{"id":186452,"date":"2022-03-29T11:10:35","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T09:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=186452"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:51:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:51:24","slug":"gta-v-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/gta-v-review\/","title":{"rendered":"GTA V Review | Action-packed mayhem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GTA V<\/a> is an open-world third-person shooting game<\/strong> developed and published by Rockstar Games that launched on September 17, 2013. It follows the lives of three protagonists that become entwined in the schemes they plot together. While there\u2019s plenty to do in the main mission, you can also play casual side games or complete other objectives unrelated to the storyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a multiplayer mode<\/strong> called GTA Online<\/strong> that you\u2019ll receive with the game for free. While we\u2019ll mention some aspects in passing in this Grand Theft Auto V review, we\u2019ll cover them in more detail in a separate article. For now, let\u2019s see what you can expect from the campaign side<\/strong>. You can also check out some tips on how to play GTA V<\/a> if you\u2019re a beginner to the franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n

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GTA V story<\/strong> and quests<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with every Grand Theft Auto game since the beginning, there\u2019s a detailed plot that will keep you busy with several main and side missions. The GTA V storyline<\/strong> is no different, but there is one chief difference from its predecessors. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the review below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tale of three comrades<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For the first time in the history of the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA V introduced the ability to change between three main characters<\/strong>. You\u2019ll start with Michael in the introduction, but the game lets you switch between him, Trevor, and Franklin. How their lives become entwined in the plot is what keeps you hooked throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story revolves around how a heist goes bad<\/strong> at the start and Michael is left for dead<\/strong>. Feeling betrayed, he makes a deal with the FIB<\/strong>. After the prologue, we go nine years into the future where Michael is living a protected, free life with his wife and children. Michael and Franklin meet up when the latter tries to steal a car.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They become friends, but Michael soon needs money and calls Franklin in to help with a heist<\/strong>. Unfortunately, Michael\u2019s crazy friend Trevor hears about it through the grapevine and confronts Michael about his disappearance. With the three united, all hell breaks loose as they aim for a final heist<\/strong> to end all heists, with the FIB, gangs, and other unsavory characters hunting for their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Helping strangers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The story has several side missions<\/strong> that aren\u2019t directly linked to the plot but may help it along. You\u2019ll meet strangers that become helpful <\/strong>acquaintances along the way. There are also once-off quests where you\u2019ll never see the characters again. You can gain money and experience by completing them, which leads me to the next section of this GTA V review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Completing GTA V 100%<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find thousands of GTA completionists around the world playing Grand Theft Auto V for months on end just to reach the achievement of 100% completion<\/strong>. The storyline contains the largest portion of it, while there are side missions to obtain the last percentages. Besides finishing extra quests, there are also items you\u2019ll need to collect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need help with objectives, here are 10 tips for completing missions in GTA V<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long to play GTA V<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How long you\u2019ll play GTA V <\/strong>depends on your approach. If you just want to speed through the main missions, it will take you anywhere from 31 hours and up<\/strong>. Should you want to obtain 100% completion, it can take you from 79 hours and longer, especially if you fail quests too many times. I suspect GTA VI will be much larger in scope<\/a>, which is quite exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GTA V gaming elements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few games similar to GTA V in gameplay, and fans often turn to them for more entertainment in this genre. Some good examples include Red Dead Redemption II<\/a>, Saints Row: The Third<\/a>, and Mafia 3<\/a>. For now, let me show you some of Grand Theft Auto V\u2019s game mechanics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to play GTA V<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rockstar Games has a reputation for integrating the introduction with tutorial <\/strong>mechanics. GTA V lives up to that legacy, letting you test the controls before you head to the main city of Los Santos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an exciting way to learn how the game works, and even beginners to the series will get the hang of it quickly. When you come across something new in the game, such as weapons, there will be a quick tip on how it works<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Switching characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The one gameplay element you\u2019ll need to master is changing characters in GTA<\/strong> V<\/strong><\/a>. Even