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7 of the best main story missions in the GTA series so far

The story missions in the GTA series have been the cornerstones of the games in this franchise. Rockstar Games has put a lot of effort into crafting memorable narratives that involve epic action. Among the numerous objectives the series has seen so far, there are some that stand out more than others. This is either because these missions are filled with action or impact the storyline or its characters greatly.

This article will list seven missions in the series that are the most fun to do.

Note: The article is subjective and based on the writer's opinion.


7 story missions in the GTA series that have left a deep impact on fans

1) Freefall - Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

Freefall offers one of the best action sequences in San Andreas (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
Freefall offers one of the best action sequences in San Andreas (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

Freefall is undoubtedly one of the best story missions in the GTA series, coming straight from GTA San Andreas. It is a multi-layered action-packed mission where CJ is tasked with flying to the sky and hijacking an airplane. Once inside, he must kill every passenger and then land the plane safely in the designated spot.

This mission set the bar high for what story missions could involve in this franchise.


2) Keep Your Friends Close - Grand Theft Auto Vice City

GTA Vice City's finale is one of the best story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
GTA Vice City's finale is one of the best story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

Vice City has some of the most incredible story missions in the GTA series. However, there is no match for its finale. In it, players get to have their revenge and take down a backstabber, as well as the primary antagonist of the story, Sonny Forelli.

The game's final mission offers an action-fuelled sequence. Tommy must chase enemies throughout Sonny's mansion and put them out of their misery. Keep Your Friends Close is also one of the best final missions in the series and offers a satisfying ending.


3) Three Leaf Clover - Grand Theft Auto 4

Three Leaf Clover is an epic bank heist in GTA 4 (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
Three Leaf Clover is an epic bank heist in GTA 4 (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

GTA 4 has numerous memorable missions, and Three Leaf Clover is certainly one of them. Not only does it involve one of the biggest heists in the game, it also sets the tone for future heists and related missions in the series. This makes it one of the best story missions in the GTA franchise since it clearly influenced similar missions in GTA 5 and its online multiplayer mode.

In Three Leaf Clover, players must rob a bank in the heart of the city. As usual, things quickly go sideways. Hence, Niko must take down the police and escape them with the money. The mission is also clearly inspired by the iconic movie Heat, and the gunfight sequence after the heist is quite reminiscent of it. Three Leaf Clover is filled with humor, action, and a great fight sequence.


4) The Big Score - Grand Theft Auto 5

The Bigg Score is one of the best heist missions in the entire game (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
The Bigg Score is one of the best heist missions in the entire game (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

Rockstar Games has given GTA 5 some of the best story missions in the GTA series. With three protagonists in this title, there are bound to be multiple amazing tasks and objectives throughout. The Big Score is a mission where the trio pulls a heist to obtain a large amount of money.

Since you can pick one of two ways to do the mission, this increases its replayability. The mission is to enter the Union Repository and steal the gold. You and your partners can either pick the stealth option and go in dressed as drivers or drill into the vault from the underground.


5) End of the Line - Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

End of the Line offers one of the most epic story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
End of the Line offers one of the most epic story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

End of the Line is the final mission in GTA San Andreas and one of the best story missions in the GTA series. It is the culmination of everything that CJ has gone through in the story and lets you get some sweet revenge on Big Smoke.

The mission is triggered once you take over a certain number of territories. Once this happens, you must infiltrate a heavily fortified building where Big Smoke is hiding. In an epic battle, you finally kill the friend-turned-backstabber and head out to take down Tenpenny. The corrupt cop starts fleeing and ends up killing himself.


6) Caida Libre - Grand Theft Auto 5

This mission required both Michael and Trevor to work together (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
This mission required both Michael and Trevor to work together (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

Caida Libre begins when Martin Madrazo contacts you to kill his cousin who's on his way to testify in court. To complete the mission, Michael must collaborate with Trevor to take out an aircraft before killing the target. The action-packed mission requires Michael to shoot down the plane. Then, Trevor has to chase it throughout Los Santos and its countryside area.

While the firefighting in the mission is nothing special, chasing the airplane as Trevor on a dirtbike throughout the city is thrilling. Trying to keep the crashing aircraft in sight while jumping across ramps and navigating through traffic feels amazing and sets the pace of the game in a great way.


7) The Third Way - Grand Theft Auto 5

The finale of GTA 5 is one of the best story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)
The finale of GTA 5 is one of the best story missions in the GTA series (Image via Rockstar Games || GTA Wiki)

The Third Way is the final GTA 5 mission that wraps up its story and features the protagonist trio all together for one last mission. You start it once you pick option C, Death Wish, when Davis Weston and Agent Haines approach you. Picking this option helps you save both Michael and Trevor and kill all the antagonists in the game's story.

After a series of long and intricate tasks, the protagonists have a final talk with David before pushing his car from a hill and into the sea. This marks the conclusion of the game's main storyline.

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