5 Tips for Starting Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is a massive open-world game. There are many new systems in place that significantly change the way the game is played. With so much to do and see, it’s easy to lose your way. So we’ve put together some tips for starting out life in Los Santos in GTA V. If you’ve yet to read our written review of Grand Theft Auto V, head here to find out why we’ve deemed Rockstar’s latest as the best open world game ever made.

Half of the fun in playing GTA V is playing in your own way, but here are our top five tips for starting off on the good foot.

Tip #1 Don’t avoid activities

There are plenty of new activities to partake in in Grand Theft Auto 5, don’t skip them.  GTA V features an all-new system that allows you to build your character’s attributes.  Completing these activities boosts your skills, and makes you a better criminal in Los Santos. You’ll find numerous locations to perform specific activities in the game. You can improve your shooting skills at the local firing range. You can race bikes or run to increase your stamina, or complete driving races to become a better driver.

The end-result is that you’ll get better stats for your character. For the first time in the series, Grand Theft Auto 5 is much more like an RPG than it has been before. If you want to take advantage of this system quickly, complete objectives on the map that align with the skills that you wish to improve.

Tip #2 Make Sure to switch between characters often

Once Grand Theft Auto V gets going, you’ll have the ability to switch between the game’s main characters on the fly.  You’ll find new missions available for each character, and chances to stack your cash and experience. But if you really want to progress the storyline of GTA V quickly, you’ll want to switch often.

When you do switch, head to the objectives on the map that have the big initials for the character you’ve selected. These are the main story missions for your character, and will progress the game. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the color coded map system in GTA V. You can spend a lot of time heading to objectives that your character cannot complete. Blue is Michael, Green is for Franklin, and Orange is for Trevor.

Tip #3 Replay Missions for better scores

GTA V’s new mission structure scores you for completing your missions while completing specific objectives.  You’ll be scored on a Bronze, Silver, or Gold scale.  If you don’t get gold on your first chance, you can always go back to try again.  

Since there are achievements and trophies associated with earning gold medals, going back and replaying these missions will help you earn these rewards. Plus, many of the missions in GTA V have numerous ways to accomplish the same goal. The ability to go back and replay a mission offers the chance to see things that you might not have seen on the first go round.

You can access mission replays through the game’s start menu.

Tip #4 Pay Attention to your map 

You might be a grizzled GTA veteran, but there are some major changes in this game. There are a lot of random events that occur on a daily basis, and you might drive right by them if you aren’t watching.  If there’s a marker on the map as well as a flash it means something is going down.  These random events can reward you with extra cash or stats boosts, and the more often you complete them the quicker you’ll rank up.

Be prepared though, these missions can range in difficulty. You could end up losing money in hospital bills if you end up biting off more than you can chew.

Tip #5 Check your phone often for new missions and color

The phone in GTA 5 is even more full featured than it was in GTA IV.  You’re constantly being bombarded with new missions so you’ll want to make sure that you are checking your phone on the regular. Like GTA IV, it will prompt you when you get new missions and contacts, but not always. You’ll want to check it occasionally for not only new missions, but information about your character and their associates.

The phone now has a bunch of new features. It has a web browser so you don’t have to go wasting your time in internet cafes to hit your life invader friends page. You can now quick save from your phone, and even change settings, view your open mission objectives, and check you overall progress. It’s a much more invaluable tool than it was in GTA IV, so don’t overlook the power of the iFruit.

Screw It, just use Grand Theft Auto Cheat Codes

Of course, if none of these tips sound like a good idea to you, and you’d rather just cheat your way to glory, you can always check out our Grand Theft Auto V Cheat Codes List.