The Johnny Green

The student news site of Weedsport

The Johnny Green

The student news site of Weedsport

The Johnny Green

The student news site of Weedsport

Grand Theft Auto 5: Not Perfect, Still Excellent

Grand Theft Auto 5: Not Perfect, Still Excellent

   Finally, it’s here. Grand Theft Auto: 5, one of the most hyped up games in a long time. All gamers have been dying to experience the new features of GTA, including three playable main characters, an astonishingly large map, and a highly improved multiplayer.

    You start off as the first main character, Franklin. Franklin is your basic hoodlum, except he’s trying to remove himself from the gang lifestyle. Unfortunately, peer pressure prevents that from happening, which you can be thankful for, otherwise you probably wouldn’t play as him. Franklin is generally a well liked character, and for most probably made a good first impression. While playing as him, you end up meeting your second protagonist, Michael, in a coincidental and humorous way. Michael is the guy with the nice house, two spoiled rotten kids, and a pretty wife. Of course he achieved this lifestyle from being a criminal, but what else would you expect, it’s Grand Theft Auto.

    Eventually you meet your third character, Trevor, after you get a little bit further into the game. Trevor is probably the biggest redneck ever, at least for a video game. Trevor, and Michael have a tie together from a job they did before the game takes place, and when you first begin playing you get to experience some of it. The two split apart for a long time, and throughout the story you learn more about their past friendship.

    Rockstar did a particularly good job of adding new features that have been long requested. Finally, they added in workable convertible tops. Now when it’s raining, you can simply pull over, press a button, and you’re all set. Yes, even in video games it’s necessary to drive with your top up. Also, they brought back the full customization of cars from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. In the fourth GTA, you could only change the color. However, the biggest improvement was by far the online aspect.

    With every game comes it’s flaws. As for GTA: 5, a lot of people have been double sided on a couple of issues. For example, there’s a new escaping the police system, and some might argue it’s harder, while some might believe it’s easier. Previously, you would have to escape a bubble, with the size depending on your wanted level. Now you just have to make sure no cops can see you, but they still search the whole city for you, so you have to hide extremely well. Austin Napolitano, a junior, says that the new police searches are harder. “The cops always shoot out your tires, and they just keep on running into you when you stop your car.”

    Another issue is the fact that the whole game just seems easier. You can look at that as a positive or negative thing, but sometimes video games are credited for their challenge, and sometimes you would complete a mission in GTA and you wouldn’t feel necessarily satisfied. Justin Files agrees that the game is easier, “The missions aren’t as elaborate in the most recent ones.”

    Although online had severe server issues in the first few days, the whole concept of it was really worth the wait. With more customizable characters, a better structure, and improved missions, it’s really a great time for you and your online buddies. In Grand Theft Auto: 4, generally all you would do online is run around aimlessly with a bunch of random people and basically just harass each other and see how mad you could get other people. There’s a system now, and it almost makes you want to behave in the game. Actually, if you do act well, you can get special bonuses for being a “good sport.” It definitely reduces the annoyingness of online before.

    Personally, if I were to rate the game 1-10, I’d reward it a 9.7. The graphics are great, the story highly appealing, but those few little flaws don’t allow for a perfect 10. After reading this article, what would you rate Grand Theft Auto: 5, and if you’ve never played it, would you consider it now?

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