I bought GTA 5 for the third time and it's still one of the best games ever
I love Grand Theft Auto. I'm in my fifties now and I don't often play video games anymore. If I have any spare time, I prefer to watch decent films or well scripted television series, like Succession. Video games require effort and physical interaction and I'm not really up for that after a week at work.
Up until this year, due to my overall gaming lapse, I'd resisted upgrading to the current generation of consoles, but I've now purchased a PlayStation 5 for one reason alone. I have to play Grand Theft Auto 6. It's like an overpowering urge akin to when you're ravenous and you see a big tasty-looking cake. You want that cake. There's no debate in your head. That cake must find its way into your mouth. That's how I feel about Grand Theft Auto 6.
When the new Grand Theft Auto game was delayed until next year I was utterly heartbroken, especially since I bought a new console for the sole purpose of playing it. The current instalment in the franchise, Grand Theft Auto 5, is relatively cheap at the moment (about 15 quid) and the old/current game began to look quite appealing to me as a stopgap until I could play the new game, but I held back from buying GTA 5 because I already own two copies on other formats.
How could I possibly justify buying and playing Grand Theft Auto 5 again?
Years ago, I bought and played GTA 5 extensively on the PlayStation 3. I purchased the game a second time on the Xbox One. In that enhanced version of the game there were notable improvements. Mainly, I'm thinking about first person view being an option in every vehicle.
Grand Theft Auto 5 on PlayStation 5 seemed so unnecessary to me. Apparently the PlayStation 5 version wasn't much of an improvement, and wouldn't it be better and more adventurous to branch out and play something else? But then, as I've mentioned above, GTA 6 got delayed and I needed to satisfy my hunger for the franchise, and so I found myself buying the same game a third time. After this purchase I rather regretted surrendering to my urges, that is until I installed Grand Theft Auto 5 and actually started playing it.
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
From my hands-on experience of the PlayStation 5 version, I have to say that Grand Theft Auto 5 is still a right laugh and in many respects I think it might be the best entry in the series.
The missions in 5 are a major improvement on the previous games, in that they're fun and often spectacular. All too often in the other games, some of the missions regressed into becoming a major chore. That remote control helicopter mission in the multi-story carpark in Vice City sticks in my head as a serious blight in an otherwise enjoyable experience. Grand Theft Auto 5 is far more accommodating. If you keep failing the game offers you a chance to skip a mission, which is probably sacrilege to hardcore gamers but I think a bit of all-abilities inclusion is an excellent idea.
I'm still barely into my latest playthrough and already rescuing Michael's son from his hijacked boat was/is so cool. You're chasing down a stolen yacht that's being towed in a trailer. Franklin jumps onto the yacht while it's in motion and you have to then catch him and Michael's dangling son. Brilliant stuff. I can't immediately remember missions with that kind of scope in the earlier games.
I also love the random incidents that occur throughout the map while you play. After you've darted over to intervene in a theft, in true Grand Theft Auto style you can either give the money back to its rightful owner or keep it for yourself.
The Strangers and Freaks side missions are a great addition too. Grand Theft Auto 5 offers a multitude of tempting distractions, other than simply running amok until the police take you down, which although fun can become a rather aimless and morally troubling activity.
On this latest playthrough of GTA 5 I've only noticed a couple of downsides. I've been forced to remember how much I hated Franklin's mate Lamar. Just a horrible, moaning character with dialogue that's littered with offensive expletives. I punched Lamar and ran him over and that provided marginal relief but, yes, I still hate him.
And the character models in general look a bit crusty and old, which is perfectly understandable given the age of the game itself. And if I'm honest the only improvement in the PlayStation 5 version is that the game loads slightly faster and maybe the environments look marginally better… so was it worth buying the game yet again? More Trending
I have to say yes. Playing Grand Theft Auto 5 is still a joy and I'd recommend readers giving the game another go given its cheap price. In my opinion, no other game offers such a multifaceted and amusingly detailed experience. Listening to Cara Delevingne on Non-Stop-Pop FM. Stealing a flashy sports car and then gunning it for miles across the brilliantly realised map. Grand Theft Auto 5 really is the gift that keeps on giving, that is until Grand Theft Auto 6 finally comes out.
By reader Michael Veal (@msv858)
The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.
You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email.
