Why I Won't Be Playing Grand Theft Auto V (Probably).

This was the only one with a tolerable aesthetic, and even then I barely played it

You may have noticed the disdain with which I talked about Grand Theft Auto V in my last post, but the truth is I was feeling torn. As of today, the game has been released into the wild and the avalanche of positive reviews has begun in earnest. With such universal glowing praise and excitement surrounding the launch from both hardcore and casual gamers, I was starting to wonder if I was missing out.

That is, until I read the review round up that Gamesindustry.biz posted. As predicted, there was little in the way of criticism towards the gameplay, but many of the featured critics did take issue with the lack of empathy they felt towards the game's three protagonists, who it seems are given precious little justification in narrative terms for the ultraviolent path they burn through San Andreas. I abhor gang culture, so its prevalence in the Grand Theft Auto series has always been a deal breaker for me. I had hoped that in the age of Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones, Rockstar may have seen fit to give adult content an adult context, but it would appear not. 

It's not like I can't enjoy a bit of mindless violence - I love Duke Nukem 3D, I just can't get past all the base, gangster nonsense and the smorgasbord of tired cliches that go hand in hand with it that are part and parcel of the Grand Theft Auto experience. There's a chance that I'll cave at a later date and at least give the game a try once the inevitable PS4 port drops, thinking I can put all of that out of my mind, but as of now, I'm stood in the eye of the storm utterly unconvinced.