GTA 5 “next-gen” – is it the best game of 2014?

Silence and drum roll, please – the reviews for Grand Theft Auto 5’s “next-gen” version are in.

GTA 5 is due to arrive in SA today, 18 November 2014, for the PS4 and Xbox One. The PC version of the game is scheduled for a 27 January 2015 release.

As the game has been out for some time on the PS3 and Xbox 360, Rockstar decided to improve the open-world title with the hope of enticing players to give it another go on the new consoles and PC.

Among the new upgrades are improved visuals and gameplay, more detail in the world of Los Santos, a first-person mode, more radio stations, and 1080p and 4K resolution for console and PC gamers respectively.

Have these upgrades been blended in seamlessly with a game many of us know and love? Let’s find out.

First up, the Metacritic scores.

Metacritic Scores
Platform	Metacritic Score
PS4	96
Xbox One	N/A at the time of writing

Now, onto the international reviews.

Gamespot – 9/10 (PS4)

Aside from a few mild frame rate issues that sometimes take the edge off its more dramatic moments, this is the definitive version of GTA V, and the bar by which all other open-world games, or indeed any game that aims for a cinematic feel, should be judged.

It is beautiful, and thought-provoking, and thrilling throughout. Even if you’ve played through GTA V once already, it’s worth going back just to be reminded of what an outstanding achievement it is.

US Gamer – 4.5/5 (PS4)

Rockstar Games revisits last year’s heist-filled romp with a new version on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. With the new power, the developer has added more depth and life to the world of Los Santos.

It’s the same game, but the new visual effects and first-person mode provides a strong experience. It’s not completely worth a double-dip if you tore through the original GTA V, but it’s definitely worth a second look.

Metro – 10/10 (PS4)

In Short: An incredibly ambitious upgrade that not only improves the visuals and gameplay but, through the new first person view, offers a new way to play the best GTA ever.

Pros: Amazing next gen visuals and incredible attention to detail. New first person view works very well and is fully customisable. GTA Online is available from day one and looks just as good.

Cons: The story is as vague and meandering as ever, with not a single virtuous character in the whole cast. Gunplay and driving could still be better, and first person view doesn’t work in every situation.

Kotaku – Yes

Aided by its new perspective, the updated version of GTA V takes everything we loved and loathed about GTA V—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and doubles down.

There’s no going back after this, and while Rockstar’s next open-world games will doubtless still default to third-person, they’ll be left feeling inadequate if they don’t include first-person as well. Thanks to one well-executed idea, Grand Theft Auto has been transformed.

God is a Geek – 10/10 (PS4)

Anyone concerned that this was just another money-spinning “definitive edition” can rest easy. As ever, Rockstar don’t do things by halves, and Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 feels truly next-gen.

It’s not just a remake, it’s a testament to the quality of the original that GTA V can effortlessly stand among the best titles so far available on the new consoles and, in many cases, surpass them.

It can’t be easy to make the re-release of a year-old game feel essential, but Rockstar have done exactly that.