There comes a time when an artists like Botticelli or Picasso create masterpieces such as "The Birth of Venus" and "Guernica" respectively…..unfortunately I wasn't born during that time to witness their creation. But I am present here today to bear witness to a creation of another, different type of masterpiece.
Usually when it comes to games, we play them, have reasonable fun, and then eventually forget about them. But, there are a few games which inspire so much awe in us that, we will continue remembering that game, even after our grand children are born.
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| The 3 Protagonists |
Being an avid gamer, I've been a huge fan of Wolfenstein (PC), Prince (PC), Pokemon Yellow, Gold, Sapphire (Nintendo Gameboy), Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2), Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3), GTA 2 (Playstation), GTA:San Andreas (PS2), Super Mario (Gameboy), Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Dreamcast) etc. But none of the games mentioned above, even come close to the likes of GTA V for the PS3. Initially, after the first trailer was released, I was a little skeptical since there was also a lot of hype surrounding GTA IV, and personally, I didn't like GTA IV much since it was good, only superficially. But, what's the point of graphics etc., being amazing, when the game itself has a storyline which has nothing new to offer? But, I was in for a pleasant surprise as soon as I inserted my GTA V disc into the gaming device. The game grabs you by the balls right from the get go, and doesn't let go even if you are writhing in pain.
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| Great View |
The game is set in Los Santos (the Rockstar version of Los Angeles- The ENTIRE Los Angeles) and the story mode revolves around 3 main characters- Michael, who's a retired criminal living peacefully in his mansion with his victim-to-society family, and who's unwittingly brought back into the world of crime ; Franklin, a local street hustler who's dream is to make it big by performing at least a few major heists ; and finally, my favourite, Travis- psychopath, dysfunctional sociopath, stone cold killer, nymphomaniac, owner of a drug enterprise, and who's also brought back to the world of heists after reuniting with his ex partner in crime, Michael.
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| Trevor having a good time at a Strip Club |
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| 9 Hole Golf Course |
Eventually, the game progresses, and soon, all 3 protagonists end up fighting for the same cause- against corrupt government officials, celebrities, businessmen, and of course, for acquiring the almighty dollar. You may first think that having 3 protagonists could be a little taxing, but there lies the beauty of GTA V. Even while playing as one character, say Michael, you will notice that Trevor and Franklin continue with their lives, and are not only shacked up in their respective safe houses. You will also be able to switch between characters between missions, and even when missions involve all 3 characters. The switching is so fluidic that one feels as if one's in a virtual reality world set in Los Angeles.
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| Los Santos |
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| Jewellery Store Heist |
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| One Of The Many Crazy Heists |
The missions in the game are according to me, THE best part of it. They can range from planting an explosive in the Lifeinvader (GTA version of the iPhone and Facebook combined) founder's prototype cellphone…. and performing a heist at a jewellery store (which puts the Italian Job to shame)… to stealing documents from the government which involves skydiving out of an airplane….. and performing underwater submarine heists. Each mission, I feel, has the capability of giving the recent Hollywood films a run for their money.
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| 100% Attention to Detail |
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| Hunting for Elk |
The other thing I really love about this game is how vast it's universe is. Rockstar wasn't kidding when they said GTA V's universe was going to be bigger than the universes of GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption COMBINED. The attention to detail is simply perfect. You can visit the countryside and mountains around Los Angeles, you can go underwater, diving or in a submarine. Even the underwater sections of the game give a perfect account of the bed of the Pacific Ocean. You can fly private jets, helicopters etc., and it also helps that the sky is as detailed as the one in real life. Apart from the general observations, there are so many activities to be done in the game, that you sometimes lose track of reality. As a Golf lover, it was simply a treat for me to be able to play in a real sized 9 hole golf course, which was as posh as the ones which are actually in Los Angeles. There are Tennis Courts, Athletics and races to take part in, Strip Clubs (where you can get pretty realistic lap dances), Amusement parks, Sky Diving zones (which include jumping out of an airplane in a jeep, and then parachuting your way to safety), Stock Markets (where you can actually buy and sell stocks), The Internet (which gives access to the Stock Markets, Lifeinvader (the GTA V version of Facebook), Realty Dealers etc). You can buy planes, boats, cars all via the internet. You can also join various cults, groups etc. The game also includes Los Santos Customs (GTA V's version of West Coast Customs), Tattoo Parlors, Deer hunting activities in the forests and mountains, cable car rides, trains, Setting up your own business-legal and illegal, etc. The game is HUGE. It's almost like an alternate reality from the one we are already in.
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| Another Crazy Mission |
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| Los Santos Customs |
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| Crazy Mission- Driving a jeep out of an airplane, and then parachuting your way to safety. |
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| The Stock Market via Mobile Internet |
The game is also a huge satire on society today. It allows us to actually witness how social media ruins lives, how celebrities are as fake as Louis Vuitton bags made in China, how even the closest friends can stab you behind your back etc. Some of the messages, despite being powerful, are put across in such a tongue in cheek and ultraviolent manner that one can't help but be amazed as to how the makers of this game came up with such brilliant, yet audacious ideas.
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| Underwater Mission |
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| Parachuting |
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| The Infamous Torture Scene |
All in all, I would just like to say that being a hardcore gamer, GTA V has left a HUGE impact on me. An impact which has left a mark as permanent as jailhouse tattoos. For many people's sakes, I do hope it comes out on PC pretty quick, so that even they will be able to witness greatness first hand. Alright then, I'm off to try out the GTA V online feature. I will be giving ore on that later. Till then, happy gaming!
References:
http://www.godisageek.com/reviews/grand-theft-auto-v-ps4-review/
http://gearnuke.com/gta-v-review/
http://www.gta5cheats.com/dont-try-this-at-home-stopping-gta-vs-trains/
http://gamewise.co/games/17254/Grand-Theft-Auto-V/Hobbies-Pasttimes/Strip-Club
http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Los_Santos_Golf_Club
http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/review/grand-theft-auto-v
http://collider.com/gta-5-grand-theft-auto-v-images/
http://gtaforums.com/topic/561272-using-disguises-in-gta-v/
http://gtaforums.com/topic/679449-i-saw-the-lightning-bolt-today/
http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gta-v-lets-go-big-game-hunting
http://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/why-rappers-and-gta-v-could-save-business-aviation-908/
http://savegameonline.com/c1-news/time-for-a-gta5-trailergasm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2sv3ssJpk
http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Water
http://www.gamedynamo.com/article/cheats/6873/1237/en/playstation_3/grand_theft_auto_v
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywfsIuv269I
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