V's storyline isn't as bad as people say: its misunderstood

[Smith John]

 

 

 

It's not bad, none of the stories in any of the GTA games are bad, it's all a matter of opinion. Every GTA is going to have its haters and its critics, that's the way it works. People said the story in III sucked, VC, SA, IV, and so on. People say V's story sucks, people will say VI's story sucks. There's no pleasing everyone especially with a game that has such a massive fanbase like GTA, someone is ALWAYS going to be disappointed no matter what because there will inevitably be someone who didn't have one of their important needs to catered to in the game. Me personally, I've never been disappointed by a GTA game because I never go into one expecting Rockstar to have hand crafted a game tailored to my personal needs, I just expect Rockstar to make the game they wanted to make, that's it, nothing more.

 

The point here is not really about pleasing everyone. Of course not everyone likes the same same stuff, we know all this already. The point here is why a significant portion of GTA fans believe V's story is weak and the worst in the series. This is interesting enough pattern that cannot be simplified as being just down to personal opinion. It is something that would naturally invoke deep, big debates and analysis among GTA fans, because it highlights many concerns and issues that they have with V. Something Rockstar should be taking note of.

 

Woah, something went wrong there.

 

Please note that, once again, only 1 out of 5 people have voted in this poll to say that this game has a "bad" plot. 80% say it's "pretty OK" or better. That's not a "significant portion."

 

Similar to the "Do you feel betrayed by Rockstar?" poll, where 4 in 5 say no, although people think the general consensus seems to be anger and betrayal.

You've also got to take into account that the "negative" votes in polls such as this should be taken very lightly as a reliable reflection of the overall GTA fanbase. You've got to remember that the ever-growing evolution of the internet provides bitter people with the perfect platform of a grander audience to release their frustrations in the belief they're actually stirring a revolt; throw in the typical internet trolls and it just quadruples the illusion.

 

Guys like Official General can say things like "significant number"/"many people" 'til their heart's content, but they'll never change the FACT that GTA V was a story of success among the overwhelming majority of its fanbase.

[golf wang]

 

It's not bad, none of the stories in any of the GTA games are bad, it's all a matter of opinion. Every GTA is going to have its haters and its critics, that's the way it works. People said the story in III sucked, VC, SA, IV, and so on. People say V's story sucks, people will say VI's story sucks. There's no pleasing everyone especially with a game that has such a massive fanbase like GTA, someone is ALWAYS going to be disappointed no matter what because there will inevitably be someone who didn't have one of their important needs to catered to in the game. Me personally, I've never been disappointed by a GTA game because I never go into one expecting Rockstar to have hand crafted a game tailored to my personal needs, I just expect Rockstar to make the game they wanted to make, that's it, nothing more.

 

The point here is not really about pleasing everyone. Of course not everyone likes the same same stuff, we know all this already. The point here is why a significant portion of GTA fans believe V's story is weak and the worst in the series. This is interesting enough pattern that cannot be simplified as being just down to personal opinion. It is something that would naturally invoke deep, big debates and analysis among GTA fans, because it highlights many concerns and issues that they have with V. Something Rockstar should be taking note of.

 

A lot of people were hating on GTA IV when it came out, ask SOL about that. A lot of people are going to be disappointed with each new GTA installment, but with more widespread access to the internet now than in 2008 and before, a lot more people are going to be vocal about their disappointments. And I'm gonna have to be real with you OG, go visit other forums especially places like Neogaf, IGN, or Gamespot, and the majority widely praise V's story as being better and more entertaining than IV, I guess I could use that as evidence to say more were disappointed in IV's story than V's? Rockstar does take note, look at how they reacted to the backlash GTA IV got. GTA IV for PS3 on Metacritic has a user rated score 7.5 while GTA V on PS3 has an 8.2, What do you think this means? Does it possibly mean that V is a more liked than IV? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. The point is, there can never logically be one general consensus on whether a GTA story was good or bad because there are far too many people with a wide range of different opinions. You keep saying "a significant portion", well guess what, I can say a significant portion of GTA fans didn't like GTA IV's story and pacing, and my evidence would be posts from Neogaf, Gamespot, and IGN. But does that give what I'm saying credibility? Not necessarily.

