Rockstar’s second GTA V trailer shows off three lead characters and explosive open world gameplay

Rockstar has published a second trailer for its highly-anticipated new sandbox game, GTA V.

It’s by far the most revealing and impressive footage we’ve seen from the game so far. The character models in particular are very realistic, clearly using some of the technology and tricks picked up during the development of L.A. Noire. Buildings, cars and public transport also look incredibly well polished, with lighting effects and texture detail that far outstrips its previous work. The action and set pieces, however, just need to be seen to be believed.

The trailer also reveals far more of the gritty but also humorous storyline often found in Rockstar productions; in particular the three main player controlled characters called Michael, Trevor and Franklin. We’ve known for a little while now that they would all be criminals whose stories intertwine, but here we can see just how much mischief they all get up to. Bar fights, timber houses going up in flames, police car chases, hanging off the side of a moving yacht on the freeway, jeeps falling out the back of airplanes…it’s all here.

It’s amazing to think that Grand Theft Auto 4 came out back in 2008. Since then the developer has been working on other projects, such as the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3, but we knew it wouldn’t be long before Rockstar North started working on another classic Grand Theft Auto title. From what we can see, it’s been worth some of the wait.

Are you as excited for GTA V as we are? Let us know in the comments section below!