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Grand Theft Auto 5 review (Xbox One, PS4)
Below, we have republished our original Grand Theft Auto 5 review, with added evaluation of the new material found in the Xbox One and PS4 version. The updated text is based on a retail PS4 copy of Grand Theft Auto 5, provided by Rockstar. With the release of Grand Theft Auto 5 on PS4 and Xbox One, Grand Theft Auto has never looked so good and, thanks to the new first-person mode, the series has never been more gruesome. The addition of the (optional) first-person mode makes this more than a simple HD port of the original release, giving you an excuse to explore Los Santos and its surrounding areas once again. GTA Online and its multitude of content updates are also included at launch. GTA 5 is presented in full 1080p with high-def texture resolution and increased draw distance. Lights show natural reflection from impressive-looking water sources, including puddles that form after inclement weather. Geometry appears more vivid with proper texture from tessellation. Characters haven't been remodeled, but the game's graphical boost makes existing citizens look sharper and more detailed than before. The showpiece of GTA's current-gen debut is its first-person mode, which – for the first time, officially – gives players a street view of the franchise. Rather than lowering the camera and shoving it in the chests of its three protagonists, GTA 5's first-person mode adds detailed animations that give the perspective a feeling more akin to simulation than a shooter.
Holy crap, your wallet is screwed today
November 18 is the new October 7. Last month's $300 day tamed before it began, as the launch of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor moved up a few days while Dragon Age: Inquisition was delayed to the industry's new busy day, today. It's okay, friends, we're here to guide you through today's retail chaos. Dragon Age: Inquisition reached Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC today, and was received well in our five-star review of the game. Joystiq Streams took Dragon Age for a spin earlier this week, so those that want a taste of the game's first hour should watch the archived video. Meanwhile, Ubisoft dished Far Cry 4 out to current-gen, last-gen and PC players, a game deemed the "undisputed king" of open-world shooters that offers a "staggering number of adventures."
Rockstar troubleshoots GTA Online character transfer issues
Rockstar Games is investigating Grand Theft Auto 5 PS4 and Xbox One save progress transfer issues following its launch today, the developer acknowledged on its GTA Online support site. The next-gen version of the game was announced during Sony's E3 2014 press conference in June, along with the news that players could transfer their character's progress from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions to PS4 and Xbox One. Specifically, the problems are cropping up for players that haven't played GTA 5 in some time. "We are looking into an issue preventing character transfer and GTA Online login on accounts that haven't played GTA Online since 2013," Rockstar wrote on the support site. The developer noted in an update that "this issue has now been addressed for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 users, and will be addressed for Xbox One and Xbox 360 users by tomorrow." Xbox One players should be able to log in to GTA Online, but won't be able to transfer their character progress just yet. [Image: Rockstar Games]
Joystiq Streams: A mile in Grand Theft Auto 5 PS4's shoes
We knew it was coming. Of course it was coming. As soon as Rockstar said that Grand Theft Auto 5 would be coming exclusively to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, the writing was on the wall. The very face of sandbox gaming would blow out the final days of last gen's consoles and be reborn in ample time on the coming PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Maybe it was a little surprising to see it announced at E3 2014, not even a full year after its initial release, but there was never any doubt that Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto Online would come to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. What was surprising, however, was the announcement that this version of the game would officially support a first-person mode. Modders plopped it into the game last summer, but now Rockstar's built it in properly. What does Los Santos look like up close and personal? Find out when we stream Grand Theft Auto 5 for PlayStation 4 at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch. Joystiq Streams airs live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, but if you want to catch other streams like this one make sure to follow us on Twitch. [Images: Rockstar]
Sony celebrates Black Friday with GTA5, Batman PS4 bundles
Assuming you're willing to brave Black Friday crowds, the PlayStation Blog has detailed two new PS4 bundles that should help you unwind over the holidays. Both $399.99 bundles include 500 GB PS4s, with their differences lying in included games – the first offers a disc-based copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 and a download voucher for The Last Of Us: Remastered, while the second includes a physical copy of LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham and a voucher for LittleBigPlanet 3. The PS Blog notes that both bundles won't be offered for long, so you might have to face that frenzied Black Friday horde if you'd like to pick up either version. [Image: PlayStation]
