The crime-sim series has many well-known characters, but the main GTA protagonists are crucial to its success. Some characters have serious, realistic stories, while others are all about chaos. Even though GTA 6 isn't out yet, people are excited about Lucia, the first female protagonist in the series. There are also good protagonists in less popular spin-off games.
In the Grand Theft Auto series, the protagonists play a big role in the games' success. Each character has a unique personality, story, and role in the game. They are important to the GTA world in their own ways. However, when it comes to player enjoyment, some protagonists are more popular than others.
The recent GTA 6 trailer gives more details about Lucia, the first female protagonist in Grand Theft Auto. Her story will be in the expanded Vice City, a fictional version of Florida called Leonida. The trailer suggests she has a criminal past and will team up with a guy named Jason for a Bonnie and Clyde vibe. People will have to wait for the full game release to see how they compare to other GTA protagonists.
Claude (Grand Theft Auto 3)
Also Appears In GTA San Andreas, GTA Online
Claude is considered the least favorable GTA protagonist, which is not surprising given that he was Rockstar Games' initial venture into the 3D realm. Despite being the main character in Grand Theft Auto 3, he didn't have any voice acting, so he never speaks throughout the game. Claude played a crucial role in the entire Grand Theft Auto series, introducing a successful 3D playable character model that significantly impacted the future of the crime-sim series. However, compared to other protagonists, he faces a disadvantage due to his lack of personality.
Claude Speed is the main character in the top-down GTA 2, and although Rockstar has not officially confirmed whether the Claude from GTA 3 is the same as the one in GTA 2, there are theories connecting them, and the shared name adds to the confusion.
Toni Cipriani (Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories)
Also Appears In GTA 3
Toni Cipriani is the main character in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and a key figure in GTA 3, facing challenges due to his dual roles. In Liberty City Stories, he is an agreeable character, with his ties to the mafia and unwavering loyalty to the Leone family making his story engaging. However, his brief appearance in GTA 3 is less impressive. While he stands out when players control him in Liberty City Stories, it's challenging to ignore the unremarkable, stereotypical mob boss persona that Toni adopts a few years later in the Grand Theft Auto timeline.
Huang Lee (GTA: Chinatown Wars)
Also Referenced In GTA 4
Huang Lee, an underrated GTA protagonist in Chinatown Wars, is known for his wit and personality. His approach is more thoughtful compared to some of the more comedic GTA protagonists. As the son of a murdered Triad leader, Lee's story is one of the more serious character arcs in GTA, involving the delivery of a family heirloom to the new Triad leader in Liberty City.
Huang was featured in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a handheld version of GTA for the DS, PlayStation Portable, and mobile devices. Released in 2009 for portable devices without featuring a voice for Huang Lee, he tends to be overlooked as a GTA protagonist. However, he should be remembered for his compelling revenge plot and journey of self-discovery.
Victor Vance (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories)
Also Featured In GTA Vice City
As the main character in Vice City Stories and having a minor role in GTA: Vice City, Victor Vance's story is more gripping than Toni Cipriani's. Unlike many GTA protagonists, Vic never intended to become a crime boss; his sole aim was to support his struggling family by any means necessary.
Initially, this led him to be a dedicated military member. However, when his superior ordered him to engage in illegal activities, he was discharged and left with no other option. While most protagonists in Grand Theft Auto pursue wealth or fame, Vic does it for survival and his family, making him stand out.
Johnny Klebitz (Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned)
Also Appears In GTA 5 & The Ballad Of Gay Tony
Johnny Klebitz, the protagonist of GTA 4's The Lost and Damned DLC, has a story even more tragic than Victor's. When Billy, the president of the Lost MC, is sent to rehab, Johnny steps into the role, becoming the strong and level-headed leader of the biker gang. However, things quickly spiral out of control, and he must navigate through multiple betrayals to keep the Lost MC going. Although his brief return in GTA 5 results in an unceremonious death, Johnny stands out as one of the more compelling GTA protagonists from a storytelling perspective.
