Not Impressed by The Storyline

[CR7_LM10_RVP20_SH1]

Hello, all. Don't get me wrong. I think this is a great game, has a much bigger map than it's predecessors, new activities to participate it, better driving physics, great graphics, intense gameplay... I could go on.

 

But, I was slightly dissappointed with the plot itself. It doesn't feel really understandable for me and the characters don't have much history attached to them. You can't just say "my life sucks" and become a mass-murderer. The characters don't have much emotions or morality and that makes me a little hard to adapt to them, to really connect with them and feel sorry about their misery. For an example, I felt much more attached to Niko from GTA IV (maybe even more, because I'm from Slovenia, former Yugoslavia and I felt closer to the story, Balkan wars, I understand serbian, he was the first protag from Europe etc.). He had history, morality, tough past, he cared for his family and friends and he desperately tried to find out who betrayed his friends. I liked how Roman tricked him into moving to America, but Niko discovers that it isn't all paradise, starts with nothing. Then there goes his cousin, Roman. Yeah he could get on my nerves with his constant bowling invitations, but seeing how he got along well with Niko, he really grew on me. They both cared for each other and I liked the occational conversations in serbian language between them. Then I felt really sorry when the mafia kidnapped him. I wanted to help him and was quite sad when

he was shot at the wedding (choosed the deal ending)

. Also, Niko didn't really care for money. He only did crimes to survive and to get a revenge and you could see that he became even more depressed and desperate when he was wealthier.

But with GTA V I don't really feel connected to any of the character. Killing lots of people merely for money is very bland and doesn't make for a complex story. I'm still quite early in the game, but I want to see some twists in the plot later on.

 

Overall game rating 8/10 - would give it a 10, but the storyline isn't really appealing to me.

 

However, what do you think? Do you like the storyline so far?

Edited September 20, 2013 by CR7_LM10_RVP20_SH1

[CR7_LM10_RVP20_SH1]

Anyone else impressed, or not impressed with the storyline so far?

[Triple Vacuum Seal]

I think the story line can be a bit cheesy and the humor is a little dumbed down at times.

 

I agree that the game as a whole is still great though.

Edited September 21, 2013 by canttakemyid

[MisterRawgers]

I really like how the story revolved around heists, but I agree with you. There's not much back story and these guys (especially Michael) seem to just be really greedy. Always wanting more and doing anything to get it. The heists were alright, not as good as I expected. They seemed pretty loose, and I felt there could have been so much more. Definitely one of R*'s weaker plots. I liked GTA IV's for the most part, and Mafia ll was great.

[kj2022]

I love the game, but the plot for V just left me bemused. For the most part it made no sense, and the ending just sort of felt like it was in the middle of the storyline, it felt like there was more to go after the ending, but there wasn't. Definitely not my favourite story.

[jparx]

I loved it. The banter between Michael and Trevor was hilarious. Michael and Lester are easily two of my favourite ever GTA characters.

 

The whole game is just much more fun than GTA:IV. I like that it's funny, bright and just the right amount of crazy.

[Le Rusecue]

Yeah, I agree with you. The game is wonderful, but... Something doesn't feel right about the story. Honestly, to me it feels like they wrote the story for Michael and then decided to split it up among Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Seriously, Franklin and Trevor's stories start, but then they're practically dropped midway through in favor of focusing on what Michael wants to do, and then they resume close to the end and are hastily wrapped up (Or not, depending on the ending you choose).

 

Don't even get me started on ending A and B. I mean, both of IV's endings were pretty sad, one more than the other, but at least we didn't feel like the bad guy got away. With this? It's like the bad guy WINS in those endings...

And it's kinda like you're the bad guy, since Franklin kills one of the two protagonists. And sure, Michael and Trevor had their shortcomings, but c'mon, did they ever give Franklin a reason to kill them? He's pretty much just offing them because some rich guy offered him a big check in those endings.

That just felt wrong on so many levels to me, and it was so obvious which ending was intended to be the true one (It kinda was in IV too, but this one didn't even have you guessing).

 

I feel like originally the story was meant to have Michael as the only player character. Franklin and Trevor's missions not involving him in the final product would have occurred off screen or would have been worked in later in the story so Michael could partake in them. Ah well, I still enjoyed the story, I just wish it was a bit longer, had a more satisfying ending to it... DLC one day, perhaps? Unlikely, but one can hope.

[anon123]

The story is plausible enough but not as good as IV, I think I care less about the characters because the game is diluted between them. Don't get me wrong though there are at least 5 or 6 missions that are far more creative and enjoyable than any of GTA IVs.

