Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox One) Review

Besides the first-person mode, there isn’t much difference in the gameplay department from this version of Grand Theft Auto V and the last-gen editions. The new drive-by shooting controls, which allow you to independently aim while driving or riding shotgun, takes some time to get used to, but are nice to have once you get it down. The haptic trigger feedback, which kicks in during certain sections of the game on the Xbox One, was also a welcome surprise.

While all of the additional content is nice, what really makes this version of Grand Theft Auto V feel like it was made on a current-gen system is the visual upgrade it received. Speaking as someone who has played several recent titles for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, I honestly think that this may be one of the most impressive looking titles I have seen so far. All of the characters, pedestrians and vehicles look great, especially running at full 1080p resolution. The increased draw distance also does an incredible job of illustrating just how big this world really is.

Not everything is perfect in Los Santos, though, as there are some noticeable technical hiccups at times. The game generally does a solid job of maintaining a consistent 30fps, but driving too fast near a busy intersection tends to wreak havoc on the framerate. I also ran into some issues trying to enter GTA Online, most notably when it came to actually connecting with other players. It took way too long to find other people to play with, and even when I did, there was a chance of getting disconnected.

On a more positive note, I’m pleased to tell you that the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto V is just as good as the ones in any other entry in the series. Pulling from just about every genre under the sun, the sheer variety seen in the soundtrack is staggering at times. The current-gen edition adds over 150 additional tracks to the mix as well, including those from artists such as The Gorillaz, M83, Cut Copy and more. The voice acting from Shawn Fonteno (Franklin), Ned Luke (Michael) and Steven Ogg (Trevor) is excellent as well.

So, while it may have taken me over a year to experience the pleasures of Rockstar Games’ latest opus, I have to say that waiting to play Grand Theft Auto V paid off. These versions of the title definitely look better, they boast more content and (I’m presuming) play better than the original release. Sure, there are some nagging issues here and there, but that doesn’t change the fact this is one of the best games currently available for current-gen consoles. If you haven’t entered the world of Los Santos yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

This review was based off the Xbox One version of the title, which we were provided with.