After the release of 20-or-so screenshots of Grand Theft Auto 5, a host of articles previewing the game has surfaced in the UK press with fresh details. The previews go into some depth about the game's Los Santos setting, its three main characters — Franklin, Trevor and Michael — and offer a plethora of information about the gameplay that players will experience come September 17, when the game is out on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
In case you don't have the time to delve through the previews on IGN, The Guardian, and CVG, here's what we've compiled:
Character Gameplay Mechanics
– Character transitions are smooth, and occur in a way similar to The Enemy of the State did, by having the camera zoom out to satellite view and back to earth.
– The closer the characters, the smoother and faster the transition. Transitions are instantaneous during missions.
– Role-playing elements from GTA:SA are back in the form of skill categories: Shooting, Stamina, Stealth, Strength, Flying, Diving, Mechanic, and Lung Capacity. They can be improved throughout the game by completing missions, side quests, and performing activities.
– Each character has a Special skill category. Franklin can slow down time while driving. Trevor can go into a frenzy where he performs double damage, takes half damage, and performs a unique melee attack. Michael has bullet time mode similar to Max Payne's.
– Much like the action meter in Max Payne, Special skills have a limit which goes down with use and refills slowly.
– Every character has subtle differences in the way they move and animate. Michael is slower and more deliberate, Trevor is erratic and high-strung.
– Michael's obsession with old movies means players will be able to participate in scenes right out of movies.
Heists
– Heists are the main part of the game. Players will participate in small heists like armored car-hijacking and small robberies and build their way up to major heists, like hitting banks and jewelry stores.
– Heists are all about preparation. Players must secure vehicles, outfits, masks, and locations for getting rid of the evidence.
– Executions can have a variety of outcomes depending on how much money the player is willing to spend on the crew. Highly skilled characters will take a larger cut from the payout.
Combat
– Players can perform combat rolls for moving in and out of cover.
– There is a wider field of vision and players will be able to run-and-gun.
– When you die, the game reloads to the last checkpoint even if the other two characters are alive.
Character, Vehicle and Weapons Modding
– Pay'n'Spray facilities now allow players to mod their vehicles with new paintjobs, window tints, grilles, spoilers, and a host of upgrades including suspension, engine, and brakes.
– Weapons can be upgraded and customized with a variety of add-ons including scopes, flashlights, silencers, and hi-capacity magazines.
– Players can customize each of the characters with their own clothing, haircuts, and even tattoos.
Side Missions and Challenges
– There are a variety of side missions, including hijacking armored security vehicles and picking up hitchhikers.
– Players can partake in sports events, including yoga, tennis, triathlons, dirt bike races, golf, stunt jumps, and hang-gliding.
World and Exploration
– Rockstar is creating the "ultimate open world"
– The game is split between two major areas — Los Santos, and Blaine County. The landmass is "three and a half times the size" of Red Dead Redemption.
– You'll be able to explore both areas right away.
– There are five times as many pedestrians as GTA 4.
– Weather has been implemented, and will correlate with wave and water physics.
– There is a 24-hour day and night cycle.
– Players will be able to go diving with wetsuits, flippers and oxygen tanks.
– There is an underwater ecosystem, where treasures can be found. Other divers will also be searching for treasure. You will have to find treasure by searching through every nook and cranny.
– There is a massive amount of detail being implemented into the game's world. There are celebrity tour buses which actually tour celebrity homes, costumed performance artists in costumes based on GTA 4's movie spoofs will bother you at the Cathay Theatre.
– Players can acquire property, including houses, garages, and a variety of businesses.
Multiplayer
– You can drop in and out of multiplayer at any time.
– The character selection screen is designed as a pie, split into four pieces — Trevor, Franklin, Michael, and your multiplayer character.
The Phone
– There's a new phone called the iFruit. It allows you to take screenshots and upload them to Rockstar's Social Club.
– The phone comes with apps, including social media, internet, contacts, a calendar, and the ability to replay missions.
