Does Grand Theft Auto V Have a Good Story? 

Go to nordvpn.com/lead or use code "lead" to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount.

The story happened all because Lamar doesn't get employee of the month

it’s funny that rockstar put out this message in story mode that they hate soulless cooperations but when you look at the current state of gta online it’s hypocrisy

Another thing I love about Deathwish, is how at the beginning Franklin says "It seems like people are always telling me to do stuff, I do it, and nothing changes." At the end, Devin tells Frank to kill Michael (and Trevor). In Deathwish, he makes his own choice, and gets a happy ending.

The fact that my dad, who hated video games and thought they were a complete waste of time, sat through the entirety of GTA V and was absolutely enthralled by it despite never actually wanting to play himself, says to me that it’s a successful story, maybe not absolutely brilliant but perhaps that it feels like a long form movie is enough.

Beach in singleplayer: Nice LA beach with people sunbathing and running around Beach in online: *O M A H A*

It’s ironic how in this story Trevor, the most dangerous person in the room, is also the one you can trust the most. That adds a lot to his character. Edit: To all the 100+ people that keep replying, do you really think I’m gonna bother reading and responding to you on something I wrote over 2 years ago?

I feel that deathwish is also Franklin making his own decision. Killing Trevor is what the FIB tell him to do. Devin Weston tells Franklin to kill Micheal. But death wish, it’s just Franklin. He controlled the ambush operation. He chose ending C

Even though Lamar and Franklin have similar but opposing mindsets on how to make serious money, Franklin cannot help but want Lamar around, because Lamar is the kind of friend everyone will have at one point in life: you may not have too much in common, you may not think the same way about anything, and you may never truly see eye to eye, but the experiences and surroundings you grew up together with are what bind you close like siblings. And to be honest, those are the best kind of friends. The ones that truly remember the things you’ve been through

I feel like GTA V's overall "message" is that chasing a materialistic life will leave you empty.

"this game is about fighting back against the corporate world" ...and playing gtav online is showing that rockstar is a big part of it. Any more shark cards anyone?

To me it’s kinda unfair that Michael is blamed for wanting to kill Trevor in the Prologue. You gotta remember the guy has a family, so when someone that crazy (Trevor) is associated with the father of a family, you can see why it made sense why Michael wanted him gone.

Ngl, the best part in the story (for me) is that family therapy mission, where Michael gathers his family up for a family session and then they get back together and the ending is just so wholesome for some reason... Also that mission might've had one of the best rage voice acting in all of everything

Remember this all started because Micheal caught his wife cheating

"This video will be full of spoilers" A warning, for those of us still living in 2013

5:15 “Animals are walking around” *cuts to Franklin and Lamar 💀 💀

Lazlow is more complicated than that. Hes been in the gta games for quite some time and his career is actually ridiculously fleshed out compared to anyone other character. Lazlow how been all over another form of media he can get his voice of face on. Hes gone through so many career shifts that it was inevitable he was would end up in Vinewood like this.

Welcome to Los Santos is such a good fucking song

This actually was quite insightful. However, anyone who doesn't always knock down the orange street dividers on the bridge is not to be trusted.

Michael wasn’t just looking out for himself, he was trying to help him and he genuinely cared about Franklin

I actually never realized that’s why Brad was shot because he simply walked in front of Trevor lol.

"Hell, if this game just had chapter cards, it would've made the story structure make so much more sense" I bet that's what Rockstar had in mind when they started writing Red Dead Redemption II

The intense story revolving around stopping the train really takes a deep look into society.

I think honestly the best part of the story of Franklin were the smaller missions with Lester. It was for a guy who wasn't strictly taking advantage of him, Franklin didn't dislike him and he paid every job back to Franklin (money, villa, stock opportunities, etc.).

16:30 actually no, while michael will absolutely kill if it is neccesary for a goal of his, he doesn't enjoy randomly killing people. he tells trevor "you didnt have to do that!" in prologue after trevor shoots the guard in the head to save michael, he doesnt kill the janitor for the fib heist and he's even willing to give up a gold bar to casey in the subtle big score heist. gunning down civilians is just something the player can choose to do

21:45 Micheal didn't rope Franklin into the FIB stuff. He literally met up with Franklin and told him to run for the hills before the FIB jobs even started. Franklin knew what he was getting into when he refused to leave LS

I'd just like to point out that Michael's character arc in this game is basically the same as in Shrek Forever After

During the story that Trevor tells Wade, when trevor starts going all over it towards the end, he does mention that Brad was planning to kill Michael but he got killed first. This was obviously before Trevor found out that Michael had attempted to sell them out.