if you enjoy only one of them the most, you won\u2019t be able to proceed with the story if you don\u2019t switch to the one who will begin the next plot quest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll notice that there are numbers on the character wheel<\/strong> at the bottom of the screen. These digits indicate how many quests you have available for Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. Some of them are small quests, but one of them relates to the primary plot. When you\u2019re deep in the middle of a heist that requires all three, the wheel will flash<\/strong>, telling you that you need to switch to someone<\/strong> else to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Combat mechanics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As GTA V is primarily a third-person shooting game<\/strong>, the combat mechanics revolve around firearms and melee weapons<\/strong>. You can quickly aim and switch between opponents with the click of a button while hiding behind objects will protect you from incoming bullets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you kill enemies that carry weapons, you can sometimes collect them for yourself and the appropriate ammo. It\u2019s best to save up some funds to buy guns<\/strong> at the nearest Ammu-Nation store. You\u2019ll notice some weapons are locked <\/strong>until you progress further. Don\u2019t forget to grab some armor while you\u2019re in there. You can also practice at the indoor shooting range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making money in GTA V<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the top goals is to make money in GTA V<\/strong><\/a>. Besides weapons, you can buy homes, entertainment areas, different transport vehicles, and so much more. While the main mission will bring in some cash<\/strong>, there\u2019s plenty you can do as side hustles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you can steal vehicles<\/strong> and sell them to one of your contacts<\/strong>, or you can enter some night street races. I\u2019ll discuss more about these activities in this GTA V review later. The important part you need to remember is that money will get you far <\/strong>in the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only issue is that sources for cash flow<\/strong> vaguely vanish after you complete the game. You can still pursue nefarious activities, but they won\u2019t bring in the millions as the money heist missions did. I have the feeling that Rockstar Games felt it was unnecessary, as most gamers move to GTA Online when done with GTA V\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acquiring assets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A way to show off your wealth in GTA V is by buying assets<\/strong> throughout Los Santos. You don\u2019t have to settle for one home, albeit, every character gets one thanks to the main story. You\u2019ll also need to obtain garages for your vehicles, for which you\u2019ll need funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claiming cars, bikes, boats, and planes is as easy as stealing them<\/strong>, hence the name Grand Theft Auto. If you see something you like, take it as your own and save it in your garage, hangar, or dock. You can also modify some of your vehicles if you want to drive in style down the streets of Los Santos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also amass an arsenal of weapons<\/strong>, but you can\u2019t sell these for money. Sadly, you won\u2019t be able to view your collection <\/strong>on a wall like in other games, namely, Hitman 2<\/a> and Assasin\u2019s Creed 3<\/a>. It\u2019s one feature I\u2019m hoping Rockstar Games brings to the series one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, you can buy some entertainment facilities<\/strong> to enjoy. Some examples include a tennis court, a golf club, and a taxi company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Casual activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re tired of completing missions, you can use your hard-earned money for casual activities in GTA V<\/strong>. You can head to the strip club and throw some notes around, or play darts against NPCs. There are also different race events, which let you show off your skills on land, sea, or in the skies. It gives you a taste of what to expect in GTA Online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Online mode<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While Grand Theft Auto V has been around for almost a decade now, many players are still enjoying GTA Online as the online multiplayer mode<\/strong>. It deserves a review of its own, as there are so many aspects to cover. Suffice it to say that there are several modes you can enjoy, and I\u2019ll touch on them lightly for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, there are various race modes<\/strong> that you\u2019ll not see in any other car game available. Some are utterly frustrating, while others are entertaining. There are also shooting arenas <\/strong>that are more akin to Call of Duty: Warzone<\/a> and multiplayer modes in other COD titles. You can also pull off bank heists<\/strong> or sell cars in GTA V Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best part of GTA V online is that you can run around freely until you choose to enter a game mode. You\u2019ll see other players on the streets, and you\u2019re free to kill them if you want to. The main objective<\/strong> is to make loads of money<\/strong> to buy assets by any means possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How does GTA V perform on PC?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GTA V\u2019s computer requirements are incredibly high<\/strong>, but that\u2019s to be expected with a game that\u2019s so vast and incredible to behold. While there are minimum requirements, these change over time as Rockstar Games add new content.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n