GTA V isn’t always visually impressive

Remember the epic looking almost unbelievable GTA V trailers? When you look a the final product, it doesn't look nearly that great. The game is full of distracting jagged edges and low-resolution textures.

[pat_11_5]

I still think the game is a technical achievement, just parts of it look really bad.

[badz149]

it looks OK! at least better than both GTA IV and RDR. best looking game? that's pushing it too far. but still...for the game that it is, it's pretty impressive.

[theWB27]

Relative to other open world games on consoles...not compared to a FPS or adventure game. The density, variety and expansiveness in this game makes it one of the best looking open world games.

[Thisisjuju]

I agree it looks OK.

There are so many jaggies in the game and the graphics are certainly lacking in some parts.

You have to consider however how much is going on in the game. The world itself feels more alive than any world they have previously created. Ultimately that means compromising in some areas.

Overall I'm very happy with the product.

EDIT: I agree with camel_toad, out in the country is where the game really shines. I also quite like the city vistas at night.

[Boody-Bandit]

The visuals are fine by me. What I have a hard time with is the frame rates and camera angles at times. I get vertigo with games that don't have smooth frame rates and the camera has a mind of it's own. I had to stop playing the game a few times because of it.

The good thing is the more I play games like this the more I build up a tolerance to where I will be able to play for hours on end without issue. I just wish I would hit the level of tolerance sooner rather than later. I'm headed back in again right now.

[trywizardo]

dude with massive world and great lighting and epic scale witch you can see the far far mountains while you're in the city this game is perfect , and if you hate the graphics then you're a PC just hating on the game ...

[SnakePlissken]

Looks ok? What? People thought TLOU was some big graphical achievement and that was nothing compared to this! Game looks amazing! Everyone i know cant stop praising the graphics. Most realistic game ive seen!

[RumbleFish]

Of course the trailers look better than the final game. R* allways shows PC footage. But PC haters still think the game will be ported to PC. LOL!

[Dee_91]

I wish R* would've made a satire piece for graphics wh0res.I thought it was known that you would get more jaggies with 720p.Its like that with GTA IV and countless other games for me.Thats why I don't play my games in my room because my tv max output is 720p.On my big TV I barely notice any jaggies.Not that its really a problem in my opinion.

[camel_toad]

It definitely has its graphically weak moments but when you're out in the country with towering mountains in the distance and you can see for days it's downright beautiful.

[cell989]

my only complain with this game is the bad active camera when operating a helicopter, even driving a car at times, the camera deeps too much and you cant see ahead, especially going downhill real fast, you constantly have to work the free camera joystick to adjust your front view

[US8F]

In the options menu when you press start, you can switch to another view mode

[linkenski]

The only camera issue i really have is the annoying panning to the left/right when you climb ladders. I want control over the camera, I even move it as I drive most of the time to check corners in time.

[Crazyglues]

@ people who think it does not look good-

LoL.. doesn't look good at times.. you gotta be kidding me...

It's amazing all the time, it's so good that sometimes you forget that your on current gen - current gen is doing this....

Yeah if you want more detail then this I think you really need to open your eyes, because this is last gen, you need to get a PS4, because you expectations are getting crazy...

I've never seen another game that looked this good, the detail in the house and apartments is crazy, the detail on clothes and tattoos - come on! you gotta be kidding me..

Dam game looks amazing.... and this is on PS3.... Are you on an HDTV because I don't know what your looking at if you think this does not look amazing..
(go get your glasses because u can't see sh*t)

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[linkenski]

I don't know about the whole "Technical achievement" thing. It does look pretty, like an uncharted-meets-gta kind-of-way but the overall feel of the graphics isn't as good as in GTA IV imo. GTA IV wasn't very colorful but I felt there was a certain 'fullness' to the graphics that GTA V doesn't have.

[Nes_Daze]

It looks great graphically, for the type of game it is. People are too anal about graphics, some of the best games of all time weren't really impressive graphically, while some of the most impressive games when it comes to graphics turned up to be mediocre or just good at best...