I like most of you’re points, although Micheal makes it very clear in the game that he was just trying to make sure that his family would be safe. Trevor was an unpredictable psycho with a criminal background, he couldn’t be trusted around Micheals family, Micheal wanted a way out of his criminal life, he was unaware of how much that life really meant to him. The North Yankton Heist is a good example of that. Micheal wanted a way out while his criminal *family* Brad/Trevor wanted to keep taking scores which according to Micheal would eventually end up in his death, which is reasonable thought when you think about how dangerous the heist were that he was taking on with them. Brad wasn’t as innocent as Trevor either as Lester and Micheal mentioned Brad was very annoying and down right stupid at times and was always leading them into bad situations, Micheal didn’t even want Brad dead he wanted him in prison, which is harsh but when you’re in the criminal life and making bad decisions you have to take that guy out of you’re crew so it’s almost generous of Micheal not have Brad killed.

It feels so wrong when I see the guys with different haircuts to the ones I gave them

When Trevor heard that you wanted to kill Michael, he was pissed and didn’t want anything to do with it When Michael hears you want to kill Trevor, he jumps at it and helps to kill him Michael wanted to kill Trevor twice, he’s a shitty friend Edit: I also forgot to mention that once your at the end of Ending A, if you wait a few minutes and don't "Put down Trevor", Michael takes the shot.

My favorite always was Michael, he seems the most complex out of the three. Nothing too exceptional or anything, but I really like how fundamentally flawed his personality is and how aware he is of that. At it's core he is a bad person, and seemingly always was considering what he says to his psychiatrist, and even when he tries to amend things and start anew, his violent persona ends up raising two brats who hates him and an unhappy marriage filled with misery. He sacrificed everything and everyone he loved for a new life that he hates. Of course he would end up being a bitter asshole. Despite everything he says about him, he obviously loves Trevor even after killing him in ending A since a couple in game days later, he basically blames Franklin for it and blocks his number, a very obvious way to cope and deflect guilt. And just personally I love how he is written, his sarcastic banter and petty speech is just so funny to me, and of course Ned kills it with his performance.

I only played through the Death Wish ending. I always took Michael's relationship with Franklin as fatherly. Like a do-over with a kid who cares unlike his own kids. He slips into his old self centered habits, but comes out a way better person. Plus, they all deserve the better ending.

Imo the arcs are. (Deathwish ending) Michael: Goes from arrogant, depressed, evil, downer to understanding himself and regretting his life while also embracing it. He regrets his actions but by the end he’s happy with the family, friends and job he’s got. He finally gets out of his rot and learns that there’s more to life than crime. Trevor: Learns to love and forgive. He longs for some sort of connection and by the end he’s happy. He’s living his best life with new and old friends. And a lover too. Franklin: Learns how life works. He wants out of every situation he’s in because he learns that he will always be the little guy. Franklin both starts to dislike Michael and Lamar but by the end embraces them as friends. He knows Michael used him, but saves him anyway because Michael treated him like an actual human. He loved him as a son. Franklin learns what life is and gets out of it before he has the chance to end up like Michael or Trevor. He also embraces his relationships. I guess it’s a game about how, experience and friendship go further than money or corporate greed. If you break it down that far.

I honestly have never done another ending besides the death wish. I’ve seen the others through videos and have just never thought it would feel right to pick any other option. Franklin, despite acting like he doesn’t, cares a lot about those closest to him. He goes above and beyond for Micheal, he tows for Tanisha, he tails some hillbillies just cus Trevor asked him to, and he saves Lamar enough times for it to be a running joke. The other endings see him changing a core value and have never set right with me.

I definitely know the deeper meaning in a lot of stories and characters but whine it comes to explaining them I’m clueless at times and say gibrish. GTAV is a great story I truly loved the detail and the themes expressed through the characters. Like the one part where Trevor and Mike have a fight and they go back to where the beginning of the game took place and their conversation was a really well done scene that shows their relationship completely broken

Funny thing is that Rockstar are becoming an embodiment of what their games criticise: a greedy, soulless, manipulative corporation

It’s worth mentioning that Trevor DIDN’T kill Floyd. After that mission it’s mentioned on the radio that Floyd was shot, and Deb was stabbed. He avenged Floyd. Quick edit; this is misinformation and I’m an idiot. I still believe that events went down that way both based on the characters involved and the simple logistics of such a standoff. Unfortunately my believing things went one way has nothing to do with a radio broadcast that I seemingly believed I heard when no evidence exists to support it

It started with Franklin reposesing a car, and ended with stealing 200 million dollars worth of gold with a psychopath and a retired bank robber

The game has 2 moral lessons one said by Michael in Father/Son "give this shit up, work hard and go to college and get a job" that shows that Michael hated being a robber and would not do that to anybody else (until the heists but whatever) and the second is Money doesn't make you happy example Michael.

I like the whole framework of the story basically being a cheesy, over the top Hollywood Action movie which was always the feeling I got from it and kinda fits the setting perfectly imo

The only crime done in this game is Trevor's haircut... Edit: I just rewatched and saw Franklin's haircut. Leadhead, please seek therapy.

