The ‘Grand Theft Auto 5′ Trailer Takes Us Back to Los Santos

Nov 2, 2011 by  

Grand Theft Auto 5 returns to Los Santos (Trailer)

It’s hard to imagine that it’s only been three years since we took control of fresh-off-the-boat Eastern European immigrant, Niko Bellic, and turned the Liberty City criminal underworld upside down in Grand Theft Auto 4. Now, ten years after the GTA series was refashioned as a sandbox of make-your-own-fun debauchery and rags to riches mayhem in Grand Theft Auto 3, Rockstar is preparing to take-on triple-A blockbuster sales with the release of Grand Theft Auto 5.

Today, after much speculation about what we can expect in the next GTA installment (as well as a teaser countdown), Rockstar has unveiled the first trailer for the game – giving us a sneak peek at new protagonist, Adrian, as well as the latest sandbox city backdrop, Los Santos.

It sounds as though the “rumored” Grand Theft Auto 5 details from a couple days back – which hinted at a return to Los Santos (faux-Los Angeles), co-op campaign play, 2012 timeframe (and end of the world in-jokes) as well as a Hispanic protagonist named Adrian were… probably not rumors.

Check out the Grand Theft Auto 5 trailer below:

There are a lot of different environments and characters in the trailer (all centered around the West Coast Los Santos area) – and while it certainly manages to give players an idea of the locale as well as tone of the title, the teaser is definitely short on concrete details.

In general, Grand Theft Auto 5 appears to be more of the same – which should please most fans (although it doesn’t hit many of the new features in our wish list). As usual, we’ll be stepping into the shoes of a complicated anti-hero (likely to be the aforementioned Adrian) who, despite wanting a “better” life, is pulled into the criminal ranks – much like every other Grand Theft Auto protagonist before him.

The footage also appears “contemporary” which would mean Rockstar isn’t doing a period-game (like franchise title, GTA: Vice City, or their recent West Coast-set game, LA: Noire). Since the trailer doesn’t contain actual gameplay, we’re also in the dark as to whether Rockstar will finally update the series’ often-derided shooting mechanics – as well as whether or not the rumored co-op gameplay is anything more than a minute side-feature.

Lastly, also missing from the trailer is an indication of which platforms Rockstar intends to support (i.e. will the game appear on the WiiU) as well as a concrete release window but, with a rumored 2012 focus, expect the title to arrive sometime next year (for a the very least, the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC).

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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick.

Sources: Rockstar

33 Comments

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  1. What a completely uninspired, disappointing looking game. I was really hoping Rockstar would try something new, considering their success with two other adventurous titles… Oh well. Maybe I will change my outlook when more information is released.

    • You must be joking. That trailer looked fantastic, for the little it gave to us.

      • what he means is it looks like all other gta games. Not something new and exciting. It looks beautiful. but, so does Skyrim. looks mean nothing. I think I’ll enjoy this because I grew up in southern CA and the way it looks brings me back. I think I like the sound of the new guy, Niko was boring and so were the bikers and the rest. we’ll see how it goes… Might have to get it on the Wii-U

    • I don’t understand the words you’re writing. This trailer is true to Grand Theft Auto’s typical advertising style and shows a great deal of promise. From a gorgeous step up in graphics for the franchise to better NPC roles and interaction, there’s a lot of attention being given to the little details. I can’t wait to see the attention that will be given to the bigger ones.

    • Disappointing? So I guess that you wanted a GTA game that was a red dead redemption? Did you want GTA to become the next CoD? HOW in gods green earth are you disappointed? Did you really expect R* to give away the entire game this early? All I can say is if you expected that, wow…

    • Yeah, I’m disappointed to. I wanted a release date.

  2. Well, it looks like some of our theories could turn out to be true…

  3. GTAV looks great. I can’t wait to learn more about it!

  4. The game looks great. Now all we need is a release date. I typed in http://gtav.com and its a website with information on grand theft auto 5. Is that rockstar games fan site for the game? They have some good details about GTA V. Anyways the graphics looked pretty good and it has me excited!!

  5. Woah, holy crap. This may have some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve seen in a game since…well, RDR. Also did anyone notice there was a dog on the beach? Animals in GTA, guys! :D Maybe we can get killed by cougars in the mountains too!

    • Animals? cool, maybe a lion escapes the zoo? IDK

  6. the main guy is tony verseti from vice city, accept he is way older now. notice how he said i moved out here for the weather. it has to be him and it looks just like him.

    • No, that is not the correct answer.

  7. That looks nice I like this

  8. Where are the zombies! All I want is gtaz

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9xaNclkHMA

      I couldnt resist after seeing your comment :D

      • His comment inspired you to post a UTI College advertisement? Haha, I see your video. That’s what we need as an add-on. Needn’t even a story for the expansion. Just the city and zombies. Maybe a flamethrower. Jets as well. Why the hell are they teasing us like this. No release date other than the speculation surrounding May 24.

