Grand Theft Auto V

About

"Grand Theft Auto V" is a crime-based video game that follows three characters: a young hustler, a retired bank robber, and a psychopath, as they become entangled in the criminal underworld, government, and entertainment industry. They must execute dangerous heists and navigate a ruthless city while doubting those around them, including each other. The game offers an open-world exploration set in a fictional state of San Andreas, allowing players to experience the storyline and complete missions at their own pace.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 616,372 reviews

story23.9k positive mentions

grinding7.2k negative mentions

GTA V's single-player mode is widely praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and immersive open-world experience.
The game's graphics are stunning, showcasing impressive detail and realism, even years after its initial release.
The humor in GTA V is sharp and satirical, providing a chaotic adventure filled with memorable character interactions and witty dialogue.

GTA Online is heavily criticized for its grind-heavy mechanics and reliance on microtransactions, making progression feel tedious and frustrating.
The online mode is plagued by hackers and a toxic community, detracting from the overall enjoyment and experience for many players.
Performance issues, bugs, and glitches are common, particularly in the online mode, leading to a frustrating gaming experience.

story
61,445 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The story of Grand Theft Auto V is widely praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, following the intertwining lives of three protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—each with unique backgrounds and motivations. Players experience a mix of high-stakes heists, dark humor, and emotional moments, making the missions varied and exciting. While the single-player campaign is considered a masterpiece, many players express disappointment over the lack of additional story content and the overwhelming focus on the online mode, which is often marred by issues such as hackers and repetitive gameplay.
- “GTA V's single-player mode is an absolute must-play, delivering an iconic story and one of the best open-world experiences ever made.”
- “The story intertwines their lives as they navigate the criminal underworld, undertake daring heists, and deal with their personal demons.”
- “The dynamic between the three characters adds depth to the story, making you genuinely care about their fates.”
- “However, while the story mode shines, *GTA Online* has been plagued by hackers and grind-heavy mechanics that hold it back from reaching its full potential.”
- “While the three protagonists are interesting, the overall story feels disjointed and lacks the emotional depth of previous GTA titles like GTA IV.”
- “Its open world and production values are impressive, but the repetitive mission design, lack of innovation, and shallow story can make it feel like an average experience.”
graphics
13,447 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and realism, even years after its initial release in 2013. Players appreciate the vibrant environments, intricate character models, and the ability to enhance visuals through mods, which can elevate the game's graphical fidelity to modern standards. However, some users note that while the graphics still impress, they can feel dated compared to newer titles, and performance issues may arise on lower-end systems. Overall, GTA V's graphics remain a significant highlight, contributing to its status as a classic in the gaming community.
- “Whether you’re driving through the city, scaling the mountains, or watching a sunset from the beach, the visuals are consistently impressive.”
- “The remastered versions on next-gen consoles and PC enhance the game’s graphical fidelity, with improved textures, lighting, and draw distances.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is smooth, and the community keeps things fresh.”
- “3 generations and they couldn't be bothered to fix the audio compression. This game has alright performance but not enough options to change, and most of this is from when it came out back in the day, meaning there are no enhanced graphics on PC like there are for the new gen, which makes no sense.”
- “The graphics are basic and unappealing, with no real effort put into creating a visually engaging experience.”
- “The graphics are horrendously outdated, the game's client to 'server' code is incredibly poor, causing complete desync and spawning cars everywhere.”
gameplay
12,656 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of *Grand Theft Auto 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 component, citing issues such as hackers, grind-heavy mechanics, and a lack of meaningful updates, which detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the game's polished driving and shooting mechanics, along with its captivating narrative, continue to make it a standout title in the gaming industry.
- “The physics, driving mechanics, and gunplay are all polished, making every car chase and shootout feel cinematic.”
- “With its compelling narrative, deep gameplay mechanics, and stunning world design, it remains one of the best video games ever made.”
- “The seamless transition between characters adds a layer of freshness to the gameplay, allowing for strategic planning of missions.”
- “In short, this game is old and tired, built to fail, ruined by sadistic modded players, neglected by apathetic developers and hobbled by outdated mechanics that just make gameplay more stressful than fun.”
- “The actual gameplay is awful—missions are all terribly designed, with too much linearity in the newer ones: drive this car to go to this place to kill this guy with this weapon.”
- “The online gameplay is a complete racket – full of mediocre content that is gatekept by exorbitant prices, addictive unhealthy grinding and shallow gameplay loops.”
grinding
7,774 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
92%
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 in a community plagued by hackers and griefers.
