Grand Theft Auto 5

Last updated date: August 9, 2019

DWYM Score

9.1

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We looked at the top 1 Cool Games and dug through the reviews from 19 of the most popular review sites including Lifewire, Games Radar, Engadget, God Is A Geek, Push Square, Game Informer, Tech Spot, Game Rant, Game Revolution, Kotaku, CGM, Impulse Gamer, Game Axis, Gamepur, PS4 Home, Slant Magazine, Hardcore Gamer, Thunderbolt Games, Mandatory and more. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Cool Game you should buy.

Overall Take

In our analysis of 204 expert reviews, the Rockstar Grand Theft Auto 5 placed 8th when we looked at the top 9 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

Editor's Note August 9, 2019:
Checkout The Best Cool Game for a detailed review of all the top cool games.

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Expert Summarized Score

9.5

19 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.6

12,730 user reviews

Our Favorite Video Reviews

What experts liked

It has arguably the best graphics in the one-year history of the PS4, offers a complete online experience through “Grand Theft Auto Online,” and illustrates how forward-thinking companies like Rockstar Games are going to drive this generation of video games by giving the player not just more than they asked for, but more than they even considered.

- Lifewire

May 24, 2018 | Full review

It all feels incredibly immersive, which, combined with the enhanced beauty of the open world, makes you feel like you’re living inside GTA 5 instead of simply playing it.

- Games Radar

November 28, 2014 | Full review

Grand Theft Auto 5 on PS4 and Xbox One is the definitive version for new or returning players, featuring a collection of all of its new and updated content, high-def graphics, fresh audio and first-person havoc.

- Engadget

August 9, 2019 | Full review

What is obvious is the graphical boost. What was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful games of last gen looks even better now, but the busier streets, more detailed textures and improved weather effects push the engine until the framerate suffers, stuttering at times during the faster chases.

- God Is A Geek

November 17, 2014 | Full review

The draw distance is superb, and at night, the city looks gorgeous as lights are reflected in each and every vehicle that passes by.

- Push Square

November 26, 2014 | Full review

Players now have the option to trek across Los Santos and Blaine County in first-person.

- Game Informer

November 21, 2014 | Full review

Gorgeous, intricately-detailed world

- Tech Spot

| Full review

GTA 5 is a game of masterful quality in both design and execution but it doesn’t always have the depth to say anything profound.

- Game Rant

| Full review

One of the densest, most entertaining worlds in video gaming

- Game Revolution

November 18, 2014 | Full review

You can adjust the control scheme to a few different presets, and while I never quite found one that matched up with what I expect from an FPS, most of the control oddities are minor.

- Kotaku

November 17, 2014 | Full review

The bits of next-gen icing that have been added are things like impressive lighting and water details, new wildlife, vegetation, a denser population of both people and traffic, and, of course, the expected long draw distances, reduction of pop-in, and better aliasing and textures.

- CGM

November 20, 2014 | Full review

As you would expect, GTA 5 on the PS4 is visually stunning, with a noticeable improvement over its PS3 predecessor. The sound is clearer, yet the biggest audio change comes in the form of over 100 new songs added to the radio stations for your musical pleasure.

- Impulse Gamer

December 1, 2014 | Full review

And what a perspective it is! Turning around to look at passengers talking, flipping the bird at other motorists, or glancing down at flight instruments all expose an unfamiliar side of the series.

- Game Axis

December 9, 2014 | Full review

The usage of DualShock 4 controller adds to the immersive experience: it'll flash red and blue when the cops are at you.

- Gamepur

January 9, 2015 | Full review

Arguably, the first thing most will notice is the fact that GTA V seems to have been given a bit of a facelift upgrade on one or more fronts.

- PS4 Home

November 19, 2014 | Full review

All this is still in service of a plot that takes the greatest of joy in throwing maximum shade at its audience for enjoying what the series has always done.

- Slant Magazine

November 19, 2014 | Full review

As amazing as the soundtrack was last-gen, Rockstar shockingly decided to add even more songs to it in this re-release. A whopping 150 additional new tracks have been spread across the radio stations.

- Hardcore Gamer

November 17, 2014 | Full review

From a more technical point of view, first-person is also mostly successful.

- Thunderbolt Games

November 19, 2014 | Full review

To my surprise, the boost in resolution is not universally advantageous.

- Mandatory

November 20, 2014 | Full review

What experts didn't like

Still the odd bit of pop-in Trevor

- Games Radar

November 28, 2014 | Full review

Story complaints aside, it's the world of San Andreas that is the main attraction, and it does not disappoint. For every narrative quibble, there are dozens of discoveries to be made, and many of the best moments will be the ones you create yourself.

- Engadget

August 9, 2019 | Full review

Framerate stutters occasionally.

- God Is A Geek

November 17, 2014 | Full review

In my time online, I experienced minimal lag or issues in the expanded firefights and races.

- Game Informer

November 21, 2014 | Full review

Players now have the option to trek across Los Santos and Blaine County in first-person.

- Tech Spot

| Full review

Rockstar Games has offered an experience with a few flaws – but flaws that don’t break the core (and extremely enjoyable) gameplay.

- Game Rant

| Full review

GTA Online job system still needs work

- Game Revolution

November 18, 2014 | Full review

At this point, I'd like to think that people are over being scandalized by violence in GTA games. We don't have to like it or anything, and the games' extreme violence is absolutely worthy of critique, but I do hope that we've moved past clutching our pearls and worrying about the children.

- Kotaku

November 17, 2014 | Full review

New content might not be significant enough

- Game Axis

December 9, 2014 | Full review

Drawbacks kick in at odd times, and a lot of it has to do with polygon counts, textures, or assets in the environment that simply haven’t been fully redone for the new edition of the game.

- Mandatory

November 20, 2014 | Full review

From The Manufacturer

Experience Rockstar Games' critically acclaimed open world game, Grand Theft Auto V. When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. government and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other. Explore the stunning world of Los Santos and Blaine County in the ultimate Grand Theft Auto V experience, featuring a range of technical upgrades and enhancements for new and returning players. In addition to increased draw distances and higher resolution, players can expect a range of additions and improvements including: New weapons, vehicles and activities. Additional wildlife. Denser traffic. New foliage system. Enhanced damage and weather effects, and much more. Grand Theft Auto V also comes with Grand Theft Auto Online, the dynamic and ever-evolving Grand Theft Auto universe with online play for up to 30 players, including all existing gameplay upgrades and content released since the launch of Grand Theft Auto Online. Rise through the ranks to become a CEO of a criminal empire by trading contraband or form a motorcycle club and rule the streets; pull off complex co-operative Heists or enter radical, adrenaline-fueled Stunt Races; compete in unique Adversary modes; or create your own content to play and share with the Grand Theft Auto Community. SPECIAL CONTENT FOR RETURNING PLAYERS Players returning from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions get special access to a host of content on PS4 including rare versions of classic vehicles to collect from across the Grand Theft Auto series such as the Dukes, the Dodo Seaplane and a faster, more maneuverable Blimp; activities including wildlife photography and new shooting range challenges, new weapons and more. Special access content requires Rockstar Games Social Club account. Visit rockstargames.com/v/bonuscontent for details.