GTA V vs. GTA IV

GTA V vs. GTA IV

Updated January 3, 2014

Here's a running list of the new inclusions and differences in GTA V since GTA IV. All notable differences are included in these bulleted lists, separated by category. It's just an easy way to see what new stuff has been added to the game without having to search the internet and read through tons of reviews!

If anything isn't included, be sure to post it in the comments section with a reference link, and it will be added.

It's here, and it's way bigger than San Andreas, more detailed than GTA IV, and for the first time, includes 3 playable characters who live simultaneously within the GTA world. These are just some of the changes you'll see in GTA V. This resource is dedicated to keeping a 'diary' of the rest!

Character Development & Functionality

This time around, you're no longer one single character, but three. These characters play a vital role in each other's lives, and you'll have to have a knack for switching between them when the time is right. Check out the confirmed changes made to main characters, how they impact the GTA universe, and how they grow as the game progresses:

3 main characters are now yours to control: Michael (an ex-bank robber), Trevor (an army vet) and Franklin (a repo man). They each have unique abilities: Michael can slow down time during gun fights, Trevor can deal extra damage and take less damage and Franklin can slow down time while driving.
Switching amongst characters on the fly is something you can freely do, almost at any point (not counting specific missions or scenarios). It will be performed through a radial menu. When you switch to another character, the one you used before goes back to his daily routine until you select him once again (time never stops when you switch characters)
The 3 characters can be used strategically to help each other, through the usage of this new character-switching feature.
Skill advancement will be included, similarly to San Andreas, where the more you swim, run, drive or jump, the better your character will get at doing so.
Character aesthetics are back, with haircuts, tattoos and numerous clothing options. The selections made available of these aesthetics vary on which of the three characters you're using, so that their "look" will make sense and not appear wacky.

Map & Game Environment

Fans loved San Andreas and have known it to be the "best of the series," and GTA V will put S.A.'s map to shame with far more land area and way more intricacy. Land, sea and air will all be a major part of the game's landscape, with many of the sorely-missed gameplay items making a return.

The biggest world map in the entire GTA series, bigger than the maps of San Andreas, GTA IV's Liberty City and the entire world of Red Dead Redemption, COMBINED. It encompasses the city of Los Santos (in the GTA world, that's our "Los Angeles") which lies within Blane County. You'll be able to explore every nook of the outskirts of the county, including the dangerous outskirts of the desert.
The entire map is open and unlocked to you from the instant you start the game.
Moving across long distances with ease was made a priority. No more monotonous, endless car trips are necessary like in GTA IV. Switching between characters is just one way to instantly "teleport" to a far area of the game world.
A Google Map-like zoom animation will trigger when you switch characters, dropping you right into a new location in the world.
Airplanes are back, as are parachutes.
An vast underwater world is yours to explore, and it is slated to be "massive." Put on a diving suit and explore the bottom of the sea (just beware of sharks!). There are hidden goodies down there, including but not limited to shipwrecks and other items. Every boat you use will provide you with scuba gear - just leap out and you can venture down in the depths. You'll also encounter other divers down there.
Checkpoints are featured in missions - you don't have to start over from the very beginning every time you fail.

Ways to Earn, In-Game

Getting money was always the focus of the series, and it really lost its purpose in GTA IV due to the game having so many features removed since San Andreas. Those days are gone, and your need for money will be more feverish than ever. Here's what you'll be able to do to get some:

Business ownership is back, where your characters can purchase and manage various businesses throughout the city as a way to make residual income. Each of the three characters will have bigger interests in specific kinds of businesses, since they have different personalities and are from different backgrounds.
Petty crimes including ATM robbery, car theft and hustling are stated to be other ways to make money.
Organizing a major heist is a revolutionary new feature added to the game, where you can, at any time, choose a target location in the game world and fully organize a heist using tactics and hiring a crew. The crew you hire can range from "cheap help" to master crooks, and the choices you make can result in either success, or things going terribly wrong. Heists are run according to your rules. You can either be stealthy, or bold and explosive, using brute force. Heists are explained to be the #1 way to make major cash in the game.

Cars & Other Vehicles

Car enthusiasts can rejoice, as GTA V is giving its entire automotive selection an overhaul and a new importance, especially to ownership and customization. Here are some of the changes being made to the way the game will handle cars and other usable vehicles:

More vehicles than any other GTA game in the past will be featured in V.
Cars will drive more naturally than they did in GTA IV, and this just might be one of the most important upgrades of the game's mechanics. They will hold the ground accurately, and drive more similarly to a car in a racing game.
Vehicle ownership are more of a priority. You'll be able to purchase garages for storage. Cars that are "yours," when lost or destroyed, will appear in an impound lot where you can re-claim them once again for a fee.
Vehicle modification is back -- you can modify your cars with various performance (engine, suspension & brake) and aesthetics (window tint, paint jobs, grills, spoilers, paint jobs).
Jetskis & ATVs are new vehicle types being introduced in the game.

Combat & Weapons

Weapons seem to not change much between series, but exciting new modifications will be a part of your weaponry in GTA V. They'll also directly influence how your heists get pulled off, depending on your intention of going 'stealth' or just overpowering your target.

The combat system is getting an overhaul, and this was made clear numerous times. Rockstar is getting inspiration from Red Dead Redemption's "dead eye" mechanics and Max Payne 3's destructible environment mechanics, 'kill cams,' run & gun technique and "last stand" feature. Stated features include advanced cover, numerous new animations for run & gun including shooting from the hip and a new "offense jog" style of running, and doing combat rolls into cover.
Meelee combat has also been improved.
Weapons can be customized with various inclusions, including but not limited to laser lights, high-capacity magazines and scopes. Even silencers make a comeback.

Randomness

Fans of the GTA series have known and loved it for being about exploration. It will continue to be a major time-waster with GTA V. Here are some of the random encounters and ridiculous things you'll be able to see and do:

Hitchhikers will be seen here and there. You can pick them up.
Giving the finger will actually be an action you can do, and it will entice different reactions from different kinds of bystanders, and in different areas of the city.
Dating is gone.
Animals will be seen for the first time ever in a GTA-series game. They'll be very prominent in the outskirts, namely coyotes, bobcats and the like. You'll be able to hunt.
Dirtbike races will be plentiful in the outskirts, and this is obvious with all of the snake-like dirt tracks seen outside of the city. Be careful on those steep mountains, though.
Base jumping resumes in GTA V, now with more scenery and locations to take the plunge from.
Yoga, golf, tennis, triathlons and the gym will be more new inclusions for the mini-game list in GTA V.
A resurgence of the Grove Street Gang and Lost M.C. will be seen.
A soundtrack will play, even when you're not in a vehicle with the radio on. It's not stated if this only happens during tense or frantic events, or all the time.
A military base is included in the game world.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer returning to GTA V is no surprise, but big changes are in the works for the way it will be handled, bringing a whole new level of fun and interactivity. The multiplayer world includes a lot of character customization, car customization, property ownership, cooperative and open-world exploration that suits all different styles of gamers.

A "crew" feature similar to Max Payne 3 will be seen this time around. Crews can either be private (amongst invited friends) or public. A player can be a member of up to 5 crews. Task completion will earn experience points.
Property ownership exists in the multiplayer world, where you can invite friends over. Garage ownership also exists, in which you can store and collect the cars you've acquired.

Resources & References

These are the resources that were used to compile this list. Only sources that have actually played the previews were used, so that this list remains factual and free from rumor.