TheGrand Theft Autoseries is one ofRockstar’sbestseries. Thecharacters, the detailed worlds, andthe iconic missionsin each game help help keep the franchise iconic. The protagonists of each game add a lot to the series, in particular. With each game taking place in a different decade and location, each protagonist differs from the last.
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Players can play as a protagonist trying to turn their life around, as a criminal getting deeper in trouble, and even as a character they created themselves. With each game in the series, players are sure to have their favorite and least favorite protagonist.
13Toni Cipriani
Liberty City Storiestakes players to a 1998 Liberty City, playing as the mobster Toni Cipriani. Players get to see Toni as he rises in the ranks of the Leone Mob Family. On top of that, Toni is seen trying to keep Salvatore Leone out of prison, trying to impress his mother, and trying to stay out of prison himself.
While he might have been cool inLiberty City Stories,he sadly became lame during his appearance inGrand Theft Auto III. Set only three years afterLiberty City Stories,Toni already seems like arelic of the past.
12Victor Vance
Victor Vance is probably the most noble of theGrand Theft Autoprotagonists. InVice City Stories, it is revealed he joined the army to pay for his brother’s medicine and treatment. Victor is kicked out of the army because his sergeant is corrupt, leading Victor to a life of crime.
Victor creates a drug empire in Vice City, becoming a powerful figure. This causes a certain individual to take notice. In the beginning ofVice City,Victor is gunned down by Ricardo Diaz’s men.
11Huang Lee
Huang Lee is the protagonist ofChinatown Wars, being the only non-HD protagonist in the HD universe. Huang’s story focuses on his arrival in America and getting revenge. His uncle murdered Huang’s father to gain power in their family.
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The game focuses on Huang hunting down who stole his family’s sword and who killed his father. After discovering it was his uncle and killing him, Huang became the leader of the Liberty City Triads.
10Claude
Claude is the silent protagonist ofGrand Theft Auto III,while also appearing inSan Andreas.His appearance inSan Andreasexplains how he meets Catalina and makes it to Liberty City. With Claude being silent, this is about the only backstory players get for him.
It also seems as though Claude is only bossed around and does not question his tasks. This includes murdering mobsters, causing a gang war for a real estate mogul, and working for a corrupt cop. Because of this, it is hard to tell if Claude is a psycho.
9Johnny Klebitz
Johnny is the protagonist of the DLCThe Lost and Damned,also appearing inGrand Theft Auto IVandGrand Theft Auto V.During his appearance as a protagonist, Johnny becomes the leader of The Lost during a civil war. On top of that, he works for a corrupt politician.
While making his appearance inGrand Theft Auto V,Johnny is a way more pathetic version of himself. He is addicted to drugs and it appears he has to beg his girlfriend to not cheat on him. He then gets murdered by Trevor, not putting up a fight. This is definitely a different version of himself than what appears in earlier games.
8Luis Lopez
Luis Lopez is the protagonist of the DLCThe Ballad of Gay Tony.In it, Luis is a former gangster who now works for a nightclub manager named Tony Prince. Like Toni Cipriani, Luis is trying to impress his mother, but Luis is still able to defend himself and live his life without her approval.
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Luis' story has him protect Tony from mobsters after a diamond deal goes wrong. A fun little detail is that Luis makes a small appearance inGrand Theft Auto Online,appearing as a framed picture on Tony’s desk at a club.
7Tommy Vercetti
Tommy Vercetti is the protagonist ofVice City,starting his story after he gets out of prison. He is sent to Vice City to take part in a drug deal, but it is shot up and the money is lost. Tommy is blamed for losing the money, having to earn enough to pay back his boss.
Tommy slowly takes control of Vice City, becoming the most powerful and influential figure in the city. Tommy defends himself and kills his old boss, forming his own gang and taking control of Vice City for himself.
6Franklin Clinton
Franklin Clinton is one of the protagonists ofGrand Theft Auto V,going from lower class to living in the Los Santos hills by the end of the game. Players are able to watch his transformation as he meets Michael de Santa and Trevor Phillips. Franklin starts to do well for himself, leaving his former life (mostly) behind.
At the end of the game, Franklin is able to choose between killing one of the other protagonists or defending them. Selecting this option makes sure all three protagonists stay alive. It is an interesting change to see a protagonist rise up the social ladder.
5Trevor Phillips
Trevor Phillips is probably the best knownGrand Theft Auto Vprotagonist, being an absolute psychopath. Trevor hassome great quotes, some that fans of the game are sure to repeat. Trevor also takes control of whatever he wants and no one seems to bat an eye.
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Trevor kills the owner of a strip club, taking the place over for himself while also starting a war with The Lost to sell drugs easier. Trevor might be a psycho, but you have to respect that he takes what he wants when he wants it.
4GTA Online Protagonist
TheGTA Onlineprotagonist can be a drug seller, club owner, heister, or whatever the player chooses to play as. It is also interesting to note this character is referenced by Lester Crest in the story mode, with Lester saying they’re too unpredictable to take part in a heist.
Players can make this character their own, giving the protagonist whatever backstory they want. It could even be based on an alternate version of themselves.
