A Game that Grew Up with Me. Certain games have disappeared after a period of time but Grand Theft Auto V? Nah, it just doesn’t age. Published by Rockstar Games way back in 2013, it somehow manages to feel like it was published just yesterday, which is 2025. Players continue to be drawn back, whether they do it on PS5, PC, or even the old PS4 as I did. In my case, it was not merely a game, but it was a little piece of growing up.
When Grand Theft Auto V first released, it wasn’t just a video game it was a revolution in how stories could be told in an interactive world.
Discovering GTA V:
The first experience I had with playing GTA V was when I was approximately fifteen years old and played it on my PlayStation 4. It left such an everlasting impression on me. I was not that old, and I did not actually understand all the satire and underlying societal messages of the story. It simple freedom, and everything in your control made me fell in love with it
I recall stealing my first car and driving somewhere into the mountains, and without any plan, going out to explore. Suddenly a cheetah sprang out and charged me. I was not aware that the game had wild animals. It was my mini mission to find every cheetah that I could and revenge because I laughed so hard and I took it personally.
Then came my shark story. I had played as Trevor, who was parachuted into the sea, and was immediately attacked. I was powerless to struggle when submerged so when I respruned I returned with a knife and went in search of it. It was in fact a genuine triumph when I eventually killed the shark. Little details as such brought GTA to life, that is, it is not a story made by somebody, but a world that can do something unexpected to me at any moment.
My Favorite Character: Franklin Clinton
Why Franklin Was My Guy Of the three lead characters, however, Franklin was my guy, Michael and Trevor. He begins in the poor with sketchy repo jobs, but he is intelligent, relaxed and merely wishes that he could climb the ladder. I related to that when I was fifteen. Similar to Franklin, my own version of getting out of the neighborhood was not literally but I needed to develop, accomplish something, do better. He was not pursuing the craziness as Trevor or languishing in regrets as Michael. Franklin was attentive and such an attitude motivated me. He demonstrated to me that success did not limit itself on where one began but the desire to take action.
Why Franklin Was My Guy Of the three lead characters, however, Franklin was my guy, Michael and Trevor. He begins in the poor with sketchy repo jobs, but he is intelligent, relaxed and merely wishes that he could climb the ladder. I related to that when I was fifteen. Similar to Franklin, my own version of getting out of the neighborhood was not literally but I needed to develop, accomplish something, do better. He was not pursuing the craziness as Trevor or languishing in regrets as Michael. Franklin was attentive and such an attitude motivated me. He demonstrated to me that success did not limit itself on where one began but the desire to take action.
My Favorite Mission: “Paparazzo”
The “Paparazzo” Mission When it comes to missions that will always remain in my memory, then it would be one mission, Paparazzo. Franklin encounters this insane paparazzo called Beverly who is crazy and wants to capture the celebrity engaging in dirty activities.
You assist him in capturing footage of a couple in a car and this leads to this crazy ride all over Los Santos, Franklin on a bike, Beverly screaming orders to him and the camera rolling. It is the first thing I literally locked a room door, put on headphones, and ensured that no one could walk in my family. I was not really expecting some adult stuff and I was trying to pass it off, but I was giggling. It was stilted and funny simultaneously. Now I consider that that was a mission that was not only funny but also had its point. It parodied the way in which people can pursue fame and gossip like it is air.
The madness of Beverly demonstrated the extent to which ugly that obsession may become and Franklin never lost his head during the process. That is a combination of criticism and comedy that makes GTA different. It is dumb and clever at the same time.
Is GTA V a Bad Influence in Kids?
Frankly speaking, I can understand why they claim that GTA V is not aimed at children. It is violent, adult in nature and occasionally pure maniacal. Missions such as By the Book may be dark and disturbing. I would not recommend it to kids below 16-years.
However, it is not the case with GTA Online. You can simply relax, race cars, fly jets, heist, or even hang out. There is an option where nobody can kill you hence you can explore. I believe this is a game of playing. In my case, it was not the violence, rather, having that feeling of freedom, that feeling of being able to go anywhere.
Why GTA V is Worth Playing in 2025:
It is crazy that even after over a decade, GTA V can be sustained. I occasionally play it using my PS5 out of pure nostalgia. The graphics remain superb, the music remains good and Los Santos is still real. The one thing that always strikes me is the level of detail in the world, how people can talk about any number of oddities, strange radio commercials, and how there are secrets within them. There is something different each time I listen to it. It is not only about crime in the story. It is all about greed, loyalty, regret, and ambition. I was taught about patience and ambition through Franklin. I experienced what it is like to lose control through Trevor. Michael taught me that it is not always the peace when one is a success.
What the Game Meant to Me:
Even now, there are occasions when I log in simply to make a nightdrive around the city and tune on the radio. It gives me that silent nostalgic feeling of going back to an old version of me. When I watch the Los Santos sunset or fly over the city at night, it still feels….magical.
Conclusion:
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