GTA 5 second trailer details main characters, looks gorgeous

Rockstar has published the second trailer for Grand Theft Auto 5, giving gamers a glimpse at jet planes, virtual rottweilers and trucks driving out of more jet planes. The clip is embedded below, where you can check it out for yourself.

Featuring a funky-fresh Stevie Wonder soundtrack and some promising voice acting, the trailer sets up the lives of the game's three protagonists, Michael, Trevor and Franklin -- three game-world inhabitants from different walks of life, drawn together into a life of crime that's set to weave a darkly satirical, culturally relevant narrative, and also lets you drive a dirtbike into a boat.

Vehicles and scenery are clearly big parts of GTA 5, and I was impressed by the glimpse at lush woodland and babbling brooks, while the shots of the inner city look suitably grim.

Abseiling, train-leaping and a dog all make an appearance, as does a spoof iMac 'Fruit' computer -- my only complaint would be that gameplay itself remains a mystery, and although the trailer (presumably rendered using the game's engine) looks a treat, a glimpse at some gameplay mechanics would have been appreciated.

The ability to switch characters mid-mission -- complete with a Google Earth-style zoom-out -- is one particularly tempting feature, while the GTA 5 world is said to be larger than those of Red Dead Redemption, GTA: San Andreas and GTA 4 put together.

GTA 5's first trailer made its debut on 2 November last year. That's right, we've been waiting 12 months for a second moving-picture glimpse at Rockstar's UK-developed action title.

Rockstar has revealed that we can expect this latest instalment to hit shop shelves in spring next year, which is only a few months to wait. Hold tight, joysticks twiddlers. 

What do you think of the second trailer? Is Grand Theft Auto 5 going to be a hit? Or is there another game you'll be playing when spring springs? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.