AU Shippin' Out September 16-20: Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar Games' open-world action-adventure game Grand Theft Auto V is set to hit Aussie shelves this week for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game is the latest numbered entry to the Grand Theft Auto series, succeeding 2008's Grand Theft Auto IV.

GTA V will be set in and around the LA-inspired city of Los Santos, located in the state of San Andreas. Players will be able to control one of three playable protagonists to progress through the story, making GTA V the first game in the series to tell its primary story through multiple characters.

Players can choose between completing specific missions and roaming freely through the game, progressing through the main story at their leisure. Driving, running heists, and engaging in combat with various weapons will form a major part of the gameplay.

Grand Theft Auto V also includes multiplayer in the form of Grand Theft Auto Online. The multiplayer component will be released for free to GTA V owners on October 1, and will feature a social hierarchy system.

Grand Theft Auto V was granted an R18+ rating by the Australian Classification Board. The ruling was made in accordance with the game's strong impact themes, violence, language, nudity, and sex, as well as high-impact drug use.

A Rockstar Games spokesperson confirmed to GameSpot that the versions sold in Australia will be identical to those sold in other territories.

Grand Theft Auto V launches worldwide on September 17.

GTA V will not be the only open-world action game releasing this week, as Saints Row IV will be making its Australian PS3 debut. The game was initially refused classification on the grounds of implied sexual violence and drug use related to player incentive. Saints Row IV was originally scheduled to launch on August 22.

A modified version was later classified MA15+, enabling the game to be sold in the country. Saints Row IV was released for PC and 360 on September 12.

For more details on games out this week, check the list below.

September 17, 2013
Grand Theft Auto V (360, PS3)

September 18, 2013
Lego Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey (DS)

September 19, 2013
Saints Row IV (PS3)