Search for games

Type three or more characters to search...

MONSTER

Grand Theft Auto V

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Grand Theft Auto V
Item: Grand Theft Auto V
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2014

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Comedy, Crime, Open World, Stealth, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableNov 18, 2014

PlatformPlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, PlayStation 4

DeveloperRockstar North

Overview

This bundle contains the original version of Grand Theft Auto V, the standalone game Grand Theft Auto Online and the story mode add-on of Grand Theft Auto V.

Elsewhere

9.5

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

87%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Grand Theft Auto V has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics, with many praising its well-developed narrative, strong character development, and engaging plot. Gamepressure, Hardcore Gamer, and PC Games all highlight the game's three interwoven protagonists as a standout feature, with each character bringing a unique perspective and depth to the storyline. Noisy Pixel and ZTGD commend the well-developed characters and engaging narrative, while Press Start Australia and X-ONE Magazine UK appreciate the depth and variety offered by the main campaign. The story's satirical tone, biting humor, and dynamic character interactions are consistently lauded by reviewers, showcasing the game's ability to immerse players in a compelling and entertaining narrative experience. On the flip side, some critics express minor criticisms regarding the story of Grand Theft Auto V. Push Square mentions that the single-player campaign's storyline may feel somewhat dated, with jokes that may not age well. Impulsegamer notes the absence of additional story mode missions, which some fans were hoping for as an expansion to the original game. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment towards the story remains overwhelmingly positive, with critics acknowledging the game's ability to captivate players with its intricate plot, diverse missions, and memorable characters. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is that the story of Grand Theft Auto V is a standout aspect of the game, with its compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and engaging missions contributing to a highly immersive and entertaining experience. Critics like IGN, God is a Geek, and Cheat Code Central praise the game for its sharp writing, unpredictable storyline, and the way it humanizes its criminal protagonists. While some minor criticisms exist regarding dated humor and lack of additional content, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards the positive, with the majority of critics lauding the story as one of the game's strongest elements. Grand Theft Auto V's narrative prowess, satirical tone, and character-driven storytelling have solidified its reputation as a standout title in the open-world gaming genre, resonating with players and critics alike for its depth and entertainment value.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics overwhelmingly praise Grand Theft Auto V for its compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and engaging missions, highlighting the game's unique three protagonists, satirical tone, and dynamic interactions. While some mention dated humor and a lack of additional story mode missions as minor drawbacks, the general consensus is highly positive, with critics applauding the game's immersive storytelling and memorable experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

81%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics found the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto V to be very good, with several positive aspects highlighted. Gameplanet praised the heist missions for their depth and player choice, while Press Start Australia appreciated the vast open world packed with activities. PC Games and Cheat Code Central both commended the ability to control three main characters with different skills, adding depth to the experience. Additionally, Game Informer and God is a Geek noted the significant enhancement brought by the first-person mode, making shooting and driving more enjoyable and immersive. On the negative side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto V. Push Square criticized the controls for feeling terrible and outdated, with overreliance on animations and stodgy acceleration. Screen Rant mentioned feeling the gameplay was antiquated, with less fluid animations and lacking weight in gunplay. The Games Machine highlighted issues with the control system feeling cumbersome and rigidity in completing main missions, especially in terms of specific completion methods. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto V. Despite some criticisms about outdated controls and certain gameplay mechanics, the vast majority of reviewers found the gameplay to be enjoyable, immersive, and offering a wide range of activities and experiences. The addition of features like the first-person mode, heist missions, and the ability to switch between characters was widely praised for enhancing the overall gameplay experience. With its engaging gameplay elements, seamless character switching, and immersive open-world activities, Grand Theft Auto V continues to captivate players and critics alike, solidifying its status as a highly acclaimed and beloved title in the gaming industry.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics overwhelmingly praised Grand Theft Auto V's gameplay for its depth, player choice, and vast open world filled with activities. Positive aspects included heist missions, controlling three main characters with different skills, and the first-person mode enhancing shooting and driving. Some critics noted drawbacks like outdated controls and rigidity in completing missions, but the overall consensus remains highly positive. The game offers an enjoyable, immersive experience with engaging features that captivate players and critics alike.

