gives it an extra point since this makes it easily accessible through different devices. On a general note, I can forgive most of the flaws spotted in the game since its strengths easily overshadow its weaknesses.