In a standard walkthrough of Part 12 , players usually encounter the mission "Mr. Phillips," which introduces Trevor Philips and serves as a major tonal shift in the narrative. Critical Perspectives on GTA V

: An essay on Overland discusses the phenomenal accomplishment of the game's virtual worldbuilding while questioning if the medium is truly "growing up" alongside its aging player base.

: Reviewers from Cram have compared the game’s social commentary and "biting storyline" to classic literature like The Great Gatsby and Macbeth , arguing it functions as a modern piece of art.