- “Honestly, the game's a lot of fun so long as you aren't grinding online and just enjoying the open world.”
- “You should buy it for the story mode because there is everything fun and not grindy.”
- “For me, GTA has always been about having fun - not grinding missions to unlock the 'fun' content.”
- “The grind and shark cards: progression in GTA Online is heavily skewed toward grinding, with expensive in-game items pushing players toward purchasing shark cards (microtransactions).”
- “Honestly, playing a game should be a form of entertainment, but I don't find online's grinding entertaining at all. It has so many potentials to deliver amazing stories and experiences for players other than being a money pit and a congregation of cheaters and toxic no-life bullies.”
- “The online's quests for businesses and most of the heists are very solo-unfriendly, collecting and selling goods require multiple runs most of the time if your friends aren't online and you are running the game solo.”
humor
4,988 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in Grand Theft Auto V is a defining feature, characterized by sharp satire, dark comedy, and absurdity that reflects modern American culture. Players frequently highlight the game's witty dialogue, memorable character interactions, and the chaotic, often hilarious scenarios that arise during missions and online play. While some find the humor to be over-the-top or offensive, many appreciate its irreverent take on serious themes, making it a source of both laughter and critique in the gaming experience.
- “Rockstar's signature satirical humor is on full display, with sharp social commentary on everything from consumerism to government corruption.”
- “It's hilarious and surprisingly deep, a chaotic adventure that'll keep you glued to your screen.”
- “The dynamic between the three characters creates a narrative filled with tension, humor, and emotional depth, offering a level of storytelling rarely seen in open-world games.”
- “It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the animation, voice acting, and score, but criticized the character development and humor, which some called unfunny and inappropriate.”
- “The jokes are lame and unfunny.”
- “The comedy is not funny; I didn't even bother listening to the radio; it's just not engrossing.”
stability
4,012 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The stability of Grand Theft Auto V, particularly in its online mode, has been a significant point of contention among players. Many users report frequent crashes, long loading times, and a plethora of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, especially during missions and heists. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the overwhelming presence of modders and hackers, coupled with Rockstar's tendency to prioritize the patching of money-related glitches over more disruptive bugs, has led to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, while the game can be fun, its stability issues make it challenging to recommend for those seeking a smooth gaming experience.
- “This game runs great on the Steam Deck!”
- “The game runs great on my computer cranked up to max settings with no frame drops during the extremely chaotic rampage segments with Trevor.”
- “The game runs great and looks great.”
- “There is an unbearable amount of bugs, glitches, and what-not.”
- “This game is fun, but the constant glitches make it kind of unplayable.”
- “The game is a buggy mess.”
monetization
3,696 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
59%
36%
The monetization aspect of GTA Online has drawn significant criticism from players, who describe it as heavily reliant on microtransactions, particularly through the purchase of "shark cards" for in-game currency. Many reviews highlight the grindy nature of the game, where earning money through gameplay feels tedious and is often designed to push players towards spending real money to progress. This aggressive monetization strategy, coupled with a lack of single-player content updates and rampant cheating, has led to a perception of the game as a cash grab, diminishing the overall enjoyment for many players.
- “Despite some issues with GTA Online's monetization, its impact on gaming is undeniable.”
- “While the monetization model can be frustrating at times, the sheer volume of content in GTA Online is impressive.”
- “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.”
- “Progression in GTA Online is heavily skewed toward grinding, with expensive in-game items pushing players toward purchasing shark cards (microtransactions).”
- “While GTA Online is packed with content, aggressive microtransactions (shark cards) have led to criticism, especially with high in-game prices.”
- “The online component 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.”
optimization
3,127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
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 low-end systems, others report significant performance issues, particularly with stuttering and frame drops, especially in online mode. The introduction of anti-cheat measures has also been criticized for negatively impacting performance. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized compared to its predecessor, GTA IV, ongoing issues and the need for further patches have left some players frustrated.
- “Great optimization for low-end PC.”
- “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 game is very well optimized for PC, there are options for everything you could wish for, and the controls are great.”
- “Fucking garbage ass optimization for this game. You shouldn't have to restart the game 20 times just for graphic changes. Dogshit on Steam as well, never closes; have to restart the entire PC just to get the game to shut down. It won't even show in Task Manager.”
- “Terribly optimized for PC. The game is buggy as heck still after all this time, is super unstable, crashes/freezes often, and is just generally poorly optimized to run on anything.”
- “This game is poorly optimized and will run at low FPS while GPU usage stays low. The performance has degraded so far as to be unplayable.”
music
