Starting out in Grand Theft Auto V and thinking that story mode is just a few missions and some casual city cruising?
Oh, Los Santos will prove you wrong in no time. This is a world where three protagonists run their own games – sometimes in sync, sometimes in complete chaos – and your job is to squeeze as much fun as possible out of that explosive mix.
In this beginner’s guide, you’ll find practical tips for new players that will help you feel at home in Los Santos faster. You’ll learn to make the most of special abilities, earn your first serious cash, pick the right gear and vehicles, and not get blind sided by a plot line that loves to pull 180-degree twists.
First Steps in Los Santos
The story mode basics of GTA 5 let you control three legendary protagonists: Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Each one lives a different life, with their own style and relationships that affect how the story unfolds.
One of the most important mechanics is character switching – at any moment you can swap heroes and see things from a totally different perspective. This lets you use each character’s skills depending on the situation: Franklin is the wheel man, Michael excels in precision shooting, and Trevor is basically a walking hurricane of destruction.
This mechanic makes a huge difference, especially in missions and heists, which often feel like scenes straight out of a blockbuster action movie.
Special Abilities: Power, Activation, and Leveling
The story mode basics go beyond simply switching between characters. Each of the three has a unique special ability that can save your skin in critical moments.
For Franklin, it’s Driving Focus, slowing down time while driving so you can pull off slick manoeuvres. Michael can trigger bullet-time in combat, lining up multiple headshots in seconds. Trevor enters rage mode, dealing extra damage and tanking hits like a beast.
You activate these with specific button combos, and they level up the more you use them. Practice regularly – both in missions and during free-roam – and you’ll quickly notice they grow much more powerful.
Money Making – Heists, Stock Market, and Properties
Making cash in GTA 5 is as thrilling as the action itself – and you’ll never run out of reasons to spend it, whether it’s for new weapons, fast vehicles, or luxury properties.
Heists are some of the flashiest and most profitable jobs in story mode. The key is smart planning – from strategy to crew selection. After all, you don’t want a rookie dropping the cash bag on the first corner. Better specialists demand a bigger cut, but they also lower the chance of failure.
The stock market is another goldmine. Lester’s missions are basically insider trading opportunities – buy low, sell high, and you can walk away with a fortune. For the long term, investing in real estate pays off: properties generate passive income and sometimes unlock extra missions. The downside is the high entry cost, but the return comes quickly.
Weapons And Gear – What to Grab Early
The right arsenal often decides whether you finish a mission as a hero or restart from the last checkpoint. Early on, aim for a balanced loadout: a pistol for everyday fights, an assault rifle for serious business, and a shotgun for close-range chaos.
Scouting the map for free weapon and armour spawns is a clever money-saving move. While Ammu-Nation is the classic go-to, Los Santos hides plenty of spots where the best toys can be found for free – you just need to explore.
Vehicles – Speed or Safety?
A good ride is half the battle in GTA 5. Sports cars let you dominate races and escape cops with style, while armoured vehicles give you an edge in heavy firefights.
The sweet spot? Keep at least two: one light and fast, the other tough and durable. That way, you’re ready whether the plan is sleek stealth or all-out chaos. Bonus tip: some cars can be snagged for free if you know where to look.
Exploration and Side Missions – Because Story Isn’t Everything
The fun of story mode isn’t limited to the main plot. Los Santos is bursting with side content – from “Strangers & Freaks” missions to random encounters that can turn a casual drive into a wild adventure.
Collectibles scattered around the map unlock rewards, and exploring less-travelled areas often reveals cool spots and Easter Eggs. These extras are worth the time: they deepen your knowledge of Los Santos, stock you up with gear and experience, and often give you bonus beginner tips that make the rest of the game smoother.
Conclusion
Grand Theft Auto V’s story mode offers a level of freedom few other titles can match. Character switching, developing special abilities, smart money making, and choosing the right weapons and vehicles turn every mission into a mini masterpiece of controlled (or not-so-controlled) chaos.
And when you finally reach the end, you’ll face a tough choice – three endings, three very different consequences. Two of them can get pretty… brutal. But if you want to keep the whole crew alive and experience the most complete finale, you’ll know which option to pick. Let’s just say: go with the one where nobody ends up zipped in a body bag.