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How Long Does It Really Take to 100% Complete GTA 5?

So, you’re staring down the barrel of Los Santos, aiming for that coveted 100% completion in Grand Theft Auto V? You’re not alone! This sprawling, ambitious game offers a ridiculous amount of content, but how much time are you really committing to? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, has a few layers.

The short answer is that completing the main story missions in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) takes about 31½ hours. Achieving 100% completion of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) will likely take around 82½ hours. However, this is just an estimate. Your mileage may vary depending on skill level, play style, and how much you get distracted by the sheer chaos Los Santos offers! Some players breeze through, while others, gripped by perfectionism or simply enjoying the ride, take significantly longer – easily upwards of 100 hours.

Breaking Down the Completion Checklist

To truly understand the time commitment, let’s dissect what’s needed for that sweet, sweet 100% completion rating:

69 Storyline Missions: These are your bread and butter, the core narrative of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Expect a solid chunk of your time to be spent here.
20 Strangers and Freaks Missions: These side quests offer a lot of flavor and introduce you to the weirder side of San Andreas. Some are quick, others are surprisingly involved.
14 Random Events: Keep your eyes peeled! These spontaneous encounters pop up throughout the world and often involve helping (or hindering) the citizens of Los Santos.
42 Hobbies and Pastimes: This is where the hours can really rack up. Think tennis, golf, shooting range challenges, races (land, sea, and air!), flying school, and more. You’ll need to dedicate time to mastering these activities.
16 Miscellaneous Tasks: This is the grab bag of odds and ends. Finding collectibles like spaceship parts and submarine pieces, completing stunt jumps, purchasing properties, and triggering unique events all fall into this category.

Successfully completing all the mentioned activities is the key to 100% completion in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5)

Factors Influencing Completion Time

Several factors can significantly impact the time it takes to reach 100%:

Skill Level: A seasoned gamer familiar with GTA mechanics will naturally progress faster than a newcomer.
Play Style: Are you a completionist meticulously checking off every box, or do you prefer a more relaxed approach? A completionist will likely spend more time.
Vehicle Proficiency: Mastering driving, flying, and boating is crucial for many missions and activities. Poor skills here can lead to frustrating retries and wasted time.
Resource Management: Efficiently managing your money, weapons, and vehicles will streamline your progress.
Distractions: Let’s be honest, GTA V is a master of distractions. How often will you veer off course to chase a random police chase or explore a hidden corner of the map? These detours add up!
Reliance on Guides: Using guides and walkthroughs can save time on complex tasks, but some players prefer the challenge of figuring things out themselves.
Playing the Stock Market: Smart investments can yield fast and efficient way to build wealth in the game, which is crucial to buying properties needed for 100% completion.

Is 100% Completion Worth It?

That’s the million-dollar question. The reward for 100% completion is, admittedly, underwhelming in terms of in-game perks. You get an orange “100%” T-shirt for Franklin and can trigger UFO sightings. The real reward is the sense of accomplishment. You’ve truly conquered Los Santos and experienced everything the game has to offer. For many, that’s reward enough. Plus, you get the Career Criminal Trophy on your chosen platform!

FAQs: Your Burning GTA V Completion Questions Answered

1. What exactly counts towards 100% completion in GTA 5?

As mentioned earlier, it’s the combination of storyline missions, Strangers and Freaks missions, random events, hobbies and pastimes, and miscellaneous tasks. Checklists are readily available online to track your progress.

2. Is it harder to get 100% in GTA 5 than in other GTA games?

Generally, GTA: San Andreas is considered one of the most time-consuming and, arguably, more challenging GTA games to 100% complete. GTA V is demanding but offers more user-friendly mechanics and clearer objectives.

3. What are the most time-consuming activities for 100% completion?

Flying School, completing all the stunt jumps, and achieving gold medals in all applicable activities are notorious time-sinks.

4. Can I get 100% completion without playing online?

Absolutely! 100% completion refers to the single-player story mode only. GTA Online has its own separate progression system.

5. What happens after I reach 100% completion? Is there anything left to do?

While you’ve technically “finished” the game, Los Santos is still your playground. You can experiment with Director Mode, revisit missions, explore the map, cause chaos, or simply enjoy the freedom of the open world.

6. Is there a specific order I should follow to maximize efficiency?

There’s no one “right” way, but completing the storyline missions first provides context and unlocks new areas and opportunities. Then, tackling Strangers and Freaks missions and hobbies and pastimes as they become available is a good approach.

7. Are there any glitches or bugs that can prevent me from achieving 100% completion?

While rare, glitches can occur. It’s always a good idea to save frequently and be aware of known issues in the community.

8. How important is it to invest in properties for 100% completion?

Purchasing properties is a required element for 100% completion. Make sure you save enough money to buy them as they become available.

9. What are the UFO sightings related to 100% completion?

Upon achieving 100% completion, you can witness unique UFO sightings at specific locations (Mount Chiliad, Fort Zancudo, and Sandy Shores) under specific weather conditions (rain).

10. Are there any missable achievements or tasks that can lock me out of 100% completion?

No, nothing is permanently missable. You can always replay missions and revisit locations.

11. Can I use cheats and still get 100% completion?

Using cheats can disable achievements and trophies on some platforms, so it’s generally not recommended if your goal is 100% completion and the associated awards.

12. What’s the best way to make money fast in GTA 5 story mode?

Exploiting Lester’s assassination missions by investing in the targeted companies before each mission can yield massive profits.

13. Are there any specific skills I should focus on improving early on?

Driving, flying, and shooting are essential skills that will make many tasks easier and faster.

14. Where can I find reliable guides and checklists for 100% completion?

Numerous websites and YouTube channels offer detailed guides and checklists. Choose sources that are up-to-date and well-regarded by the GTA community.

15. Does playing on a faster platform (e.g., PC with high FPS) affect completion time?

Potentially. A smoother frame rate and faster loading times can marginally improve efficiency, but the biggest factor is still your skill and dedication.

Reaching 100% completion in GTA V is a significant undertaking, but it’s a rewarding journey for dedicated players. It is a fun way to improve your game playing skill. Just be prepared for a long haul, and remember to enjoy the chaos along the way!

If you’re interested in the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring the GamesLearningSociety.org.

How long does it take to 100% complete GTA 5?