GTA 3, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, GTA4 were all made in 7 years
But making 1 game in 5 years without crunch is easy. Just takes enough people and good management and roadmap.
Crunch is normal though. Everyone just cries about it now. All jobs do OT. If you don't like it, or are surprised by it, then get a 9-5 job elsewhere.