Grand Theft Auto 5 was released way back in 2013, and unlike most games that would have slipped well into obscurity almost 6 years after release, GTA 5 still draws crowds and tops sales charts. One of the most popular games of all time, countless fans enjoy it to this day. Here's a few reasons to join them and replay it.
While the infinitely popular GTA Online draws the most attention these days with its engaging multiplayer gameplay, active player base and constant content updates, it was story mode that paved the way for its success. The vast world is just as filled with content when you are playing alone as it is in Online, but is much more fleshed out with additional narrative content.
1. The Story
GTA 5 tells a typical Rockstar story filled with broken characters, almost none of which aren't anti-heroes or straight up villains. Bad things happen to people who try to set things right by doing even worse things and professional criminal Michael Townley is involved with a botched robbery alongside Trevor Phillips, leading him to later enter witness protection under a different name — De Santa. A series of events lead them to reunite and join Franklin Clinton, a gang member, to perform a series of heists.
Expectably, the trio get mixed up in events out of their control and end up being in way over their heads. Rockstar's iconic writing that nails character development and interpersonal drama, while firing off crude jokes and sharp satire, place the storyline of GTA 5 high up in the pantheon of game narratives. While most games known for their stories are RPGs, this game can brush shoulders with most of them.
Don't expect it to be uplifting, though.
2. The Endings
Speaking of the game's story, if you've played through GTA 5 only once, you don't even need 10 reasons to replay it — just 2. While GTA 5 doesn't have a branching storyline in the traditional sense — 99% of the narrative is linear with no player choices — it does have multiple endings that depend on one specific decision you make late in the game. It isn't missable, and if you've played the game you know which one we're talking about.
To get the full experience, it's worth playing through the story at least 3 times — or, load back a save from before you made the decision, but where's the fun in that.
3. The Characters
Alongside our trio of protagonists, GTA 5 is full of memorable characters. Some will help you, some will try to kill you, and they all have issues.
Some — ah, who are we kidding, most — of these characters aren't "good" per-se, nor are they characters you are supposed to like, but they fulfill their narrative role perfectly and are written realistically. From the various crime bosses you tangle with, through Trevor's menagerie of substance-abusing allies and rivals, all the way to corrupt officials of different agencies, you'll meet the worst and the... well, worst of what Los Santos has to offer.
Many side characters who barely make an appearance are also memorable on account of their use as jokes and gags. Jock Cranley and Cris Formage are two examples, but there are plenty more in the game.
4. The Missions
Story is great and all, but gameplay makes a game. GTA 5 perfected the typical Grand Theft Auto formula, and the same gameplay was transplanted into Online which went on to spawn immense success. The missions feature varied objectives which allow the player to experience every facet of gameplay in a structured environment. After introducing players to the mechanics, you'll get missions that perfectly blend tight gunplay, high-octane races and various minigames to spice things up.
