I’m going to play Grand Theft Auto V eventually. I know I will. I never really get into the storyline of the games, but I do enjoy exploring their open worlds and getting into my own adventures. And I know I’m definitely going to want to, or be forced to, join up with friends when Grand Theft Auto Online arrives. Yet, as all of you tear into your launch-day copies and start planning some seriously epic heists, I’m perfectly content to sit here enjoying other games, waiting.
It’s the curse of the AAA game. I’ve been burned too many times before. I’ve bought titles like Skyrim , Metal Gear Solid , and Final Fantasy XIII at launch and enjoyed them, but then cursed when I saw the price drop within two months. Or, even worse, seen them show up at my local used game store where I have credit. $60 goes in, I get so busy with work games that I never play as much as I intended, and I realize I really should have just waited.
On top of that, it’s a major game season. I know GTA V is the kind of game that would keep me busy for weeks, but right now, I don’t have that kind of luxury. I’m playing other games for work. Or I’m getting ready to buy special and collector’s editions of titles I know will be a more limited run for collecting purposes. I mean, if it’s a choice between a copy of Etrian Odyssey Untold with a first-run CD and artbook and a standard copy of GTA V , I’m going with Etrian Odyssey Untold every time.
Besides, in this day and age, I’ve learned it’s always smartest to wait with AAA games. Grand Theft Auto V is going to be huge. Just like GTA IV was huge. I waited on that one and ended up getting Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition , new, for $20. It took some time, but I’d say it was worth it. I doubt I’ll wait that long for GTA V , but even giving it until 2014 could make a difference.
Not to mention the thing no modern gamer likes to talk about. Let’s face it; even the best developers and publishers’ games can have issues at launch. Mention any Bethesda game’s launch around a PS3 owner and you’ll see spontaneous, nervous ticks. This isn’t the good old days where games just worked at launch. Sometimes, they have problems. I know I’ve heard a few rumblings about some GTA V freezes and crashes. Being patient won’t just reward me with a cheaper game, but it will also reward me with all the patches I need to play without any errors.
So go ahead and enjoy your time in Los Santos. I’ll only be with you in spirit, for now. I’m sure you’ll have the time of your (virtual) lives with Grand Theft Auto V . As for me, I’m going to kick back and relax. Maybe I’ll get it as a birthday surprise or Christmas gift. Perhaps I’ll be convinced to pick it up around Black Friday, if it’s reasonable enough. I’ll get to it, eventually, and I’ll enjoy it all the more when I do.