Some people may argue that Grand Theft Auto promotes spectacle and zaniness over genuine character moments, which is true to an extent. However, to overblow this statement and say that the Grand Theft Auto games have bad writing isn’t true in the slightest.
In fact, Rockstar is a master of characterization, ensuring that the heroes and villains of the tale have a strong impact, even if the writing surrounding them occasionally becomes a bit convenient. Some of the best-written characters in GTA are a joy to interact with and prove why fans can’t get enough of this series.
Niko Bellic
His Descent Into A Life Of Crime After Being Misguided About The American Dream Is Fascinating
Niko Bellic is one of the most interesting protagonists in GTA. He’s a Serbian immigrant who comes to America after hearing his cousin’s tall tales, only to realize that Roman is far from living the American dream. With his hopes shattered and his skills limited to his time in war, Niko has no choice but to employ his skills in a life of crime to make a quick buck. His cold and calculating attitude makes him fit for this role, although he also shows a deep loyalty toward his family and the few friends he makes in Liberty City.
He slowly becomes one of the biggest players in the underworld and can carry out numerous jobs without kicking up a fuss, but the game’s message of crime never paying becomes very apparent at the end. After what should’ve been a day of celebration, Niko’s actions lead to either his girlfriend or his cousin dying, prompting a vengeful quest for revenge that ultimately leaves him feeling hollow inside.
Trevor Philips
Everyone’s Favorite Psycho
Trevor Philips is one of the greatest video game protagonists of all time, with fans relishing this crazy man’s antics. The way he runs his meth business makes it clear why Michael wanted to cut ties with him, but one single line of dialogue makes it clear to Trevor that his partner in crime is alive all along. Despite being a homicidal maniac, Steven Ogg’s infectious performance adds a ton of charisma to this character and makes his personality shine in the game.
He comes to Los Santos, wreaks havoc, and eventually reunites with Michael. During this time, Trevor is established as the most unhinged Grand Theft Auto character, who will leave scorched earth in his wake, and even switching to him is enough to witness some of the funniest scenes in the game.
Tommy Vercetti
His Competent Attitude Makes It Clear Why Sonny Forelli Was Intimidated By Him
After spending some time in jail, Tommy comes back and aims to make Vice City his new playground. He is dangerously efficient and does everything in his power to earn as much moolah as possible. He may have a temper, but his intelligent approach to business deals ensures that he never makes a mistake too large to handle. Eventually, after acquiring some businesses and making friends along the way, Tommy becomes one of the biggest players in Vice City. It’s here that the story takes an interesting turn for this character.
One of his friends, Lance Vance, becomes lazy and languishes, while Tommy aims for new heights time and time again. He eventually becomes jealous and teams up with Sonny Forelli, Tommy’s “friend,” who had also been jealous of Tommy and got him sent to jail in the first place. However, Tommy is ruthless, doesn’t let these back-to-back betrayals faze him, and shoots all his foes before making Lance and Sonny pay for their crimes in a ruthless ending that establishes Tommy as the top dog. His zeal to pursue his ambitions at all costs makes him a perfect antagonist in the cutthroat world of Vice City.
Frank Tenpenny
Samuel L. Jackson’s Hypnotic Performance Makes This Conniving Antagonist Very Easy To Hate
Frank Tenpenny is one of the most memorable video game antagonists. Props should be given to Samuel L. Jackson for uttering every line for this character with so much venom and hatred that hating this corrupt cop is as easy as running over pedestrians with a broken-down, stolen car. His role as a villain is well-defined, with Rockstar making it clear to add some complexities to his personality without losing the vile edge that makes him a character fans love to hate.
He antagonizes CJ every step of the way, carries out faulty busts to rack up his arrests, and teams up with Ryder & Big Smoke to unleash a hit that leads to the death of CJ and Sweet’s mother. He seems like an unstoppable force, but his public opinion goes down the drain after he’s acquitted of his crimes, making it easy for CJ and his allies to take out this monster once and for all.
Michael De Santa
Struggles With A Midlife Crisis After Escaping A Life Of Crime
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 5
Once known as Michael Townley, this criminal was in too deep and needed to find a way out without alerting his crazy partner. He teamed up with Lester to fake his death and left Trevor behind. He could’ve retired with all the wealth he had, but it was clear that a peaceful life wasn’t on Michael’s cards.
A major midlife crisis hit him in no time, and he eventually found himself going back to his old ways. After tearing down the house of a feared mob boss, Michael enacted a heist with Franklin and kick-started a series of events that caused his past to come back and haunt him once again. His joy after getting into the life of crime once again is palpable and adds a much-needed layer of complexity to a character who was dangerously close to being yet another cliché as a jaded husband and father.
Roman Bellic
His Delusions Are Surprisingly Entertaining
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 4
As much as fans make fun of Roman for constantly hounding Niko with requests to bowl, the truth is that he’s one of the best and most loyal characters in the series. He may be a bit of a goofball, but this is precisely why fans love Roman’s character so much.
He embodies the struggles of a typical immigrant who is promised untold riches but ends up living a life of mediocrity. Seeing him unwind with his cousin and finally enjoy life without any strings attached, but all of this comes to a crashing halt based on the choice Niko makes before the ending mission.
Carl “CJ” Johnson
Comes Back To Los Santos After His Mother’s Death And Redeems Himself
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
After spending time away from Los Santos, the news of his mother’s passing is what leads to CJ coming back to Grove Street. He reunites with former friends and family members before joining the gang and trying to figure out who called the hit that led to his mom’s death. From this moment, fans see that CJ is gentler than the average GTA protagonist, although he isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when the situation calls for it.
After discovering Ryder and Smoke’s betrayal, CJ’s life is turned upside down as he is thrown out of Los Santos. It’s a struggle for him to get out of C.R.A.S.H.’s crosshairs, but he eventually makes enough allies to come back to his city, take down the people who betrayed him, and help the Grove Street Families become the biggest gang in Los Santos once again. All of this is accomplished by his grit and determination, and it helps that he invests his trust in the right people.
Franklin Clinton
The Voice Of Reason Between Michael And Franklin, Whose Rags-to-Riches Ascent Is Fascinating
- Appears In: Grand Theft Auto 5, Grand Theft Auto Online
The reason why the trio dynamic works so well in Grand Theft Auto 5 is because of Franklin. Michael is trying to move away from his criminal past, and Trevor is too far gone to come back, but Franklin is the glue that holds them together and makes them realize that they’re more similar than they’d like to admit.
From being mentored by Michael to getting out of his shadow, Franklin manages to become richer than he could’ve expected in his wildest dreams. He is easily the most competent member of the trio and is one of the best Grand Theft Auto protagonists of all time. His ambitious attitude doesn’t overwhelm his common sense, and he harbors deep loyalty for the people close to him, whether it be an inept gangster like Lamar or a competent one like Michael.