Online heists coming to GTA Online following next-gen launch
Seven months after they were first announced and following a re-release of the game for new console hardware, Grand Theft Auto Online may finally add online multiplayer heist missions. In a new blog post detailing Grand Theft Auto 5's impressive statistics, Rockstar mentions that online heists will reach all four console versions of the game shortly after next week's launch of Grand Theft Auto 5 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. "We know you're all excited for more Updates to come and we've got some really exciting stuff in the works to continue adding to, expanding and evolving the world of Grand Theft Auto Online - including the highly anticipated launch of Online Heists which will be available for all four consoles as the first GTA Online Update to happen after the game launches on PS4 and Xbox One." Of course, this isn't the first time Rockstar has promised that online heists would be coming soon. To its credit, the development team readily apologizes for missing these self-imposed, soft deadlines, but we're still not going to get excited over this new mission type until it's been patched into the open-world crime sandbox. [Image: Rockstar Games]
GTA 5 to require launch day patch on PS4, Xbox One
Before you wreak havoc on the graphically-enhanced streets of Los Santos in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One re-release of Grand Theft Auto 5, you'll need to download "some last tweaks and optimization fixes," according to Rockstar Games. The publisher broke the news in a recent blog post, which states the launch-day update will become available on Monday, November 17 in preparation for the game's November 18 debut. Rockstar Games urges everyone to download and install the update before playing to "experience the game properly," but also notes that as long as your PlayStation 4 or Xbox One is connected to the Internet, the update will be applied automatically. As for what exactly the update contains, that's a mystery. Beyond that line about tweaks and optimization fixes, the publisher offers no details on the patch's contents, nor any word on how large it might be. On the upside, this update, like all Grand Theft Auto 5 updates, will be available at no charge. [Image: Rockstar Games]
Pre-load GTA5 on Xbox One, get $1 million in-game cash
If you plan on upgrading to the Xbox One version of Grand Theft Auto 5, you've got a hefty 42.44 GB download to look forward to. Snag the digital Pre-Order Edition, though, and you can queue up your download immediately, giving you instant access to criminal shenanigans following next week's launch. The Pre-Order Edition also includes $1 million in-game cash to spend in both Grand Theft Auto 5's single-player campaign and the Grand Theft Auto Online multiplayer component. The new-gen Grand Theft Auto 5 boasts an exclusive first-person mode, along with performance tweaks, new missions, and other bonus content. Grand Theft Auto 5 hits the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on November 18. [Image: Rockstar]
Joystiq Weekly: Free Radical's Haze, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Tony Hawk and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Yes okay, BlizzCon 2014 was full of announcements. A new team-based shooter called Overwatch, a Hearthstone expansion, Warcraft movie details, the next StarCraft 2 expansion ... Blizzard fans have plenty to look forward to. Thanks to an unexpected announcement however, Tony Hawk fans also have something to look forward to (or dread, depending on cynicism) in the form of a 2015 console game. Sure, the Skate series was a cool take on realistic tricks, but we wouldn't mind getting back to the outlandish challenges, yellow-text specials and SKATE letters of the original killer skateboarding series. If you've never enjoyed injury-supplementing planks of wood with wheels, there's still plenty of good stuff from this week. News of Grand Theft Auto 5's first person mode, reviews for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Lords of the Fallen, a feature exploring the development of the unfortunate PS3-exclusive Haze, and more is all waiting for you after the break!
Watch, contrast and compare as GTA 5 slides from PS3 to PS4
Rockstar's new PS3/PS4 comparison vid for Grand Theft Auto 5 sits somewhere between chill-out and trippy. One moment there's greenery, deer and dolphins, the next there are people magically appearing out of nowhere. Were those people on the street always there, but just... invisible before? Are they ghost people? Maybe we're all ghost people? Whoa. Revelations aside, GTA 5 hits PS4 and Xbox One on November 18, and PC in 2015. [Image: Rockstar Games]
Grand Theft Auto 5 commits to first-person on PS4, XB1, PC
When Grand Theft Auto 5 launches on PS4 and Xbox One on November 18, it will bring a new perspective to crime. Rockstar Games has revealed GTA 5 will indeed feature an oft-rumored first-person mode in both single-player and online sessions. The new mode represents more than just a camera shift, however, Rockstar said in a press release. First-person GTA 5 features a new cover system, targeting system and a more "traditional FPS control scheme." Players will also be able to easily toggle between the FPS mode and GTA's standard third-person camera.
