The Fateful Choice: Exploring the Kill Options in GTA 5
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Grand Theft Auto 5 presents players with a pivotal decision at its climax: who, if anyone, should Franklin kill? This decision branches the narrative into three distinct endings, each with its own consequences for the characters and the overall storyline. The three options are: Option A – Kill Trevor, Option B – Kill Michael, or Option C – Deathwish (The Third Way). Each choice drastically alters the post-game world and character dynamics, making it a decision players should carefully consider.
Delving into the Deathly Dilemma
The core of the final mission revolves around Franklin Clinton, caught between conflicting demands from different factions. Steve Haines and Dave Norton from the FIB instruct him to eliminate Trevor Philips, deeming him an unpredictable liability. Simultaneously, the wealthy and vindictive Devin Weston demands the assassination of Michael De Santa, holding him responsible for various misfortunes.
Franklin is faced with a seemingly impossible choice: betray a close friend and business partner, or submit to the demands of powerful individuals who have consistently manipulated him. This moral quandary forms the dramatic backbone of the game’s finale, forcing players to confront the often-bleak consequences of their actions within the criminal underworld of Los Santos.
Option A: The Unfortunate End of Trevor Philips
Choosing to kill Trevor means succumbing to the pressure from the FIB and arguably making the “practical” choice, albeit a morally questionable one. Franklin lures Trevor to a secluded location, where he is ambushed and ultimately killed by Franklin and Michael.
Consequences:
- Trevor’s Death: Trevor is permanently removed from the game world. He becomes unplayable, and all of his assets, safehouses, and unique missions are inaccessible.
- Financial Gain: Michael and Franklin split Trevor’s share of the final heist payout.
- Damaged Relationships: While Michael participates in the assassination, the act strains his relationship with Franklin. Trevor’s absence is keenly felt, and certain post-game activities are no longer available.
- Missed Content: Players lose access to Trevor’s unique abilities and interactions, impacting the overall gameplay experience.
Option B: Saying Goodbye to Michael De Santa
Opting to kill Michael involves a similar setup, with Franklin luring Michael to a designated spot. However, this time, Franklin is the one who carries out the assassination, pushing Michael off a structure to his apparent death.
Consequences:
- Michael’s Death: Like Trevor, Michael is permanently removed from the game. He is unplayable, and his associated content is lost.
- No Financial Reward for Franklin: Michael’s share of the heist money is given to his family, leaving Franklin empty-handed.
- Strained Relationships: Franklin’s decision deeply impacts his relationship with Trevor, who views it as a betrayal.
- Missed Content: Michael’s unique skills and story arcs are lost, limiting the post-game possibilities.
Option C: Deathwish – The Third Way
The Deathwish ending, often considered the “canon” ending, presents a third option: defying both the FIB and Devin Weston. Franklin, with the help of Michael and Trevor, chooses to confront their enemies head-on. This option involves a lengthy and challenging mission where the trio team up to eliminate their adversaries, culminating in the death of Steve Haines and Devin Weston.
Consequences:
- All Characters Survive: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor all live, maintaining their relationships and playability.
- Financial Reward: Each character receives a cut of the final heist payout.
- Stronger Bonds: The experience strengthens the bond between the three protagonists, allowing for a richer and more complete post-game experience.
- Complete Content: Players retain access to all characters, missions, and unique interactions, enabling them to fully explore the game world.
- Considered the “True” Ending: Many players and critics consider this the most satisfying conclusion, as it aligns with the characters’ development and avoids the tragic loss of any of the protagonists.
Making the Right Choice: A Matter of Preference?
Ultimately, the “best” choice depends on the player’s preferences. Some may prefer the darker, more realistic consequences of killing either Trevor or Michael. However, Deathwish offers the most complete and satisfying experience, preserving the core trio and allowing players to fully enjoy the game’s post-story content. This is also the only ending to get a full 100% completion of the game. The way the characters act afterwards is a bit jarring if one of the main characters is dead.
Choosing Deathwish avoids the regret of losing a beloved character and ensures the availability of all gameplay elements. By uniting against their enemies, Michael, Franklin, and Trevor demonstrate their resilience and forge a lasting bond, solidifying their place in the Grand Theft Auto pantheon. This is the most compelling and rewarding narrative conclusion, which is why most players favor the “Third Way.”
Understanding how games like GTA 5 use narrative choices to influence player emotions is key to unlocking the potential of games as learning tools, something the Games Learning Society explores in depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Which ending is considered the “canon” ending of GTA 5?
Option C, Deathwish, is widely considered the canon ending. It’s the only one where all three protagonists survive and continue to be playable.
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What happens if I kill Trevor in GTA 5?
If you kill Trevor, he dies permanently and is no longer playable. Michael and Franklin split his share of the final heist, but you lose access to his missions, safehouses, and unique abilities.
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What happens if I kill Michael in GTA 5?
If you kill Michael, he dies permanently and is no longer playable. Franklin receives no financial reward, as Michael’s share goes to his family. You also damage your relationship with Trevor.
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How much money do I get if I choose Deathwish?
If you choose Deathwish, all three characters survive, and each receives approximately $20 million from the heist.
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Can I still hang out with Michael or Trevor if I kill one of them?
No, if you kill Michael or Trevor, the surviving character will no longer want to associate with Franklin. They will not participate in any post-game activities.
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Does killing Trevor give me more money?
While Michael and Franklin do split Trevor’s share if you choose to kill him, you ultimately lose out on potential future earnings from his unique missions and activities.
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Can I get 100% completion if I kill Trevor or Michael?
You can still technically achieve a high completion percentage even if one of the characters dies. However, some players feel that the absence of a main character prevents a “true” 100% completion, as certain side activities and interactions become unavailable. The only way to have a true 100% of the game is to choose Deathwish.
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Which GTA game is considered the hardest to beat?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is often cited as one of the most challenging games in the series due to its difficult missions and unforgiving gameplay mechanics.
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Is it possible to beat GTA 5 without killing anyone?
No, it is not possible to complete GTA 5 without killing anyone. The game’s story and missions require the use of lethal force.
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Can I play as Michael after killing him?
No, once Michael is killed in one of the ending options, he becomes permanently unplayable for the rest of that particular game save.
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Are there any perks to killing Trevor or Michael?
There are no significant benefits to killing either character. The only minor advantage is that the final mission is slightly shorter if you choose to eliminate one of them. However, the disadvantages far outweigh any perceived benefit.
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What happens if I choose the Deathwish ending?
In the Deathwish ending, Franklin, Michael, and Trevor team up to eliminate their enemies. All three survive, retain their relationships, and continue to be playable in the post-game.
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How many main missions are there in GTA 5?
There are a total of 69 main missions in Grand Theft Auto 5.
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Can Trevor survive GTA 5?
Yes, Trevor survives if you choose the Deathwish (Option C) ending.
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What should I do after completing the final mission in GTA 5?
After completing the final mission, you can explore the open world, complete side missions, participate in activities, and play GTA Online. If everyone survives, you can continue switching between all three characters.
Understanding narrative choices like those in GTA 5 can open new avenues for education, and more information about the intersection of gaming and education can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.