Franklin Clinton (Grand Theft Auto 5)
Portrayed By Shawn Fonteno
The ongoing debate about the best GTA 5 protagonist continues even a decade after the game's release. However, a common sentiment among fans is that Franklin Clinton is probably the least impressive of the trio. While he is an essential part of the infamous trio, being the coolest and most collected by a significant margin, his role as the voice of reason makes him somewhat less exciting than Michael or Trevor. Nevertheless, it's intriguing to witness his character development as he gradually becomes more skilled in the criminal world. Franklin is also part of GTA Online.
Luis Fernando Lopez (Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad Of Gay Tony)
Also Featured In GTA 4 & The Lost And Damned
Luis Fernando Lopez, the main character in GTA 4's The Ballad of Gay Tony DLC, stands out as one of the funniest GTA protagonists and is genuinely enjoyable to play. Throughout the expansion's events, he navigates a challenging situation as his boss and best friend, Tony, becomes involved with the wrong crowd. Despite the seriousness of the circumstances, Luis consistently injects humor with his jokes and witty comments. His blend of humor and loyalty to Tony makes him a particularly memorable character in the franchise.
Michael De Santa (Grand Theft Auto 5)
Portrayed By Ned Luke
Undoubtedly, Michael De Santa is one of the most iconic Grand Theft Auto protagonists. As a former professional criminal, he showcases his mastery of the trade throughout the events of GTA 5. However, beyond his criminal expertise, Michael reveals surprising depth through internal conflicts and a hot-headed temperament that puts his family at risk. Observing the gradual development of his story and his interactions with other characters in GTA 5 is a highlight of the game, solidifying Michael as one of the best GTA protagonists.
Trevor Philips (Grand Theft Auto 5)
Portrayed By Ned Luke
While Michael De Santa may be the face of GTA 5, Trevor Philips embodies what many players love about the franchise: unfiltered chaos. Trevor's inclination for violence, coupled with his unpredictable mindset and loyalty to a select few, positions him as a dangerous wildcard that can catch players off guard as much as his in-game adversaries. With Trevor, there's never a dull moment, and despite his good side in GTA 5, it's his predominant, almost theatrically bad side that truly makes him one of the best characters in the entire series.
Trevor is also a main character in GTA: Online.
Carl "CJ" Johnson (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)
Voiced By Young Maylay
Discussing the best GTA protagonists would be incomplete without mentioning Carl Johnson, commonly known as CJ, from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Unlike Trevor, CJ is a commendable young man who approaches others with kindness but is unafraid to take charge and accomplish the task at hand, often injecting humor into the situation. His grounded personality, engaging interactions with other characters, and his journey from rags to riches unquestionably establish him as one of the most memorable characters in the Grand Theft Auto series.
Tommy Vercetti (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City)
Also Referenced In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
There's speculation that Tommy Vercetti might make a return in the upcoming GTA game, especially given its setting in the eponymous location of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. While GTA 6 can succeed without Tommy, many players would likely welcome a cameo from one of GTA's standout protagonists.
In the beginning of Vice City, the Harwood Butcher, aptly named Tommy Vercetti, experiences a fall from grace after being released from prison for crimes committed on behalf of the Forelli family. Fueled by a fiery vengeance and a determination to control Vice City, Tommy spares no effort to climb to the top. It's his unwavering dedication, intelligence, ruthlessness, and ultimate success that make him a well-deserved fan favorite.
Niko Bellic (Grand Theft Auto 4)
Also Featured In The Ballad Of Gay Tony & Mentioned In GTA 5
The top GTA protagonist is Niko Bellic, the main character in Grand Theft Auto 4. While other protagonists may boast exciting stories and thrilling lifestyles, Niko's narrative is distinct for being somber, realistic, and unexpectedly impactful.
Seeking a fresh start, the Serbian veteran arrives in Liberty City to leave his troubled past behind. However, he finds himself entangled in the harsh reality of the "American Dream" he once yearned for. Consequently, he adopts a more sinister goal, aiming to locate and eliminate the traitor responsible for the deaths of most of his crew (and nearly his own) during the Yugoslav Wars.
Unlike other GTA protagonists, Niko's morally ambiguous actions aren't solely driven by a pursuit of wealth or notoriety. Fueled by his traumatic military history and the desire to close a dark chapter, his life-or-death story elevates the rest to mere child's play. It's challenging not to empathize with his emotional journey, solidifying Niko Bellic as the standout Grand Theft Auto protagonist.
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