[BrowneyeUK]

Nope, thought the plot was great. Also massively impressed at how good they got the game looking.

[cjspeed]

I like the main plot of the story, but i find there are a bit too many "loose ends" that crop up along the way that aren't really necessary. You seem to get involved with things that just don't make any real sense or have any real reason for being there. The whole way it started out - Prologue and them all getting together i think was great, but there just seemed a bit too much of random other stuff and not enough of the main storyline of heists.

 

I was actually disappointed that there weren't many heists, and that all the heists we'd done had already been shown (in bits) to us in official trailers or gameplay videos.

 

But, again, i can't be mad because there's too much to love about the game. It had me laughing so hard in parts that i was in pain, and even feeling nervous about other parts like it actually mattered. It's a great game.

[droppdeadd]

Yeah I've been thinking this.. this story just feels empty and leaves you wanting. I wish there was more to get connected to them. That and just a longer story in general.. it really disappointed compaired to Red Dead.

[TheSoup]

I don't take interest in plots with games like this. Im just here to shoot stuff and jump out of planes

[SilencedScream]

The storyline isn't the greatest ("I'll keep doing favors for you... and you... and you... and surely I'll get money SOMEHOW!" for ~90% of it), but I honestly find the plot to be more entertaining that San Andreas and GTAIV.

I got tired of both CJ and Niko very quickly.

[FocusedPants]

If you rushed through the main story (69 missions), you won't get to develop each character's personality. (Maybe just Mike's)

 

Also, some missions that doesn't involve the other two protagonist can technically be happening in parallel to each other. What I mean is the missions they are doing outside of each happens in the same timeline. (obviously, cannot be portrayed like this). Which is why it seems cluttered compared to just following one person all throughout the game.

 

I do believe the Strangers and Freaks mission additionally shows us details about each character.

Example:

- Tonya's quests giving us some insight on Franklin growing up.

- Rampage quests showing usTrevor temper.

- Therapist cutscenes for Mike. Not much S&F quests for Mike as most of his character development is done in the main missions.

 

In the end, it's all preference.

 

PS. All GTA endings are great. I would also like to point out how I enjoyed Vice City ending. Kill everyone you know!!! xD

Edited September 27, 2013 by FocusedPants

[Sylis.coyl]

I thought it was amazing to be honest. It was much less revolving around drugs and more involved with corruption and authority figures controlling set pieces against each other (Rockstar and their subtle commentary). But between all three characters you can't set up a background as concrete and detailed as Niko's because it would be a bit much to use every piece of background information showing up to each character all the time.

 

As far as the number of heists goes in the game, think about it. If you were to pull off so many heists in one state you would have every government agency on your ass so quickly, you would land life in prison by next Tuesday (which after your 1st heist clearly shows that not many things in this town go on without someone talking).

 

But the cinematography of the plot in its entirety is astounding, it's really captivating. If I could, I'd cut all the cutscenes together and watch it five times over for all the subtleties that foreshadow future events. Maybe I'm being biased, but since GTA IV the Houser brothers really have a thing for film (which I suspect was alluded to with the Richard Soloman missions).

 

Please do me a favor and play the story again, knowing what happens, and pay attention to the smallest of details. One of the rules of film is, "Show, don't tell" and I think they really took this to heart when writing the over-arcing plot of this beautiful Game of the Year.

[L1337]

Wait untill you get further, you will see emotions from Trevor. Not Michael though, but that is his character, he is cold and greedy. Franklin just wants to get ahead aswell.

[Pitch~Black]

I disagree completely. The only true negative about the story, IMHO, is that it was shorter than it had any right to be and much shorter than any past GTA. It didn't need to be like that, especially when we KNOW they have oodles of heists ready for GTAOL. At very least a couple of those should have been tossed in to single player to flush it out. But, to say the characters have "no history"? WHAT?! The whole story is based around thier history; Michael's in particular. Hell, the biggest skeleton in Michael's closet, and the one he was most afraid of coming out is one of the other playable characters! Franklin, on the other hand, is meant to not have much history (and I will agree a lot more could have/should have been done with him. It's like giving him the fancy safe house in the hills was done just to get him, and us, away from his story), but that was part of his roll as the young, inexperienced criminal under-study who didn't know quite what he was getting himself in to.

[DwnShft2Xcelr8]

Umm.. I think some of you guys are not seeing the story within the story.

