If there is anything I like equally as much as movies it's video games, and it has been quite some time since any game has impressed me this much.
I've been asked multiple times what my favorite games are, and I always try to give a list of my top three. But whenever I reach that third title, I get stumped.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is always first, followed by Mario Kart: Double Dash, and then nothing. I can never think of a game worthy enough to claim that third spot. Until now (and maybe even higher than bronze).
Grand Theft Auto V is a pure masterpiece, all new story combined with the same open-world freedom perfected. And to think, I almost passed up this game. "I'm too busy," I said. "When would I even have time to play?"
I'm telling you... MAKE TIME FOR THIS GAME!
September 17. 1:15 a.m. I'm trying to finish a film essay on Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. About a page and a half in, me and my roommates start talking about how GTA V is technically released since it was after midnight.
After much debate on whether to get it and a quick Walmart run, we had a couple copies of GTA in our possession. It only took an hour and 15 minutes after the game's official release to crack under the temptation and snag a copy.
Perfection
Rockstar Games' newest GTA installment is perfection in every way. Just about anything you can think of doing you can probably do. Freedom feels fantastic.
For instance...
• Want to shoot the gas tank of a motorcycle, drive off leaving a trail of gasoline behind you, spark the trail with a gun shot and pull off a perfect Ghost Rider reenactment? Done.
• Mad about high gas prices? Blow up any gas station (right after you rob it of course).
• Upset that a rival meth dealer cut into your international business deal? Snipe the competitor's men from afar, infiltrate their headquarters and ignite the basement's meth lab exploding the house with it.
• Retrieve a stolen purse for a lady who you witness getting robbed (you can be nice too... or just take the purse after you cut down the thief).
These are just a few of the millions of things you can do.
When exploring the open world there is a feeling that the environments are alive. The people around you are living their lives. The time of day and weather changes. Emergency services even respond to other disturbances when its not you punching random people on the sidewalk or doing drive-bys.
In the game you play as three different people with their own story lines, and eventually all three end up doing stuff together.
Michael is a retired thief that is forced to get back in the game, Franklin is a wannabe gangster that mainly wants to make a name for himself in the game Michael is now back in, and Trevor is a psychotic drug dealer. This GTA basically covers all areas of crime based characters.
The story is full of tons of insanely awesome missions, from elaborate heists to simple crimes, not to mention the side missions and activities that range from golf or tennis to shooting aliens after a bad marijuana trip.
A new feature in the game is of course the three playable main characters (which you can switch back and forth between at any time), but also the ability to improve their personal stats and take advantage of their individual special abilities.
Clicking both control sticks down activates their specials. Franklin is by far my favorite. Activate his while driving to take turns like a professional race car driver. Michael's and Trevor's are shooting based. Michael's is basically slow motion aiming and Trevor's is a mix of being able to dish out higher damage and take more damage. All these special abilities are limited though, but they replenish.
The game is hilarious too. It is truly a satire on modern America, a society obsessed with social networks, reality television, money, and even first-person shooters. In-game radio stations, TV channels and websites are funny little additions as well that make the game feel all the more real while producing laughter between completing intense missions.
Also, listen to random conversations on the street. They are some of the weirdest but funniest things I have ever heard. The thought of voice actors having to say some of the lines is hysterical.
I could go on forever about this game but I really need to get back and check on my stocks. Yeah, you can buy stock. Like in the stock market.
Buy this game. You'll love it. If a game could ever be perfect, this is probably it.
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-Kyle Schwab
