Grand Theft Auto V, often also referred to as GTA 5, is an action-adventure title. It was release in 2013 and is part of the GTA series created by games developer Rockstar North. It’s set in a fictional South Californian city called Los Santos and follows the activities of three criminals, all searching for new ways to make money. You play in the first or third person view, travelling through the landscape on foot or by car.
Grand Theft Auto for the PlayStation One, PC and Gameboy was released in 1997; like subsequent titles in the series it was an open-world game. Game play involved missions that could include shoot outs, racing and illegal activities, making it slightly controversial, but GTA was still a success with critics and the public alike. By 2013, the franchise had become a major name in the gaming world, and over the years four more expansion packs were released along with eleven standalone games. It is the fourth bestselling video game series of all time, shifting an impressive 250 million units around the world.
The Different Editions of GTA VThere are two individual editions of Grand Theft Auto V. The original version was released in September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. The subsequent edition was released in June 2014 – it was designed for the PC, the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. There are three sub-editions for this first release.
The enhanced second edition GTA V contains the additional content of the previous versions plus extra features, some of which are exclusive to Rock Star Games Social Club players who bought the original edition. The members-only Social Club is managed by Rock Star Games and free to join for people who have purchased and played their titles.
The Standard Edition – The cheapest GTA V edition, this version includes a full copy of the game along with a printed map and a code which enables players to fly the Atomic Blimp: an air balloon that hovers over the city. This version of the game is still widely available online. If you’ll be playing on a PS3 or an Xbox 360 and you just want to experience the game, it’s ideal.
The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition – This version includes the Blimp code, a full copy of the game, a map, new artwork, a steel book case and in-game bonus features. The three main characters all have a special ability boost, there are more outfits, customisable items like tattoos, additional weapons and stunt plane trials to take part in. Slightly more expensive than the standard version, this edition is a good choice for people who want a few GTA V extras without investing too much.
The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition – In this version you’ll get everything that comes with the other games plus a branded cap, a deposit bag with a key and extra in-game content. You can play as a range of classic GTA characters if you go online and you’ll also be given a garage that’s complete with a few unique high-end vehicles. This edition comes in a laminated presentation box with an embossed GTA V logo. This will be a must-have for collectors and serious fans of the game, as it includes a range of branded items that were designed just for this release. Copies are still available at Amazon and eBay although it’s worth remembering that the game itself is designed for the PS3 and Xbox 360 rather than next-gen consoles.
GTA V Enhanced Edition – In June 2014, around a year after the original version of the game was released, the enhanced edition was promoted using a trailer. This was designed for next generation consoles, like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 as well as the PC. It was eventually released for consoles in November 2014 and in April 2015 for the PC. In this version, the publishers have included special edition in-game content and bonus features which can be unlocked with the virtual cash collected during play. If you already own a Collector’s Edition or Special Edition, these extras will still be available for free. Later in 2014 the special content was also made available for people who bought the new version of GTA V for the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360. The bonus elements include a Dodo Seaplane, a classic American muscle car, a sports car called the Blista Compact, a submersible vehicle and a 1969 Dodge Charger much like the one on GTA IV but with an armoured exterior. In this edition of the game, players also gain access to two new types of weapon: the Rail Gun and Hatchet. Several side missions have been written into this version, which players need to complete in order to unlock the new content. These include a photography challenge and a murder mystery. Players who were veterans of the franchise might be surprised by the new first-person view perspective, which can be displayed in cars or on foot. You can switch between this and the third-person view at any time during game play. If you play online with a PS3 or Xbox 360 game, it can be transferred to this later version. The port can only happen once, but your character will still be available on each platform. If you continue to play on the old platform, progress made after the transfer will not be shown on the new platform, similarly, progress on the new platform will not be shown on the old platform. If you have a next-generation console or a powerful PC, there’s no doubt that this is the best version of GTA V for you. It’s a slick, fast and immersive experience enhanced for the innovative graphics of a high-spec PC, PS4 or Xbox One.
You can enrich the experience of playing GTV V in various ways, here are three of the most popular with gamers.
GTA Online – The multiplayer version of GTA V was launched in October 2013. In it you can play with up to fifteen other people. The game dynamics are similar to those in single-player – you can go anywhere you like, but some missions have set locations. You can either play with people on your friends list or wait to be invited to a group game. Once it gets started, other players are marked as a white spot on your screen; you can join in a range of group activities with them or go off on your own. Group activities will bring 20% more rep points, so you can build your abilities and ranking faster. However, there are hazards. Some players use GTA V online games to shoot at others and leave car bombs, so stay alert.
