How to play GTA 5 with Tips

It felt like just yesterday when we provided a GTA V preview on the missions, characters, and multiplayer mode. In 2018, we were so excited to celebrate the action game’s five-year anniversary. It has come a long way since then, with plenty more online modes available.

If you’re new to the scene, we’ll show you how to play GTA 5 online and offline. You’ll see info on installing mods, while we’ll also provide some valuable tips and tricks.

What is GTA 5?

GTA 5 is an action, role-playing crime game where you shift between three main characters: Franklyn, Trevor, and Michael. Each one has troubles of his own, and you’ll need to complete missions for each of them to finish the main storyline.

It also contains several sidequests to help you build up rep and make money. GTA V is the sequel to GTA IV that only featured one main character, namely, Nico Bellic. The campaign mode is complemented with a fully-featured online multiplayer section that receives regular updates and new events.

How to play GTA 5 offline

While it can be tempting to jump directly into the online experience, we want to show you how to play the GTA 5 campaign mode. You’ll learn how the controls and gameplay mechanics work without interference from other players. You can also have some fun with the cops and maxing out that wanted level before vanishing like a ghost in the night.

Getting Started

Firstly, you’ll need to buy and download GTA 5 on your preferred platform. You can obtain it for PC, Mac, PS3/PS4/PS5, and Xbox 360/XBO/Xbox Series X. If you have Xbox Games Pass and a phone that can handle the game, you can use remote play to try it on your mobile device.

Changing characters

With the game in hand, you can start playing GTA 5. It takes a while to load, so you’ll want to make a cup of coffee while you wait (or something stronger for what’s to come). When it finally does load, you’ll notice that you have control of one of the characters named Michael.

There’s a long introduction to the story that will help you learn the controls. When that’s over, you’ll head back to Michael’s hometown. Over the course of the next hour or so, you’ll get to change characters between him, Franklin, and Trevor, each of which has unique personalities, abilities, and troubles in their personal lives.

Completing missions

Every character has a specific set of missions you need to complete. Sometimes, you’ll only have one available, and other times will see you busy with all three of them. The main quests progress the storyline, while there are sidequests to improve your skill and receive money.

While you can just do the story missions, we recommend you complete as many sidequests as possible. They’ll unlock new modes, vehicles, or properties, and some may even give you new leads on your current task.

If you need some help, you can check out our top tips for completing missions in GTA 5.

An array of weapons and vehicles

One aspect that made the first GTA popular was stealing cars, hence the name Grand Theft Auto. As the franchise developed, newer models and weapons became available. GTA 5 is packed with cars, helicopters, boats, and guns to cause chaos all over Los Santos.

One of the newer features is being able to customize and store your vehicles. For cars and bikes, you can place them in any of the warehouses or garages you purchase. There are also hangars for the planes and harbors for the boats.

Making money

There may be times when you are strapped for cash and you really want that rocket launcher or sniper. Besides the main missions that consist of heists, there are plenty of other things you can do to obtain money. Some consist of killing random strangers, while others will raise the wanted level in GTA 5 when you rob an armored truck filled with dough.

You can check our guide for how to make money in GTA 5 to help you along.

Perfecting your aim

If you want to survive in Los Santos, you need to perfect your aim. Sure, the game sometimes locks onto enemies, but that may not help you when you’re pinned down in an abandoned skyscraper surrounded by cops and gangs. Fortunately, RockStar improved how shooting worked in GTA 5, but we still recommend you head to the closest gun store and practice in the shooting range.

GTA 5 100% completion

If you’re a completionist like so many of us GTA 5 gamers, you’ll want to aim for 100% completion of the campaign mode. When you head into your settings, you can see what you still need to do to reach this milestone.

You’ll need to find secret items with your vehicles and also undertake some races. If you haven’t done any stranger side missions yet, it’s time you get to it. It’s best if you assess this checklist before it’s too late, as you might miss a small task.

How to play GTA 5 online

Now that you know how the campaign mode works, we’ll show you how to play GTA 5 online. While the gameplay mechanics may work the same in some scenarios, the multiplayer version is completely different. Once you enter this world, you won’t want to go back to single-player mode.

Creating a character

Firstly, you’ll need to create a character you’ll play within GTA V online. The game will ask you to create a RockStar account, and you can also be part of the Social Club. There are only basic items for your character at the start, but you’ll unlock more as you play with and against others.

