01Michael De Santa
Retired bank robber
He made a deal with the FIB, changed his name and moved to Los Santos. He has a mansion, pool, a family that cannot stand him and boredom he cannot bear.
Special ability
Bullet Time
Slows time while shooting. Best for confined firefights where movement cannot avoid incoming fire.
How he plays
Gunfights, planned missions and the family storyline. Michael carries the main plot of the trio.
His therapist is one of the game's best-written supporting characters. The optional sessions are missed by most players.
He begins by taking cars from people who cannot pay. He wants to move up, and Michael is his route in.
Special ability
Slow motion while driving
Slows time while driving. Decisive in races and police escapes, especially for otherwise impossible bends.
How he plays
Driving, races and pursuits. Franklin alone can start and finish the Omega strand that unlocks spaceship-part collecting.
The final decision that determines the ending is presented through Franklin.
Michael's former partner, who believed him dead. When he learns otherwise, he comes to Los Santos and everything changes.
Special ability
Rampage
Deals double damage and halves damage received. The most forceful ability, useful when a plan fails and only a firefight remains.
How he plays
Chaos, flying and unplanned missions. Trevor has the most missions solvable through brute force.
Leave him unattended and return later, and Trevor wakes in unexpected locations. The game never explains this detail.
Three endings, and one that makes sense
The game has three endings, chosen only in the final mission. It is not a menu selection: the game asks, and the answer has consequences.
Kill Trevor
Franklin obeys the FIB. Trevor dies and Michael survives. The coldest ending.
Kill Michael
Franklin obeys Devin Weston. Michael dies and Trevor survives. The bitterest ending.
Deathwish
Franklin rejects both orders, and all three enter the final mission together. It is the hardest option and the only one that leaves the full trio available.
There is exactly one option for continuing with all three characters. The game does not warn you beforehand.
Where these abilities genuinely pay off
In the heists. Each has a separate approach and crew choice, which determines how much money you take.