Edited September 28, 2014 by golf wang

[El Zodape]

I played V's story 3 times and I never got bored of it.

 

I still need to beat IV, though. They stretched waaaay too much the whole McReary Mission Fest I pretty much stopped playing there.

 

Even with it's lame antagonists, the mostly bad character development and the head-scratching endings, I still think it's one of the best in the franchise. Why? Because it's not boring. It's entertaining. Doesn't matter if your story is deep as sh*t, if it's boring, it's boring. Period.

 

Kind of the same thing happens with San Andreas. After I left LS, I had no intention to keep playing anymore.

 

Speaking of the devil, how can you say V's story is the worst? I mean, worse than San Andreas? Really?

 

My favourite story is III's till this day. It's very simple, focused and does everything right. V is in second place.

 

And this is all in my opinion. It's not a fact or some sh*t. Just sayin'.

[Geralt of Rivia]

 

 

It's not bad, none of the stories in any of the GTA games are bad, it's all a matter of opinion. Every GTA is going to have its haters and its critics, that's the way it works. People said the story in III sucked, VC, SA, IV, and so on. People say V's story sucks, people will say VI's story sucks. There's no pleasing everyone especially with a game that has such a massive fanbase like GTA, someone is ALWAYS going to be disappointed no matter what because there will inevitably be someone who didn't have one of their important needs to catered to in the game. Me personally, I've never been disappointed by a GTA game because I never go into one expecting Rockstar to have hand crafted a game tailored to my personal needs, I just expect Rockstar to make the game they wanted to make, that's it, nothing more.

The point here is not really about pleasing everyone. Of course not everyone likes the same same stuff, we know all this already. The point here is why a significant portion of GTA fans believe V's story is weak and the worst in the series. This is interesting enough pattern that cannot be simplified as being just down to personal opinion. It is something that would naturally invoke deep, big debates and analysis among GTA fans, because it highlights many concerns and issues that they have with V. Something Rockstar should be taking note of.

Oh boy, another statement pulled out of your ass!

 

Once again, show me these millions of people that agree that the story is the worst in the series...

 

Keep in mind that 1 million people is only less than 3% of GTA V's total sales.

 

Sorry to break it to ya bud, but tens, maybe a hundred people on this forum, are not a significant portion of GTA fans.

 

Neither is the same number in other places.

 

Now stop talking for the imaginary people

[Official General]

Ok Rockstar defenders, defend all you want. At the end of the day if many people did not think that V's story was weak, there would not be so much threads about the subject. And there certainly would be less criticism of the story if so many people did not think it was weak. I don't really care for exact numbers or the majority, I just know that from a snapshot perspective, a significant number believe V's story was weak. If you really believe V had a great story then fine, but I seriously have to laugh. You can valiantly defend it all you want but there is no smoke without fire, this is has been a hot topic ever since the game was released, and it still is - that's saying a lot. I'm not trying to convince everyone else that most people think it's sh*t I'm just pointing out that it's my opinion with good reason and valid supporting evidence that a significant amount of people thought V's story was weak. I'm not trying to 'win' or force anything, just telling it as I see it.

 

@ golf wang

 

I've been on N4G threads about V, and many people have criticized V, especially the story, citing it as weak. It's not just online I personally know many gamers and GTA fans who said the same. I'm not talking majorities, just saying it's more than enough to not consider it a success, well in my eyes at least .

 

@ Unpaid Rockstar PR official

 

Thanks for the stats and information.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Official General

[Geralt of Rivia]

"I got called out on speaking bullsh*t, but you're all R* defenders!"

 

Hey, guess what? I don't see anyone defending the story. Just calling you out.

 

How about you speak you, and not imaginary people, and you wouldn't be called out on your bullsh*t?

 

You're not in public office. You don't need to speak for people.

 

Just food for thought. You need it.

 

 

just saying it's more than enough to not consider it a success, well in my eyes at least .

So IV's story is a massive failure then, in your eyes?

 

---------------------

 

Oh, and your pettiness is just fantastic.

