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Jun 05, 2018
GTA: Meh Edition
4 of 26 found this helpful It's okay. Like GTA IV, it fails to live up to its pedigree. It's very pretty. The driving is fun and Los Santos is really well planned out. Unfortunately, the gameplay is stale. The story line is pretty much the worst Rockstar has ever delivered. The whole game is you controlling three characters who constantly fail to grow their criminal enterprise, and you, the player, are penalized by never making money for the missions you take them through until the very end. It's an exercise in frustration,a nd proof Rockstar's current devs don't understand the fundamental basics of good game design (INCENTIVIZE activity, don't inhibit or punish it).
GTA Online is a total cesspool. It's the worst online mode of any game I've ever played, and I say that as a gamer who cut his teeth on the Atari 2600 in 1983. It's blatant pay to win, designed so that anyone trying to play without purchasing those silly in-game currency cards for real world money will be hobbled at every turn. It is populated by the worst variety of children who spend the entire time griefing others, speaking in language that would make an inner city gang member cringe, and leaving lobbies so that you fail your group missions by default. Rockstar only "updates" this mode in ways that defend the currency they're trying to sell you, never fixing the broken gameplay mechanics or dealing with the heinous social environment.
Is it worth it for the single player? If you can get it under $20 and can tune out the story, you'll get your money's worth, but not a penny more. Fire up your classic PS2 and play San Andreas instead. You'll be happier in the end.