Downloadable Content – While Rockstar will not be releasing any new single player DLC for GTA V, it does periodically add new areas to its GTA Online area. The latest of these is The Diamond and Casino & Resort, set to be released in July 2019. Included will be new activities like horse racing, VIP penthouses to rent out for your character and brand new vehicles to drive around Los Santos.
Using Mods – Mods are lines of game code which are changed by players to alter content. This can include anything from small texture changes, like t-shirt slogans, to massive alternations, like whales appearing in a swimming pool. Mods are mainly used on PC games as they are far easier to install on a computer than on a console. People use them to make the experience more quirky, humorous or personal.
Finding Cheat Codes – Not all players agree with using these codes, but if you need cheats for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One or the PC version of GTA V, they are available. A cheat code can help you to complete missions more quickly and avoid areas of the game you find boring.
Grand Theft Auto V tells the story of three very different criminals. Ex-bank robber Michael is living in apparent luxury after retiring into a witness protection program, but his family life is chaotic and he misses the old days. Trevor is a slightly deranged, immoral meth-dealer, and Franklin works as a repo man for a local garage but craves a better life. They’re all interesting, well-padded-out characters with a solid backstory and soon unite to carry out various money-making heists.
In the beginning, you’ll get to know each character better on solo-missions, but they are later brought together for bigger, more explosive jobs. Playing in first or third-person view, you can navigate through this vibrant South-Californian world in a range of vehicles or on foot. Harassing, abusing or killing local residents will attract police attention fast, so unless you want that extra hassle it’s worth your while to move amongst them peacefully.
From the neglected districts of Los Santos to the sparkling boulevards of Vinewood (a thinly disguised Hollywood), the game is beautifully detailed. Locals populate each area, selling hotdogs, chatting, dog-walking or just enjoying the sun. On the desert roads outside the city you’ll encounter the local biker gang and eccentric UFO watchers. This is an especially atmospheric game filled with exhilarating missions, believable characters and even a few nods to previous GTA games.
Gamers and critics often mention the attention to detail in GTA V as what singles it out from other games. Flip flops sound authentic as you stroll along the street, warm car engines tick when they’re cooling off and your style of driving can attract unwanted attention from other characters. The voice acting is also exceptional, Ray Liotta did an unforgettable turn in Vice City, and in GTA V the tradition of using genuinely talented actors continues. Coupled with inventive storylines and astonishing graphics, these elements ensure GTA V is a remarkable game.
Minimum System RequirementsThe diverse open world game play of GTA V means it can take up a significant amount of space on your machine – here are the minimum requirements for each platform:
PC:
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64 Bit or equivalent
Memory: 4GB
A DVD drive
Hard drive space: 65GB
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB video card
Xbox 360:
Hard drive or external storage with 8GB of space
PlayStation 3:
Hard drive or external storage with 8GB of space
Xbox One:
Up to 57GB of storage space
PlayStation 4:
Up to 50GB of storage space
GTA V or GTA 5 has been a hit with both consumers and critics. On Trusted Reviews it has earned a top score of five out of five. The review aggregator Metacritic awarded the PlayStation 4 version of GTA V a score of 97 out of 100 based on the reviews of 66 critics. At IGN, a 2014 review of the PS4 and Xbox One versions gave the game a rare 10 out of 10, calling it ‘grand in every sense’.
GTA V is a no-expense-spared title, but there are certain aspects of the game which aren’t as well presented as they could be. Here’s a look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
Very intricate and detailed landscape
Planning and carrying out missions is great fun
Three characters add variation to the gameplay
Sprawling world populated with hundreds of bit part players
Cons:
Dialogue can become monotonous
The gaming interface is often slow and awkward to navigate
Some aspects of the game are immature and maybe even offensive to some
How to Buy GTA V CheapThe standard edition of GTA V for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC can be purchased from large online retailers like Tesco, Argos or GAME as can the enhanced PC, Xbox One and PS4 version. Alternatively, it is available as a download from vendors like Microsoft or the PlayStation Store. For the Collectors’ Edition which is more difficult to find, you can shop at either Amazon or eBay.
On Black Friday, games are reduced in major outlets like Asda, Argos, Tesco Direct and Smyths Toys as part of the annual event. The same stores and online retailers like Amazon, will also run entertainment department sales at other times of year, usually in summer or in the run up to Christmas, when numerous gaming titles are reduced.
Grand Theft Auto remains an impressive title, and to find the cheapest UK prices, gamers can head over to the hotukdeals page, where we list all the best offers available.