Participating in events

With your character ready, you can now see which events are available. You might only see a few that are appropriate for your level, which will change as you become stronger and better. Make sure you read through each description of the events to see which ones will suit you best in the beginning.

How to sell property in GTA 5

Once you have a handle on things and make enough money, you can start buying property. It can be anything from houses, garages, nightclubs, to apartments, to name a few. However, there’s a limit to how much you can own of each type.

If you see another house or building you want but your inventory is full, you’ll need to sell property in GTA 5 to acquire the new one. Just head to the real estate section on your phone and select the new option. The game will ask you which one you want to exchange it for. If the new listing is worth less than the old one, you’ll receive the rest of the cash in your bank as profit.

How to sell cars in GTA 5 online

Another way you can make money is by selling cars in GTA 5 online. This method consists of pure profit, as you can steal any low-end vehicles and sell them at your local paint shop. It’s one of the easiest ways to make some bucks in Grand Theft Auto, and it’s helpful when you’re starting out and have nothing.

Registering as a CEO

One feature you may enjoy is registering as a CEO in GTA V. You’ll be the boss of a company while hiring friends as bodyguards. There are some requirements for doing so, such as buying an office, customizing it, and then registering it in your name. You’ll also need some starter funds to cover the overhead costs.

Making a crew

Remember that Social Club we mentioned earlier? Well, you’ll need to be a member if you want to create your own crew in GTA 5. Having a gang makes completing events so much easier. However, you’ll be going up against other crews who may be stronger than you. Make sure you have mics equipped so you can discuss strategy when going into a fight.

How to install mods on GTA 5

If you want to change a few things in GTA 5, you use a mod manager and install some modification files on your PC. You can change your appearance in unique ways or obtain weapons and skins unavailable in the original game.

Here are some guides on how to use mods in GTA V:

GTA V cheat codes

While Rockstar attempts to keep most games clean, there are plenty of cheat codes for PS4, PC, and XBO. We don’t recommend using them in the online version, as you may incur penalties. However, you can use them in the campaign mode if you’ve already obtained all your achievements.

Here are a few examples of GTA 5 cheats that have appeared over the years:

GTA 5 Money Cheat
Invincibility Cheat Gta 5
GTA 5 Helicopter Cheat
GTA 5 Car Cheats
GTA 5 Money Glitch
GTA 5 Weapons Cheat
Buzzard Cheat Gta 5

Dealing with errors and glitches in GTA 5

One element you won’t enjoy when playing GTA 5 is dealing with errors that appear. While Rockstar has fixed most of them with patches, you’ll always find the stray bug reappearing. You can find a list of the most helpful articles here below:

GTA 5 Online Tips and Tricks

Before we go, we did promise you some tips and tricks for GTA 5. Here are some hints on how you can improve your gaming experience for the multiplayer mode.

Complete the tutorial

Before you can start your criminal career in GTA V online, you’ll need to complete the tutorial. It begins after you create your character and will show you the ropes of how the lobbies work. Don’t get frustrated; there’s some useful information here that may save your virtual life.

Get a fast car and garage quickly

You’ll need to put your Grand Theft Auto skills to good use as soon as you can. Many other players are already riding around in their top-notch cars, and you’ll want a fast one to compete in races and outrun opponents or cops in the streets. You can steal one that you find and then make money to supe it up.

Save your money at ATMs

It’s easy to get killed in GTA 5 online, which is when you’ll lose your money. To prevent other gangs or players from robbing you, make sure you head to ATMs and store your cash there. You can still use your balance to buy items from your phone.

Purchase an underground facility

When you begin rolling in the cash and you are CEO of a company, you can start organizing some heists. Underground facilities are incredibly expensive, so you’ll need to make sure you’re ready for this investment. If you succeed in your missions, you’ll make it back in no time.

Find a helicopter

Traveling around Blain County from one location to another can be tedious. However, choppers aren’t exactly cheap. As soon as you have a storage location, steal a chopper and make it your own. In that way, you can cruise around as much as you want without wasting time.

Check for weekly events

Rockstar enjoys rewarding its players for participating in events. Keep an eye for missions that provide double experience or rewards, which will help you save up cash quicker. It also helps if you subscribe to the GTA 5 online newsletter.

Get to blasting and stealing!

There’s no end in sight for this game, so you better learn how to play GTA 5 quickly. While there’s loads of crime, swearing, and violence, you can have plenty of fun with your friends in this online world.