MORE: We have to accept the Nintendo Switch 2 is not for hardcore gamers - Reader's Feature
MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature
MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
11 minutes ago
- Metro
Halo makes its PS5 debut this month with a Helldivers 2 crossover
A very blatant teaser heralds Halo coming to PS5 via a crossover, but a proper game is rumoured to be launching soon too. Years ago, if you had suggested Halo, the former killer app of the Xbox brand, would come to PlayStation consoles, you'd be met with scorn and mockery for your unrealistic expectations. Now though, that's merely a case of when and not if. Microsoft has already ported several big Xbox titles to the PlayStation 5, as part of its multiplatform strategy, with even Gears Of War set to join them this month. While Halo's not formally confirmed, Microsoft has never ruled it out and now a very blatant teaser has all confirmed the franchise's PlayStation debut… albeit in a different game entirely. No, Microsoft hasn't abruptly announced that rumoured remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved. Instead, it looks like a Halo crossover will be added to Helldivers 2 once the game launches on Xbox on August 26. Although it's not an internally developed title, Helldivers 2 was published by Sony when it launched last year, which is why it's only ever been available on PlayStation 5 and PC. This past July, Sony and developer Arrowhead Game Studios announced an Xbox port, one handled by Nixxes (a Sony owned studio responsible for multiple PC ports of PlayStation 5 games) and featuring cross-play, so PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC players can all play together. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. A new trailer for the Xbox launch dropped earlier today and towards the end, a familiar tune Halo fans will recognise plays over footage of a hellpod landing in a city. The music comes from 2009's Halo 3: ODST, so Master Chief himself may not be making a cameo (since he wasn't in Halo 3: ODST), but likely the Spartan armour or weapons from that game will be included with a new Helldivers 2 battle pass. And in case you think any such Halo content will be exclusive to the Xbox version, the Halo tease is also included in the upload for the official PlayStation YouTube account as well. More Trending Given the timing, a more formal confirmation will likely take place during Gamescom next week. Perhaps alongside PlayStation 5 ports of Halo games, if only for the sake of synergy. It's recently been suggested that some kind of Halo PlayStation 5 launch is happening very soon. According to Halo dataminer as reported by insider Rebs Gaming, they claim to have found evidence of two new Halo games; one of which has PlayStation 5 compatibility. This game is apparently already linked to PlayFab, a Microsoft owned platform used for cross-platform play, which could point to it being a rumoured multiplayer Halo game that's said to be in the works at Certain Affinity. Rebs Gaming theorises that any such Halo announcement will probably be saved for the Halo World Championships taking place in October, where Halo Studios itself has promised to share the 'official scoop' of the future of the series. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Secrets of Halo Infinite's abandoned 10-year plan revealed by new leak MORE: Xbox games for Switch 2 'expected' soon ahead of rumoured Nintendo Direct MORE: People with Xbox Game Pass don't play more games than PS5 owners says analyst
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
GTA 6 maker Rockstar working on multiple other games says Take-Two
Aside from the Max Payne remakes, GTA 6 studio Rockstar is rumoured to be working on more ports of older games. With how big a game GTA 5 was, both in terms of its content and how much it sold, it's not unreasonable to assume GTA 6 is aiming to be even bigger. As such, you have to imagine that the entirety of developer Rockstar Games is putting all its time and energy into ensuring it lives up to the lofty expectations of fans. Especially since it's been more than a decade since GTA 5's initial launch. This isn't necessarily the case, though, as Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive, has suggested the studio has a lot more on its plate besides GTA 6. As spotted by Rockstar Mag on X, Zelnick made a recent appearance on CNBC's business section, where he was of course asked for an update on GTA 6's progress. After once again recommitting to its new release date of May 26, 2026, adding that his 'level of conviction is very very high,' Zelnick was then asked how much of the Rockstar team is working on GTA 6 specifically. 'Rockstar does have a lot of other things going on,' answered Zelnick, adding that GTA 6 is, of course, 'the primary focus.' Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. This does make sense since larger studios tend to juggle more than one project at a time. Otherwise, the wait between new games would be much longer. Rockstar Games travaille sur « plusieurs projets » et pas seulement sur # niveau de conviction concernant la date de sortie de GTA 6 est « très, très élevé ».Rockstar compte dépasser les attentes les plus élevées dans l'industrie du JV et de la Pop Culture avec GTA 6. — Rockstar Mag' (@Rockstar_Mag) August 12, 2025 With how much of an undertaking GTA 6 is, any other projects Rockstar is simultaneously handling are likely smaller in scope. So, don't go expecting a big budget Red Dead Redemption sequel to drop in a year or two. If anything, Rockstar could be working on ports and remasters of its back catalogue; several of which have been the subject of popular rumours in the past. More Trending Red Dead Redemption 2, for instance, is said to be due an updated re-release for modern consoles, including the Nintendo Switch 2, as well as modern ports of 2008's GTA 4 and 2012's Max Payne 3. Speaking of Max Payne, Rockstar does have a hand in the remakes of the first two games that are currently in development over at Remedy, the studio responsible for the Alan Wake and Control games. According to a new financial report from Remedy, development on the remakes is going steady and 'collaboration with Rockstar Games remains close and productive, ensuring alignment as the project advances toward its next major phase.' However, there's nothing to indicate when Remedy will have something tangible to show, let alone a release date. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: GTA 6 cost might surprise fans as Take-Two boss talks 'fair price' MORE: GTA Online age check settings confirmed real as screenshots leak MORE: Lewis Hamilton admits he's cancelling work just to play new video game
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
People with Xbox Game Pass don't play more games than PS5 owners says analyst
New player data for Xbox Game Pass shows how most people aren't using the service the way it was intended. When it was first unveiled, Xbox Game Pass was seen as Microsoft's secret weapon; the key selling point for all Xbox consoles. But in the years that have followed it's become clear that video game subscriptions in general are not the draw that many imagined – that, in fact, relatively few people want a 'Netflix of gaming'. Game Pass in particular has regularly missed growth targets, with even the inclusion of Call Of Duty doing little to boost subscriber numbers. Many also believed Game Pass has done more harm than good to the health of the industry at large. Microsoft, despite previous claims to the contrary, admitted in 2023 that the service has led to less traditional game sales and last month, a couple of industry figures decried the service as an 'unsustainable' business model. A new report from Emmanuel Rosier, director of market intelligence at analytic firm Newzoo, has also examined the influence of Game Pass and found that it has little to no effect on people's playing habits. Rosier appeared on the Game Wise podcast to discuss industry trends based on Newzoo's research and one detail he shared was the difference in player behaviour between Xbox owners and PlayStation owners… where he found there wasn't really any. 'Despite all the efforts done by Microsoft with Game Pass and the acquisition of many studios and the release of very high quality games in Game Pass, we struggled to find a significant, different behaviour compared to players on PlayStation,' said Rosier. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. What he means by this is that even with access to Game Pass' huge library of games, Xbox owners aren't playing more games or even spending more time playing games than PlayStation owners; something Rosier admitted to being surprised by. Rosier also reiterated how Game Pass is cannibalising game sales, as evidenced by how Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, which was a day one Game Pass launch, sold less Xbox copies compared to previous Call Of Duty games. He did note that Newzoo compiled its data based on games that a player had spent at least two hours on, which Rosier argued shows that Game Pass subscribers tend to only try new games for a brief time and then give up on them. 'There is so much offering in the Game Pass that if you don't really… if you're not getting hooked in the game very quickly, you just download another one…,' said Rosier. One thing Newzoo hasn't been able to measure is the completion rate of games on Game Pass, which would be interesting to know since it would show how many people actually stuck with games they did have an interest in. None of this behaviour is thought to be unique to Game Pass, but since it has a much larger library than PS Plus, and the promise of day one first party games, it's all the more notable that relatively few people are taking advantage of it. This is especially problematic for Xbox because they must now be unsure exactly how much to prioritise it, although they've certainly made a big deal about getting it working not just on consoles but on PC, mobile devices through cloud streaming, Amazon Fire sticks, and the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. More Trending Microsoft's pivot to multiplatform releases seems to imply that they realise Game Pass has not worked out as a killer app. Since now some of its biggest Xbox games can be played on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, without any need for a Game Pass subscription. Even Xbox boss Phil Spencer, the man credited with spearheading Game Pass' creation, seems to have lost some enthusiasm for the service, labelling it as 'just another option' in an interview earlier this year. It's a far cry from his bold proclamation that Microsoft would quit the gaming business if Game Pass subscribers didn't reach 110 million by 2030. It almost certainly won't but this wouldn't be the first time Spencer said something that he didn't follow through on. Not only is Microsoft the biggest games publisher in the world, now that it owns Call Of Duty, but Spencer recently told Xbox employees the business is thriving, with 'more players, games, and gaming hours than ever before'… as hundreds of those employees were unceremoniously let go. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Microsoft kills another Xbox exclusive but Hideo Kojima's OD is still alive MORE: Next gen Xbox will be 20% faster than PS6 suggests leaked specs MORE: Extremely rare Xbox game is being sold for over £1,000 – do you own a copy?