Stop complaining like girls and play the damn games...

[cell989]

except The Last of Us, great graphics great gameplay = ace

[Nes_Daze]

I agree, and there are games that look better than TLOU graphically but don't come close to being as good overall.

[SnakePlissken]

GTA 5 has TLOU beat in every way possible! Graphics are far superior! What on earth are you smoking?

[SnakePlissken]

@Sephir and Action

No way, no how, no chance!!! You both are wrong here! Its even been proven, you two knuckleheads! GTA 5 pushed far beyond what consoles can do graphically. TLOU did not achieve this.There were some very dull textures with way too many jaggies in TLOU! Dont be such haters, just look at all the numbers then, if you dont believe me.

If anyone needs to get their eyes checked its the both of you. Go take a stroll down by the beach or the trailer park and tell me that does not blow away TLOU, with all its dark underground tunnels and boring cityscape! You both are definately high as kites over there! Better graphics that GTA 5, lol! By the way, my eyes are perfect.

[Ezz2013]

@SnakePlissken

you wasted all your bubbles (which you don't deserve with the way you talk)
attacking TLOU when it have nothing to with this article
also you compare sales of multiplat game that is knowen to pretty much every single person on the planet to a new ip that still mange to sell almost 5 million and scored 95% with 98 reviews so far on ONE console lol

and you say it already proven that GTAV look better than TLOU ?!
where is that prove ?!...your rare?!
is that why Digital Foundry in it title for TLOU tech article wrote this:.:
{Next-gen now?}
http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...
and all sites said TLOU is almost a next gen title on current gen consoles ?!

and what sad and funny that you think your opinion is a fact
GTAV look great for open world game
in fact it's the best looking open world game on consoles and the irony here
it look and play the best on ps3
which xbox fanboys for years were saying that ps3 can't do open world games ...which is false to begin with

[XboxFun]

I always laugh when people bring up TLoU in a GTA article.

TLoU doesn't do nearly half as much as GTA V does design and gameplay wise. Of course TLoU will look better, it doesn't have to deal with a whole city filled with independent NPC characters, full moving vehicles (boats, plans, cars, motorcycles, etc), not to mention the many side missions and side quests and last but not least...FULL OPEN NON-LINEAR CITY!

[CGI-Quality]

There aren't many games, on console, that look better than TLOU. That said, there aren't many games, period, as engaging as it, either.

[xActionBasturdx]

Well said. I thoughts exactly. TLOU has arguably the best story this gen. The story telling is just amazing

[pat_11_5]

That's what I discuss in the story. I don't think it's a huge deal, I just find it strange when people say it's one of the best looking games ever made when it really isn't.

And, "like girls," Really? Grow up.

[Nes_Daze]

I'm not referring to your story, that's first, second, I don't think it is "one of the best looking games" ever made. Also, I used the word "girls" to refrain from saying bitches, because people that complain about graphics, to me, are simply bitching too much.

Yes the game has its graphical flaws, but for a sandbox game of the magnitude of GTA5, it's pretty awesome.

[overrated44]

Why do you feel the need to respond to every bit of criticism you come across on one of your articles? If you continue to browse comment sections and pick out those comments that don't agree with you it's going to drive you crazy. Or maybe you're in to arguing. Just saying.

[KonsoruMasuta]

It looks impressive to me. A huge leap ahead of IV.

[jjb1981]

7 year old hardware at its finest

[Simco876]

I have played a ton of open world games and yeah I've seen some flaws, but when I see the wind hitting those palm trees while I walk down the beach or make a turn in the car I just stole...that's sweet eye candy.

[SmokeyMcBear]

Well, if you get into the nitty gritty, character modelling, really up close textures, its not the best out there. But if you take a step back, look at everying achieved, the car models, the scale of the game, the look and feel of it, it really is one the best looking games I have very seen. Its all about perspective I guess.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

The draw distances, are incredible,. -the author never says what system he is playing it on,.. I heard if you install both discs on 360, expect pop ins and jaggies,(just install 1st disc on 360) .. Ps3 ver. is great.

