Doesn't live up to the hype, but how could it ever?
GTA IV was a good game, but it wasn't a great GTA. GTA SA was. It was when the franchise peaked. GTA V tries to recreate a peak that has already been climbed and conquered, a peak that stood as an example of great gaming for a generation, a generation that grew up with GTA, we all wanted GTA SA back, hence the hype.
In that my friends lies the problem.
GTA V is trying to live up to something mythical, something so great that it could never truly please the likes of people like me, and many other people who were expecting something even more grand than GTA San Andreas. Yes, the map is big, but it doesn't feel like it. There is not nearly as much to do as in SA. Yes, we have 3 protagonists to play with, but it doesn't give you any more freedom as all the main missions have a pre defined character timetable. Trevor is incredible. Probably the most impressive thing about the whole game. The way he moves, talks, smells and kills is truly unique. The other two fall into submission, which was probably the idea.
Yes, I have been playing it for almost 60 hours already, yes, just like you I called in sick or took time off and it's been worth it,. but it leaves a taste in your mouth. I'm doubting if it's the old last gen tech that limited it, or maybe the budget was more marketing than development? Probably both. Then again SA never feels old, or limited, this one already does.
If it seems like I'm being over critical, I might be. It's a great game, beautiful crafted world (even though almost no buildings have interiors) great story, and you can spend a hundred hours in it (but not the 300 odd hours in SA). But deep down I expected a whole lot more.