Grand Theft Auto V

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 535,417 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Grand Theft Auto V Game Cover
Starting at $24.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store

Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world comedy game set in the fictional city of Los Santos. The game features a single-player campaign where players assume the roles of three interconnected characters in a story of crime and corruption. With both multiplayer and co-op modes, players can also explore the vast world and complete missions with friends. The game delivers a unique blend of storytelling and gameplay, allowing players to experience the narrative from multiple perspectives.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 535,417 reviews
story20,669 positive mentions
grinding6,256 negative mentions
  • story53,131 mentions

    The story of Grand Theft Auto V is widely praised for its engaging narrative, featuring three distinct protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—whose intertwining arcs provide depth and variety to the gameplay. Players appreciate the diverse missions, from high-stakes heists to quirky side quests, which keep the experience fresh and entertaining. While the story mode is often described as a masterpiece, many players express frustration with the online component, citing issues with hackers and repetitive missions that detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “From the gripping storyline that weaves together the lives of three unforgettable protagonists to the thrilling heists and chaotic missions, every moment keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The characters feel so fleshed out and the amount of content in story mode is insane.”
    • “The story mode remains one of the best in gaming, with an engaging narrative and dynamic characters.”
    • “The story is where the game is lacking severely.”
    • “The story often doesn't make any sense, and I'm legitimately confused as to how the same people that wrote GTA V wrote RDR2.”
    • “The story can be a bit complicated at times, but it's usually easy to follow.”
  • graphics11,821 mentions

    The graphics of Grand Theft Auto V have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and realism, even years after its initial release in 2013. Many players highlight the game's vibrant open world, intricate character models, and impressive environmental effects, which continue to impress on modern hardware. While some reviews note that the graphics may show their age compared to newer titles, they still hold up remarkably well, especially with the use of mods that enhance visual fidelity.

    • “The graphics are breathtaking, and the attention to detail is astounding, making it easy to lose yourself in this vibrant world.”
    • “The graphics blew me away—even years after its release, the level of detail in Los Santos is stunning.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, creating a visually immersive experience that brings the game's world to life.”
    • “The graphics are horrendously outdated; the game's client to 'server' code is incredibly poor, causing complete desync and spawning cars everywhere.”
    • “The graphics are so bad that it looks like it came out in 2013, not meeting 2024 expectations.”
    • “The graphics are completely unoptimized; glitches that have existed for a decade are still very much present.”
  • gameplay10,783 mentions

    The gameplay of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, diverse activities, and immersive open-world experience, allowing players to switch between three distinct protagonists, each with unique abilities. However, many players express frustration with the online mode, citing issues such as rampant cheating, unbalanced gameplay, and a grindy economy that encourages microtransactions. While the single-player campaign is often regarded as a highlight, the online experience can be marred by toxic player behavior and technical problems, leading to a mixed reception overall.

    • “Varied gameplay: from heists, races, and stunts to casual activities like golf and tennis, GTA V offers incredible gameplay diversity.”
    • “The combination of engaging storytelling, diverse gameplay mechanics, and an open-world environment that begs to be explored makes it a standout title.”
    • “GTA V delivers an impressive gameplay experience with a 9/10 for its dynamic mechanics and freedom.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely repetitive, and the story doesn't allow you to go beyond what is laid out in front of you.”
    • “The online gameplay is completely useless in everything.”
    • “The gameplay loop is bad.”
  • grinding6,756 mentions

    The grinding aspect of GTA Online is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest hundreds of hours to earn enough in-game currency for desired items. Many players feel that the game is designed to encourage microtransactions through shark cards, making the grind feel even more frustrating. While some enjoy the grind as part of the gameplay experience, the overwhelming consensus is that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially when compounded by issues like hackers and griefers.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “The invention of shark cards is the worst thing to happen to GTA as they try to make it harder for people who don't want to buy shark cards by nerfing payouts of the heist or making the game have insane inflation which can lead to burnout for this game as just getting a simple car can take upwards of 5-10 hours and 90% of that time is just grinding.”
    • “Players who spend real money on shark cards can amass wealth quickly, while those who prefer to earn their currency through gameplay face a tedious and often unrewarding grind.”
    • “The online mode is a grindy mess filled with hackers, and the game is designed to be as tedious as possible to encourage players to buy shark cards instead of grinding.”
  • humor4,258 mentions

    The humor in Grand Theft Auto V is a defining feature, characterized by sharp satire, dark comedy, and absurd situations that often lead to laugh-out-loud moments. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, memorable characters, and the chaotic interactions that arise during gameplay, especially in online modes where unpredictable events and modder antics can create hilariously unexpected scenarios. While some find the humor to be crude or repetitive, many agree that the game's ability to blend humor with action and social commentary makes it a standout experience in the gaming world.

