GTA 5: The End is Just the Beginning – What to Do After the Final Mission
So, you’ve stared down the barrel of a shotgun, navigated the treacherous waters of Los Santos’ criminal underworld, and finally reached the end credits of Grand Theft Auto V. Congratulations! But don’t think for a second that the fun is over. In fact, for many players, the true sandbox experience begins after the last mission.
What to do after the last mission in GTA 5? The short answer is: everything you haven’t done yet! The world of Los Santos remains vibrant and interactive, teeming with opportunities for mayhem, exploration, and even some semblance of normalcy (if that’s your thing). You can explore the open world to discover some of the hidden treasures, and experience random events, or collectibles. In addition, you can make some money by replaying the story missions, and complete random encounters. You can also create your own chaos and see how long you can evade law enforcements. You can still play after the last mission because all three characters are available in free roam, and you keep all your possessions. You can complete unfinished side missions and hang out with friends.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how to squeeze every last drop of entertainment out of GTA 5 post-story:
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Dive into GTA Online: This is arguably the biggest and most rewarding option. GTA Online offers a constantly evolving world with new missions, vehicles, businesses, and heists being added regularly. From chaotic free roam sessions to meticulously planned cooperative heists, there’s something for everyone.
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Complete Unfinished Side Missions: Remember all those Strangers and Freaks missions you skipped over while chasing the main storyline? Now’s your chance to tackle them! Many of these missions offer unique storylines and rewards, adding depth and character to the world.
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Explore Los Santos and Blaine County: The GTA 5 map is vast and filled with secrets. Take some time to simply explore! Discover hidden locations, find collectibles, and encounter random events that you might have missed during the main story.
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Perfect Your Skills: Each character has a set of skills that can be improved through gameplay. Spend some time honing your shooting, driving, flying, and other skills to become a true master of Los Santos.
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Invest in the Stock Market: The stock market remains active after the story, allowing you to continue making (or losing) money based on in-game events and your own shrewd investments.
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Customize Your Characters and Vehicles: Express your personal style by customizing your characters’ clothing, hairstyles, and tattoos. Upgrade your vehicles with performance enhancements and visual modifications.
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Try Out Different Vehicles: GTA 5 boasts a massive collection of vehicles, from sports cars and motorcycles to helicopters and airplanes. Experiment with different vehicles and find your favorites.
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Create Your Own Chaos: Sometimes, the best thing to do is simply unleash your inner chaos. Engage in high-speed chases with the police, cause explosions, and generally wreak havoc on the city.
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Take on Challenges and Stunts: GTA 5 is packed with challenges and stunts scattered throughout the map. Test your skills and earn bragging rights by completing these difficult tasks.
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Hang Out with Friends: You can still call and hang out with all three characters and do fun activities with them. The opportunities are truly endless. The world of GTA 5 is your oyster, so go out there and make the most of it! And if you’re interested in learning more about the educational potential of games, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Their research explores how games can be used to promote learning and development.
FAQs: Lingering Questions After the Credits Roll
Still scratching your head about what to do next? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the post-story world of GTA 5:
Can I replay story missions?
Yes! You can replay any story mission from the pause menu. This is a great way to earn extra money, improve your completion score, or simply relive your favorite moments.
What happens to my money after the story?
You keep all of your money after completing the story. This allows you to continue investing in businesses, buying vehicles, and customizing your characters.
Can I still access all three characters after the story?
Yes, all three characters (Michael, Franklin, and Trevor) are available for free roam after completing the story. You can switch between them at any time using the character wheel.
Are there any new missions or content added after the story?
While there are no new story missions after the main storyline, you can still complete unfinished Strangers and Freaks missions, participate in random events, and explore the open world for hidden content. In GTA Online, however, new content is added regularly.
What are the best ways to make money after the story?
Several methods can be used, including completing Lester’s assassination missions (if you haven’t already), investing in the stock market, robbing armored trucks, and completing random encounters that offer monetary rewards.
What happens if I killed Trevor or Michael?
If you chose to kill Trevor or Michael at the end of the story, that character will be permanently unavailable in your current save file. You will no longer be able to switch to them, complete their side missions, or interact with them in any way.
Can I get Trevor or Michael back if they died in my game?
No. Once a character is killed in the story, they are gone permanently in that save file. To play as them again, you would need to start a new game or load a previous save.
What happens to Trevor’s assets if he dies?
If Trevor dies, all of his assets, including his safehouse, vehicles, and businesses, are gone. You will no longer be able to access them.
Can I still hang out with the other characters if I killed one of them?
If you kill Trevor, Michael will not hang out with you anymore, and vice versa. The character you choose to kill will no longer interact with you.
Can I still get 100% completion if I killed Trevor or Michael?
No. Killing either Trevor or Michael will prevent you from achieving 100% completion in that save file, as you will be missing their unique side missions and activities. The only way to achieve 100% completion is to choose the “Deathwish” ending.
Can I rob banks after completing the story?
Unfortunately, you cannot rob banks outside of the scripted heists in the story mode. Bank robberies are not a free roam activity in GTA 5’s single-player mode.
Are there any secret locations or hidden missions after the story?
While there are no new secret missions that appear only after the story, many players may have missed some of the existing hidden locations and encounters during their initial playthrough. Explore thoroughly to discover these secrets.
What are the collectibles I should look for after the story?
Some of the most notable collectibles include spaceship parts, submarine pieces, letter scraps, and hidden packages. Finding these collectibles unlocks unique rewards and achievements.
How long does it take to get 100% completion in GTA 5?
Getting 100% completion in GTA 5 can take anywhere from 80 to 100+ hours, depending on your skill level and how efficiently you approach the various tasks.
Is GTA Online worth playing after completing the story?
Absolutely! GTA Online offers a completely different experience from the single-player story mode, with a vast and ever-expanding world filled with endless possibilities for fun and excitement. It’s a great way to extend your enjoyment of the GTA 5 universe and connect with other players. GamesLearningSociety.org is an excellent resource for learning about how gaming communities like those in GTA Online foster learning and collaboration.