Grand Theft Auto was released on the North American market on February 28, 1998, providing players with a bird’s-eye view of a gangster’s world overwhelmed by violence, narcotics, and an alarming number of civilians flattened by fleeing vehicles. Although the characters appeared to be insects from the game’s top-down perspective, players became engrossed in the open-world pandemonium, praising the game’s innovative gameplay and freedom of choice. Through the simple shifting of a camera, the first Grand Theft Auto game established a rock-solid foundation for a series that was about to revolutionize gaming.
Grand Theft Auto III’s shift to the third-person perspective in 2001 revitalized the series by providing the optimal vantage point for developer Rockstar North’s scathing commentary. In a year filled with companies re-releasing games on new-gen hardware, the return of Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One may not seem like a huge deal, but this new version contains a significant camera-related advancement for the series.
Players can now explore Los Santos and Blaine County in first-person perspective. Zooming into the irises of Trevor, Michael, and Franklin provides a remarkable sense of intimacy for all of the game’s actions, including driving, paragliding, swimming with sharks, and sprinting through a dark passageway with a gun drawn as the police pursue you.
The first-person view is more than a simple camera toggle; it is a fully realized component that offers GTA players a new experience. Rockstar created tens of thousands of new animations to give this perspective a sense of realism. When hotwiring a vehicle, the camera pans down to reveal the character manipulating the cables beneath the steering wheel. Each time Franklin takes a lengthy draw at his mother’s home, his hand and marijuana contact the screen. All phone interactions depict the character’s palms traversing the touchscreen. When Trevor’s temper erupts, he flips his middle finger in the middle of the screen. All of the actions viewed from this angle appear to be of the same high caliber as the rest of the game.
When the action ramps up, the first-person perspective increases the difficulty and intensity. Given that this perspective restricts the character’s awareness of its environs, I discovered I had to be more circumspect during firefights. Due to the vehicle’s frame obscuring the view, I wasn’t as adept behind the wheel, and it was much more difficult to thread the needle between vehicles when the camera position couldn’t be adjusted on the run. However, I appreciated both game modes from the first-person perspective more. It is simpler to aim down the iron sights of a rifle than to line up the small white dot for a headshot. The increased sensation of speed associated with driving makes unrestrained descents down the mountain on a motorcycle harrowing.
The novel perspective is optional and can be activated by pressing a switch. It offers a variety of customizable settings, such as aim sensitivity, control schematics, head bob, and the ability to pan out to third-person while using cover (a recommended swap, as using cover effectively in first-person is difficult).
This version of the game also features a multitude of graphical enhancements, such as a 1080p resolution, a greater draw distance, improved textures, and an assortment of new lighting and atmosphere effects. The roadways are filled with more vehicles and pedestrians, and the wilderness is home to a number of new species of animals.
Players continue to unearth new secrets and content. Racing now consists of entertaining stock car events that reward the player with new muscle cars adorned with the logos of Los Santos’ most popular brands. Michael is currently entangled in a new unsolved murder investigation, while Franklin is now free to pursue wildlife photography as a secondary hobby. The clumsy Dodo seaplane returns with its arsenal increased by a hatchet and rail gun. To cut a long tale short, there is an abundance of fresh content here.
I spent countless hours searching for peyote plants, a novel collectible that induces hallucinations and temporary transformation into an animal. During one excursion, I portrayed a coyote that killed two people, caused another terrified citizen to run in front of a trolley, and was ultimately sent to coyote paradise by a police officer.
I cannot emphasize enough how enjoyable it is to play Grand Theft Auto V from a different perspective. Due to the fact that it debuted in a re-release and not a brand-new installment, the impact it has on the series is somewhat muted. I expected to play the same game again, and I did, but Rockstar managed to make it feel fresh.
Grand Theft Auto Online
The single-player campaign’s enhancements are carried over to Grand Theft Auto Online. The multiplayer component now supports up to 30 players, and the first-person perspective infuses the action with new vitality. In the expanded firefights and races, I experienced minimal latency or issues during my time online. If you played the previous generation, your online persona (and everything you’ve acquired) can be transferred to the new version, allowing you to upgrade without sacrificing any progress.