Rock out with Grand Theft Auto 5's OST on vinyl, CD this holiday
Grand Theft Auto 5 is kicking it old-school with limited edition soundtrack bundles in CD and vinyl formats, available online and at retail starting December 9. The soundtrack collections are limited to a production run of fewer than 5,000 units worldwide. There's no word on price just yet. The CD collection includes three discs, a USB drive branded with the GTA5 lettering and in the form of a gold brick, artwork, and a poster. The vinyl set comprises six colorful records, a full-color booklet and an exclusive lithograph poster. The collections include 59 tracks, "with original music from A$AP Rocky, Tyler, The Creator, Twin Shadow, Wavves, Flying Lotus, Yeasayer and more. In addition, these limited editions will feature the original score composed by Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, The Alchemist + Oh No, mixed by DJ Shadow," Rockstar says. Rockstar recently reminded hopeful Xbox One, PS4 and PC GTA5 players that there is no beta on those systems – if you see an invite for one, run far, far away. GTA5 is due out for next-gen systems on November 18 and for PC in 2015.
GTA 5 gets next-gen exclusive goodies
Rockstar has revealed a suite of new features exclusive to the upcoming PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto 5, including new vehicles, in-game events, and missions. Players returning to Los Santos can expect to find new challenges tied to next-gen exclusive vehicles like the Imponte Duke O'Death, the Cheval Marshall monster truck, and the Dodo seaplane. The upgrade also offers an all-new murder mystery that scatters clues throughout Grand Theft Auto 5's expansive map, with noir-style camera filters awarded to players who can crack the case. Other new additions include the Hatchet and Rail Gun weapons, stock car races, updated radio station playlists, and a Wildlife Photography Challenge that unlocks a submarine when completed. Rockstar additionally revealed that GTA Online character progress will carry over into the Xbox One, PS4, and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 via a one-time save transfer. Unlocked platform-exclusive content will also transfer alongside character data, and all player-created Jobs will be retained. [Image: Rockstar]
PSA: There is no beta for GTA5 on PC, PS4, Xbox One
Heads up: if someone claiming to represent Rockstar offers you beta access to the upcoming PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One versions of Grand Theft Auto 5, they're trying to scam you. Rockstar has officially stated that it has no plans to offer a public beta test in the weeks leading up to GTA 5's next-gen console debut. "Please note: There is no pre-release 'beta' test for Grand Theft Auto 5," the developer's statement reads. "If you see ads or solicitations to join a beta program, beware as this is likely some type of online phishing scam." It's an understandably tempting offer, and scammers are likely hoping that the game's notoriety will cloud player judgment. Stay safe out there, folks. Grand Theft Auto 5 will hit the Xbox One and PS4 on November 18, and a PC release is slated for 2015. [Image: Rockstar]
GTA 5 adding first-person vehicle view on PC, next-gen
A since-pulled support article on Rockstar's website points to some new features for Grand Theft Auto 5 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. According to the article, seen above, the revised versions of GTA 5 will feature a first-person mode for vehicles "that shows the interior of the vehicle, including working speedometers, tachometers, dash lights, and more." The game will also include a first-person mode "while on foot." Rockstar plans to offer an "overhauled character selection screen" as well as new Easter eggs and random events for the game's story mode. The developer noted that new animals will appear in the city of Los Santos, and appears to be determining whether animals will also appear in the game's online modes. Lastly, it added that players transferring characters from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will receive "new weapons and a free garage in GTA Online." GTA 5 will reach PS4 and Xbox One on November 18 and launch on PC in 2015. [Image: Rockstar Games]
Grand Theft Auto 5 hits PS4, Xbox One Nov. 18; PC in 2015
Rockstar Games announced this morning that the next-gen console versions of Grand Theft Auto 5 will arrive in two months, with the PC version driving in early next year. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will arrive on November 18, while the PC edition follows on January 27, 2015. Developer Rockstar highlights improvements to the versions of the sinful sandbox available on Xbox 360 and PS3 include new weapons, vehicles and activities, more wildlife, denser traffic (sitting in that is always fun!), new foliage system (wow, so lush, very green) and enhanced damage and weather effects.
