---

The graphics of the game are good, and even though the game was released over 10 years ago, you can still enjoy them. However, graphics are not the most important aspect, as we all know.

The user interface is simple yet clear; I have absolutely nothing to complain about in this regard.

With my PC, I've never had any issues with the game and could always play it at maximum settings. However, this also depends on the type of PC you have.

The controls are simple and fully customizable, but they could offer more (I personally miss functions like being able to lie down in combat, and sometimes, the weapon wheel behaves a bit strangely).

The story mode is decent. The narrative isn't outstanding but is still interesting. The three main characters are well-written, although they can sometimes come across as cliché. Nonetheless, each of them has a (limited) background story, and you understand their motivations for their individual actions. Unfortunately, I personally miss the ability to influence the story or at least individual missions and the option of three different endings doesn't make it any better when the path to them is absolutely linear, and as a player, you have no influence on the game world or anything else. I'll give half a point for the singleplayer heists, which offer at least two different approaches for most heists, providing some variety.

I think it's cool that you can customize, tune, and paint your weapons and cars as you wish, both in singleplayer and multiplayer. There are more options available for cars, which makes sense. When it comes to clothing, it's a bit different. While you can customize your character in multiplayer and distribute outfits accordingly, you can't do the same in singleplayer. The outfits of the playable characters always reset (unfortunately, you also can't change the main vehicle of the three main characters in singleplayer).

While the game world of GTA V initially looks lively because it's filled with NPCs going about their activities, it becomes clear that it's not quite as dynamic as it appears. NPCs sometimes behave strangely, repeat the same animations when certain events occur, and sometimes, they don't even have a sense of orientation. For instance, I observed a police car ramming into my car repeatedly for about 3 minutes instead of simply going around it. It's also bizarre how quickly you can accumulate wanted stars from the police and how fast they arrive, respawn, and seem to always know your exact location. Another annoying feature in multiplayer is the calls you receive every time you enter the game. These are usually 2 to 4 calls from NPCs telling you the same things. You have to answer these calls each time before you can hang up.

The game world is large, offering a variety of different areas, making it feel like a realistic city and its surroundings. There's a large urban area representing a typical US city, areas with a lot of nature, and smaller, more remote towns.

The music in the missions is okay but nothing special. What I find fantastic, however, is the selection of radio stations; there's something for every musical taste, and if someone can't find anything they like, there's the feature to add your own music. Simply fantastic!

After about 10 years, the online mode is a joke. Initially, when I bought the game, I liked it because of the many options for character customization, apartments, garages, and the open world to explore and complete missions. Unfortunately, the game, at least for me, quickly became boring because the missions are often the same or similar, making it less enjoyable.

Over the years, some content has been added to the multiplayer (not always good content), while the singleplayer was left empty. New cars and weapons were never implemented in the singleplayer, probably because they couldn't make additional money from it.

In multiplayer, there are sometimes ridiculously overpowered weapons and cars that throw the game's balance out the window. These items, as well as some clothing and cars, are so expensive that it's tedious to earn them in-game. But luckily, you have the option to buy Shark Cards (in-game currency) with real money! (Sarcasm) This way, you can have the perfect combination of overpriced in-game items that pay-to-win players can easily acquire (if they're willing to invest their hard-earned money into an online game)...

When I saw that it was possible to buy apartments and garages at the beginning, I was excited and saved up until I could afford one. Unfortunately, the disappointment was greater than I expected: from the cheapest to the most expensive, they have very few functions (except for being chosen as spawn points and some having a garage for cars). You can interact with some things, like drinking smoothies, watching TV, or getting your character so drunk that they pass out. While garages still serve a purpose, apartments are pretty much useless (unless you want to plan heists). You're better off investing your extra money in a good armored car or weapons.

I could maybe overlook these other issues if GTA Online could finally deal with the wave of cheaters. The problem existed years ago, and it still exists today. Players who play normally get banned, partly because of cheaters (who might shower you with a ton of money in a short time, resulting in an automatic ban), while players who obviously cheat, using explosive ammunition, becoming invincible, teleporting, or blatantly spawning cars, whales, or Ferris wheels, don't get banned, or it takes forever. Today was the first time in a while that I played GTA V, and when I entered multiplayer, it was hard to find a lobby without at least one cheater unless you're in a private session.

I would play the game again for the story mode, as I currently do. While other games have captivated me more, it always depends on personal preference and the type of games one prefers. To experience different endings or have an alternative to multiplayer, it's worth it.

If you're interested in the story mode, I can still recommend it, but the multiplayer is absolutely not worth it (anymore).

Rating: 4 out of 10 stolen cars, would not recommend