I very good game,BUT...not quite a 10.
Graphics: 9/10
The graphics in this game are obviously beautiful. Let's face it, in this day and age almost every game on current gen consoles look good, but it's not perfect. Some of the details look a little ugly, like the windows in some buildings, but overall most things look nice and clean.
I'd also like to mention the new physics here, as I can't think of anywhere else to put them. I personally love this new feature and believe that the rag doll effects add many hours of replay ability just for the fun of watching your enemies (or yourself) flail about. There are also a lot of subtle things that many players might not notice, like characters legs bending when standing on the edge of a curb or characters actually turning their bodies into the direction they are running. The last thing I musty mention about this is when your character gets drunk, it is absolutely hilarious watching him stumble about, and the physics really make it look great.
Story: 9/10
The story in this game is pretty good, not sure if it is as good as some let on though. The character are well done and likable (though I think Jacob's accent is very annoying as he is very hard to understand, even with subtitles enabled, but maybe this is just me). There are some very cool moments throughout the game and the story is enough to drive you to finish those harder missions. There are also points where you get to make choices that affect the story. Some are minor, but some have a pretty big affect, like changing the ending. Overall the story will last you a bit (clocked in for me at about 60 hours, though this is with side missions), and it was good enough to keep me playing.
Gameplay: 10/10
This is without a doubt where the game truly shines. The new cover and targeting systems work very well and makes gunplay sooo much more fun and less frustrating than previous games in the series. The cars feel good as well and each drives uniquely. The game also finally allows player to shoot where ever they choose while in a car, no more of the incredibly annoying drive-by only firing. The hand to hand fighting has also been improved, complete with a counter system, though no fighting styles this time around. The only problem I have with the close quarters combat is that you almost never have to use it after the very beginning of the game. Overall this game is just a lot more fun to play than the other GTA's.
Content: 7/10
This is the area that I think this game is lacking at the most. This game is missing so many features that the other games had. Some examples are the limited number of weapons, no car customization, no bicycles or planes or tanks, a much smaller game world (compared to San Andreas anyway), the ability to buy homes, and the severely reduced character customization (once again in reference to San Andreas). I just seems like they took a step forward in gameplay but two steps back in the amount of content. I can only assume this was done so that these things could be offered as download content and I hope we see the return of some of these features.
It's not all bad though, the game does offer the usual supply of side errands. From the unique stunt jumps to the flying rats (which replace hidden packages this time around), there are many things to do. They have also improved the police missions and allow the player to access them through the new police computer in any police vehicle. The player can also hangout with the different friends they will acquire during the game and go on dates. In the end there are things to do, but it seems that there could be more.
Multiplayer: 10/10
Another feature that was drastically improved over previous versions. The new online multiplayer is quite simply amazing. Free roaming with a group of friends around the city is great fun and the competitive modes offer many different game types. In ranked match there is also a level based ranking system that rewards players with new customization options for there online character upon reaching higher levels. The multiplayer will definitely keep you playing for many hours after the single player game has ended.
Overall: 9/10
This game is very very good, even great, but not perfect. Hopefully the planned episodic content will fill in some of the holes left by the lack of content in the game. But other than this there are really very few flaws with this game in my opinion.