So now we know. Grand Theft Auto V will return players to the mean streets of Los Santos, San Andreas, in a modern day setting and with the usual gangster flavour to proceedings. It's been a big day for the gaming world, with expectations that V will out-perform the biggest releases of this year easily, breaking sales records on the way to becoming the biggest seller of all time, and with the trailer officially unveiling this latest sequel, we're on the road to something big. And now we've had a chance to regroup, and to gather our wits about us, here are the collected responses of some of WhatCulture's gaming team to today's announcement trailer...
Simon Gallagher
"Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in." Anybody else get those slight Godfather III feelings? There aren't any concrete plot details yet, but surely we're playing a retired former heavy weight criminal (a hired killer by the sound of it, but I wouldn't rule out someone more powerful) who turns his back on the "line of work" that has determined he never got to "be the good guy for once", for a quieter life in Los Santos, but somehow ends up back in the game. "You know how it is." At first, I thought for certain the older, dapper looking gent looking out over the city was Tommy Vercetti - although I wasn't so sure that it was Ray Liotta voicing, the similarities in the as yet unknown actor's voice made the possibility of a recast based on them a possibility - but there's no way to be sure yet. It would certainly offer a pleasant cyclicalness to things if it were though. But who is the voice actor? It's currently driving me insane trying to recognise him. Because I'm sure I do... Does that mean he was pulled back in like Don Corleone, or did the temptations of his seedy new environment prove too much? Either way, the game looks phenomenal: the graphics have had a major face-lift since IV, with cars in particular looking remarkable, as do those lingering shots of the environment though I'm not expecting them to look quite so glossy in the final game. As with every GTA trailer that has gone before, Rockstar continue their trend for provocative, irresistible sroty Brilliant use of The Small Faces for the sound track as well.
Steve Leigh
Im pretty hyped for GTA V from this initial trailer, which perfectly gives us enough interesting stuff to ponder over until Rockstar release further information. Personally, I was hoping for a return to London - as I have been since Sony canned its Getaway franchise - but with San Andreas being my favourite game in the series, Im very happy to return to its varied open-world. Especially exciting to me is the countryside element, which made San Andreas an enjoyable change in pace from the usual settings of the series. I loved being able to cycle through the forests or climb a tall mountain - then parachuting off the very top. I'm also glad to see the return of planes, as well as the trademark satirical humour of the series. Rockstar rarely make bad games, and the Grand Theft Auto name remains a seal of quality. All I ask is that they shake up the formula somewhat with new gameplay mechanics and give us an enjoyable story, if they do this, Im sure that GTA V will be absolutely brilliant.
Ed Moorhouse
Oh man its been so long! I personally rate GTA 4 as being one of the crowning achievements in gaming. It was a remarkable game set in a remarkable gaming world. I have to say I am surprised at the look of this new entry. I was secretly hoping for another period GTA, perhaps the 70s or 60s but never mind that. What struck me was how OC it all felt. Everything was clean and sun drenched and while we got to see some less fortunate areas, the focus was really on the high life. This trailer certainly answer some questions though, yes the game is set (at least partially) in San Andreas which is great news. Hopefully we will get more than just Los Santos and be treated to another huge gaming world as we were in that benchmark of the series. Also, unless I am mistaken you are Hispanic so it seems that those early leaks might be true, to some extent at least. What surprised me however, was how little like GTA the trailer felt. But then, the trailers have often had a different tone to the game, seeking a filmic tone rather than the fun and humorous tone of the games. Still, it was all very serious and very ambiguous and that does concern me slightly. One of the main criticisms of GTA4 was how serious and gritty it was, which was highlighted all the more by how bombastic and over the top San Andreas was. However they strike the tone in GTA5 I hope you are least get to fly jet fighters again. Now, who is up for a drive around Grove St?
Michael Atkinson
"I wanted to retire...to be a good guy for once". Thankfully this idiot has chosen San Andreas to realise his dream and will allow us, by the looks of things, to revel in beautiful environments littered with bullets and whores. Of course there'll be more to the game than that, the character will no doubt be faced with some tough decisions as he tries to curb his abilities to kill, at least I assume that's what he used to do, I can't imagine he was a rogue-pastry chef that held back on the sprinkles. But Rockstar have done what they always do and my appetite is suitably wetted. It says a lot when 1minute 30seconds of footage manages to raise expectations beyond nearly every other sequel this generation of consoles has to offer... But could it be this generation's swansong? If so, I'll be there day one, cash in hand, and everyone's contact number on speed dial ready to inform them that I won't be out for a while - I have a better life now.
Stuart Bedford
I say it every time Im losing interest in the Grand Theft Auto franchise. And then every time Rockstar get back on the GTA campaign trail, their debut trailer causes my game-hole to salivate and my interest is piqued anew. This time is certainly no exception. GTA V marks a return to Los Santos (their version of Los Angeles which youll remember last treading as C.J in GTA San Andreas) although from the looks of the clothing and vehicles in the trailer it appears its set in present day. Its hinted that the themes of this latest instalment will possibly centre around the duplicitous nature of Hollywood (Vinewood in-game), the shine on the surface all but covering up the squalor at the core. As always, Rockstar have pushed the graphical boat right out there and if the trailer is to be believed which I have no doubt that it is, given Rockstars previous track record then we can look forward to one of the most realistic, organic entries to the GTA family to date.
Alex Turner
The thing thats always been important for me with Rockstar the thing that sets their games of recent years apart from both their peers and their original top-down, id-driven releases of earlier years are the compelling stories they craft. GTA V seems to continue on in that fashion. Rockstar protagonists are outsiders, cast into the deep end and forced to wade through the amoral, political, violent and corrupt underworld of a city in the throes of modernity. Red Dead Redemption did a great job of placing us right on the line between the old world and the new. GTA IV explored the inherently flawed nature of the American dream in a modern, consumerist society. With Red Dead and the last few GTA games, Rockstar are effectively retelling the same story in different ways but thats the sign of an auteur. How will this one play out? Vinewood is certainly ripe for the picking.
Matt Mann
For me personally this trailer was a little disappointing, mainly because it wasnt the full blown trailer that I was expecting: this was no more than teaser trailer similar to the Dark Knight Rises teaser we got a few months back. Hell, we didnt even get to see what the main protagonist looks like: however initially I had thought the voice may have sounded somewhat Hispanic, but after listening several times now I think he could be almost anyone [Editor- I'd have sworn he was Italian American myself]. That being said I think there is a few things that you can take away from this trailer. This teaser trailer was set up mostly to show the city of Los Santos, and to give us the tiniest bit of backdrop for the story. In addition, Rockstar definitely wanted to get the message across that planes will make a triumphant return to the GTA franchise. Three different types of planes featured in one trailer and that can't have been a mistake, this was an attempt to show people who missed planes in GTA IV that they will not be disappointed this time around. The major positive is that we did get a look at all of the varied environments of Los Santos, from the city, to the beach, to the mountains; this game will definitely have more variety that GTA IV. And from what the voice-over told us, I'd wager that this game's story will most likely be similar to Niko Bellic, someone trying to run away from past violence only to end up getting in a lot more. The bottom line is, I think we can assume that Rockstar is going back to the craziness of GTA San Andreas, with the story telling of GTA IV. And despite my slight reservations, I am still very excited for this game and am dying to see more, hopefully a full blown trailer next time. So, what did you think of the trailer? Answer's very welcome in the comments below. GTA 5 is set to be released in 2012.