Edited September 29, 2014 by TheMasterfocker

[woggleman]

Many people criticize V but just as many people criticized IV and now it is getting it's due. V will get it's due eventually as well and It will probably be when VI is released.

 

I can admit that V is a polarizing game but let's be honest and admit that the beloved IV got it just as bad. This is becoming a pattern with every new GTA in since SA.

[Geralt of Rivia]

IV got criticized way more than V. Just ask SoL. He was there.

[OneManCrimeWave]

F*ck it. I picked It's Epic. Seriously, it is nowhere near as bad as some of you say it is. It's entertaining, it's fun and engaging, it's lighthearted, (which isn't a bad thing), there's some great character development, (yes, Michael, Franklin and Trevor are properly developed with interesting backstories, if you payed attention and actually gave a sh*t, some of you would see this), in between some of the shallow ones, (Tanisha, Stretch, Wei Cheng), and it has really nice and realistic dialogue between characters as well.

 

I don't want to make myself look like a V fanboy so I will admit, yes the story had it's share of flaws, like the dialogue between Michael and Trevor became too b*tchy after the mission the Wrap Up, (really, R* the least you could've done was approach the situation between the two with a little more subtly, instead having them burst into an annoying argument every, five, minutes). There are plenty more flaws with the story, but, even with those flaws, it still didn't stop me from enjoying the story as much as I did.

 

But hey, this is just my view on the entire subject.

[Official General]

Many people criticize V but just as many people criticized IV and now it is getting it's due. V will get it's due eventually as well and It will probably be when VI is released.

Ha ha keep fooling yourself, and keep on thinking that "it's cool to hate on certain games" cycle nonsense. If there are no significant improvements to V, believe me the critics of V will still be holding the same negative views of the game when VI is released. There will be no change, and your same old and boring bullsh*t predictions regarding GTA criticisms will be proved totally wrong and inaccurate. If I'm still around by that time, I'd love to see what your gonna say then. You will probably tell me that your crystal ball was faulty and that's why you were wrong.

[Algonquin Assassin]

F*ck it. I picked It's Epic. Seriously, it is nowhere near as bad as some of you say it is. It's entertaining, it's fun and engaging, it's lighthearted, (which isn't a bad thing), there's some great character development, (yes, Michael, Franklin and Trevor are properly developed with interesting backstories, if you payed attention and actually gave a sh*t, some of you would see this), in between some of the shallow ones, (Tanisha, Stretch, Wei Cheng), and it has really nice and realistic dialogue between characters as well.

 

I don't want to make myself look like a V fanboy so I will admit, yes the story had it's share of flaws, like the dialogue between Michael and Trevor became too b*tchy after the mission the Wrap Up, (really, R* the least you could've done was approach the situation between the two with a little more subtly, instead having them burst into an annoying argument every, five, minutes). There are plenty more flaws with the story, but, even with those flaws, it still didn't stop me from enjoying the story as much as I did.

 

But hey, this is just my view on the entire subject.

 

Well to be honest I would've enjoyed the story more if they toned down the FIB/Merryweather involvement. The only reason I completed the story multiple times was to approach the heists differently and I was hoping subsequent playthroughs might have made me appreciate something I didn't before, but it was the same deal everytime. I liked the beginning, but felt like I had to force myself to play post Trevor's arrival in LS.

 

To me the story would've been far more entertaining if Madrazo had a stronger presence. Maybe not as the main antagonist, but rather than being shat on like he did he could've been a major thorn in the side of Michael, Trevor and Franklin. Instead he turned out to be a little bitch.

 

In GTA V's defense however I will say it has some pretty impressive dialogue. The conversation between Michael and Trevor with Michael exposing him as a hipster was gold. Those are the sort of moments I liked throughout the story, but unfortunately for me it had far too many misses and not enough hits.

 

In the context of the open world genre I wouldn't say it's "bad", but IMO it's weakest story out of all the main GTA titles. I even think SA had a better story and that's saying something if you ask most people what I think about SA. SA at least had characters I liked and the tri city map gave a look in of different facets of the criminal underworld.

[woggleman]

I predicted this backlash back in April 2013 and I will not be shocked if people do an about face on V. It happened with IV so what makes you think it won't happen again?