Red Dead Redemption rides again in latest GTA Online jobs
In its latest round-up of noteworthy, fan-crafted jobs found within Grand Theft Auto Online, the Rockstar Games blog pays tribute to the developer's classic 2010 western action-adventure Red Dead Redemption. Included in today's list are ten jobs inspired by and seeking to reimagine Red Dead Redemption within the engine that powers Grand Theft Auto 5. The PlayStation 3's "Grab The Bag" job recreates the Red Dead Redemption multiplayer mode of the same name where four teams compete for control of a bag by gunning one another down. "Tall Trees," by contrast, lifts its setting from a popular Red Dead Redemption hunting area, but in lieu of hunting bears and cougars, players take part in a deathmatch armed exclusively with pistols and shotguns. For full details on all ten jobs and links to where you can download the maps for your own enjoyment, click through to Rockstar's website. [Image: Rockstar Games]
New Flight School jobs propel GTA 5 into the danger zone
The latest round of jobs added to the open-world crime sandbox that is Grand Theft Auto Online will feed your need for speed, assuming you're old enough to understand that as a Top Gun reference and not a nod to EA's racing games. Building on the recent, fan-favorite Flight School Update, Grand Theft Auto Online now features two new contact missions. The first, "Chop Chop," sees players hijacking helicopters from Merryweather Security before turning their airborne ordinance back on the the PMC's goons. In the second contact mission, "Effin' Lazers," players will fly the titular fighter jets on a mission to destroy similar jets owned by rival drug dealers. Obligatory Kenny Loggins anthem not included. The remaining missions are a mixed bag of races, parachute jumps and a capture maps. Highlights include "Flying Colors," where players race jets mere feet above the scrub brush of East Blaine County, and the "Under The Bridge" event where brave souls leap from a helicopter 4,000 feet in the air before using their parachute skills to float to relative safety beneath a bridge. For full details on all of the new missions joining Grand Theft Auto Online visit the Rockstar Games blog. [Image: Rockstar Games]
GTA5's radio station getting with the times on PC, PS4, Xbox One
A scenic route through Grand Theft Auto 5's Los Santos will open up on PS4, Xbox One and PC this fall, but we might not be stuck blasting the same old programs from our totally-legally-acquired rides. Cara Delevingne recently tweeted that she was "with @rockstargames to update my GTA[5] radio station Non Stop Pop FM" for this fall's ports, with Non Stop Pop being an adult contemporary station on GTA5's dial. Rockstar hasn't announced plans regarding radio content for the ports, so it's unclear whether we can hope for radio hosts other than Delevingne to swing by and freshen up their shows as well. We're still waiting on a specific date for our returning trip to the San Andreas area, but in the mean time you can compare trailers from the original release and the upcoming port. Or you could join us at shaking our heads over Lindsey Lohan's latest leading role in ... a lawsuit with Rockstar. [Image: Rockstar Games]
Rockstar: Lohan's GTA 5 lawsuit just Jonas-ing for publicity
Lindsay Lohan's Grand Theft Auto 5 lawsuit was "filed for publicity purposes" according to creator Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive. Lohan sued Rockstar and Take-Two for damages back in July over the in-game character of Lacey Jonas, a troubled young actress who struggles with an eating disorder and dealing with the paparazzi. The case claimed Lohan's image, voice and styles from her clothing label were all used to depict Jonas, forming an "unequivocal" reference to the Mean Girls star. As the Associated Press reports, Rockstar is having none of it. Manhattan court papers made public this week show Take-Two and its subsidiary not only want the suit dismissed, but the company wants Lohan to pay its legal fees. As far as Take-Two is concerned, Jonas only resembles Lohan in being a young, blonde woman.
