Rockstar has released the debut trailer for GTA V - and the series is to return to San Andreas.
The trailer shows a variety of sun-drenched, mock-Californian locations, both rural and urban. The anonymous voiceover suggests that, while Rockstar is to once again repeat the story of GTA IV with a reformed criminal seeking redemption in the American dream, it realises that sending the player out on violent crime sprees within an hour rather dulls the point.
"I wanted to retire from what I was doing, from that line of work," he says. "Be a good guy for once - a family man…But, well, you know how it is."
The San Andreas setting, like Liberty City, gives Rockstar access to a melting pot of social and ethnic diversity, and the trailer shows Hispanic workers harvesting crops as a duster flies overhead, homes being repossessed and the homeless out on the streets, contrasted with the high-rises, oil drilling and golf clubs shown elsewhere.
Despite the variety of locations and the range of activities on show, the trailer is understated, but extremely self-assured. This is the open world as a place rather than a playground, following the same ethos set by GTA IV. Not shown so far is evidence of MotionScan-powered facial animation (as used in LA Noire), whether the game world will extend to San Andreas' Las Venturas or San Fierro, or any specific look at who the protagonist is.
And the soundtrack? Ogden's Nut Gone Flake Overture, by the Small Faces.
Comments
10I'm excited. But maybe a tiny bit wary. I don't know why. Nah...I'm sure it'll be great.
^agree.
That looks freaking awesome. I'll be getting that for certain.
Did anybody else notice the familiar Carl Johnson bolting from the 5-0 towards the end of the trailer? White vest, jeans held up with a belt? Let's hope this installment is a step backwards, towards the fun gung-ho style of San Andreas, (everybody surely remembers stealing a freakin' jet pack!) while keeping the technical advancements of GTA IV, a game that was ultimately a series of go to x, kill y, drive after z.
Then again, my hopes of that are slightly dented after Red Dead Redemption was much the same. Innovation, Rockstar, please!
No thank you, I'd prefer that they stick with the more grown up approach in GTA IV and RDR please.
Not interested in being a jet pack wearing gang banger with a mini gun.
There was no soul in the GTA III + Sub Title games.
When I was Nico Bellic, I really wanted him to get his redemption.
Sure, I won't deny the maturity that you're speaking of. They were very emotionally involved games. They just weren't as fun as the previous installments. If they can sculpt a world that is grown-up, and keep in the distractions and dark humour that we all love from Grand Theft Auto then it will be a stunning game. I just feel that there should be more innovation when it comes to missions. Grand Theft Auto and to some extent Red Dead Redemption weren't fun.
On Grand Theft Auto IV:
With all hysteria and images of rage fuelled teenagers shouting at their mothers aside, Rockstar is absolutely knocking them out of the park. This game is exciting for a good reason. With Red Dead, L.A. Noire and GTA IV as a backbone, reasonable expectation would be that this game is surely a mind blower in the making.
Notice the four-legged friend? I love the idea of having a pet dog riding shotgun in my convertible - in the manner of the film 'K-9', but with more style. In fact, this is a plea to any developers reading; MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
The anxiety of waiting for Skyrim has been replaced by the bed wetting excitement for GTA V.
Anyone else taken with the discussion around the "For Sale" bit?
A gentleman is hammering a for sale sign into his lawn at 0:55. The house number (on the curb) is 2405 which could translate to 24th May... which would be nice! Also, according to nowgamer.com, the song used on the trailer ('Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake' by Small Faces) was originally released 24th May 1968. Hmm...
Although that would step on the toes of Max Payne somewhat.
I've been distantly looking forward to another GTA but when I read the title "GTA returns to San Andreas" I shuddered and then my heart sank. I thought for a split second this could be return to the gang-banging, ghetto tone of the last San Andreas.
However.. I'm a little more confident about this after the trailer. Looks like Rockstar are continuing to press on with more interesting, real and unconventional characters (I hope). I was actually kind of hoping for something even more unconventional; perhaps a mid 50s ex-city worker who got laid off and turns to crime (maybe eventually even corporate crime?), or even a female lead? But Rockstar knows what they're doing and no-one quite walks you through the hollowness of the American better than them.
I am confident that this will be a great title. Rockstar aren't exactly known for their lack of originality and style.