[Geralt of Rivia]

I even think SA had a better story and that's saying something if you ask most people what I think about SA. SA at least had characters I liked and the tri city map gave a look in of different facets of the criminal underworld.

Your IV fanboyism is growing too large and it's taking control. Fight it! It's making you daft!

[DeafMetal]

I don't think the issues with the story would be solved by toning down on stuff but by expanding on it. A lot of the times I was doing things just because. I didn't really see a good enough reason for me to be doing what I was doing.

[golf wang]

Ok Rockstar defenders, defend all you want. At the end of the day if many people did not think that V's story was weak, there would not be so much threads about the subject. And there certainly would be less criticism of the story if so many people did not think it was weak. I don't really care for exact numbers or the majority, I just know that from a snapshot perspective, a significant number believe V's story was weak. If you really believe V had a great story then fine, but I seriously have to laugh. You can valiantly defend it all you want but there is no smoke without fire, this is has been a hot topic ever since the game was released, and it still is - that's saying a lot. I'm not trying to convince everyone else that most people think it's sh*t I'm just pointing out that it's my opinion with good reason and valid supporting evidence that a significant amount of people thought V's story was weak. I'm not trying to 'win' or force anything, just telling it as I see it.

 

@ golf wang

 

I've been on N4G threads about V, and many people have criticized V, especially the story, citing it as weak. It's not just online I personally know many gamers and GTA fans who said the same. I'm not talking majorities, just saying it's more than enough to not consider it a success, well in my eyes at least .

 

@ Unpaid Rockstar PR official

 

Thanks for the stats and information.

But see, I can say the same thing about IV. I can easily proclaim things like, "Well I personally know many people who didn't enjoy IV and I've seen various topics saying the story of IV was bad" but it doesn't mean much, does it? Of course there are going to be many topics criticizing V, the game just came out. IV is not the focus, V is. Don't pretend IV didn't get a sh*t ton of backlash when it came out because it did, but did that stop it from being a good game? Well that's up to you. It doesn't matter how many people like the game or not at the end of the day, none of the GTA stories can be bad because a story cannot inherently be bad, it's subjective. Listen, right now, I can say significant number of people thought GTA IV was a disappointment and cite threads in that were created in this forum when the game came out and people I talk to in real, does that mean anything to you? No, probably not. Yet, I too can proclaim "a significant number" of people did anything if I want to twist things in my favor. Saying a "significant number of people" literally means nothing with no evidence. We could be here all day arguing this, it's really pointless when you think about it.

[Official General]

@ woogleman

 

Put it this way - if the GTA turns out to actually a great game or much better than at least, then I can guarantee you that V will still get bashed by the same critics, and they will still regard it as the worst in the series. Now if the next GTA turns out to be worse than V, then yeah maybe it could happen, but it's not rocket science, it would be expected, and it's certainly not hard to predict though is it ? Something you just never seem to understand.

 

@ SOL

 

Spot on. When I say V's story was bad, I too mean it within the context of GTA standards, not as in gaming in general. But not everyone on here understands this unfortunately.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Official General

[Secura]

I do not understand all this love for Franklin, he did not have any potential, he was simply fan service characterized and that was it, he is by far the least emotive, most boring, singular and two-dimensional character in the franchise's history, how anyone can see any potential in him was, is and forever will be far beyond my sphere of understanding.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Secura

[Algonquin Assassin]

@ SOL

 

Spot on. When I say V's story was bad, I too mean it within the context of GTA standards, not as in gaming in general. But not everyone on here understands this unfortunately.

 

Don't worry bro. I can understand exactly where you come from.

[woggleman]

V's story was at least better than SR IV. I still don't know what the hell that was.

[Algonquin Assassin]

V's story was at least better than SR IV. I still don't know what the hell that was.

 

Well isn't that setting the standards low? lol.