[Pandamobile]

PS3 version is ugly as sin too.

[Kos-Mos]

I`ve ssen people who are interested in this. Teens, teens, teens and pre-teens.

[1nsomniac]

There's so many problems & typos in this article.

GTA V isn't perfect but graphical issues certainly aren't noticeable, at least not on PS3.

[Ezz2013]

true

[Skynetone]

I guess pc fanboys got to do something while they wait

[pat_11_5]

Can you point them out to me? I'd like to fix them.

[YodaCracker]

The level of detail in the world is downright absurd. No game even comes close. GTA V has more detailed, handcrafted environments than The Last of Us, and it's an open world game! GTA V is the greatest technical marvel of this generation, without a doubt. The fact that the game runs with a steady frame rate with these hyper-detailed environments, incredible draw distance, huge map, almost nonexistent loading times, advanced physics, increased number of vehicles on the road, complex lighting system, and so much more is nothing short of mindblowing. If GTA V is not a 10/10 game, then nothing is!

[cell989]

do not diss TLOU!!!

[SnakePlissken]

TLOU has NOTHING on GTA 5! I was blown away playing GTA 5 and was bored playing TLOU. So much so, i couldnt pull myself to even finish it! It was like every other third person shooter out there. Too predictable, and very slow gameplay. People wanna keep saying, ohh but its got such a good story, etc. Thats all TLOU was, story and movie sequences! Extremely boring and dull gameplay.

Overrated and felt like i was playing another Uncharted game with a couple extras thrown in. GTA 5 made $800 million in 1 day!!! That speaks for itself! TLOU didnt sell like this! Its definately a technical marvel and a game that will be remembered for many years to come!

[stuna1]

@SnakePlissken

Nothing against you personally, but you act like you have a axe to grind against TLOU! You very well might not like TLOU, and that's cool! But to try to push your stance on it over as fact..... Well that's your opinion, and all opinions are subjective! The Last of Us is a beautiful game, but so is GTA V! And that is my opinion.

[xActionBasturdx]

The presentation on TLOU is far better than GTAV. Don't get me wrong, im not a ps fanboy cause i have gtav on 360. But the way everything played out on TLOU and just to actually feel 'human' for once in a game is why i love it sooo much. On gtav you can roll up in a warehouse and waste 10+ people with no problem. Last of us actually built the tension cause you actually know you cant do that.

[Xof]

Once again, we run into the issue of people using quantitative mechanical aspects of visuals (eg fidelity) to form arguments about qualitative aesthetic aspects.

That's not how it works, people.

[jmc8888]

What did anyone actually not realize the trailers they were showing were the PC version? It was beyond obvious.

What should make people interested about the PC version is that it looked so good months before release. They used a half or so completed version to promote the finished 360/PS3 versions.

That said I'm sure people are thoroughly enjoying the console versions. I wasn't going to double dip and was fine waiting until next year for a PC or PS4 version. If the UK retailer info is true, there will be a version launched in the UK around Dec 7. So it would stand to reason that here in the U.S. it would release by then or sooner...which would be actually quite a bit sooner then I expected. I was thinking like March and was fine with that.

[DARK WITNESS]

here is something interesting I found.

when I first got the game, I had the same issues feeling that it didn't look like the trailers etc, I noticed the jaggies etc and it kind of bugged me a bit.

anyway, I was playing this on a big 50" tv I just bought so it was on factory settings.

I spoke to a friend and made some changes to the settings, reducing sharpness, adjusting colors etc..

Now the game looks I would say 90% to what it looks like in the trailers. if not more, i get the occasional little bit of popin but it's so little it's not worth talking about.

taking into account everything else going on like the animation, physics, how big the story is, the car models, the draw distance,,, I really do not know how anyone can complain about this game.

before it came out I spent a good bit of time playing gta 4, plus I just finished saints row 4 and dead rising 2.

GTA5 blows them so far out the water, where do you start.

