Unlocking Franklin’s Final Chapter: A Comprehensive Guide to GTA 5’s Endings

So, you’ve torn through Los Santos as Franklin Clinton, but feel like there’s more to the story? You’re itching to unlock his “last mission” and see everything GTA 5 has to offer? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down how to unlock Franklin’s true final mission and what that entails.

The key is understanding that Franklin doesn’t have just one last mission. He’s the catalyst for the game’s ending, and his “last mission” branches into three distinct choices that determine the fate of Michael, Trevor, and ultimately, Los Santos itself. To unlock these choices, you need to complete the main storyline up to “The Big One” heist. After this, Franklin will receive phone calls and missions leading to the final confrontation. Crucially, save your game before starting these missions.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Complete the Main Story: Push through all the main missions until you finish “The Big One”. This is the pivotal point where the ending becomes accessible.

2. Receive the Calls: After “The Big One,” Franklin will be contacted by both Steve Haines (FIB) and Devin Weston (Billionaire). Haines wants Franklin to eliminate Trevor, while Weston demands Michael’s death.

3. The Pivotal Choice: Franklin is faced with a dilemma: kill Trevor, kill Michael, or find a “third way.” This is where the game truly gives you the choice of your ending.

4. The Three Endings:

   • Ending A: “Something Sensible” (Kill Trevor): Franklin follows Haines’ order and eliminates Trevor.
   • Ending B: “The Time’s Come” (Kill Michael): Franklin succumbs to Weston’s pressure and kills Michael.
   • Ending C: “The Third Way” (Deathwish): Franklin, with the help of Lamar, decides to save both Michael and Trevor and take on both Haines and Weston.

Understanding the Consequences

Choosing either Ending A or Ending B results in the death of a major character. This has significant in-game consequences:

• Loss of a Playable Character: The character you eliminate becomes permanently unavailable. You can no longer switch to them in free roam.
• Asset Loss: The properties and assets owned by the deceased character are essentially gone.
• Altered Dialogue and Events: The game world reacts to the character’s death, with altered dialogue and events reflecting their absence.

“The Third Way” – The Canon Ending

Most players consider “The Third Way” (Ending C) to be the “true” or canon ending of GTA 5. This is because:

• All Three Protagonists Survive: You get to keep playing as all three characters after completing the story.
• Story Resolution: It provides a more satisfying resolution to the conflicts between the characters and their enemies.
• Expanded Gameplay: Maintaining all three characters allows you to continue exploring Los Santos and Blaine County with their unique abilities and perspectives.

How to Access “The Last One” (Strangers and Freaks Mission)

There is also a very specific Strangers and Freaks mission called “The Last One”, which might be confused with Franklin’s “last mission”, the end game choice.

• Prerequisites: To trigger this side quest, you must achieve 100% game completion. This includes completing all main missions, Strangers and Freaks missions, 14 random events, all hobbies and pastimes, and all miscellaneous tasks (excluding those added with returning player bonuses).
• Location: After achieving 100% completion, the question mark will eventually appear in the Mt. Chiliad forest.
• The Encounter: Go to the question mark as Franklin and you will run into a hunter who is hunting The Last One (Bigfoot).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding unlocking Franklin’s last mission and the endings of GTA 5, offering deeper insights into the game’s finale:

1. Do I need 100% completion to unlock Franklin’s ending choices?

No, you do not need 100% completion to unlock the main ending choices (A, B, or C). You only need to complete the main story missions up to “The Big One.” The 100% completion requirement is only relevant to unlock “The Last One” side mission.

2. What happens if I choose to kill Trevor?

If you choose to kill Trevor (Ending A), Franklin and Michael will carry out the hit. Trevor dies, and you lose access to him as a playable character. His assets are gone, and the remaining characters discuss his death.

3. What happens if I choose to kill Michael?

If you choose to kill Michael (Ending B), Franklin carries out Weston’s order. Michael dies, and you lose access to him as a playable character. Similar to Trevor’s death, his assets are lost, and the remaining characters acknowledge his passing.

4. What are the benefits of choosing “The Third Way”?

Choosing “The Third Way” (Ending C) allows you to save both Michael and Trevor. You retain access to all three playable characters, experience a more complete story resolution, and can continue exploring the game world with all their unique abilities.

5. How do I trigger “The Third Way” ending?

To trigger “The Third Way,” you must refuse to kill either Trevor or Michael. When Franklin is presented with the choice, he will call Lamar for advice, unlocking the option to team up and save them both.

6. Is there a “best” ending in GTA 5?

While subjective, most players consider “The Third Way” to be the best ending. It allows you to keep all three protagonists alive and offers a more satisfying conclusion to the story. It is also considered the canon ending.

7. Can I replay the ending missions?

Yes, after completing any of the endings, you can replay them from the mission select menu. This allows you to experience all three outcomes without losing your progress. This is why saving your game beforehand is crucial.

8. Does killing Trevor or Michael affect the gameplay after the story?

Yes, killing either Trevor or Michael significantly impacts the gameplay. You lose access to the deceased character, which affects your ability to complete certain side missions or activities that are specific to that character.

9. What are the consequences of killing a character in terms of side missions?

Some side missions are character-specific. If you kill the character associated with those missions, you will no longer be able to complete them.

10. How does Lamar play into the ending choices?

Lamar’s role is crucial in unlocking “The Third Way.” When Franklin is conflicted about killing either Michael or Trevor, he calls Lamar for advice. Lamar suggests they team up to save both of them, leading to the “Deathwish” mission.

11. What is “The Last One” Strangers and Freaks mission about?

“The Last One” is a Strangers and Freaks mission that becomes available after achieving 100% game completion. In this mission, Franklin encounters a hunter searching for Bigfoot in the Mt. Chiliad forest.

12. Does “The Last One” mission affect the main story ending?

No, “The Last One” is a side mission and does not affect the main story ending choices. It’s a fun Easter egg for players who have fully explored the game.

13. How much in-game time does it take for the ending choices to appear after “The Big One”?

The phone calls and missions leading to the final confrontation should appear relatively soon after completing “The Big One.” If they don’t appear immediately, try completing a few minor activities or sleeping in-game to advance the time.

14. Are there any missable missions that prevent me from reaching the ending?

No, all the main story missions are required to progress towards the ending. There are no missable missions that would prevent you from reaching the final choices.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of video games on learning and education?

For more information on the impact of video games on learning and education, you can visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization explores how games can be used to enhance learning and development.

By following these steps and understanding the consequences of your choices, you’ll be well-equipped to unlock Franklin’s final mission(s) and experience the true ending of Grand Theft Auto 5. Choose wisely!