GTA 5 Reviews: Worth The Price

Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5 is just hours away from its formal release, but if the reviews going live today are correct, series fans needn’t worry about whether the game is a worthwhile investment.

Following a lift of the game’s embargo, gaming-centric websites are now slowly beginning to publish their own reviews of the latest in the fabled crime and open-world game. Many of these early reviews indicate that, despite worries about whether the game’s attempt to focus on three different main characters would make the its story confusing, the game is more breathtaking and intuitive.

Michael, one of Grand Theft Auto 5′s three protagonists.

In a breakdown for Polygon, reviewer Chris Plante says, “… Grand Theft Auto 5 is mercifully more lighthearted than its predecessors, and even occasionally vulnerable, thanks in large part to its broader stable of characters.” That isn’t to say that Plante believes the series is showing all the hallmark signs of creative and personal growth. The review does highlight the series’ tendency to not include women protagonists and its lack of playable female characters. The publication awarded the game a 9.5 out of 10.

Although its review is considerably less enthusiastic about the game’s main characters, Joystiqultimately comes to the same conclusion that other publications do in their reviews. According to the outlet, Grand Theft Auto 5′s real show-stopper is its open world.

“Story complaints aside, it’s the world of San Andreas that is the main attraction, and it does not disappoint. For every narrative quibble, there are dozens of discoveries to be made, and many of the best moments will be the ones you create yourself.” The outlet ultimately rated the game 4 and a half out of 5 stars.

Many of the game’s other reviews follow along the same lines as these two, praising its sense of humor and irony, while questioning the motives behind the game’s disturbing story lines. The latter is a problem GottaBeMobile alluded too when addressing whether it’s a good idea for parents purchase the game for their young children at launch.