GTA 5 Story Mode beginner guide: characters, missions and wanted levels
Learn the opening mission order, character map colors, special abilities and basic police escapes in GTA V Story Mode.
Edition covered
The 2013 single-player Story Mode, with unchanged Rockstar screenshots from the PC Legacy listing (2015 PC release). GTA Online businesses, updates and multiplayer heists are outside these guides; Enhanced-specific PC graphics and performance are not covered.
Start with the opening story missions
The prologue teaches switching and cover before the campaign moves to Los Santos. Follow the available story markers until the three protagonists are introduced. The table marks useful early milestones; it is a short orientation to the campaign, not a complete mission order.
| Mission | Main purpose | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Prologue | Introduces the old crew and combat | Follow switching and cover prompts |
| Franklin and Lamar | Begins Franklin’s Los Santos story | Learn the driving route |
| Complications | Connects Franklin and Michael | Continue Michael’s newly available story |
| Mr. Philips | Introduces Trevor’s main campaign | The viewpoint moves to Blaine County |
Read the map with the right character
Mission markers can depend on the active protagonist. If progression seems to stop, switch characters, check phone messages and allow some in-game time to pass. Rockstar also recommends spending time with all three characters when a story trigger is missing.
| Marker | Association | Useful action |
|---|---|---|
| Blue story marker | Michael | Switch to Michael and inspect it |
| Green story marker | Franklin | Use Franklin for his available contacts |
| Orange story marker | Trevor | Check Trevor’s current jobs |
| Question mark | Strangers and Freaks | Inspect its color and read the encounter prompt |
Break police sight before hiding
When police lose visual contact, the wanted stars flash and search cones become the immediate concern. Turn out of the patrol route, use side streets and wait out the search without entering another cone. Firing again or being spotted extends the encounter.
Use each special ability for its own task
Franklin’s ability helps negotiate road traffic; Michael slows a gunfight; Trevor gains an offensive and defensive boost. The yellow meter limits use. Buy ammunition and armor with the character who needs them, then save before a lengthy mission or experiment.
The campaign has separate money balances for its protagonists. Buying equipment as one character does not equip the others.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto V Legacy on Steam | store.steampowered.com |
| GTABase: player stats and special abilities | www.gtabase.com |
| Rockstar Support: missing Story Mode missions | support.rockstargames.com |
| Rockstar Games: worldwide GTA V previews | www.rockstargames.com |