Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) is here and the "story" mode is more grand and fulfilling than ever. Discover the streets of Los Santos and complete this incredible adventure as Franklin, Trevor and Michael. This article explains the general rules for playing Grand Theft Auto V in single player mode.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Basic Concepts
Step 1. Follow the initial tutorial
At the start of GTA 5 you will be thrown straight into a rather thorny situation. The first mission represents a kind of tutorial in which you will be explained how to control the character. You will be taught how to perform normal actions, such as walking, running, aiming with a weapon, shooting, driving and other game mechanics that you will most likely already know if you have played any of the previous titles in the GTA series.
Step 2. Get familiar with your character
Follow these instructions to get around the game world when you are on foot.
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Walk:
move your character using the left analog stick (on console) or the "W-S-A-D" keys on the keyboard if you are playing on a computer. Use the controller's right analog stick or mouse to move the camera and look in the direction you want.
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Spring:
press the "X" key (on Playstation) on the controller, "A" (on Xbox) or left "Shift" on the keyboard (on PC).
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Jump:
press the square controller key (on Playstation), "X" (on Xbox) or the keyboard "space bar" (on PC) to jump while walking forward.
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Light Melee Attack:
Press the square controller key (on Playstation), "B" (on Xbox) or the "R" key on your keyboard (on PC) to perform a light melee attack.
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Heavy Melee Attack:
Press the "X" key on your controller (Playstation), "A" (on Xbox) or the "O" key on your keyboard (on PC) to perform a heavy melee attack while you are fighting.
Step 3. Shoot with weapons
Shooting with the various weapons in the game is one of the most important mechanics of Grand Theft Auto. Follow these instructions to select the weapon you want and shoot the enemies.
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Access the weapon selection menu:
hold down the "L1" key on the controller (on Playstation), "LB" (on Xbox) or press the "Tab" key on your keyboard. At this point, use the controller's left analog stick or mouse to select the weapon you want. If you don't want to use a weapon, select the punch icon.
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Aiming with a firearm:
hold down the "L2" key on the controller (on Playstation), "LT" (on Xbox) or hold down the right mouse button (on PC).
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Shoot:
press the "R2" button on the controller (on Playstation), "RT" (on Xbox) or press the left mouse button (on PC).
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Reload the weapon:
press the controller key marked with a circle (on Playstation), "B" (on Xbox) or the "R" key on the keyboard (on PC) to reload the weapon you are using.
Step 4. Use the mini map
It is clearly visible in the lower left corner of the screen. The blue dot shows the destination that has been set. When you drive a means of transport, the mini map will show the path to follow represented by a yellow line.
Step 5. Switch between characters in the story
One of the unique features made available by GTA 5 is the ability to impersonate three different characters. The game offers the user the ability to switch between characters in real time. The story of GTA 5 is based on the vicissitudes of three main characters: Franklin, Trevor and Michael. This is why this revolutionary game mechanic was introduced. In this way, you will be able to choose more in depth how to manage missions, especially those that require you to coordinate all three protagonists of the game.
- If you're using the console version, press and hold the controller's d-pad button to access the character selection menu. Use the left analog stick to select the protagonist to use.
- If you are using the PC version, hold down the left "Alt" key on your keyboard to bring up the character selection screen. At this point, use the mouse to choose the protagonist to use.
Step 6. Drive the vehicles
This is also one of the fundamental game mechanics of the Grand Theft Auto series. It is possible to enter any medium present in the game world. Follow these instructions to drive a means of transportation.
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Getting in and out of vehicles:
stand in front of a vehicle door and press the "Triangle" key on the controller (on PlayStation), "Y" (on Xbox) or the "F" key on the keyboard (on PC).
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To accelerate:
press the "R2" (on Playstation), "RT" (on Xbox) or the "W" key on your keyboard (on PC) to accelerate while driving any vehicle.
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Braking / Reverse:
press the "L2" button on the controller (on Playstation), "LT" (on Xbox) or press the "S" key on the keyboard (on PC) to brake or use reverse while driving any vehicle.
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Turn the steering wheel:
if you are using a console, move the left analog stick of the controller to the right or left or press the keyboard keys "A" and "D" (on PC) to turn left or right while driving.
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Aiming while driving a vehicle:
press the "L1" button on the controller (on Playstation), "LB" (on Xbox) or press the "Y" key on the keyboard (on PC).
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Firing a weapon while driving a vehicle:
press the "R1" button on the controller (on Playstation), "RB" (on Xbox) or press the left mouse button (on PC).
Step 7. Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen
Grand Theft Auto V features an "open-world" game system where there is a truly impressive amount of things to do, tasks to do and side missions. When starting a new activity or mission, pay attention to the instructions that will appear on the screen in the upper left corner. This way, you will know what you will need to do to complete the task assigned to you.
Step 8. Learn more about the protagonists of GTA 5
The three main characters of GTA 5 are characterized by unique and well-defined personalities. In addition to this, they also possess different skills that will be useful to you in specific cases. Press both analog sticks on the controller at the same time or press the "Caps Lock" key on the PC keyboard to activate the special ability of the character you are currently using.
- Michael is an expert in the use of firearms. Its special ability consists in the ability to activate the "bullet time" mode in which time and everything around you is slowed down, while the speed with which you can shoot at targets will remain unchanged.
- Franklin is an excellent driver. His special ability is very similar to Michael's, but can only be activated when he is driving. This aspect makes him the best vehicle driver in the game.
- Trevor is the group's aircraft pilot. It is able to maneuver any aircraft with disarming simplicity. His special ability is being able to enter "rage" mode. When in this mode, his strength and stamina are increased allowing him to inflict more damage on opponents and take less damage from enemy attacks.