[Official General]

 

 

Ok Rockstar defenders, defend all you want. At the end of the day if many people did not think that V's story was weak, there would not be so much threads about the subject. And there certainly would be less criticism of the story if so many people did not think it was weak. I don't really care for exact numbers or the majority, I just know that from a snapshot perspective, a significant number believe V's story was weak. If you really believe V had a great story then fine, but I seriously have to laugh. You can valiantly defend it all you want but there is no smoke without fire, this is has been a hot topic ever since the game was released, and it still is - that's saying a lot. I'm not trying to convince everyone else that most people think it's sh*t I'm just pointing out that it's my opinion with good reason and valid supporting evidence that a significant amount of people thought V's story was weak. I'm not trying to 'win' or force anything, just telling it as I see it.

 

@ golf wang

 

I've been on N4G threads about V, and many people have criticized V, especially the story, citing it as weak. It's not just online I personally know many gamers and GTA fans who said the same. I'm not talking majorities, just saying it's more than enough to not consider it a success, well in my eyes at least .

 

@ Unpaid Rockstar PR official

 

Thanks for the stats and information.

But see, I can say the same thing about IV. I can easily proclaim things like, "Well I personally know many people who didn't enjoy IV and I've seen various topics saying the story of IV was bad" but it doesn't mean much, does it? Of course there are going to be many topics criticizing V, the game just came out. IV is not the focus, V is. Don't pretend IV didn't get a sh*t ton of backlash when it came out because it did, but did that stop it from being a good game? Well that's up to you. It doesn't matter how many people like the game or not at the end of the day, none of the GTA stories can be bad because a story cannot inherently be bad, it's subjective. Listen, right now, I can say significant number of people thought GTA IV was a disappointment and cite threads in that were created in this forum when the game came out and people I talk to in real, does that mean anything to you? No, probably not. Yet, I too can proclaim "a significant number" of people did anything if I want to twist things in my favor. Saying a "significant number of people" literally means nothing with no evidence. We could be here all day arguing this, it's really pointless when you think about it.

I never once said that IV did not suffer backlash. But people began to appreciate it more before V came out, I definitely noticed that. Simply because even though IV was heavily criticized, and deservedly so in some cases, it was still a very good game in many ways and that still showed in areas like the story especially. Then, IV did a great technical job in transitioning the series into the HD era of gaming, it still had great characters, writing, and there were still enough decent features to really appreciate. That's why it was able to ride the storm, even though it took a battering. I cannot say the same for V unfortunately, that's just my opinion though.

 

I say significant numbers of people criticize V's story based on what I've seen and heard online and elsewhere. I never said it was all fact though, it's my own personal conclusion and I believe I have good reason for it. I'm not about to count everybody in the world who shares my view or similar to it on this. This thread is about why V's story was considered weak by critics , so therefore it will mean something to me to discuss it, as one of those critics. If everybody went by your logic and just said "hey it's all subjective opinions" then there is no need for forums and threads like this is there ? People like to throw around this word "subjective" rather then challenge an opinion. If wanna do that then we don't have to discuss this further. If you wanna debate and argue, then let's continue, but don't waste time pointlessly playing peacemaker.

[Delta India Echo]

Nothing is worse than TBOGT.

 

Half of the cutscenes were just "SPIC SPIC FAG SPIC BEANER SPIC"

 

90% of the storyline was antagonists making fun of Luis and Tony.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Delta India Echo

[Official General]

 

V's story was at least better than SR IV. I still don't know what the hell that was.

 

Well isn't that setting the standards low? lol.

Very low standards indeed. If being better than SRIV's story is V's only strong point for it's own story then that's embarrassing and shameful.

[REVENGE777]

I do not understand all this love for Franklin, he did not have any potential, he was simply fan service characterized and that was it, he is by far the least emotive, most boring, singular and two-dimensional character in the franchise's history, how anyone can see any potential in him was, is and forever will be far beyond my sphere of understanding.

The fact that you say he didnt have any potential at all... He had plenty of potential that he didnt live up to because he was underdeveloped. Wasnt his fault, its rockstars... I liked him and i could relate to him...

[Vercetti42]

Bury the hatchet was brilliant:

 

 

[Frito-Man]

Why are always the same people who complain about V? Srsly, do you have to complain on every thread?

[Secura]

The fact that you say he didnt have any potential at all... He had plenty of potential that he didnt live up to because he was underdeveloped. Wasnt his fault, its rockstars... I liked him and i could relate to him...

