Video game franchises simply don't get any bigger than GTA, so when the series' first full installment since 2008 released last week, expectations were at an all-time high.

Once again, developer Rockstar North did not disappoint. "Grand Theft Auto V" ($59.99; PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) is a gamer's paradise, a vibrant playground of fast cars, crime sprees and countless side quests.

Whether you're looking to play a relaxing round of golf, make a bundle in the stock market or brush up on your piloting skills at flight school, the city of Los Santos offers endless ways to entertain. Of course, when you're ready to take a break from all of that sightseeing and get down to business, GTA's roughly 35-hour main campaign isn't too shabby, either.

Rockstar ups the ante this time around, weaving its tale of violent crime through the perspective of three protagonists: a retired thief back on the job, an up-and-coming crook and an utter sociopath. Players can freely switch from one to another, adding an extra layer of control and complexity during chaotic missions.

But the real star of this show is the city itself. Los Santos and the surrounding countryside provide an absolutely massive space in which to run wild. Catch a movie, compete in a race, do some yoga on the patio. I lost dozens of hours to simply exploring all there was to see and do around town, and still had barely scratched the surface.

Rockstar once again uses its fictional setting to skewer countless aspects of American society, mocking pop culture, politics and consumerism through entertaining radio broadcasts and television shows. Sure, some of the characters prove to be vile human beings, but their interaction still offers plenty of entertaining moments.

Along with the new lead characters, the developer also injects more choices into missions. The heists, which play a prominent role in the story, involve selecting a crew and planning out details of the robbery ahead of time.

During one early job, going in quiet means first stealing a van, disguises and chemicals to knock out the jeweler's guards and customers. If you want to hire the best computer nerd to hack the security systems, she's going to demand a big cut of the profits. Of course, you can just storm the front door and deal with the swarms of police that respond instead.

The tension of these missions is heightened by being able to jump between characters who may be protecting all sides from attack, covering the action from far away with a sniper rifle, or getting a helicopter ready for a quick getaway. The farther you go in the story, the more complex and exciting the heists become.

Each character has his own special ability, such as slowing down time while driving, and making use of these in key moments comes in handy. There are also basic skills that improve with general use or by training at designated areas, like the Ammu-Nation gun range.

Driving mechanics get a boost over previous installments, as cars handle with more precision. The police pursuit mode has also changed for the better. Instead of simply outrunning the cops, players must hide from view until their wanted level dissipates, while officers actively search for them.

Gunplay is improved over previous editions in the series, but still not on par with the best third-person shooters. It's difficult to deal with multiple enemies at close range, but at least mid-mission checkpoints are ample, assuring you won't lose too much progress if you need to retry.

This publicity photo released by Rockstar Games shows a screen shot from the video game, &quot;Grand Theft Auto V.&quot;
This publicity photo released by Rockstar Games shows a screen shot from the video game, "Grand Theft Auto V." (AP Photo/Rockstar Games)

It also helps that GTA provides a vast arsenal for carrying out your crimes. A gang of thugs isn't quite so imposing once you've purchased a grenade launcher and a set of body armor.

The action includes the usual dose of chaotic street crime, profanity-laced tirades and shootouts with police. Be warned, however, that even by this series' standards, the story gets a bit hard to stomach at times. There's one segment in particular, during which players actively take part in a torture session, that takes the violence to an uncomfortable level.

Despite the rough patches, there's no denying "Grand Theft Auto V" is an absolutely marvelous gaming experience. With so much to see and do, it's possible to avoid the main quest almost entirely and still enjoy hours upon hours of entertainment.

With each new installment, the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise keeps getting bigger, bolder and more entertaining. The fifth entry turns out to be the best one yet.

Final score: 9.5 out of 10