I always figured the "kill Micheal" ending wasn't Franklin breaking out of the pyramid scheme but rather him picking up where Micheal left off. A manipulative, backstabbing snake.

To me, GTA is a Tarantino movie. The characters and dialogue are great. They can be funny, profound, and heart breaking. The overall story arch, however, is unremarkable

Anti-capitalism, the satire is suppose to be anti-capitalism, while at the same time creating a lucrative game exploiting capitalism

Let's hope for a San Andreas analysis someday

benis

This perfectly describes the absolute beauty held within this story

This was much more relevant to my life than I thought. I had just played gta after a long time and a lot of bullshit in my personal life.This made me question why I always felt cheated by friends. The fact I could go though the entire game idolizing Michael while he was exactly what I fear in real life is beyond a perspective change. And made me rethink a-lot of dead relationships. I know I’m still naïve but the fact I physically couldn’t see the manipulation in him hit me the same way life has always hit me. Amazing video

honestly it’s really sad how i’ve seen so many people just write trevor off as the unstable unpredictable guy when he’s a lot more than just that

After the recent "Contract" update, seeing how Franklin has gone places, broken out of his role AND kept his friends, makes me sincerely happy.

Michael slander is wild in this video

The fact that you have enough freedom in the storyline to do sidemissions, different order of missions, etc. is a big plus in my opinion Great execusion I really really enjoyed it (but I played it over a longer time period instead of in a few sittings) People who grind the game most likely have a different experience when playing a SP title

GIRL! the whole "imagine the game more as an episodic series" thing is literally exactly what I thought when I first played it. edit: updated pronouns because I came across this comment while rewatching and realized I used the wrong pronouns

Well, I wouldn't say killing Michael is a good ending. Even though he might deserve it, you're betraying him. That's why after this ending Trevor calls Franklin a traitor and lose contact with him. And yeah, you make 2 kids fatherless and Amanda a widow.

Honestly I had the exact same view as you did prior to you replaying the game again and really taking a serious look at the story, this actually puts alot of things into perspective for me and really makes me appreciate what went over my head. Thanks

Each character represents a part of the human psyche - Michael, beaten down by life serves as the Ego; Franklin’s young and hungry, ambitious, representing the Super-Ego; and Trevor, while capable, is a reactionary wild-card, portraying the Id. At a glance, this reveals that all 3 are designed to work together. The plot is tent-polled by the heists. The game is an action masterpiece, focusing on the heists. I guess it will appeal more to people who like careful planning and confident execution - The Blitz Play not included, which was off the cuff, with short notice.

One of the things that I always loved about GTA5, is how some of the cutscenes(mostly the not so serious cuscenes) have this realistic handshake and zooming in on either quiet or awkward breaks, it makes it feel like a reality show/comedy sitcom...imo

How does the whole Solomon movie star side story involve Michael’s capitalist consumer lifestyle. It seems like Michael genuinely cares about making movies.

You did your sponsor correctly, you didn't spend 10 minutes talking about it and went straight to the point. We need more RU-vidrs like you

This is genuinely an amazing overview of the whole game of grand theft auto v, one of the most entertaining RU-vid videos I’ve ever watched.

Before Michael gets involved with the government he meets Franklin at the hills and tells him to stay as far from him as possible and to "take a vacation" Franklin chose to get involved with the government. Michael isn't the bad guy, he gave Franklin exactly what he wanted, as he told franklin what he was getting into before every chapter of this story, as for Trevor I agree Michael was a hypocrite, but Trevor was batshit crazy before he even met Michael back in the Air Force.

Lamar was supposed to play a major part in the game but the voice actor for him got into Trouble with the law and they had to change it

Trevor knew from the start that Debra is cheating on Floyd. Mission Scouting The Port confirms it.

Love this. My second playthrough was to find evidence to dispute my friend's hatred of Trevor. I related to TP the most by far. I thought Michael was alright the 1st playthrough, but while looking for specifics of the goodness of Trevor I found M to be quite a dirty worm. No idea how 6 could make me fall in love with a character the way I fell for Ogg's Trevor.

Such a shame we never got story dlc imo

Guys...You gotta realize that this story only happened because of a Train....

This is by far the best deep dive of Gta 5. I actually learned more about Michael in this video compared to my 10th play-threw.

Sometimes when you switch to Micheal after beating the game you’ll hear an argument going on in the house. Micheal will begin to yell and then he’ll stop himself and regain composure. It’s stuff like that which shows Micheal has actually changed over the course of the story

I wonder how you feel about Franklin now that Online finally shed light on what happened so many years later. He's now a "legitimate" businessman, married Tanisha, had kids, and still has Lamar as his best friend, who's also trying to start a "legitimate" business. He mentions that Michael is still working on the movie studio and a few years back Ron mentioned Trevor is now a yoga teacher.