 

Franklin is a former gang banger who has grown tired of doing small time jobs with his lifelong friend Lamar, so when he encounters Michael, he realizes it's a life-altering opportunity. He suddenly goes from living in a sh*thole in the ghetto to becoming a millionaire, living in a mansion in a neighborhood where everyone drives exotic sports cars.

Michael is a former thug and bank robber who wanted to turn his life around for his family, but things didn't go as he had hoped. He's miserable. For him, it wasn't all about the money, but it was the thrill of searching and grasping the next big score. With a whore wife, a slutty daughter, and a lazy son, Michael realizes the rich man's retired lifestyle isn't for him.

Trevor is a psychopath without any "former"s attached to his job descriptions. He is arguably a serial killer, a drug dealer, an arms dealer, a small-time, solo gangster doing big-time, real gangster sh*t. He wanted to be a pilot for the military but didn't pass mental evaluations, and with no other job options, he wound up robbing banks with Michael for a living.

 

Each character has a deeper story than what you're understanding. You just have to pay attention. It's like reading a good book. If you only focus on the main plot, you miss out on the character development, background, and purpose.

[Renaissance0321]

I agree with the OP and I think all these people disagreeing really have no idea what they're talking about. Part of the reason you feel so disconnected is because you are FORCED to switch between three people. It's not optional. Trevor is funny but so extreme its unrealistic, Franklins story is typical and doesn't go deep enough or allow us to really care, Michaels story is the only really decent one but I can't connect to him because he is INCREDIBLY selfish and his family are also extreme to the point of being unrealistic. The entire single player story is like a satire instead of being a realistic and good story.

[Gnocchi Flip Flops]

I agree with the OP and I think all these people disagreeing really have no idea what they're talking about. Part of the reason you feel so disconnected is because you are FORCED to switch between three people. It's not optional. Trevor is funny but so extreme its unrealistic, Franklins story is typical and doesn't go deep enough or allow us to really care, Michaels story is the only really decent one but I can't connect to him because he is INCREDIBLY selfish and his family are also extreme to the point of being unrealistic. The entire single player story is like a satire instead of being a realistic and good story.

Your first sentence perfectly explains the mentality of the people on this forum: My opinion is right, anybody who disagrees doesn't know what they're talking about

Great logic.

 

Whil I agree that Niko was easier to attach to, I feel that these three news characters do have emotions and personality. They're doimg business though and when you are killing for business it is only professional not to have much emotion. Believe it or not, people are like that, especially sociopaths.

[Kulgrim]

Michael is actually a case study for his therapist. If you watch their interaction his therapist never actually does anything that would help Michael, in fact he is completely passive with him. Doctor Patient confidentiality does not allow the doctor to not report Michael for the SERIOUS crimes he has/is commiting. He does not do so because he is being given a rare opportunity to study a sociopath while he still breathing and interacting with the world at large. Hell that storyline alone is brilliant when watching the interactions he has with Michael, it is even better when Michael brings his entire family.

This is just one example where R* really showcased just how ruthless Michael really is, he is actually worse then Trevor, since Trevor accepts who is and embraces it, Michael is shown to repeatedly deny who and what he is.

[mastershake616]

It's really cool, the OP being able to make somewhat of a personal connection to GTA IV's storyline and characters. I've made personal connections with plenty of movies, but never a video game.

I thought the stroyline may have been the best part about GTA IV, and I'm not impartial about that game, I'm as big a fan as any. It was amazing the first time playing through and it remains amazing today. Though San Andreas had more lasting appeal within its gameplay, IV progressed in an area that the series had already excelled in: character development and storytelling.

Red Dead Redemption still resonates with me today, having beaten that game not long ago (didn't get a chance to buy it until it hit the $20.00 bargain bin, and boy did I get the best possible bang for my buck). One of the brilliant aspects of the plot is us never seeing Marston's family during the bulk of the campaign. We're left wondering the entire time what they are like, what the look like; are even still alive? The story went on and on and on without ever feeling redundant. Eventually, I found myself fighting off the countless free-roaming liberties to finally reach the end of Marston's soul-taxing journey, and it was well worth the effort.

Uh, so yes, in a nutshell: I love what Rockstar has to offer in storytelling as much as they do in gameplay. I haven't even mentioned L.A. Noire--a game that boasts a story that succeeds both with and without player interactivity (you could hog that controller all you want, I have no quarrels with experiencing the story alone). That said, I believe GTA V surpasses every Rockstar title to date in gameplay and scripting.