    • “The characters, the humor, and the action-packed moments all come together in a near-perfect package.”
    • “The writing is sharp, often hilarious, with memorable dialogue that perfectly captures the satire of American culture.”
    • “The humor and satire infused into the game's writing are sharp and witty, providing a social commentary that is both hilarious and thought-provoking.”
    • “The jokes are lame and unfunny.”
    • “The single player is overlong, unfunny, and just kind of terrible.”
    • “GTA is not funny without money.”
  • stability3,524 mentions

    The stability of Grand Theft Auto V, particularly in its online mode, has been a significant point of contention among players. Many users report persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that disrupt gameplay, especially during missions and heists, leading to frustration and loss of progress. While some players find the occasional glitches amusing, the overwhelming consensus is that the game suffers from severe stability issues, compounded by a lack of effective support from Rockstar in addressing these problems, particularly those that do not directly impact their revenue from microtransactions.

    • “The game runs great on my computer cranked up to max settings with no frame drops during the extremely chaotic rampage segments with Trevor.”
    • “Runs great on steam deck, does not require any tinkering for the most part.”
    • “The game runs great for me on PC as it has really good optimization.”
    • “Over a decade old and still the same game-breaking glitches as day 1.”
    • “It's annoying and sometimes my game glitches and I can't open my windows.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess.”
  • monetization3,223 mentions

    The monetization aspect of GTA V, particularly in its online mode, has drawn significant criticism for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, specifically through the purchase of "shark cards." Players express frustration over the inflated prices of in-game items, which often necessitate spending real money to progress or enjoy the game fully, leading to a perception of the online experience as a cash grab. Many reviews highlight the grindy nature of earning in-game currency, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and fairness of the gameplay, especially for those unwilling to engage in microtransactions.

    • “Microtransactions: although optional, the presence of shark cards can feel like pay-to-progress, especially in a competitive multiplayer environment.”
    • “While it is technically possible to earn in-game currency through gameplay, the process is often so slow and grindy that players are tempted to purchase shark cards (the game’s form of microtransactions) to speed things up.”
    • “The heavy emphasis on microtransactions and the scarcity of in-game currency opportunities can create an imbalance between players who choose to invest real money and those who do not.”
    • “The greed of Rockstar and their cash grab tactics overshadow the game’s potential, and until these issues are adequately addressed, GTA Online will remain a game that frustrates more than it entertains.”
    • “The biggest issue is the heavy reliance on microtransactions, which can create a pay-to-win dynamic that favors players with deep pockets over those who prefer to earn their rewards through skill and dedication.”
    • “The online component, Grand Theft Auto Online, is plagued with microtransactions and a persistent grind that favors players willing to spend real money to progress, further contributing to a sense of exploitation and unfairness.”
  • optimization2,667 mentions

    The optimization of Grand Theft Auto V has received mixed reviews from players. While many commend its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including lower-end systems, others report significant performance issues, particularly after updates, leading to stuttering, crashes, and connection problems in online mode. The introduction of anti-cheat measures has also negatively impacted performance for some users, especially on Linux and Steam Deck platforms. Overall, while the game is praised for its graphics and initial optimization, ongoing issues and inconsistent performance across different setups have left many players frustrated.

    • “Performance: on PC, GTA V is well-optimized and runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on a variety of platforms, from high-end PCs to consoles and even mobile devices, making it accessible to a broad audience.”
    • “The optimization is commendable, allowing me to delve into the rich narrative and explore the vast cityscape without sacrificing performance.”
    • “The amount of neglect from Rockstar on the online mode is through the roof with missions that are awfully designed, poor performance and networking resulting in weird movement and NPC artifacts, uncompletable free roam events (stealing cargo that locks you in a car when reaching the destination), stash houses that can't be entered, random no-clipping after completing heists throwing you out of bounds and killing you, and so much more.”
    • “9 years later Rockstar has a brain fart and decides that adding the anti-cheat is a good idea, breaking the game's compatibility with the Steam Deck and then saying 'well it's not our problem' and causing performance issues on other devices.”
    • “This game couldn't be going downhill slower than any other game when it comes to optimization and programming of simple things that worked before.”
  • music1,840 mentions

    The music in *GTA V* is widely praised for its diverse and immersive soundtrack, featuring a variety of radio stations that cater to different musical tastes, from classic rock to contemporary hip-hop. Players appreciate the ability to customize their listening experience by adding their own music through the "self radio" feature, enhancing the overall gameplay atmosphere. While some critiques mention that the soundtrack may not reach the iconic status of previous titles like *Vice City* or *San Andreas*, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's engaging and vibrant world.

