Grand Theft Auto V - The Official Trailer and First Thoughts

"I need to go meditate... or masterbate... or both"

Months of patiently waiting have finally paid off, and Grand Theft Auto V is mine. After nearly 8 hours in the new San Andreas, I have seen and done more in this one game than most of the titles I've played this year in total.

One of the newest and biggest features of GTA V is the three-protagonist system, giving you control over Michael (a retired-now-not-retired heist artist), Franklin (a South Central Los Santos gang banger looking for a bigger pay day than what the hood has to offer), and Trevor (an absolute psychopath). I haven't quite gotten them all together for a mission yet, but there will be an update at the end of the week explaining how well this system is executed in-game, along with more impressions.

While Trevor has delivered the best lines and action of the game so far, but each character has his own story that makes his stake in the developing narrative a little bit different. So while Trevor may be the most entertaining at this point, I am invested in all of them, which is very important if you're going to say that all three guys are equally important.

Hey! I live there! Wait...

This is the best looking and best playing GTA to date. Cars handle differently depending on the make and model you drive, gun selection is smooth and simple, and switching between characters mid-mission adds an extra layer of strategy to how you approach each situation. The people are more varied and are crazier than ever as well. You never know who will hit you back, or step on the gas to run you down as you try to take their car.

My favorite part of the game so far is the ability to customize and save the weapons and vehicles that you buy, or... come across during your time. Done are the days when you would dump cash into a new car to trick it out, only to have it destroyed and gone forever. Now, you can either leave your rides in a big car lock-up (each character gets their own), or you can pick it up at an impound lot if it's towed or abandoned. The same goes for your guns, which all have parts you can buy and keep on, no matter if you die or get arrested. It's the little things, really.

The GTA V Map

Although GTA V is already looking like a monumental achievement, it is not without its issues. My biggest gripe so far is how difficult it is to shake the police, even with one star. The wanted system works very similarly to GTA IV, where you would have to stay out of range of the cops for a certain amount of time until your wanted level goes away. In V, police will continue to search for you with little "field of vision" cones that will reset the whole process if you get seen. The amount of time it takes to lose said wanted level feels way longer than it used to, but I'll consider it part of the challenge.

There's only been one glitch to deal with so far, where I had to walk into an ally until he became unstuck from the wall and would follow me again. I've had a couple small bugs and clips, which is to be expected with a game this size, but for the most part it's run like a charm.

GTA V is a staggeringly large place to create havoc, and I know I've only scratched the surface of what I can do and see. The views are breathtaking and the world is brimming with life. It's time to continue destroying it!

Be sure to keep a look out for part two of my GTA V impressions on Sunday! Have an opinion of the game so far? Leave it in the comments.

Grand Theft Auto V
Xbox 360, PS3
Release: OUT NOW!
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North

Grand Theft Auto V - Multiplayer Reveal

It's just like the Sims Online... with guns. 

Okay, maybe the multiplayer for Grand Theft Auto 5 isn't just like an online Sims port with guns. You can, however, do so damn much in the multiplayer, I wouldn't have been to surprised to see hunger and bladder stats in the bottom corner.

But seriously, I was blown away by how deep the multiplayer looks. It seems like there's a combination of cut scenes and open world online play, which is something I think will do nothing but draw people into the experience. My one gripe with the Red Dead Redemption online multiplayer was you were just dumped into the world and were told GO! In GTA V, it seems like those that enjoy floaties before diving into the deep end will hopefully be taken care of.

A vast number of the activities available to the player in the single player mode of GTA V made an appearance in this multiplayer reveal. Golf, bank heists, and full character customization are just some of the features that cross from solo to online. However, players will also be treated to team-style death matches, designable races, squad robberies, and much more!

I honestly wasn't expecting to be so impressed by the multiplayer in GTA V. Rockstar and multiplayer have not always gone hand in hand, as most of their games are so huge that the online often became an after thought. But it looks like all of the big guns are being take out for this title, and this open world experience keeps growing before our eyes.

Grand Theft Auto V
Xbox 360, PS3
Release: Sept. 17, 2013
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North

Grand Theft Auto V - Gameplay Reveal

So much to do, so little time

I think the internet is going to be overcome with a wave of 'excited like hell' once this gameplay reveal trailer makes the rounds. Rockstar potentially showed us 15% of all of the different things you can do in GTA V, and that's a generous number. What's even better is we got a mix of work and play, all of which look like activities that I'll be spending a preposterous amount of time doing.

These are the kinds of trailers where the content really just shines above anything else, and Rockstar knows this. Where they really made this piece work was in their flow and presentation. They start with the overal game world, and then slowly focus in on characters, activities, and missions. It made me wonder how far "modern Southern California" will spread, something you can apparently explore from minute one in the game.

The shooting looked a whole lot like the way Max Payne 3 worked; you have a quick weapon select menu, the reticle shows an "X" when you hit an enemy, and it's generally pretty simple to use. Short of bullet time, we should have the best shooting mechanics in a GTA yet. The driving looks faster and more polished than ever, which is promising considering I never had a sports car last very long in past games because they're so damn touchy.

And of course you have to mention the decision to go with three protagonists in GTA V. Personally, I love it. I'll be curious to see if I tend to play with one character over others, but from this trailer it looks as though switching between characters will be necessary to complete missions. Look at you Rockstar, adding features and giving them real purpose.

Is it September yet?

Grand Theft Auto V
PS3, Xbox 360
Release: Sep 17, 2013
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar North