Official GTA V story appreciation thread

[Algonquin Assassin]

Title's pretty self explanatory.

 

For me two moments from the story stand out in particular. Firstly Michael calling out Trevor for being a hipster in the way to scout out the Paleto Bay bank. Trevor's reaction is honestly one of the funniest things I've ever heard in a video game,

 

I don't know how Steve and Ned achieved it, but it sounded more like a casual bar conversation than reading lines from a script. Great voice work to pull it off in such a convincing manner.

 

My other favourite bit is Bury The Hatchet. It's a stark contrast compared to most of the rest of the story, but a good one at that.

 

It has that New Jersey flashback feel from MP3 which I also loved. The confrontation between Michael and Trevor when Trevor finds out about Brad's fate is also really well acted.

 

Anyway that's enough from me. Please share your favourite moments from the story.

[Tonesta]

I think the first twenty or so missions - up until Three's Company really - the story is absolutely superb.

 

Starts with a bang and a bit of intrigue, then slows it down and introduces you to each of the major characters (and their significant others) in turn.

It's sets up Michael's depression, anger and then criminal relapse in a thoroughly believable way; then the background, set up and execution of the Vangelico heist is masterful. Then we're introduced to Trevor, and though it's a bit off the wall, it's another fun section of the story. Finally we get Trevor and Michael's reunion in Fame or Shame which, although it's a bit of a silly mission, is absolutely crackling with tension.

Even Dead Man Walking still makes sense as Michael's past and present collide, and leave him serving at the whims of the FIB.

 

Unfortunately, I think the story takes a dip after that.

There's still some highlights - the OP includes two of them; I like Caida Libre as well - but I don't think the overall writing sustains the brilliance of its first act.

[Good Hombre]

This is my favourite part of the story:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zAZ2QkI0GM

 

 

Michael's dialogue is the most powerful one in the game IMO. "Surviving is winning, Franklin. Everything else is just bullsh*t, fairytales spun by those affraid to look life in the eye. Whatever you do Franklin, survive."

Edited August 17, 2017 by Good Hombre

[ChiroVette]

Title's pretty self explanatory.

 

Eh tu, Brutus? How can you betray your core beliefs (or is it Snore beliefs....sorry, kidding and I couldn't resist) by making this thread?

 

Seriously, great thread!I

 

I also love all the dialog in Bury the Hatchet. From beginning to end, with Trevor leaving Michael's house in a blind rage, to Cheng and his goons misinterpreting their relationship as a gay love thing, all the way to Trevor mocking Cheng's accent on the plane flying it back to the Airstrip.

 

Unlike some people in this forum, I love all or most of the story. Even the Frielander scenes with his bored, condescending, pompous advice to Michael. And, yeah, the whole "Proto-Hipster" thing between Michael and Trevor in the car in one of the Paleto Heist setup missions,

[Piggsy pls]

Despite my gripes with the story I don't find it terrible. I don't even consider it the worst in the series like a lot of people do, just disappointing compared to the previous game. Up until Trevor comes to LS I really enjoyed it.

 

Nervous Ron, Crystal Maze, The Long Stretch, Dead Man Walking, and Three's Company are all great missions IMO. Especially Dead Man Walking, the atmosphere in that mission is amazing and the morgue is a great interior to explore with mods. If there were fewer FIB missions, and they had that kind of mystery feeling, I'd like that part of the plot more.

[Algonquin Assassin]

 

 

Even the Frielander scenes with his bored, condescending, pompous advice to Michael.

 

I was going to mention these, but it somehow slipped my mind. It's a great way of adding depth to Michael's character IMO and they almost always occur during a significant moment in the story like when he pulls down the house or Trevor coming back in his life.

[SabreGT]

Bury the Hatchet for me, the Graveyard scene is one of the finest written & acted scenes you will see in a video game, it also shows how well multiple protags can work within the narrative when executed correctly.

I love the scene with Mike & Franklin in Father/Son as you can straight away tell that the characters have a natural rapport with each other and again there's some gorgeous Dialogue thrown in with the whole three-bit gangster lecture, and Phil Collins is thrown in for good measure.

