even after its reputation has permeated in pop culture, its online mode sparked its fair share of outrage and controversy, and thoroughly perforated the gaming zeitgeist, i still find this game to be an absolute blast from start to finish. i do have issues with it, it may lack the emotional complexity of red dead redemption and grand theft auto 4, the relentless thrills of max payne 3, or the quotable dialogue of san andreas. as a whole though this is a hell of a ride, it has an engaging story with fun characters, and is still an unequivocal triumph for rockstar after all these years.