There are now just two months left until GTA VI releases. Since the last part, we’ve had a blowout of info on the game thanks to that extended look. But this isn’t about looking ahead to that new release. There’s still one part left of looking back at GTA V. A part that looks at what many first experienced back in 2013 before Online began. The story of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor as they survive what Los Santos throws at them and the consequences of their own actions.
The prologue takes things to where it all was meant to end. A heist in Ludendorff, with Trevor, Michael, and Brad grabbing what cash they could and quickly making a getaway. An agent hidden and waiting with a sniper, ready to make some kills. But the wrong person is killed, with Trevor showing why he was meant to be the target as he quickly grabs the owner of the farm this standoff takes place to use as a shield against police fire. Running into the fog of the night having reached an opening to escape.
Many years later, the story truly starts. With relationships very frayed. Franklin is wanting more than what the hood can offer, wanting to get away from those who keep dragging him into situations he doesn’t want a part of. Including being a repo man for Simeon. Spending time as Franklin, getting caught up in the issues that Lamar and others push on him, is a great way to understand why he wants something more. Which is exactly what he feels Michael can provide him.
Michael, now in retirement from criminal activities, isn’t faring much better in terms of relationships. His wife and kids hate him. Though it’s not like he’s helping matters by jumping straight to extremes over anything he feels is wrong. Not really connecting with the troubles his family has. Those extreme actions are how he gets pulled back into crime when he gets on the wrong side of Martin Madrazo. With the jewel store heist complete, things now seem like they’re getting dangerous for Michael.
That scene of celebration and swapping to controlling Trevor is a very key one that I like. The agent from Ludendorff, Dave Norton, arrives to question Michael on that heist, pulling the news up on the TV talking about it. Michael knows he messed up, turning the TV off to hide that critical piece the person being interviewed would reveal. The same phrase he used in Ludendorff when unmasked and held at gunpoint. Despite his high of a successful heist, he has doubts in what he believes. That Trevor has died since that job.
Trevor is very much alive, and very much recognises that phrase. Even if it wasn’t worded exactly the same he would have heard it. Unstable as he is, Trevor puts his rage into full effect, eliminating his rivals across Blaine County while demanding his partner in crime Wade travel to Los Santos to find out if Michael really is alive. It’s a very different look at relationships compared to the two in Los Santos, as both Ron and Wade seem to both respect and fear Trevor.
Though I won’t talk much more on the story, there’s a lot in terms of the relationships of the trio I like. Trevor’s reuniting with Michael captures the tension of that meeting very well. Never knowing what Trevor will do. Later on, when Michael’s family leaves him, the feeling of regret is very strong. Franklin’s friends seem to celebrate Trevor coming to them, as he gets results that Franklin never tried for. Just a pity that also brings more trouble for them.
The world of Los Santos is something many would also have first experienced playing the story when GTA V originally released. The various side missions meeting quirky characters, such as a photographer wanting to get big with candid shots of celebrities doing dirty deeds. The liveliness of the world, with pedestrians doing their own thing. And animals, too. Even just sightseeing away from any sort of mission.
There’s a lot of Southern San Andreas to explore. Los Santos has many details to it, sure. But away from the city are some of my favourite places. Raton Canyon has always been a love of mine, with the river and its waterfalls wedged between two mountainous areas. Yeah, there’s a lot of mountainous terrain, but those offer some fun walks to take on. Including the behemoth that is Mount Chiliad. Walk up, cable car back down. Or walk down the path on its other side.
Beaches, farmland, even a disused mining tunnel. What it had was done very well. It’s just a pity the forest was in the process of being deforested, as a dense forest would have been great to get lost in. Back in Los Santos, various areas are also favourites of mine. Such as Vespucci Canals, Legion Square, and yes, also the area of Vinewood Hills that has the lake. I very much enjoy water features in a world, after all.
One major thing I like about GTA V is something that wasn’t featured in the base game. Coming in 2015, alongside the Rockstar Editor, Director Mode was a joy. Play as anyone Rockstar allows, enjoying this world as a true sandbox where anything is possible. At least within the limitations of what is allowed. What was possible was allowing a world of no consequences, turning police off entirely.
Along with standard things, such as changing the density of traffic and pedestrians, there were fun additions such as explosive melee, super jump, and low gravity. It was a wild way of experiencing the world, just messing about with no worries about money. Sure, dying always returned me to the casting trailer (giving a great reason to always have invincibility on), and it wasn’t as featured with fun additions as I would like, but it was such a delight to dive into.
In fact, Director Mode is one of the things I most want to see return in GTA VI. Especially since we know of various features. Would it not be great to have a mode where all those could be ignored for some no consequences chaos in Leonida? Or even just taking a relaxing drive or walk as someone not Jason or Lucia. Features such as being able to spawn any vehicle, a super run to go along with that super jump, and weapon mode such as firing paint instead of bullets would be great to see, too.
GTA V had many great parts to it. Including an Online mode that has stood strong these many years. It might be divisive, especially with how long we’ve spent as this being the newest modern age Rockstar world we have to explore. But time in Southern San Andreas has always been good for me. Even I, though, long for another great Rockstar world to explore. Leonida is going to be very great to explore when GTA VI releases in November.
Images Taken From:
GTA V | Xbox Series S