I liked your commentary on Trevor and Floyd. However, I think in some weird way Trevor cared about Floyd. The moment he hears about Debra cheating, the tone in his voice shifts to one more angry and defensive. Then later down the line a news report following the mission says that a man was found shot in the head and a woman stabbed to death. Implying that Debra shot Floyd and Trevor stabbed her in revenge. Plus that distressed look after he comes out looks much closer to grieving for someone he cares about than a "What the hell have I done?" sort of face

Trevor showing up at Mike's house is the season one cliffhanger finale

It took me 150 hours to beat story mode, i would spend hours just screwing around after missions and really only did one a day. I think that made the pacing feel so much better to me

I just realised that ive never seen a "real" GTA V singleplayer review from the youtubers I watch

For anyone who doesn’t know, in a hangout mission Trevor says to Franklin that he didn’t really like Brad. So it was all for nothing

You had my full undivided attention but you failing to launch on an empty street into a pole at 25:09 made me laugh out loud

Damn dude, your intro was so compelling that I feel like I have to replay the game again before finishing this video

I love how we're in the point of youtube where if someone says "raid shadow legends" you're in suspense for about 2 seconds to see if it's a joke or not

Michael effectively tries to turn Franklin into Trevor, someone he can use for his own gain in robberies and efforts to get out of the FIB’s deal, but Franklin isn’t as vulnerable as Trevor and he begins to understand who Michael is and what he’s trying to do.

Now that you mention something about your cloud stoner days when first playing the story, it really cracks me up to think about my journey with this game and how long it’s been out. First time playing it I was an innocent 14 years old, then I played it again while I was in high school smoking weed all day everyday and now just played it again while i’m an adult with a career and not smoking anymore and haven’t for 2 years….this game has been out way too long lmao.

I love the Lamar and Franklin dynamic like the 2 sides of the hood how 1 wants to leave and the other trying to stay in it

it angers me so much that online overshadowed this game's story, genuinely so underrated

Jesus, I’ve never heard anyone vilify Michael so hard or enjoy the Kill Michael ending, that ending is brutal & doesn’t fit Franklin’s personality at all.

This is a great in-depth video about grand theft autos story and its deeper meaning and morals that I have never noticed these 8 years ive been playing this game for. amazing how such a violent character like Trevor is actually the most down to earth and humble person in los santos.... well morally he is.

I've alway thought that I wanted a GTA movie, but after watching this, you're right, it would be way better as an episodic series.

Oh my god I absolutely love this take on the endings. Most people just say “Trevor bad, kill Trevor ending good”

i know lamar is a meme now but i always loved him, hes such a great character

i’ve beaten this game like 9 times over the 10 years it’s been out and i genuinely couldn’t tell you what the plot was outside of michael having to pay off that one dude whose house we fucked up

When I first saw the spoilers text in the beginning of this video, I had realized I never finished the full story before. I then went on to complete the entire story mode, beginning to end, just to come back and watch this video.

Trevor may be insane, but he’s the most heartfelt and loyal character. Micheal is a hypocrite, but does anything for a non corrupt leader or his family. Franklin’s a newbie but has a impact on the group that wouldn’t be there if not for Franklin.

I think there is one aspect you didn't fully get about Michael, what makes him a protagonist and not an antagonist: his journey into understanding what he did, into growing out of being the snake he used to be and still is. Deep down, he knows he is a huge part of his issues, he knows that betraying his friends was a bad decision and understands that he will never be a good person. And finally, he understands that he didn't take on as life of crime to get money, but for the thrill of the chase. And he finally found the best way out with the movie deal. When he chose the wrong way out, he stabbed Brad and Trevor in the back. But when he got the movie deal, he told Trevor face to tace. And when the Deathwish ending happens, he manages to tie up all the loose ends. He makes up with Trevor, takes out the people that want him dead, and lives a thrilling life as a movie producer with a family that doesn't hate him anymore

Nothing will beat gta 4 story, such unbelievable characters, being Niko and making it in the west. Sensational

It's weird how hype this video still makes me about GTA. It really is that perfect TV series at the end of it all.

The first time I played it my opinion was: "Trevor funny" My opinion is still: "Trevor Funny"

I like how Michael represents Rockstar in its current state Edit: thanks for the likes (and the correction)

back when he was normal and watchable i miss actually good content from this guy

16:06 I don't think I've ever crossed that bridge, and not drove over the bollards. So satisfying.

i've always liked the story overall. because of how cinematic it felt.

Reminds me of San Andreas. CJ wants to grow out of the hood. Sweet wants to stay loyal and status quo. Big Smoke came from the same school as Michael, look out for number one.

31:50 when he punched the mime was the best part of this video