2,195 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The music in *GTA V* is widely praised for its eclectic and diverse soundtrack, featuring a mix of genres from rock to hip-hop, which enhances the game's immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the extensive selection of in-game radio stations, allowing for a personalized experience through the option to add custom music. However, some users express disappointment with the removal of certain tracks over time and the repetitive nature of the loading screen music, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The soundtrack spans an eclectic range of genres, from rock to hip-hop to classical, ensuring that every moment feels appropriately set to music.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, perfectly complementing the chaotic and vibrant atmosphere of the game.”
- “The radio stations provide top-tier music tracks of almost every genre, and the talk shows are hysterical and provide an exaggerated social commentary on a multitude of real-world issues.”
- “The music is repetitive and grating, adding to the overall sense of frustration and annoyance.”
- “The music was awful.”
- “The loading screen music makes for excellent white noise to fall asleep to.”
replayability
1,272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The replayability of Grand Theft Auto V is widely praised, particularly for its engaging story mode and the extensive content available in GTA Online. While the single-player campaign offers multiple endings and varied mission approaches that enhance replay value, many players find that the online mode, with its continuous updates and dynamic gameplay, provides nearly endless opportunities for engagement. However, some users note that once the story is completed, the single-player experience can feel limited, and the game's replayability is significantly enhanced through mods, especially on PC. Overall, GTA V is considered one of the most replayable games, with a strong emphasis on both single-player and multiplayer experiences.
- “Overall, GTA V is a fantastic game that offers a wealth of content and endless replayability.”
- “Its combination of engaging storyline, diverse gameplay mechanics, and a richly detailed world create an experience that is both immersive and endlessly replayable.”
- “The online mode, in particular, offers endless hours of entertainment and replayability.”
- “Limited replay value: once the story is complete, there's not much else to keep you coming back.”
- “The game itself is great, but the mods for me are what really makes the game replayable, as you can see with my total play-time.”
- “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.”
emotional
585 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players expressing a deep connection to the characters and their stories, often leading to moments of laughter and tears. While some reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its narrative and character development, others feel it lacks the emotional depth found in previous titles like GTA IV, resulting in a less impactful experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor and emotional moments, but opinions vary on its effectiveness in creating lasting emotional connections.
- “The dynamic between the three characters creates a narrative filled with tension, humor, and emotional depth, offering a level of storytelling rarely seen in open-world games.”
- “The story is both epic and intimate, with memorable characters and emotional moments that resonate deeply.”
- “The character development is outstanding, making you emotionally invested in the fate of these antiheroes.”
- “Unlikeable/bland characters, boring story, simplistic gameplay (especially when compared with the beautiful and realistic looking world).”
- “Mid game with a really boring story, terrible characters, awful gunplay, mediocre car handling, and online servers that literally doxx your IP.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, with players enjoying the detailed environments, dynamic weather, and a diverse soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a living world filled with unique neighborhoods and engaging sound design, making exploration feel rewarding and captivating. However, some criticisms arise regarding the online mode, where a toxic atmosphere can detract from the enjoyment, contrasting with the rich single-player experience that many players cherish.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, perfectly complementing the chaotic and vibrant atmosphere of the game.”
- “Whether it’s the shimmering ocean waves, dynamic weather effects, or the neon glow of Los Santos at night, every visual element contributes to the game’s immersive atmosphere.”
- “The attention to detail is astounding, with each neighborhood offering its own unique atmosphere and character.”
- “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.”
- “But over time those strangers became less friendly and the atmosphere became more and more toxic, reducing the fun of GTA Online.”
- “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 development
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
35%
5%
Character development in "Grand Theft Auto V" has garnered a wide range of opinions, with many praising its depth and complexity, particularly in the portrayal of the three protagonists, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Critics highlight the exceptional voice acting and writing that enhance character arcs, making players emotionally invested in their journeys. However, some reviews note inconsistencies, with certain characters lacking sufficient development and the narrative sometimes feeling disjointed, leading to mixed feelings about the overall execution of character growth.
- “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.”
- “The intertwining stories create a rich and immersive experience, complemented by exceptional voice acting and character development.”
- “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, there are three stories rolled into one, and as a result, the game is lacking some severe character development.”
- “The character development and progression are non-existent.”