Graphics and Visual Design

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics had positive opinions regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Grand Theft Auto V. Gamepressure, from playing on PS5, noted that the game's graphics have been improved with cleaner textures and more detail, offering different modes for resolution and image quality enhancements. GamingBolt, also on PS5, praised the solid visual and performance upgrades, with decent ray tracing implementation. They mentioned that while character models and faces look dated, the world design is on par with open-world games today. Additionally, PC Games highlighted the strong visual upgrade for the PS5 and Xbox Series versions, enhancing the overall immersive experience with brilliantly designed game world. On the other hand, some critics did point out certain negatives in the Graphics and Visual Design of Grand Theft Auto V. SECTOR.sk, playing on Xbox Series X, criticized the outdated and repetitive world, aging visuals, and the need for a new lighting engine and character upgrades. They expressed a desire for more significant improvements in these areas. Noisy Pixel, on PS5, also mentioned that while the upgrade offers a solid paint job, character models still show their age, indicating room for further enhancements in this aspect. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment from the majority of critics leans towards positive feedback on the game's graphics and visual design. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Grand Theft Auto V boasts impressive graphics and visual design, with many praising the enhancements and upgrades across different platforms. Critics like Guardian and IGN highlighted the stunningly beautiful landscapes, attention to detail, and improved draw distances, while also mentioning the abundance of graphical options available to players. Despite some criticisms regarding dated character models and repetitive environments, the general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with critics appreciating the immersive and detailed world-building by Rockstar. The game's ability to provide a visually engaging experience across various platforms has been widely acknowledged, making Grand Theft Auto V a standout title in terms of graphics and visual design, as echoed by the majority of reviewers.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics mostly praise Grand Theft Auto V's graphics and visual design, noting improvements in textures and details on PS5, with solid upgrades and ray tracing. Some critics criticize outdated character models and world design, but overall sentiment leans towards positive feedback. The game's stunning landscapes, attention to detail, and immersive world-building by Rockstar receive widespread acclaim, despite some minor flaws. In conclusion, Grand Theft Auto V stands out for its impressive graphics and visual design, earning high praise from the majority of reviewers.

Music and Sound Design

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

81%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Grand Theft Auto V are overwhelmingly positive. Gamepressure, Hardcore Gamer, and GameWatcher all praise the immersive elements and attention to detail in the sound design, with features like voice audio coming through the controller speaker, directional haptic feedback, and well-written dialogue enhancing the overall experience. Critics like Digital Spy, Gameplanet, and Gaming Age highlight the extensive selection of music in the game, with over 150 new tracks added, diverse artists featured, and the addition of new radio stations contributing to the immersive atmosphere. The use of controller features such as the DualSense adaptive triggers and speaker chatter on the PS5, as mentioned by GamingBolt and The Jimquisition, further elevates the gameplay experience, making players feel more connected to the world of GTA V. On the negative side, some critics point out minor issues with the sound design and music of Grand Theft Auto V. GamingBolt mentions that the controller speaker chatter in GTA Online can be annoying, while Slant Magazine notes that although the radio stations have been expanded with new tracks and DJ dialogue, there may be a lack of significant improvements in this aspect. Despite these minor criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the sound design and music of the game remains largely positive among the critics. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is that Grand Theft Auto V excels in its sound design and music elements, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. The addition of new tracks, diverse artists, immersive sound effects, and well-crafted dialogue contribute to creating a rich and engaging audio environment within the game. Critics like PSX Extreme commend the top-notch sound design, superb voice acting, and expansive soundtrack, highlighting the attention to detail and quality of the audio presentation. Overall, the positive feedback from multiple critics indicates that the sound design and music of Grand Theft Auto V play a significant role in immersing players in the world of Los Santos and enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics rave about Grand Theft Auto V's exceptional sound design and music, praising its immersive elements, diverse artists, and attention to detail. Some minor issues like annoying controller speaker chatter in GTA Online are noted, but overall, the game's audio features enhance gameplay and immerse players in the world of Los Santos.

Voice Acting

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

83%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the voice acting in Grand Theft Auto V, highlighting it as a standout feature of the game. Hardcore Gamer commends the voice acting for bringing the characters to life and enhancing the immersive storytelling experience. Noisy Pixel goes a step further, describing the voice acting as phenomenal and emphasizing how it breathes life into the characters. NZGamer also lauds the voice acting for giving each protagonist distinct personalities and nuances, further solidifying the consensus that the voice acting in the game is of high quality. Despite the overwhelming positive sentiment towards the voice acting, there are a few nuanced critiques from some critics. Guardian points out that while the characters are colorfully written and acted, they can sometimes be overshadowed by their surroundings. This critique suggests that in certain instances, the richly developed characters may not always receive the spotlight they deserve due to other elements within the game. However, this critique does not diminish the overall appreciation for the voice acting within Grand Theft Auto V. In conclusion, the voice acting in Grand Theft Auto V is widely regarded as a major strength of the game, with critics such as ActionTrip praising it as top-notch. The voices performances not only bring the characters to life but also add depth and authenticity to the narrative experience. While there are minor criticisms regarding character overshadowing, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority acknowledging the exceptional quality of the voice acting in Grand Theft Auto V.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics rave about Grand Theft Auto V's stellar voice acting, with praise for bringing characters to life and enhancing storytelling. While some mention characters being overshadowed at times, the overall consensus is that the voice acting is top-notch and a major strength of the game, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative experience.

