Rockstar North Getting Flack for Torture Scene in Grand Theft Auto 5

We’ve seen this time and time again in the Grand Theft Auto series, so we knew we would see it in Grand Theft Auto 5.

Several groups including the group Freedom from Torture are criticizing Grand Theft Auto 5 for a specific scene in the game where the character is asked by the FBI to torture a terrorist in order to get information.

This isn’t just a simple cut-scene either, you actually control one of the protagonists to perform the torturing, and choose your preferred torture device.

It begs the question whether or not Rockstar North was trying to take a jab at the fact that the US was accused of water-boarding terrorists in the past. The problem however is that there isn’t much satirical about the torture scene in the game. It isn’t an optional mission either, it’s a primary story mission that must be completed in order to complete the game.

It’s one thing take a jab at past news items, but this takes it to another level entirely.

Perhaps that was the intent. Rockstar has walked a thin moral line in the GTA series, and every game in the series since GTA 3 seems to have one or two things that seem to cross over that line, and spit back across it.

At the end of the day, it grabs media attention, and increases sales.. but at what cost? Does the scene desensitize us to torture in general? Does it spit in the face of torture victims that are scarred for life by these things they were put through?

I don’t think so, this is an adult game after all, with very adult subject matter. It’s GTA for crying out loud, this is what we’ve come to expect, right?

My suggestion is simple.. if you are offended easily, then don’t play it. And for crying out loud, please don’t let your kids play it!

What do you guys think? Does this scene cross the line, or is this it just another violent scene in a violent video game series? Leave me comments below and tell me what you think.

Also, check out our guide for tips, tricks, guides, cheats, and more for Grand Theft Auto 5.