        • A UTI ad? No…

          I think that GTA should do an add on like they did with Red Dead Redemption, maybe the online would pair you up with a bunch of other people and you go around trying to survive as long as you can before SWAT/military shows up?

          BTW, anyone remember TRUTH from san andreas? If you do, then WHY NOT make a GTA with a zombie add-on?

          If you dont remember the Truth, here you go,
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdnPq5P4BrA

          Maybe the the truth smoke to much and drops the green goo and it turns people into zombies? IDK?

  9. I was honestly not expecting it to look that good… and I already had high hopes. This looks absolutely gorgeous. The trailer was clearly just to show off how purdy the game is and that’s all I’d expect at this stage. There’s lots of time to flesh out the game details from now until what I would assume to be a November release next year. I just can’t get over how well realized that world looks, and I know that Rockstar will deliver. Wow.

  10. Gamestop Ireland has the expected release date as September 2, 2012
    http://www.gamestop.ie/core/common/default.aspx?quickSearch=grand%20theft%20auto%20V

  11. Trailer looks awesome! And who is that older-looking gentleman in the trailer?
    Two words: TOMMY VERCETTI.
    Let’s hope. I didn’t really get into GTA IV. Let’s hope this one is more of a connection to the previous GTA games (GTA III) era.

  12. Looks amazing as with all gta initial trailers. Pets could be a welcome edition, go out for too long and your dog starves, maybe the dog can come on missions to rob keys to cars from inaccessible buildings. I notice that madd dogs mansion is in it as well as a post man (new side mission). Not sure that old guy it tommy vervetti, maybe Donald love has made it to governor or LS. The bank job is the only mission I enjoyed from 4 so glad that is back, I hope you get to kill OG Loc and Woozie as every mission with those two in were annoying as they kept getting themselves killed (or I would load them up with satchel charges). This looks epic, roll on the release date.

  13. I want it now!!

  14. This was one of the most anticipated trailers for me ever. GTA 3 revolutionized the way I saw video games and I think Rockstar makes truly epic games. After saying that, I was semi disappointed at the predictable turn to the west coast, I mean we all pretty much assumed this is where rockstar would go next. I wish they went a little outside the box but that’s ok, this game still looks gorgeous and I’m sure the shooting/cover mechanics as well as the vehicle physics will be on point as always with these games. I’m curious about the story and how it ties back to GTA 4. I really enjoyed seeing Nikos story along with Johnnys and Luis played out through different perspectives. I hope they do something like that in this game and maybe somehow tie it back to the 4th game. I know people are saying that older gentleman looks like Tommy V from gta vice city so that could be something that connects those two games as well. I also think a nod to CJ from san andreas would definitely be appropriate. This game could potentially tie all these games together and weave them together in to one cohesive narrative. That would be cool but unlikely. What I am sure of is definitely “nods” or references to their past work most likely being gta 4 or gta san andreas. Other than that I think the general RPG like mechanics that were present in GTA SA mixed with RDR like visuals and style are going to make for an amazing experience that really will be hard to top.

  15. Any speculations on the soundtrack? What radio stations would you like to see?
    Personally, if Las Venturas is in the game, I would love it if they had a Rat Pack-type station with all the Vegas crooners, ie Sinatra, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, etc.
    A Latin-flavored station would also be cool, but different from Espantoso.

    • A crooner station would be excellent. I’d like to see (hear) a metal station emphasizing on Bay area thrash metal. I think it would be a good counter to GTA IV’s LCHC station. It would also be great to get Dave Mustaine as a dj.

    • I love the way you think. <3 crooners

  16. I’d also like to have a station that features classic rock n roll from the ’50s, like Elvis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly etc. I think it would be hard to find a DJ for that, though.

    • For some reason the only name that came to mind for a DJ is Tom Waits. His voice and demeanor would compliment the blues and contrast some of the bubblegum of the classic rock era. I dunno, it makes sense in my mind.

  17. I recognize that voice but i cant remember who he is. I think he is a hollywood actor.The game is not ready so i cant make a comment on it if its disappointing or a pretty good game. All we can do is wait and see.

    Thanks

  18. I’m eager to hear a release date so i know when to wake out of my planned self-induced coma to avoid waitng, but a bigger question is, What do you mean by “Los Santos”? I saw ‘dem hills in ‘dat video down yonder and that leads me to believe all of San Andreas will be in the game. unless they’re reshaping the whole map from GTA:SA, like they did with III and IV.

  19. @DarthMalnu,
    Tom Waits would be a great idea. An appearance by Phil Cassidy living as a recluse in a cabin on Mount Chiliad would be cool, too…

  20. I am really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the layout on your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way stay up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to peer a great blog like this one nowadays..

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