I loved The Jewel Store Job simply for how down to earth it is, you forget a thousand things every day, pal. Make sure this is one of em.

Whilst I thought it could have been more fleshed out, I did enjoy the Blaine County portion of the narrative with Trevor at war With The Lost Aztecas & O Neils.

The car theft Missions for Devin are worth a mention, we need more of them in the narrative of the next GTA IMO.

Trevors anger fuelled rant towards Michael when looking over Los Santos was also a highlight.

Honestly, I have always liked the narrative in V as I do believe underneath the layers of satire & Micheal Bay missions, there is an interesting story centred around betrayal, loyalty, friendship, hypocrisy, shallowness, self-loathing..and most of all greed. the script can be funny, clever, thought provoking, highly quotable & even powerful. could it have been more fleshed out? sure, is it flawless? No, but ill always hold it in a mostly high regard.

[Excalibur Voltaire]

Like ChiroVette I love all the story, it's just against most people taste. Anyway, Great thread AA

 

For appreciation:

During The Long Stretch, when Franklin find out that D set them out, the three panicked, and the camera keep swaying around really add some feels that they are f*cked

 

During the Paleto Score Setup, even this is just a heist preparation, this mission has funny thing like:

1.Michael sarcasm rant

2.Michael call Trevor a hipster, they firstly talk about the bank, then it went to how corrupt the police was, then it suddenly went to the way Trevor dress, and finally Michael call Trevor a Proto-Hipster, they really funny

3.Trevor throw rock at Michael for no reason

 

During Bury The Hatchet, that mission is very emotional, I can really feels how Trevor realizes Michael betrayed him

 

During Fresh Meat, when Trevor trips on the fence and Franklin burst out laughing (Improvised Scene) it's really funny, this is the only game where I laughed so hard, I mean the scene was unpredictable, I see Trevor actually jumps and he tripped, it's very funny

 

There's still many, but I will continue it later

[KonradGM]

I like metacommentary aspect of gta v a lot, sadly the "story aspect " got hurt because of it if you think about it, the main antagonist of gta v is literally capitalism [ i consider devin weston the main antagonist, that you kill at the end of true ending] and not really an antagonist of character if you get what i mean.

 

bury the hatchet is the mission no doubt, especially from michael perspective, the music, the echoes of the past it was 10/10 for me.

 

First heist and the jimmy in boat mission were great for michael and franklin relationship, and that scene by the pool with michael and phis Collins music fitted so perfectly into current michael life.

 

As much as i don't like the merryweather heist aspect of the story that i always found to be the most "unfitting" compared to the rest, i liked when trevor is scoping the port... i guess it isn't exatly story, but i liked the more chill mission in the world where you do something that npc's do, made the world feel more real.

Edited August 21, 2017 by KonradGM

[Dr. Robotnik]

Unlike most here, I really liked the FIB portions of the story. Those missions were where the game really hit its stride with regard to its tone; Dead Man Walking, By the Book, The Bureau Raid (the subtle version especially was solid gold), The Wrap-Up, and even Ending A were awesome. The Long Stretch was pretty much the only good mission in the hood plotline precisely because it stuck to that gritty feel.

 

Seeing Michael get to show some charisma in missions like "Casing the Jewel Store" was also always welcome.

[Algonquin Assassin]

Unlike most here, I really liked the FIB portions of the story. Those missions were where the game really hit its stride with regard to its tone; Dead Man Walking, By the Book, The Bureau Raid (the subtle version especially was solid gold), The Wrap-Up, and even Ending A were awesome. The Long Stretch was pretty much the only good mission in the hood plotline precisely because it stuck to that gritty feel.

 

Seeing Michael get to show some charisma in missions like "Casing the Jewel Store" was also always welcome.

 

I have to admit that despite the FIB part of the story being somewhat drowning I didn't mind Dead Man Walking and By The Book for their gritty, shock value.

[Excalibur Voltaire]

By the Book is amazing, torturing Mr.K is the one of the most satisfying moment

The Wrap Up, the three-way firefight is simply badass

Minor Turbulence, Hijacking a cargo plane mid-flight is simply badass

[JB1982]

I'm a big fan of the heists aspects of the storyline. Specifically that you have to set them up so seeing the thought process behind something like that was pretty cool with you casing a jewellery store, checking out the local cops response time etc. It helped give it a professional feel which I admired a lot.

 

I also think a lot has to be said for the rapport and dynamics between the characters. Not just the main three but the way Franklin is around Lamar, the way Michael is with Lester, how Trevor is with Wade and Ron etc. No relationship feels the same and we get some really great character moments brought out because of those different dynamics bringing out different aspects of the pro-tags.

 

I have to echo the praise for Bury the Hatchet. Superbly acted from start to finish and a real insight into both Michael and Trevor.

 

And that moment when Trevor trips over Franklin's fence trying to be cool. I have never laughed so hard at a game in my life! But you can see that Trevor is genuinely hurt and embarrassed by that too so there's some depth added to what was otherwise a comedy moment.

[Andromeda-J]

And that moment when Trevor trips over Franklin's fence trying to be cool. I have never laughed so hard at a game in my life! But you can see that Trevor is genuinely hurt and embarrassed by that too so there's some depth added to what was otherwise a comedy moment.

That was actually accidentally recorded tripping over wires in mo-cap part and since R is openminded they added that in with all glory and made extra voicing for cherry on cake

[simonp92]

 

And that moment when Trevor trips over Franklin's fence trying to be cool. I have never laughed so hard at a game in my life! But you can see that Trevor is genuinely hurt and embarrassed by that too so there's some depth added to what was otherwise a comedy moment.

That was actually accidentally recorded tripping over wires in mo-cap part and since R is openminded they added that in with all glory and made extra voicing for cherry on cake

 

Really? that's f*cking awesome if true.

[ClaudeSpeed1911]

I personally liked most of the scenes where the characters are alone with their friends. (Franklin with Lamar, Michael and Lester, Trevor early on when he was focused on TPI). I mostly hated the bickering between Trevor and Michael and the moments with Michael's family. The FIB/Devin was also bad (Not Dave though because he is a cool character). Overall the game had cool story moments and is mostly brought down by the direction it sometimes went.

 

What I liked was The beginning until Trevor comes to LS (The heist was cool and running TPI was refreshing). I also liked the random missions given by Dave like Dead Man Walking. Ghetto missions and the O Niels missions were also cool and made the game feel like a crime game for those missions.

 

I feel like most off what most hate about GTA5 could have been fixed had Rockstar stuck to their DLC plans and gave us more to tie up the story. It really felt like they were setting it up for more because of how there are still some loose ends left. While there are still some divisive opinions about the gameplay and downgrades (And upgrades for some people) I think we all can agree that the game is good for what it is and what really ruined everything is GTA Online.

[highspeed]

The story is so well written, and superb IMO.

 

Too many to list, but here's two that came to mind:

 

-Trevor bursting into the game, with the full violence that only he can bring. It was an eye-opening shock, but also funny and pure GTA in itself at the same time. T's entry into the story is still the first memory I have of my mind being blown by this game. A lot of people say it wasn't necessary, that Johnny didn't deserve to be...blah blah blah! Give credit where it's due for Christ sake! Trevor is the epitome of GTA!

 

- Where T, Franklin and Lamar go into Grove street to do a drug deal, T just wants to bang (preferably on some dust), Franklin is all about his business and Lamar is oblivious to what is truly going on. This mission stands out to me, because it shows straight away that although T might be a crazy fueled red neck of sorts, but he is loyal and knowledgeable about the "hood sh*t" and how "you can't f*cking hustle a hustler!!". Classic T, and a stellar performance by Steven Ogg. It shows the friendship and trust between all three when the sh*t goes down, because during times of panic and danger, people's true colours come out. This is a defining moment for me in the game.

 

I'm sure there's plenty more, but that's my take on a bit of the story line.

Edited October 12, 2017 by highspeed

[TheOneLibertonian]

This is my favourite part of the story:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zAZ2QkI0GM

 

 

Michael's dialogue is the most powerful one in the game IMO. "Surviving is winning, Franklin. Everything else is just bullsh*t, fairytales spun by those affraid to look life in the eye. Whatever you do Franklin, survive."

I find Michael's "Surviving is winning" monolgue is one of the most compelling piece of dialogue in the series. Ned Luke's delivery provides a complex amount of emotion, the hint of uncertainty, shock, confusion, and regret is exceptional within the context of the events that transpired. This line, along with Niko's "Baggage" sentiment are quotes I live my life with. Not only it provides closure, it proves that even how many mistakes and sometimes how cruelly Michael is, even if he is an awful human being by his standards, I think that his advice to Franklin will serve a long lasting effect on his life moving on from the crazy sh*t he got himself into.

[Excalibur Voltaire]

THe part were Trevor turn Martin Madrazo, the most terrifying mexican psychopath into his bitch, and how he sh*tting himself when he saw Trevor after he broke his ear, really funny and badass

 

Michael abandoning the Meltdown Premiere to save his family really add alot of depth for Michael

[ChiroVette]

THe part were Trevor turn Martin Madrazo, the most terrifying mexican psychopath into his bitch, and how he sh*tting himself when he saw Trevor after he broke his ear, really funny and badass

 

Michael abandoning the Meltdown Premiere to save his family really add alot of depth for Michael

 

Totally agree with both points!

 

I love how Franklin and Michael are all but terrified of Medrazo, and to Trevor, the guy is just another mark with a big house. Love it!

[theGTAking101]

THe part were Trevor turn Martin Madrazo, the most terrifying mexican psychopath into his bitch, and how he sh*tting himself when he saw Trevor after he broke his ear, really funny and badass

 

Michael abandoning the Meltdown Premiere to save his family really add alot of depth for Michael

The problem I have with this is that Madrazo - one of the most known gangsters in the state who has a whole cartel at his disposal - is scared of and will take all this sh*t from one man.

 

We saw how serious and threatening he was with Michael and Franklin in the beginning of the game, and I wish they would've kept him like that. I hate how they dumb all these otherwise powerful characters down just to make Trevor seem stronger than he is.

And then this "untouchable" Trevor is completely absent in Ending A where he just runs away without putting up a fight, which is once again completely out of character.

Edited October 31, 2017 by theGTAking101

[TheOneLibertonian]

 

THe part were Trevor turn Martin Madrazo, the most terrifying mexican psychopath into his bitch, and how he sh*tting himself when he saw Trevor after he broke his ear, really funny and badass

 

Michael abandoning the Meltdown Premiere to save his family really add alot of depth for Michael

The problem I have with this is that Madrazo - one of the most known gangsters in the state who has a whole cartel at his disposal - is scared of and will take all this sh*t from one man.

 

We saw how serious and threatening he was with Michael and Franklin in the beginning of the game, and I wish they would've kept him like that. I hate how they dumb all these otherwise powerful characters down just to make Trevor seem stronger than he is.

And then this "untouchable" Trevor is completely absent in Ending A where he just runs away without putting up a fight, which is once again completely out of character.

 

One of my biggest gripes in GTA V's story is the Madrazo subplot, particularly with Trevor. I've always said that Madrazo should have been the main antagonist of GTA V with him and his cartel distrupting the trio's adventures in Los Santos. I felt that he is the perfect candidate to be the next compelling antagonist next to Dimitri, but sadly Rockstar wasted his potential and gave a snobbish billionaire and a government agent the spotlight instead.

 

Speaking of Madrazo, I think Caida Libre is one of the best missions in the game. The banter between Michael and Trevor is well written and funny, plus the idea of chasing a crashing plane is great and adds to the missions memorability.

 

Despite Trevor being a mess of a character, I think he is at his element during Bury the Hatchet. Trevor's shock and disgust finding out the truth about Brad's demise shows emotion and depth to the character, but Steven Ogg performance during that scene is one of the best acted scenes in the whole series. If Trevor was more of a serious unpredictable psychological character with a dark past rather than a walking laughing stock, I think he could have been one of the best protagonists in the series. Lastly, basing on what we have seen of Arthur Morgan in RDR 2, I felt that it's what Trevor should have been.

