Review: Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar Games’ famous open-world (sandbox) series returns with GTA 5 (GTA V). Back in the city of Los Santos—the same setting as GTA San Andreas—and loaded with new features, this entry stakes its claim as one of the greatest games ever made. It’s also the most expensive in history, with an estimated budget of US$ 266 million. Next-generation console review!

It’s been over six years since the launch success of GTA IV. Last year (2013), Grand Theft Auto 5 first arrived on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, leaning heavily on the franchise’s hallmark features and, most importantly, adding tons of new elements and content to its winning formula.

As you start the game, you’re introduced to the biggest gameplay change: three protagonists. Michael, a retired bank robber; Trevor, a psychopathic drug trafficker; and Franklin, a young gang member, join forces to plan and execute various crimes and missions across Los Santos.

The game still leaves plenty of room for each character’s personal dramas, which unfold in engaging stories and missions—like the one where Michael goes for a bike ride with his son and ends up in a boat accident.

Another highlight is the heist missions—bank and store robberies that require careful planning and preparation. During setup, you can recruit accomplices (who take a cut of the loot) and choose from different strategies to pull off the crime.

GTA 5 is easily the franchise’s heaviest and most controversial entry. Rockstar Games seems less concerned with toning down the experience, opting instead for even more direct, adult‑oriented violence—face shots, torture, and mature themes that clearly target an adult audience.

The story unfolds in Los Santos, a fictional, picturesque take on Los Angeles—an iconic setting since GTA San Andreas in 2005. While retaining some style points from San Andreas, the map is entirely remodeled and stands as the largest world Rockstar has ever created.

Buildings, highways, streets, intersections, rural areas, and rivers—all parts of the city are crafted with meticulous detail. In upscale neighborhoods you’ll find luxury cars and well-dressed citizens, while working-class and rural zones feature older vehicles and animals crossing the roads.

Some landmarks from San Andreas return—partially or completely redesigned. The most famous is the beloved Groove Street, home to CJ in San Andreas.

Rockstar also planted numerous Easter eggs from past games—like seeing San Andreas characters on bikes near Groove Street at specific times. There’s even a complete wiki documenting all GTA V Easter eggs.

The power of next-gen consoles not only boosts visual fidelity but brings the city to life—traffic flows, pedestrians go about their routines, and random events unfold around you.

The visuals are breathtaking in scale: draw distances are huge, lighting interacts dynamically with textures, and shadows shift realistically with the sun’s movement and your perspective.

While not exactly groundbreaking, this level of world immersion is captivating—you can easily get lost (especially at first) in Los Santos.

GTA V also features a vast range of vehicles—clever analogues of real-world supercars like Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, and Mustang. These rides typically populate Los Santos’s upscale districts.

All vehicles are customizable: add body kits, custom paint jobs, and wheels. Upgrades also enhance performance—making them faster and more responsive.

Visually, cars are richly detailed with reflections, scratches, dents, and even missing parts. They withstand collisions far better than in GTA IV, so you’re less tempted to switch vehicles after every wreck.

Rockstar borrowed successful mechanics from other titles like the beloved aiming system of Max Payne 3, making gunplay more precise and fun. These refinements make the experience feel polished and complete.

In terms of driving, GTA 5 features significant tweaks: vehicles handle more nimbly, though less realistically. Small cars zip through sharp turns, while heavy vehicles feel their weight—vibrating to simulate rough asphalt.

The audio remains top-notch. GTA 5 boasts premier voice acting, a soundtrack with over 150 tracks spanning eras and genres, and the unforgettable in-game radio shows—complete with news bulletins, talk shows, and the latest Los Santos crime updates.

This is Rockstar’s first game fully subtitled in Brazilian Portuguese. Dialogues are well translated, capturing each character’s style—though occasional translation inconsistencies and colorful language remain.

Without a doubt, R$ 199 is money well spent. GTA 5 isn’t a game you finish in a few hours. In Los Santos you’ll find endless activities and layers to explore—prepare to lose yourself for many, many hours. Enjoy! 🙂

And you, what’s your opinion about GTA 5?