He was fan service. That was all he was, he was never intended to be anything more than that, take a look at the entirety of the game's narrative and tell me something, tell me if there was more than one single instance, in which Franklin was actually required in order for the plot to advance in any substantial way, he'd be better off as a nameless hood, a side character, hell he'd be better off not existing at all.

 

The biggest thing he brings to the table is him fighting his way through a group of Triad soldiers in order to help break Michael out of the Triad's trap, that's it. That is the sole moment in the entirety of GTA V's narrative that requires Franklin to do something, that something rather ironically being to save the GTA protagonist who had the most potential and who somewhat delivered on that potential, aside from that though he's just a hood, a three-bit gangster there to hearken back to CJ and the original San Andreas.

 

He is utterly and entirely pointless, he never had any potential, he was never meant to have any potential, and if I'm entirely honest the narrative would've been served better if he'd have been shot through the head by Michael the moment they crashed through Simeon's storefront. He would've served more of a purpose in that respect.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Secura

[woggleman]

The story was good in TBOGT but they overdid it with the racial slurs and I felt like telling Armando and Henrique to just STFU. I wish I could do drug wars without them.

[Geralt of Rivia]

 

The fact that you say he didnt have any potential at all... He had plenty of potential that he didnt live up to because he was underdeveloped. Wasnt his fault, its rockstars... I liked him and i could relate to him...

He was fan service. That was all he was, he was never intended to be anything more than that, take a look at the entirety of the game's narrative and tell me something, tell me if there was more than one single instance, in which Franklin was actually required in order for the plot to advance in any substantial way, he'd be better off as a nameless hood, a side character, hell he'd be better off not existing at all.

 

The biggest thing he brings to the table is him fighting his way through a group of Triad soldiers in order to help break Michael out of the Triad's trap, that's it. That is the sole moment in the entirety of GTA V's narrative that requires Franklin to do something, that something rather ironically being to save the GTA protagonist who had the most potential and who somewhat delivered on that potential, aside from that though he's just a hood, a three-bit gangster there to hearken back to CJ and the original San Andreas.

 

He is utterly and entirely pointless, he never had any potential, he was never meant to have any potential, and if I'm entirely honest the narrative would've been served better if he'd have been shot through the head by Michael the moment they crashed through Simeon's storefront. He would've served more of a purpose in that respect.

 

Thank you, someone else who understands

[Official General]

 

The fact that you say he didnt have any potential at all... He had plenty of potential that he didnt live up to because he was underdeveloped. Wasnt his fault, its rockstars... I liked him and i could relate to him...

 

He was fan service. That was all he was, he was never intended to be anything more than that, take a look at the entirety of the game's narrative and tell me something, tell me if there was more than one single instance, in which Franklin was actually required in order for the plot to advance in any substantial way, he'd be better off as a nameless hood, a side character, hell he'd be better off not existing at all.

 

The biggest thing he brings to the table is him fighting his way through a group of Triad soldiers in order to help break Michael out of the Triad's trap, that's it. That is the sole moment in the entirety of GTA V's narrative that requires Franklin to do something, that something rather ironically being to save the GTA protagonist who had the most potential and who somewhat delivered on that potential, aside from that though he's just a hood, a three-bit gangster there to hearken back to CJ and the original San Andreas.

 

He is utterly and entirely pointless, he never had any potential, he was never meant to have any potential, and if I'm entirely honest the narrative would've been served better if he'd have been shot through the head by Michael the moment they crashed through Simeon's storefront. He would've served more of a purpose in that respect.

While I definitely agree that Franklin was wasted as a protagonist and he was heavily under-utilized, I don't get what you mean by fan service. I'm not accusing you, but I will ask you if that has anything to do with fans of the black gangsta stuff ? If so, then it's kinda shallow on your part, because that has nothing to do with the fact that Rockstar did not make much use of him, I can't see why you're placing most if the blame on "fan service". Rockstar simply made bad choices with the way they created and developed Franklin, and if they had come up with better ideas, Franklin would have been much better and much more relevant, whether he's black and from the hood or not.