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What Happens If You Save Michael in GTA 5?

If you choose to save Michael in Grand Theft Auto V’s final mission, “The Third Way” (also known as “Deathwish”), you’re opting for the storyline’s canon and arguably most satisfying ending. In this scenario, Franklin refuses to kill either Michael or Trevor. Instead, he enlists their help, and the trio unite to take down their various enemies, including Devin Weston and the FIB. This is considered the “true” ending, as it allows all three protagonists to survive and remain playable after the main story concludes. Choosing to save both Michael and Trevor unlocks the “Deathwish” achievement/trophy.

Understanding the Choice: The Third Way

Franklin is put in an impossible situation, forced by corrupt agents and a billionaire to eliminate one of his closest allies, Michael or Trevor. He has two options presented to him in the story mode, to either kill Trevor or Michael. However, the third option is to refuse to kill either one. This third option offers the best possible conclusion for the game’s narrative.

What Happens During “The Third Way”?

Choosing “The Third Way” sets in motion a complex mission where Franklin, Michael, and Trevor decide to team up and eliminate all those who have been manipulating them throughout the game. This involves a series of coordinated attacks against key antagonists, culminating in a final confrontation with Devin Weston. All three characters play a vital role in the success of this ultimate showdown.

The Aftermath of Choosing “Deathwish”

All Three Protagonists Survive: This is the most significant outcome. Michael, Franklin, and Trevor all live, allowing you to continue playing as any of them in the open world after the story concludes.
The Possibility of Re-engaging with Characters: Unlike the other endings where a protagonist dies, choosing this option means you can still interact with all three characters in the freeroam game environment.
Moral Satisfaction: Many players find this ending to be the most morally sound, as it avoids the unnecessary death of a main character and highlights the theme of loyalty and friendship.
Unlocks Specific Missions: A handful of unique missions may be available as part of this storyline.
Investment opportunities: Certain stocks, such as Cluckin’ Bell and Gruppe Sachs, will increase to their original value. This allows you to potentially make a profit from these stocks.

Why Saving Michael is a Popular Choice

Many players prefer this ending because it aligns with the spirit of the game’s narrative, offering a sense of resolution and camaraderie. Moreover, saving Michael and Trevor enables players to experience the full breadth of gameplay available, as each character has unique skills, missions, and interactions. From a narrative perspective, Grand Theft Auto V is about the unexpected bonds that form between these three very different men. Eliminating one of them undermines this core theme.

Avoiding the Alternatives: The Consequences of Killing Michael or Trevor

Choosing to kill either Michael or Trevor has significant consequences:

Permanent Loss of a Playable Character: Once killed, that character is gone for good, unless you reload a previous save.
Loss of Unique Skills and Missions: Each character has unique abilities and side missions that become unavailable upon their death.
Altered Relationships: The remaining characters may react negatively to Franklin, impacting their interactions.
Moral Dilemma: Many players find these endings morally troubling, as they involve the betrayal and murder of a key character.
Financial Implications: If Trevor is killed, Michael will no longer be able to trust Franklin. Jimmy will no longer hang out with Michael due to Michael’s involvement in Trevor’s death, but can still hang out with Franklin. If Franklin kills Michael, he will lose his father-figure and his best friend’s trust.

The Games Learning Society and Storytelling in Games

The choices you make in games like Grand Theft Auto V highlight the power of interactive storytelling. As highlighted by organizations like the Games Learning Society, game narratives can provide players with opportunities to explore complex moral dilemmas and experience the consequences of their decisions. This can lead to deeper engagement with the game world and a greater appreciation for the art of storytelling. You can learn more about the impact of gaming on society on GamesLearningSociety.org.

In conclusion, saving Michael in Grand Theft Auto V through “The Third Way” is the preferred choice for many players. It allows for a satisfying narrative conclusion, preserves the integrity of the core trio, and unlocks the full potential of the game’s open-world gameplay. While the other endings offer a more tragic conclusion, they do come at the expense of the player’s overall game experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still play as Michael if I kill him?

No. If you choose to kill Michael during the final mission, he becomes permanently unavailable as a playable character. You can reload a previous save before the mission to play as him again.

2. What happens to Michael’s assets if I kill him?

According to the information available, if you kill Michael, then his share is given to his family and you get nothing.

3. If I choose to save Michael, can I still kill him later?

Yes, but only indirectly. If you choose “The Third Way” and complete the game, you can still initiate a fight with Michael or Trevor in the open world, potentially leading to their death, but they will respawn allowing you to still play them.

4. Does saving Michael give me any special rewards or advantages?

Saving Michael unlocks the “Deathwish” achievement/trophy and allows you to continue playing as all three protagonists in the open world, retaining their unique abilities and storylines.

5. What are the financial implications of saving Michael compared to killing him?

If you choose to kill either Michel or Trevor, you’ll spend the end mission killing them, after that Lester will give you a call (I only killed Trevor but am assuming its the same for Michel too, but I guess his family gets the money not Frank) telling you he can’t reach one or the other (depending on who you killed) … Choosing “The Third Way” is financially advantageous.

6. Can Michael forgive Franklin if I try to kill him?

Michael refuses to forgive Franklin and claims he should have killed him when he broke into Michael’s house.

7. What happens to Michael’s family if I kill him?

If you kill Michael, then his share is given to his family.

8. Is “The Third Way” the canon ending of GTA V?

While Rockstar Games has never explicitly stated a canon ending, “The Third Way” is widely regarded as such by the community due to its positive resolution and the fact that all three protagonists survive.

9. What are the key differences between the three endings of GTA V?

Ending A (Killing Trevor): Trevor dies; Michael and Franklin remain playable, but their relationship is strained.
Ending B (Killing Michael): Michael dies; Franklin and Trevor remain playable, but their relationship is strained.
Ending C (The Third Way): All three protagonists survive and team up to defeat their enemies.

10. How does choosing “The Third Way” impact the overall story of GTA V?

Choosing “The Third Way” allows for a more complete and satisfying resolution to the game’s narrative, preserving the bonds between the three protagonists and allowing them to move forward together.

11. Does killing Trevor give you more money?

Choosing “The Third Way” is financially advantageous. If you choose to kill either Michel or Trevor, you’ll spend the end mission killing them, after that Lester will give you a call (I only killed Trevor but am assuming its the same for Michel too, but I guess his family gets the money not Frank) telling you he can’t reach one or the other (depending on who you killed) …

12. What should I invest in before Deathwish GTA 5?

Cluckin’ Bell will increase to its original value if you go with The ? Third Way (Deathwish) ending choice, for about a 65% return if you buy at its low and sell at its high. Gruppe Sachs will also increase to its original value, for about a 30% – 35% return if you buy at its low and sell at its high.

13. Can Franklin hang out with Michael after killing Trevor?

Trevor won’t hang out with you. Michael will do the same if you kill Trevor. They basically won’t be your friend anymore. The only way to continue hanging out with either one of them is to choose Ending C.

14. Does Devin ever pay Franklin?

Devin Weston gives Michael, Franklin, and Trevor repo jobs and does not pay them at the end of it. This angers the protagonists and they finally get their revenge against him after he even tries to get Michael’s family killed and asks Franklin to kill Michael.

15. Why does Michael headbutt Franklin?

Michael is prone to rash decisions. He rarely thinks about the consequences of his actions. Perhaps he headbutted Franklin out of a state of anger as it was a stressful situation. Michael was not in a clear state of mind.

What if I save Michael?