I have seen worse jaggies and texture popin from linear, 8 hour long games... the game still looks just as good as some of the best linear games we have seen so far this gen.

[cactusjack]

its a step above GTA4, but not a major leap

[LAWSON72]

It is a 360/ ps3 what did some of you expect

[360ICE]

No, it's GTAV. It's a game for PS3/360. It's not actually a console itself! Could you imagine?

[PygmelionHunter]

Tiger Electronic's GTA V incoming!

[Dungus]

Maybe I'm getting old, but, to me, it looks stunning. Absolutely stunning. Sure it's a bit jaggy, but this is happening on my 8 year old console. I still can't believe it's happening, that a game this massive, so detailed (every inch feels hand drawn), is happening on a PS3. It's all in the little details too, the animations and the sound design, voice work, stunning.

[WeAreLegion]

Some areas look better than almost any game out there. Others look like GTA IV. Overall, the graphics are incredible. And the detail is insane! That water!

[DARK WITNESS]

best water i have seen in any game so far, full stop !!

[demonddel]

It's definitely the best looking game on consoles I ever saw the scope of this game is sick nothing comes close I love and before some of you start acting like you pop a molly I have the PS3 version

[Indo]

Can't please everyone I guess. But considering the size and density of the map, plus other activities happening, that the PS3/360 can handle it. 7yr old tech and very outdated.

[Summons75]

Looks great no doubt but it doesn't have unpredictable AI, a deep story with character development, or a rewarding reason to play through the game multiple times. Graphics aren't everything but the game is fun to fill time in before the fall lineup of games starts.

[IQUITN4G]

Stupid moaning .This game is technically astonishing frankly considering the scale. This article is simply attracting those that want to jump on a bandwagon of hate

[asmith2306]

Looks pretty damn sweet to me given that it's running on eight year old hardware.

[buynit]

Maybe i havnt played the game long enough but from what i have played the game looks fvcking awesome! The damn power lines are not jaggy or break up, maybe some of you need a better tv to play it in 720p?

I also have saints row 4 and gta5 graphics is much better!

[DerekFlint007]

For my eyes GTA 5 is a visual stunner, last night playing the game i actually stopped for about 5 full minutes and just watched the crashing waves and water physics admiring also the way the lighting changed throughout.

For an open world game, these are the best graphics i have ever seen. The overall attention paid to all the details is astounding.

As much as i love Naughty Dog's Unchartered series and The Last Of Us (platinumed all of them) in my opinion what Rockstar has achieved with regards to the visuals in GTA 5 is every bit as outstanding as the aforementioned titles. In some respects even more so as it is an open world title. The reason i mention Naughty Dog's games is because they set the benchmark ie standard bearer for the cream of the crop in console visuals.

[inmusicutrust]

Its graphics may not be the most mind blowing, I still think it looks amazing mind you but character models have looked better in many other games, but the art that makes it stand out. It comes to life. Each block is amazing and full of character. Every street feels like it has an untold story.

[Godlovesgamers]

Gaming Apologists aren't really gamers, they're just mindless automaton consumers.

[B_Rian89]

if you look closely in the trailers you can see some of the muddy textures. I thought some parts of the opening scene looked pretty bad. But once we got to the city it looked really good

[Jagsrock]

For an open world game with such a huge map, the game looks pretty good. I mean the amount of detail in the world is amazing, the lighting is great and the water effects are awesome. Sure some of the textures can look bad at times but its whatever when you take in to account the scope of the game. Plus graphics are not everything the game has such great character dialogue and audio, everything feels so alive it makes up for any graphical issues.

[steve30x]

I think what they done with GTA V is very impressive for aconsole that only has 512MB of ram. I could imagine what they would do on the Xbox 1 and PS4 though.

[DKSP161]

Could an 8 year old, £300 PC achieve this visually?

[Makkanchor]

I wish gta 5 comes to the ps4 n xbox one itl look awsome

[SSJBen]

Every GTA game has never been good looking, straight up poly-count and high-res textures wise. It's the scale, the feel and the detail in the city that makes GTA, well GTA.