I've always had a difficult experience with Grand Theft Auto V. I liked it when it was first released, but over the years I started to like it less and less - be it Take-Two's constant need to monetise Online, and that it was more popular than entries in the series that I deemed to be better products.

The thing is, Grand Theft Auto IV is one of my favourite games of all time - both for its story & gameplay, so Grand Theft Auto V had a lot to live up to for me.

For years, I thought the physics, sluggish gameplay, story, and characters in Grand Theft Auto V was a massive downgrade from Grand Theft Auto IV, and I grew a bit of a hatred towards Grand Theft Auto V because of this.

Whilst I still agree with all of those points, something clicked with me on this most recent playthrough. Grand Theft Auto V is not Grand Theft Auto IV, and is not trying to be either (even if I think it probably should have).

Grand Theft Auto V's selling point isn't the story, missions, or even gameplay - its the character switching. I kinda get that, because as hyped as the heists were, they rarely delivered for me because they all felt a smidge too short. Its not so much the heists that felt special, it was the character switching within those heists that made them feel special.

I get Grand Theft Auto V now. The story ain't special, nor are the missions or gameplay, but I now understand the appeal - and most importantly, I was entertained by the pseudo-comedic storyline this time, since I wasn't constantly comparing it to Grand Theft Auto IV this time.

I still don't forgive the tone deaf inconsistent character writing of Johnny and his death, though. That was a bad writing choice. Michelle & Packie's characterisations are also a bit questionable.

But yeah, not my favourite Grand Theft Auto at all - it's a very flawed experience, but I was still entertained.