Step 9. Customize the game characters
You can visit all the shops in the world of GTA 5 and buy clothes and shoes with which to customize the appearance of your characters. You also have the option to purchase accessories with which to further customize their style. Of course, you can also customize the hairstyles by going to one of the many barbers in the game. If you wish, you can also tattoo them by going to a tattoo studio.
- You can change your characters' clothes by going to the appropriate area of their home. The latter is indicated on the map with an icon depicting a stylized house.
- Just like the protagonists of the game, you can also customize all the vehicles you own, such as cars and motorcycles.
Step 10. Learn how to navigate the world of GTA 5
Los Santos is a huge place: to give you an idea, it has a greater extent than the maps of GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption combined. For this reason, knowing how to move around the map is crucial if you want to survive in the game.
- To open the map, press the "Options" button on the controller (on Playstation), "Menu" (on Xbox) or press the "P" key on the keyboard (on PC). In the latter case, the game will be paused and the map will appear on the screen. To set a destination on the map, click on the corresponding point with the left mouse button (on PC) or press the "X" key on the controller (on Playstation) or "A" (on Xbox).
- Find out what the icons on the map mean. The map of GTA 5 is dotted with numerous symbols that refer to missions, special events, shops and the location of the other protagonists that you are not currently using. Carefully scroll through the map legend to find out the meaning of each icon and know where to go when you need to reach a certain location.
- You can select any point on the map as your destination and the game will automatically calculate the shortest route to reach it from where you are. This is a feature that will be found to be fundamental.
Step 11. Drive safely
GTA 5 is far less forgiving than its predecessors when it comes to killing pedestrians and vandalizing when you're driving. This means that at the first driving mistake, such as running over a pedestrian, the police will immediately mark you as wanted. By taking these actions, your wanted level will immediately increase by one star, so be cautious.
In any case, you should also be very cautious when moving on foot. If bystanders see you engaging in illegal or suspicious action, they will immediately try to contact the police. The same is true if you find yourself committing something stupid in front of a police officer
Part 2 of 3: Tackling the Missions
Step 1. Start with the first mission of the game
The first two missions of GTA 5 are a tutorial to learn the game mechanics and become familiar with the controls. The first mission you will have to face it with Michael and Trevor, while the second with Franklin. When you have successfully completed these missions, you will be free to roam the streets of Los Santos and carry out the various missions at the pace and in the sequence you want.
Step 2. Reach the mission locations using the map
All missions are marked on the map with the initials of the person who commissions them. Open the game map and select a mission. On the mini map will appear the path to follow to reach the place from where you can start the chosen mission. Follow the path indicated in yellow on the mini map, walking or using a vehicle to reach the point from which you can start the mission. Missions can only be tackled using a specific character. Michael's missions are marked on the map with blue letters, Franklin's missions are marked with green letters, and Trevor's missions are marked with orange letters.
Step 3. Use your mobile phone
This is a feature that was removed in previous versions and has now been reintroduced. In GTA 5, your mobile will be very convenient for you to progress through the game and keep in touch with all the people who can offer you well-paid extra jobs. Using your smartphone, you will have the ability to access the simulated web within GTA 5, which will further increase the things you can do and improve the gaming experience.
Step 4. Spend the money wisely
As you complete the missions, you will earn a lot of money. If you want to complete missions with a higher success rate, you will need to learn how to spend your money wisely.
- Most missions are usually dangerous: they involve shooting and car chases. For this reason you will need to buy better and better weapons. To purchase new weapons and accessories for the ones you already own, you can go to the "Ammu-Nation" shops scattered around the map.
- Likewise, you will need to upgrade your vehicles, or at least the one you use as your getaway car. Remember that playing GTA 5 you will have to go through countless car chases with the police, so it is in your best interest to get yourself a fast, sturdy and reliable vehicle.
Step 5. Find out when to switch between characters
Since you have three characters at your disposal in GTA 5, the missions are evenly distributed among all three. There will be times when you will no longer have missions available for a particular character. In that case, you will simply have to use one of the other two available. This way you will never get bored.
Step 6. Take on side missions as well
To get the best experience playing GTA 5, you must also complete all the side missions before continuing with the main ones. The secondary missions have multiple purposes, ranging from improving the statistics of your characters, to enriching the plot of the game and letting you discover all the aspects of the personality of the protagonists. If you have set yourself a goal of completing GTA 5 at 100%, this step is critical.
Part 3 of 3: Complete Story Mode
Step 1. Complete all main missions
After completing all the extra tasks and side missions in the game, you are ready to complete the missions related to the main storyline. What you will need to do is complete the main missions, but only after making sure that there are no more personal missions for the individual protagonists of GTA 5.
Step 2. Use everything you have learned
As you face the latest missions of the game, you will notice that the objectives to be achieved will become more and more difficult. At this point, you'll need to dig into everything you've learned while playing GTA 5.
Step 3. Finish the game
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and GTA 5 is not immune to this fundamental rule, because sooner or later you will have to face the last mission. However, this will not be a walk in the park and will put your decision-making skills to the test. Without revealing anything, you will find that by completing the last mission you will agree that GTA 5 is and will forever remain one of the best games ever.
- After completing the game, you will still be able to roam freely around Los Santos in search of what are known as "easter eggs" that the developers of GTA 5 wanted to hide in the game world. The most popular are the site where a UFO crashed, hunt the Bigfoot or explore the "FIB" building. All you have to do is go exploring and have fun.
- After completing the single player mode, you will be ready to play with friends and GTA 5 lovers from all over the world via GTA Online, so everything you have learned will be needed to play online.
