Watch CBS News

"Grand Theft Auto V" review: Devil is in the details

There are few game developers as revered as Rockstar Games for their way with storytelling and mission design. There are few games that have attained such widespread notoriety with both the media and within the gaming community as the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, for its ability to so thoroughly push the envelope and deliver cutting-edge game design.

Fewer still are games that have attained perfect or near-perfect scores from reviewers across the board. But now that the dust has settled, has the perfect game truly been delivered unto the wanting masses or were we simply swept up in the storm?

If nothing else, "Grand Theft Auto V" will be remembered as a game that has defined what it means to show progress in the gaming industry -- and within a game series. It's not trying to redefine what we think of as video games or how we interact with them. But it demonstrates that, even as comfortable as we have grown with what we consider modern gaming contrivances, there is still plenty of room to evolve the experience on the current and next generation of consoles.

The game is still "Grand Theft Auto" through and through. Every character -- sympathetic or otherwise -- has a moral compass ranging from shades of grey to the darkest black. Players still run, gun and drive their way through a compelling and ethically questionable campaign.

The most notable divergence from the series norm is the introduction of the ability to freely swap playing between the story's three main protagonists.

More than a mere gimmick, this function allows the game to unfold from various perspectives -- similar to a movie -- which allows for more natural storytelling. It also puts a lot of power in the player's hands, which allows them to choose how each character makes his way, effectively creating a greater emotional connection to more characters and the story overall than in most other games in the genre.

The character-swapping ability and every other feature feels like a natural evolution for the series. The controls are tighter, vehicle steering feels more precise, the multi-protagonist approach gives the story greater breadth and the opportunities to explore are just insane.

Nothing ever feels second-hand either. The in-game Internet is expansive, there's a working and interactive stock market and missions are bigger and crazier than ever. The devil is most certainly in the details and on this front "GTA V" delivers both quantity and quality.

"Grand Theft Auto V" is available now for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.