I've been playing it quite a bit now (about 50% progress according to the save game), and it's quite a fun game. A few things keep it from being a top notch game though:
- The in-game economy is totally messed up. Maybe they balanced it for online mode or something, because in story mode it just doesn't make any sense. Buy a business that will take years to break even? That's simply not worth the investment.
- The cars still don't have traction control. Come on Rockstar, a modern super sports car doesn't slide around as if it's on ice when it's on dry roads.
- The air vehicle controls are still crap. Not quite as crap as helicopters in GTA4, which are still the worst controls I've ever come across in a game, but it's still pretty bad.
- Some of the mini-games are just plain silly, like yoga. Luckily, they're mostly optional, so it's certainly not a big problem.
- The character swapping was an interesting idea, but it worked better in GTA4 where one story was played at a time, and then re-visited later on (DLCs) from a different point of view. It becomes too frantic in GTA5.
What I'd want for the next GTA is actually more "Sims", which sounds a bit odd, I know. Let me explain:
- I want a sense of progression, especially in terms of career. Start low, as a small time criminal, and then take it from there. End up as a kingpin, having gone through various stages where the character had to run an organization (such as Heists, but without having to do all the collect crap).
- This would also come into play in terms of housing, cars and so on. Finally buying a massive mansion where pool parties can be thrown for all the strippers and gold diggers in town should feel like an accomplishment.
Niko, from GTA4, felt like he was moving a bit up in the world at least, but it was lacking back then as well. In GTA5 that feeling is pretty much gone, and that's the main problem: I feel like all three characters are basically going nowhere. I'll definitely complete the game, but I doubt I'll re-visit any time soon.