The Definitive Guide to GTA 5 Endings: Choosing the Best Fate for Franklin, Michael, and Trevor

The question that has plagued Grand Theft Auto V players since 2013: What is the best ending choice in GTA 5? The answer, unequivocally, is Option C: Deathwish. While the lure of a larger payout in the other endings might seem tempting, the narrative and gameplay implications of killing off either Trevor or Michael far outweigh any financial gain. Choosing Deathwish allows all three protagonists to survive, preserving the dynamic trio and unlocking the full potential of the game’s open world. You get to keep all three characters playable and maintain their unique skills, relationships, and storylines. This ending honors the bond forged between the characters and provides the most satisfying and complete experience. Deathwish is not only the best ending, it’s also the canon ending that ensures everyone makes it through.

Why Deathwish Reigns Supreme: A Detailed Breakdown

Choosing the “best” ending in GTA 5 goes beyond simply maximizing profits. It’s about preserving the integrity of the storyline, maintaining gameplay options, and experiencing the game to its fullest. Here’s a deeper look at why Deathwish is the superior choice:

• Character Preservation: The heart of GTA 5 lies in the complex relationships between Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Each character brings unique skills, perspectives, and missions to the table. Killing off Trevor or Michael not only diminishes the narrative depth, but also removes a significant portion of the gameplay experience.

• Gameplay Continuity: Eliminating either Trevor or Michael removes them from the freeroam world. This means you lose access to their special abilities, safehouses, vehicles, and character-specific missions. Deathwish ensures that all three characters remain available, maximizing your options for exploration and mayhem. This freedom to switch between the protagonists is a core aspect of the game’s appeal.

• Narrative Closure: Ending A (killing Trevor) and Ending B (killing Michael) both feel anticlimactic and leave a lingering sense of dissatisfaction. They betray the camaraderie that develops throughout the game and feel like a forced, negative conclusion. Deathwish, on the other hand, provides a sense of triumph as the trio unites to overcome their enemies and solidify their bond.

• Maintaining Relationships: As the article excerpt reveals, choosing to kill either Trevor or Michael dramatically impacts Franklin’s relationships with the remaining character. Deathwish is the only option that guarantees Franklin can continue to hangout with both of them.

• 100% Completion: As the article states, the only way to reach 100% completion in GTA 5 is by ensuring all main characters make it through the last mission. Trevor can not be killed.

The Drawbacks of Endings A and B: A Grave Mistake

The alternatives to Deathwish come with significant consequences:

• Ending A: Killing Trevor: This option leaves a void in the game’s dynamic. Trevor’s chaotic energy and unpredictable behavior are a major part of the GTA 5 experience. Killing him off removes a vital source of entertainment and diminishes the overall fun factor. Moreover, the impact to Franklin’s relationship with Michael is immense, since Michael is essentially asking Franklin to kill someone that he has grown to care about.

• Ending B: Killing Michael: While Michael’s character arc can be seen as somewhat resolved, killing him off feels like a betrayal of the player’s investment in his story. He is the glue that holds much of the narrative together. This choice also negatively impacts Franklin’s relationship, leaving him with a feeling of guilt and emptiness. Not only that, but the money is given to his family, so you get none.

Choosing either of these endings results in a diminished experience. You’re essentially cutting off a limb and limiting the potential for future gameplay.

Deathwish: A United Front and Satisfying Conclusion

Deathwish involves Franklin teaming up with Michael and Trevor to eliminate their common enemies. This ending is action-packed, rewarding, and ultimately satisfying.

• The Fight for Survival: The mission is challenging and requires teamwork and strategy. You’ll need to utilize the unique skills of all three characters to succeed, solidifying the bond between them.

• Justice Served: Deathwish allows you to exact revenge on the antagonists who have wronged you throughout the game. This provides a sense of closure and satisfaction that is lacking in the other endings.

• A Brighter Future: By choosing Deathwish, you ensure that all three characters can move forward with their lives, albeit with a newfound appreciation for the importance of loyalty and friendship.

Ultimately, Deathwish is the ending that delivers the most complete and satisfying experience in GTA 5. It preserves the characters, maintains gameplay options, and provides a sense of closure that is lacking in the alternative endings. Don’t make the mistake of sacrificing long-term enjoyment for a short-term financial gain. Choose Deathwish and experience GTA 5 to its fullest.

The insights gained from analyzing games can extend beyond entertainment, informing educational practices and research. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org, explore the potential of games as learning tools. Understanding how narrative choices impact player experience in games like GTA 5 can contribute to a deeper understanding of engagement and decision-making in various contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About GTA 5 Endings

Here are some of the most common questions regarding the endings of GTA 5, answered to help you make the most informed decision:

1. Do you get more money by killing Trevor or Deathwish? You get slightly more money by killing Trevor and splitting his share between Franklin and Michael. However, the gameplay and narrative consequences far outweigh the financial benefit. If you choose to kill Michael, Lester gives the money to his family.

2. What happens if Franklin chooses death wish? Franklin teams up with Michael and Trevor to eliminate their common enemies in a massive shootout. All three characters survive, and the main antagonists are killed, providing a sense of closure and triumph.

3. Does Trevor know Michael betrayed him? Yes, Trevor finds out the truth when he goes to dig up Michael’s grave in Ludendorff. This discovery fuels his anger and resentment towards Michael.

4. Can you revive Trevor back after killing him? No, Trevor is dead and gone permanently. The only way to have Trevor in your game again is to reload a previous save before you were about to make the decision.

5. What is the true ending of GTA 5? Option C: Deathwish is widely considered the canon ending, where all three protagonists survive and unite against their enemies. It’s the most satisfying and logical conclusion to the story.

6. Can you save cars as Trevor? Yes, you can save cars as Trevor in his garages at his safehouses. Each of the three main characters has their own library of cars.

7. Can you switch to Trevor after killing Michael? No, once you kill Michael, he is permanently removed from the game. The same is true if you kill Trevor.

8. Is The Big Score the last mission? The Big Score is the last heist in GTA 5, but it’s not the very final mission. The ending you choose determines the missions that follow. Deathwish leads to a final, action-packed mission where you eliminate your enemies.

9. What to do after final mission in GTA 5? After completing the main story, you can explore the open world, complete side missions, engage in random events, and play GTA Online.

10. Can Trevor survive GTA 5? Yes, Trevor survives if you choose the Deathwish ending. There is also evidence in GTA Online that Trevor is still alive after the events of Grand Theft Auto V.

11. Why does Michael hate Trevor? Michael doesn’t necessarily hate Trevor, but he is wary of his unpredictable and violent behavior. Their friendship is complex and filled with tension.

12. Why did Michael fake his death to Trevor? Michael made a deal with the FIB to give up Trevor and Brad in exchange for immunity and a new life. This betrayal is a major source of conflict throughout the game.

13. Can Trevor hang out with Jimmy after killing Michael? No, if you kill Michael, Trevor will no longer be your friend, so you can’t hang out with him or Jimmy. The only way to continue hanging out with Trevor is to choose Ending C.

14. What happens if Franklin kills Chop? Although it is very unlikely, if Chop gets killed in the single-player campaign, he will return to the game after a short amount of time.

15. What happens if Franklin kills Michael? If you kill Michael, his share is given to his family, and you get nothing. This ending is generally considered the least rewarding, both narratively and financially.

Choosing the right ending in GTA 5 is crucial for maximizing your enjoyment of the game. By considering the long-term consequences of each choice, you can ensure a more complete and satisfying experience. Remember, the best ending is the one that preserves the characters, maintains gameplay options, and provides a sense of closure. Deathwish is the clear winner.