What has been perhaps the most anticipated game of the year, Grand Theft Auto: V, also is the most costly game to date.

Production cost estimates from the Rockstar Games super hit are as high as $265 million.

The cost, however, was not in vain. According to Forbes, the game already has made as much as $400 million.

The game takes place in Los Santos, an area similar to Los Angeles that Grand Theft Auto fans will be familiar with from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Ca. Grand Theft Auto: V has the largest map of any of the games to date at roughly 49 square miles. Previously, the largest map was San Andreas with about eight square miles.

For the first time in a Grand Theft Auto game, the entire map is open from the start, allowing players to explore the territory uninhibited. There is a vast selection of terrain, from desert to mountain ranges to newly developed underwater areas.

Instead of following a single character, the game revolves around three characters with intertwining stories: Franklin, a gangster from the ghetto who is tired of working for chump change; Michael, a well-to-do middle-aged ex-robber with a spoiled family he somewhat despises; and Trevor, Michael’s former partner and a violent, lunatic methamphetamine dealer in the countryside. Players can switch between characters mid-mission or when they simply want to walk around as a different character.

The addition of a pet character to the Grand Theft Auto universe had me feeling skeptical at first, but Franklin’s Rottweiler Chop is actually quite useful. He can sniff out hiding enemies and will attack anyone who attacks Franklin. The best part is that unlike other pet characters from games like the Fable series, Chop requires minimal care while still being useful.

The story is fulfilling, especially considering the lack of a solid story in Grand Theft Auto: IV. Grand Theft Auto has never been one to have the greatest storylines, but Rockstar really nailed it with Grand Theft Auto: V. It remains fun and aloof while not being campy. Rockstar found a cool medium between the grittier feel of Grand Theft Auto: IV and the comedic atmosphere of Vice City. It is also nice to see the game from the perspective of different archetypes like the gangbanger, old-school gangster, and the crazy redneck.

Rockstar added a bevy of side missions and mini-games as well. Old games like darts and street races make a return as well as newcomers like golf and the incredibly addictive tennis.

Grand Theft Auto: V changes the weapon format to a weapon-wheel system similar to Rockstar’s previous game Red Dead Redemption instead of the “scroll-through” style customary in Grand Theft Auto games. This weapon-wheel allows for fluid change between weapons while under fire during missions (or from the police). Each character also has a unique rechargeable special ability to help in certain situations.

The AI is also much improved from Grand Theft Auto: IV. Instead of police ramming cars into you haphazardly during any minor infraction, they attempt to strategically hinder whatever the player is doing through roadblocks and aerial support. The police are also harder to lose, providing the player with a greater challenge without being too difficult or annoying. The enemies are also smarter and take cover more efficiently instead of the typical “run and fire” approach of Grand Theft Auto enemies from the past.

Grand Theft Auto: V also boasts incredible graphics for a game of its size. The characters’ facial expressions and movements are very lifelike. The detail of the scenery is easily the best of any Grand Theft Auto game. It is not quite on Skyrim level in terms of beauty, but is extremely vivid and colorful.

The soundtrack may be the best of any Grand Theft Auto game to date. There is a station for just about every genre of music from country to old school rap. The DJs provide comic relief during long drives and include the likes of Flying Lotus, Jesco White, Danny McBride, Kenny Loggins, Bootsy Collins and Pam Grier.

Overall, Grand Theft Auto: V is a must-buy even for the casual gamer. Its blend of raunchy humor, wanton sex and overt violence makes it one of the best games ever in a sophomoric way. The amount of activities in the vast world are near limitless and are sure to provide dozens of hours of unique gameplay. If there’s one game you must own this year, make it Grand Theft Auto: V.