That's my opinion, obviously, and if someone were to disagree with said opinion, my ears are as open as my mind. Personal taste is a big factor in my sentiments. I have a particular affinity for 'hiest' films and the characters, moral talking points and action set pieces that spawn from them. Michael Mann's Heat is a top five favorite for me, and that film succeeds on the merits of a phenomenal cast (De Niro, Pacino, Voight, Kilmer, Portman, the freaking Allstate guy, etc.), engrossing dialogue scenes and well-written character sub-plots, as well as a slew of thematic tensity and brilliantly shot heist sequences.

GTA V reminded me of Heat in a big way, only with a lot more humor and a larger emphasis on action. There's a moment in the game that involves an armored truck, hockey masks, and a tow truck that is essentially lifted from Mann's masterpiece, almost shamelessly (the deaf truck guard? C'mon, dead giveaway). Lester is a wittier, handicapped version of Nate (played by Jon Voight) and Michael certainly exhibits some very 'De Niro'-like tendencies, though Neil McCauley had much less to live for in the film.

The writing was amazing in GTA V and there were so many moments that had me on the edge of my seat that kept me coming back for more, again, like with RDR, foregoing many of the outer activities. Hell, by the time I'd finished the story, I still hadn't uncovered the entire map (easier said than done, yes). And though we didn't spend much time alluding to the past experiences of Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, it's implied just enough through the spot-on voice acting/mannerisms and sub=plots of the three to give them all just as much depth as any of the other GTA protagonists.

I was really surprised, but pleased with how Michael was handled. He had the most normal life of the three by far, and he's probably the most relatable character to most (sorry to all you psychotic, bald Canadians and gang bangers out there), but he ended up being the least likable--or at least the most selfish--of the trio. Given all the satirical overtones and blatant subversiveness towards the conventions of American life, that's a refreshingly subtle societal pot-shot.

The emotional climax of the story is during the

second North Yankton sequence. Trevor's last bit of sanity seemed to be dangling on the thread that was Brad's imprisonment. Between discovering Michael's survival and pulling favors for the feds, eventually getting Brad out of prison felt like the only thing keeping him from putting one between Michael's eyes, and when they point the guns at each other in that scene. that's what I thought was going to happen, and since it didn't, it gave us that much more of a reason to care about his pursuits. especially considering that he mentions to Franklin later on during a random hang out that he spared michael because of his family, and eventually forgives Michael during another random hang out.

 

 

 

Also, the way that it was revealed that Brad actually died is another example of exceptional scripting (Norton discusses it with Michael in the torture mission).

 

 

 

With all this said, both GTA IV and Read Dead Redemption have better endings than GTA V. GTA V doesn't have a bad ending, unless of course

one makes the horrible choice of killing Michael or Trevor, a choice that yields a deservedly abrupt and tastelessly bleak conclusion.

It just 'ends', you know? I didn't mind it nor was I impressed by it.

Edited September 29, 2013 by mastershake616

[EminentDomain17]

I'm totally loving this plot and characters. This game has the best characters in ny GTA yet in my opinion as well as a totally immersive story. Gta IV plot was dull IMO and my least favorite protagonist out of any GTA game.

[voad1]

I really need to play through a third time to find more of the dialog tid bits in the game. But I agree with you. I loved the story. Though I really enjoyed the ending as well. I picked C and it was a bit of a action movie/oceans 11 happy ending and I just really liked it. It was a nice contrast to the two GTA 4 endings, which were also great but heart wrenching... well at least one was.

[Don 'de Medici']

I was more interested during the first half. You know, like before it becomes all about an obscure IAA and FIB conspiracy to increase department funding. Makes Mike Frank and Trev seem like tools the whole time.

[mastershake616]

I was more interested during the first half. You know, like before it becomes all about an obscure IAA and FIB conspiracy to increase department funding. Makes Mike Frank and Trev seem like tools the whole time.

 

Can't take that shot at GTA V without doing the same to IV and San Andreas.

[KushaD]

Hey I rate this thread, I think the samething the story felt rather short to be honest although there was 69 regular story missions but it felt as if the game flew by. I beat the main story in 19 hours (As I did do side missions as well or I would have beaten it in about 15 hours or less). But I do believe Rockstars big focus on this game was correcting gameplay flaws from the prior GTA 4 to make for better driving, shooting, AI physics but moreover the GTA online is what they plan on really providing us to be our own personalized player and go thru a series of never-ending events with not just yourself but also with your crew.

 

I believe GTA V is the first beta launch for GTAs to come as I know they will be making a MMO for the new gen systems as soon as they feel they are ready to support the MMO gameplay.