Take-Two Interactive recently told GameSpot that it will not rush its games’ production for an annual release date. I am glad to know this because such an intense game series as Grand Theft Auto deserves the attention to detail for the sake of a better game.
GTA has a long history of plots based loosely on the fictional, and often unrealistic, criminal lifestyle in America. But this doesn’t make them bad games. Satire, awesome gameplay, and wild missions are what make a great GTA game. The most significant in the series, in my opinion, is GTA V . In this latest rendition, the player can take on the role of three rather different characters, with the ability to swap between them at any time.The first is Franklin, a street hustler looking for real opportunities and serious money; the second Michael, a professional ex-con whose retirement is a lot less rosy than he hoped it would be; and the third Trevor, a violent maniac driven by the chance of a cheap high and the next big score. Running out of options, this crew risks everything in a series of daring and dangerous heists that could set them up for life.
If GTA V is anything to go by for the upcoming game, then it is definitely worth waiting for. The three different perspectives in GTA 5 drive the plot. With such different walks of life working together towards a common goal, the plot is almost The Usual Suspects all over again. You could almost say it is the modern version of the film, addressing a myriad of very current social issues and anxieties through satire. For example, the scene where Michael smashes Jimmy’s TV. Michael yells at Jimmy for being lazy and not doing anything with his life, even going so far as to dare his son to punch him. This is a perfect display of the Baby Boomer and Millennial generation ideals clashing. Where Michael believes his son is “doing nothing”, Jimmy makes the comment that Michael should “go watch [his] linear entertainment”. This is a stab at how some Millennials believe video games are a great deal more dynamic and thought-provoking than “linear entertainment” like films.
If the plot and character development are not enough to make an upcoming GTA worth the wait, then the gameplay should be. The open world and wide variety of missions are one of the most exceptional parts of GTA V . The map feels huge, and travelling from one end to the other is extremely realistic. The city feels as filled with concrete, grit, and sun as it should. In addition, the ability to travel anywhere and interact with anything makes the world feel even more open. On top of this are all the missions you can do that make the game feel nearly endless. Even the various hobbies you can take up as any of the characters can feel like a good time with friends or a really wild night out.
In contrast to the obvious thought and detail in GTA V , there are plenty of games that are impaired by their constant annual releases. Assassin’s Creed III and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, for example, suffered for not being as well thought out as they could have been. I’m glad Take Two is going a different route, and although I am excited to see what heights the next GTA will take us to, I am willing to wait for it to really launch with a bang.