GTA is an open-world game series where violence is common and results in numerous deaths on-screen. However, some deaths may hit you harder than others, especially after spending more time with the characters and learning more about them. Rockstar Games, as a master of storytelling, has perfected the art of creating believable and likable characters over the years.
That’s why most GTA players form an emotional attachment to these beloved characters, and their deaths in the game become deeply painful. Here is a list of the most tragic deaths in the series, including both protagonists, supporting characters, and antagonists.
1) Michael De Santa
Michael’s death is not a canonical ending in GTA 5, but you can kill him if you choose to. This leads to one of the darkest endings in the game, and the writers seem to try to burden you with guilt if you decide to kill the character. Michael seems genuinely happy upon learning that Tracey got accepted into college when the player, as Franklin, reveals his plan of betrayal to them.
If the player changes their mind at the last moment, when Michael hangs on the edge of a tower and decides to pull him up, Michael hits the player (as Franklin) in the head and lets go as a final act of defiance. It is a tragic event and one of the worst betrayals in the series.
2) Johnny Klebitz
Johnny Klebitz was a sympathetic protagonist in the GTA 4 expansion – The Lost and Damned, and his death was a shock. It almost felt like Rockstar Games insulted its own creation by giving Johnny a pathetic appearance in Grand Theft Auto 5. They turned him into a weak-willed addict, which is completely out of character for him in GTA 4.
Many of Trevor’s actions in the game, such as the infamous torture scene, seem designed for shock value, and the humiliation and murder of Klebitz were the most gruesome and unnecessary. It was a terrible farewell to a playable character from the previous installment.
3) Victor Vance
Victor Vance’s death didn’t affect players at all when GTA Vice City was released, as he was just another character they never got to know. However, when Vice City Stories made him the protagonist, everyone learned more about him. It turned out he was the noblest main character in the series and never wanted to be a part of the criminal underworld.
He was drawn into that life by a corrupt superior in the U.S. Army and because he desperately needed money for his younger brother’s asthma treatment.
4) Big Smoke
Big Smoke’s betrayal was a turning point in GTA San Andreas and is often considered one of the greatest betrayals in video games. He was someone CJ and Sweet could blindly rely on, and his charismatic and humorous nature also attracted players.
Towards the end of the game, it becomes truly emotional when Big Smoke dies, and CJ asks him why he betrayed them. He responds that he got “caught up in the money, the power,” but emphasizes that he regrets nothing.
5) Roman Bellic
Roman’s death is one of the two different endings in GTA 4 and is definitely the worse choice. It is for Roman that Niko comes to Liberty City and sticks with him through thick and thin. He had his flaws, like debts due to gambling and a lack of courage to stand up for himself. However, in the end, he was a good person who didn’t kill or harm anyone. That’s why his death feels so unjust; it’s like Roman paying for Niko’s crimes. After his departure, Niko feels incredibly lonely and guilty, which is an incredibly gloomy way to end such a great game.
Key Questions about the Tragic Deaths in the GTA game series:
1) What are the most tragic deaths in the GTA series?
2) Can the player kill Michael De Santa?
3) What role did Johnny Klebitz play in the GTA series?
4) Why is Victor Vance’s death important to the GTA series’ storyline?
5) Why is Big Smoke’s death considered one of the greatest betrayals in video games?
6) What are the two different deaths of Roman Bellic in GTA 4?
Definitions of key terms and jargon used in the article:
– Protagonist: The main character or hero of the game that the player controls.
– Supporting characters: Characters present in the game who are less significant than the protagonist but play a role in the story.
– Antagonist: The main opponent of the protagonist in the game.
– Canonical ending: The official ending of the game that is considered true or presented as the most likely outcome.
– Betrayal: An act of deceit or dishonesty towards someone, usually in the context of crime-based video games.
Suggested related links:
– Rockstar Games – Official website of Rockstar Games, the creators of the GTA series.
– Grand Theft Auto – Article on Wikipedia about the GTA game series.