[theGTAking101]

 

 

THe part were Trevor turn Martin Madrazo, the most terrifying mexican psychopath into his bitch, and how he sh*tting himself when he saw Trevor after he broke his ear, really funny and badass

 

Michael abandoning the Meltdown Premiere to save his family really add alot of depth for Michael

The problem I have with this is that Madrazo - one of the most known gangsters in the state who has a whole cartel at his disposal - is scared of and will take all this sh*t from one man.

 

We saw how serious and threatening he was with Michael and Franklin in the beginning of the game, and I wish they would've kept him like that. I hate how they dumb all these otherwise powerful characters down just to make Trevor seem stronger than he is.

And then this "untouchable" Trevor is completely absent in Ending A where he just runs away without putting up a fight, which is once again completely out of character.

 

One of my biggest gripes in GTA V's story is the Madrazo subplot, particularly with Trevor. I've always said that Madrazo should have been the main antagonist of GTA V with him and his cartel distrupting the trio's adventures in Los Santos. I felt that he is the perfect candidate to be the next compelling antagonist next to Dimitri, but sadly Rockstar wasted his potential and gave a snobbish billionaire and a government agent the spotlight instead.

 

Speaking of Madrazo, I think Caida Libre is one of the best missions in the game. The banter between Michael and Trevor is well written and funny, plus the idea of chasing a crashing plane is great and adds to the missions memorability.

 

Despite Trevor being a mess of a character, I think he is at his element during Bury the Hatchet. Trevor's shock and disgust finding out the truth about Brad's demise shows emotion and depth to the character, but Steven Ogg performance during that scene is one of the best acted scenes in the whole series. If Trevor was more of a serious unpredictable psychological character with a dark past rather than a walking laughing stock, I think he could have been one of the best protagonists in the series. Lastly, basing on what we have seen of Arthur Morgan in RDR 2, I felt that it's what Trevor should have been.

 

I agree. Trevor, with better and more consistent writing could've been one of the best protagonists in the series. I've always said he should've been more like Mikhail Faustin. The problem with Trevor is he's written more for comic relief and not as an unpredictable & dangerous psychopath, which was a mistake IMO.

 

I also agree that Bury the Hatchet was one of the best written missions in the series. It was one of the times that Trevor was written as a serious character, and you could feel the hurt and betrayal that he's feeling as well as the tension between him and Michael.

Edited October 31, 2017 by theGTAking101

[gunziness]

I really enjoyed the initial cutscene from the mission Predator. It really shows the chemistry between M and T and how well they actually get along (even considering their constant bitch and moan when freeroaming in side activities) and its actually one of the most funny scenes from the whole game IMO.

Unfortunately in both of my playthroughs I started the mission as F as I thought it was the most natural way to do so, so I missed it both times.

[SmokesWithCigs]

Unlike most here, I really liked the FIB portions of the story. Those missions were where the game really hit its stride with regard to its tone; Dead Man Walking, By the Book, The Bureau Raid (the subtle version especially was solid gold), The Wrap-Up, and even Ending A were awesome. The Long Stretch was pretty much the only good mission in the hood plotline precisely because it stuck to that gritty feel.

 

Seeing Michael get to show some charisma in missions like "Casing the Jewel Store" was also always welcome.

What about hood safari?

[Journey_95]

Unlike most here, I really liked the FIB portions of the story. Those missions were where the game really hit its stride with regard to its tone; Dead Man Walking, By the Book, The Bureau Raid (the subtle version especially was solid gold), The Wrap-Up, and even Ending A were awesome. The Long Stretch was pretty much the only good mission in the hood plotline precisely because it stuck to that gritty feel.

 

Seeing Michael get to show some charisma in missions like "Casing the Jewel Store" was also always welcome.

If those were the only FIB missions the arc would actually be pretty good. The problem is that Rockstar dragged out that story way too much. Blitz Play, Paleto heist, Monkey Business etc. were also done for them and just unnecessary and just seemed like cheap excuses for crazy missions. The Mr. K arc actually has a story at least...

 

And yeah I always liked seeing Michael as a professional bank robber who knows how to handle sh*t.

Edited February 9, 2018 by Journey_95