Technical Performance

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

68%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on the PS5, critics unanimously praise the improvements in Grand Theft Auto V. Gamepressure highlights the improved loading times and seamless character switching, while GamingBolt appreciates the reduced load times and smart utilization of the PS5's features. Hardcore Gamer notes the solid performance with various video modes available, and Press Start Australia emphasizes the significantly faster load times. Push Square and Screen Rant also mention improved performance and reduced load times, showcasing the overall positive reception on the PS5 platform. On the other hand, some critics point out minor drawbacks on the Xbox One platform. ZTGD suggests that the PS4 version might be preferable due to added features on the DualShock 4 controller. Impulsegamer mentions server connection problems at launch for GTA Online on Xbox One, impacting the overall experience. SECTOR.sk critiques the paid upgrade for next-gen consoles, indicating dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the technical performance on the Xbox One platform. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the technical performance of Grand Theft Auto V across all platforms. The game is commended for its smoother gameplay, faster load times, and improved resolution and framerate on modern consoles like the PS5. Critics like Gameplanet and God is a Geek acknowledge the enhancements in visual fidelity and stability, while IGN and We Got This Covered highlight the optimization and stability on PC. Despite some minor issues reported by a few critics, the general sentiment is that Grand Theft Auto V delivers a technically impressive experience across different gaming platforms, solidifying its status as a well-optimized and engaging title for players to enjoy.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics rave about the technical improvements in Grand Theft Auto V on the PS5, praising faster load times and smoother gameplay. Xbox One faces minor drawbacks like server issues. Overall, GTA V earns high praise for its enhanced performance on all platforms, with critics lauding its visual upgrades and stable gameplay.

Replay Value

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

43%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of the positives of the Replay Value of Grand Theft Auto V, several critics highlighted the game's extensive content and activities that contribute to its high replayability. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and Gameplanet praised the single-player story mode and online mode for offering diverse gameplay experiences, with Hardcore Gamer specifically mentioning the addition of heists and multiple playable paths in the online mode. Additionally, critics such as Gameplanet and God is a Geek noted the inclusion of new activities like wildlife photography and the Rockstar Editor, which enhance the game's replay value by providing players with creative and varied gameplay options. The vast open world of Los Santos, attention to detail, and engaging missions were also highlighted by critics like NZGamer and PSX Extreme as factors that encourage players to explore and discover new elements, adding to the game's replayability. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the Replay Value of Grand Theft Auto V, particularly for existing players. GamingBolt and God is a Geek mentioned the lack of new modes or story content in the game, which may limit the replay value for those who have already experienced the game. IGN Spain also noted a lack of incentives for revisiting the game, impacting its replay value. Additionally, Screen Rant highlighted the focus on enticing new players into GTA Online's monetizable economy, with comparatively little being added to the single-player story, which could deter returning players looking for fresh content. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards Grand Theft Auto V offering substantial replay value, especially for newcomers and players who have not extensively explored the game before. Critics like Gameplanet and God is a Geek emphasized the game's diverse gameplay modes and activities, catering to a wide range of player preferences and ensuring long-lasting entertainment. Despite concerns raised by some critics about the lack of new content for existing players, the overall sentiment suggests that the game's vast open world, engaging missions, and online multiplayer components contribute to a highly replayable experience. With improvements in the online mode, additional activities, and creative tools like the Rockstar Editor, Grand Theft Auto V continues to provide players with a compelling and varied gameplay experience that keeps them coming back for more, making it a worthwhile investment for both new and returning players.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Grand Theft Auto V for its extensive content, diverse gameplay experiences, and creative options like heists and photography that enhance replay value. Some critics express concerns about the lack of new modes for existing players and a focus on GTA Online's economy over single-player content. Overall, the game offers substantial replay value, especially for newcomers, with its vast open world, engaging missions, and varied gameplay options keeping players entertained.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

93%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The majority of critics praised Grand Theft Auto V for its enduring appeal, engaging gameplay, and overall quality. Gamepressure highlighted the graphical updates and modern features on the PS5 version, while Game Informer appreciated the addition of a first-person perspective for a fresh experience. The Games Machine noted that the next-gen version is a great way for new players to immerse themselves in the world of Los Santos, showcasing the game's timeless appeal. Additionally, Hardcore Gamer commended the captivating and entertaining experience that GTA V continues to offer, solidifying its status as one of the best games of the last decade. On the downside, some critics expressed concerns about the game showing its age and the lack of significant new content in the remastered versions. The Guardian mentioned minor flaws despite praising the PC debut, while Press Start Australia highlighted the disheartening aspect of a paid upgrade for graphical updates. The Games Machine and GamingBolt also pointed out that existing players may find the remaster overpriced and lacking in substantial new content. These critiques suggest that while the game remains a classic, it may not offer enough to justify a repurchase for all players, especially those who have experienced the game on previous platforms. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily towards Grand Theft Auto V being a highly recommended and exceptional game, despite its age and minor drawbacks. IGN Italia praised the updated version as the best iteration of the game, while Official Xbox Magazine UK emphasized the immersive city and visual upgrade as standout features. The general sentiment is that GTA V continues to excel as a definitive open-world experience, with Gameplanet highlighting the meticulous attention to detail and improvements across the board. Despite some reservations about pricing and lack of new content, the overall verdict from the critics is overwhelmingly positive, affirming the game's status as a modern classic that is still worth playing across multiple platforms.

TL;DR

Critics rave about Grand Theft Auto V's enduring appeal, engaging gameplay, and overall quality, with praise for graphical updates and first-person perspective. Despite some concerns about aging and lack of new content in remastered versions, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The game is hailed as a modern classic with an immersive city, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional experience, making it worth playing on various platforms.

MONSTER

Reviews

204 reviews found

100

IGN Italia

PlayStation 4

Nov 17, 2014