    • “I loved flipping through the various radio stations, discovering new songs that matched the game’s atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is a highlight.”
    • “The soundtrack is diverse, featuring an array of radio stations that cater to all tastes.”
    • “The music in the missions is okay but nothing special.”
    • “The soundtrack is overall bad.”
    • “The loading screen music makes for excellent white noise to fall asleep to.”
  • replayability1,133 mentions

    Grand Theft Auto V is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, largely attributed to its expansive open world, diverse missions, and the ability to approach heists in multiple ways. The online multiplayer mode significantly enhances replay value, offering continuous updates and a vibrant community, while the modding scene for PC players further extends the game's longevity and creativity. Despite some criticisms regarding the single-player campaign's replayability, the overall consensus is that GTA V remains a highly replayable title, providing countless hours of entertainment.

    • “The online mode, in particular, offers endless hours of entertainment and replayability.”
    • “Each heist can be approached in multiple ways, encouraging experimentation and replayability.”
    • “With its breathtaking open world, engaging narrative, and endless replayability, GTA V stands as a shining example of the artistic and technical prowess of the gaming industry.”
    • “Overall a great buy at $15, but there is really no replay value here, unless you play online, but keep in mind it's a 10-year-old game with GTA 6 coming around the corner; online play may seem pointless if you're getting started just now.”
    • “The base game is pretty good, but the story will take you around 20 hours to complete, including all the side missions. After that, all you have left to do is busy work, collect 50 of this, find 100 of that; the game itself is replayable to a certain extent, but the outcomes are not that different from each other.”
    • “The single-player campaign is fun, but unfortunately, it's not very replayable since there will be no DLC packs for single-player, so your focus is probably going to be the multiplayer.”
  • emotional497 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses from players, with many expressing deep emotional connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. While the single-player mode is praised for its engaging narrative and character development, the online experience is frequently criticized for its toxicity and frustration, leaving players feeling heartbroken and disillusioned. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of heartfelt storytelling and emotional investment, contrasted sharply with the disappointing online environment.

    • “This game was an emotional rollercoaster for me.”
    • “The story mode is superb, with the in-depth character development and emotional connections formed with the characters as you progress through the campaign.”
    • “The main protagonists’ story is captivating, emotional, and terribly entertaining.”
    • “Unlikeable/bland characters, boring story, simplistic gameplay (especially when compared with the beautiful and realistic looking world).”
    • “The singleplayer has a boring story with characters who are poorly written and not believable and has the same problems as the online, minus the hackers.”
    • “But before that, you get a very boring story, unlikable characters and little to no action in story missions.”
  • atmosphere299 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and vibrant world, characterized by stunning graphics, dynamic weather, and a diverse soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environment and character interactions, which contribute to a living, breathing city that feels authentic and engaging. However, the online mode has been criticized for fostering a toxic atmosphere due to microtransactions and player behavior, detracting from the enjoyment of the game's rich atmosphere.

    • “The lighting effects, weather changes, and day-night cycles contribute to an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack is diverse and features a wide range of music genres, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of Los Santos is completely immersive, with a vibrant, living world filled with dynamic NPCs, bustling streets, and detailed environments.”
    • “This negative atmosphere can deter new players from fully embracing the online mode and detracts from the potential for meaningful social interactions and cooperative gameplay.”
    • “The city doesn’t have personality; it lacks an atmosphere that made you immediately get into the game as it happened in GTA IV's Liberty City.”
    • “Single player can be fun, but online has turned into a pay-to-win playground infested with cheaters that is nearly impossible for the average Joe to enjoy, not to mention the original game's theme and atmosphere has been destroyed with flying cars and similar gimmicks.”
  • character development205 mentions

    Character development in "Grand Theft Auto V" is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting the rich narratives and distinct personalities of the three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. The game's storytelling is enhanced by exceptional voice acting and well-crafted character arcs, allowing players to form emotional connections and engage with the characters' motivations and flaws. While some critiques mention a lack of development for certain characters, the overall consensus highlights the game's character development as a standout feature that elevates the gaming experience.

    • “The character development is top-notch, making you genuinely care about their stories, flaws, and all.”
    • “The character development is masterful, creating a compelling emotional connection with each protagonist, even as players navigate the morally ambiguous world they inhabit.”
    • “The character development is exceptional, allowing players to form a deep connection with the protagonists.”
    • “This lack of nuance and depth undermines any potential for meaningful character development, reducing the story to a series of shockingly violent and exploitative set pieces.”
    • “The storyline is shallow, there is no meaningful character development and when you think you are done with the first act, the game ends, just stops.”
    • “Unfortunately though there are three stories rolled into one and as a result the game is lacking some severe character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Grand Theft Auto V

Play time

116hMedian play time
332hAverage play time
32hMain story
84hCompletionist
20-500hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1,473 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News