Grand Theft Auto V or GTA 5 became the most profitable entertainment product of all time in mid-2018. Raking in $6 billion since the time of its release 8 years ago, no other piece of entertainment even comes close. If that isn’t an indicator of why you should be playing this game, I don’t know what is. If its predecessor GTA 4 can be compared to a living city, GTA 5 is a living and breathing open world. NPCs react to what you do, and the storyline melds together seamlessly with your actions, creating a unique and immersive experience. The sheer size and the scope of the game can seem a bit intimidating, even. This is especially true for players who only want to spend a few hours taking in the magical world of Los Santos. Whether you’re playing the title for the first time or just getting back into this deep and layered world, here are a few tips and tricks on GTA 5 to help enhance your gameplay experience.
1. Making money in GTA 5
Making money is one of the core gameplay elements of the GTA series. However, simply beating up NPCs won’t get you the same results as previous games. Here are a few tips on how to make money quickly in the game:
Hang out near the ATM
Remember how we said mindlessly robbing NPCs isn’t the answer anymore? Well, it can be if you know which NPCs are flush with cash. People leaving ATMs have probably made a withdrawal and will have pockets bulging with dollar notes. Therefore, you should hang out near ATMs and rob them with a weapon or your bare fists for easy pocket change.
Invest in stocks
GTA 5 has its own version of the stock market, with stocks rising and falling on a daily basis. Keep an eye on the news to understand how your stocks are doing. The trick here is to make full use of the save feature. Shut off autosave, invest money in a stock, you can easily go high or low with your investment and then save the game. Keep checking the stock status and sell it when it is at its highest. If you made any mistakes or invested in the wrong stock, you can simply boot up your old save and try again. This is a simulation that carries no real-life consequences, which is what GTA is all about.
Rob a store
Any convenience store, corner market, or clothing store can be a target for a stick-up in GTA 5. Walk into the store and aim your gun at the cashier to make them start emptying it for you, then run out and make an escape before the cops arrive. If you are worried about the security of the store, you can also stake out the place and understand NPC routines. If you get the routine down, robbing stores can be an easy way to create a steady bankroll for yourself in the game.
2. How to lose cops
In Grand Theft Auto games, getting caught committing a crime and escaping the police is an ordinary, everyday occurrence. Some guidelines to stay away from cops in GTA 5 are:
Use a getaway vehicle
The gameplay mechanic for the cops in GTA 5 is simple to understand. You can see police cars on your map and their line of sight can be seen as blue radars surrounding them. Simply getting in a fast car in GTA V and avoiding their line of sight is an effective way to remain unseen. On lower wanted levels, simply staying out of a cop’s line of sight for a minute will lower your wanted level. We recommend hiding in bushes or abandoned alleys to get the cops off your back.
Use a cheat code
Anyone who has ever played a GTA game knows that cheat codes are a staple of the game that cannot be replaced. In GTA 5 entering the code – lawyer up, is the easiest and quickest way to get rid of any wanted level. While some players might say that this makes the game too easy, we would argue that that is what cheat codes are all about.
Get out of town
You can also escape the cops by heading into the hills. The frequency of cop cars is much higher in the city, if you can get out and into the mountains, it will be easier to avoid cop cars and reduce your wanted level quickly. Just remember to avoid helicopters, or your little drive might not last long.
3. Special abilities
Each of the 3 playable characters in GTA 5 has a special ability. Learn what these special abilities are so that you can use them to your advantage:
Michael
As the first character that players get in GTA 5, Michael’s special ability is Bullet Time. This ability allows Michael to slow down time when using firearms and take down enemies with ease and precision. The special ability gauge is replenished by driving at high speeds and performing special kills, and it can only be used when Michael is on foot.
Franklin
Repo man Franklin’s special ability is to slow down time while driving. This gives Franklin the ability to corner at high speeds, perform mind-bending maneuvers and even perform drive-bys. This ability can only be used by Franklin when he is inside a motorized road vehicle. The meter is replenished by Franklin performing stunts and driving at high speeds in traffic.
Trevor
The resident Madman, Trevor’s special ability is the Red Mist. This ability allows him to take less damage from others and inflict more damage on them, making him practically invulnerable. This also makes him a great character to play with. As long as Red Mist is active, Trevor cannot die, even surviving explosions or being hit by a train. The meter for Red Mist is filled by driving at high speeds, killing enemies, or simply by taking damage. This ability can only be activated when Trevor is on foot.
Conclusion
Even if you have completed the gargantuan story mode, there is a lot more left to do in the city of Los Santos. You can look up online guides telling you how to finish the game 100%. Alternatively, you can hop into GTA Online, where you can enjoy completing heists with your friends. You also have the opportunity to experiment with the countless Mods and cheats available out there. With a game this comprehensive, filled with infinite possibilities and an active player base, it’s all about living out the fantasy of doing whatever you want in a vast open game world.