If there’s one thing that players can rely on, it’s that Grand Theft Auto is going to have an abundance of violence and crime. Now, if there’s a second thing players can rely on, it’s the fact that a Grand Theft Auto title is probably going to have a pretty dark ending, and one that will keep players pretty upset or disturbed as the credits roll, and some endings that will make the adorable pop songs in GTA never sound the same.

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Some of the best GTA endings allow the player to make fatal decisions regarding the characters’ fates, whereas others keep players strapped in, unable to change the outcome, and forced to watch the darkness that unfolds the characters within. Not many people get to have the happy ending they want in GTA. After all, they are usually a band of killers and criminals.

Updated on February 21, 2024, by Jake Fillery: Whilst the Grand Theft Auto series is known for its fast and flashy cars, intense violence, and open worlds, their narratives and stories go deeper than that and present audiences with humorous games with a lot of heart. Many of the best GTA games feature tragic tales of the American dream and the folly of a life of crime. Betrayal seems bound to Grand Theft Auto's protagonists, and since Rockstar's last emotional title with Red Dead Redemption 2, fans are eagerly awaiting to see what fated strings are pulled when it comes to the protagonists of Grand Theft Auto 6. For now, it's time to look back at the darkest GTA endings that have been forced onto players' hands and controllers.

7 Victor Can't Quit A Life Of Crime

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

Victor Vance is a tragic character in Grand Theft Auto. Not only is he a former soldier, but he was stationed in a life of crime because he was trying to earn money for his family. Yet, the drug dealing business never goes as smoothly as it's supposed to, and with Victor’s ties to the armies gone for good, he turns to a life of crime and works his way across Vice City.

Victor made an impressive feat, as he managed to take out the Mendez Cartel. Victor even swears that he is out of the game and retiring for good, but when players reach the beginning of GTA: Vice City, they find out that Victor was not true to his word, and just two years after Vice City Stories, he’s dealing drugs and gets fatally gunned down, making his ending underwhelming and sad, knowing where he ends up.

6 The Lost Are Scattered, And Johnny's Future Is Not Bright

Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned

Enter a dysfunctional biker family with GTA 4: The Lost and Damned. This campaign follows Johnny Klebitz, the Vice President of the Alderney chapter of The Lost MC. Johnny is loyal, skilled with a gun, and someone who isn’t afraid to clash heads with others who are threatening him and those he cares about. Throughout the campaign, deceit plagues the MC, and Johnny in particular.

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By the end of The Lost and Damned, Johnny seems lost and lonely, as betrayal hits hard, leaving The Lost scattered and with their clubhouse burned down. To make matters worse, it seems The Lost didn’t recover, and Johnny’s head was bashed in by a bottle and Trevor Philips’ boot in GTA 5.

5 CJ Loses His Friends

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Carl Johnson hasn’t exactly had the easiest life. His mother was killed in a drive-by shooting, and now he has dirty cops who are forcing him to work for them. To make matters worse, he has helped propel the Grove Street gang back into a Los Santos superpower alongside his old friends, only to find out that Ryder and Big Smoke have betrayed him and Grove Street by joining up with C.R.A.S.H. to conquer the city with their own drug empires.

CJ then spends the end of the game taking revenge on his old friends, as he once again tries to bring Grove Street back into power for the third time. Except, this time it is without his friends. There is a silver lining, as CJ has a new band of misfits to call his friends to help take over Los Santos and get rid of the pesky Ballas once more in one of the best GTA games.

4 Killing An Ex & Being Wanted By Every Gang In Liberty City

Grand Theft Auto 3

Claude was the first 3D Grand Theft Auto protagonist, and whilst he doesn't exactly speak, he does leave strong impressions based on his game and actions within Grand Theft Auto 3. When Claude is betrayed by his girlfriend, Catalina, it's only a matter of time before he catches up with her and proves that crime may not pay, but revenge certainly does. Claude manages to use a rocket launcher to destroy Catalina's chopper and stop her and the cartel that was after him.

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Whilst the ending seems pretty cheery thanks to the up-beat music and the incessant ramblings of Maria, the screen cuts to black and a gunshot is heard, potentially alluding to the murder of Maria or Claude. This can be expected, as Claude made some pretty strong and well-connected enemies within Grand Theft Auto 3, so it's a pretty dark ending to consider that after all that, Claude still ends up in the dirt.

3 Killing Trevor

Grand Theft Auto 5

Trevor is seen as a liability, and as such, Franklin is tasked with a choice, whether he wants to take out his mentor, himself in a deathwish scenario, or a deranged man who when given eye contact, may kiss or kill someone. Franklin can choose to kill Trevor in one of the endings for Grand Theft Auto 5, and work with Michael to ensure that Trevor won't hurt anyone ever again. Trevor's demise is tragic and terrifying, as the ending has the man burned alive.

It's a shame, as despite how terrible Trevor is, he just wants friends, and he sees himself as being betrayed once again by Michael and by his new friend, Franklin. Even in death, there is sadness to be had, as Michael somewhat regrets what has transpired, and even refuses to talk with or see Franklin once the credits roll, showcasing the fractured relationship that the two now have within Los Santos, and how unpredictable it was to be friends in a life of crime.

2 Killing Michael As Franklin

Grand Theft Auto 5

Players have a choice between three endings for Grand Theft Auto 5, with arguably the worst one being Choice B: Kill Michael. If the player chooses to do this, Franklin will set up a meeting with his mentor, to which they will learn that everything is looking up for Michael. His marriage is on the up, his daughter Tracey is going to college, and his son Jimmy is, well, Jimmy. Yet, Franklin can ruin all of this by choosing to kill Michael with a mission from Devin Watson.

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This is by far the worst ending for GTA 5, as although Trevor’s death is sad for those who enjoy the character, he is a threat to Franklin and Michael’s existence. With the decision to go for the Kill Michael ending, Trevor, and Michael’s family, declare that Franklin is dead to them, and so he will spend his years watching his back. It’s always best to go with Choice C: Deathwish, to give the trinity of GTA protagonists a happy ending each.

1 Taking A Deal Seals Roman's Fate

Grand Theft Auto 4

Towards the end of GTA 4, players meet with Jimmy Pegorino, who will ask Niko to make a heroin deal. Players are then given two options to proceed into the next mission, with both determining different outcomes for the GTA 4 ending and the fates of those involved. Choosing to take a deal is perhaps the worst choice, as it will see the death of Niko’s beloved cousin, Roman, on his wedding day.

The death of Roman hits hard, especially since he was such a kind soul to Niko, and loyal to his cousin, and bowling. Yet, no ending of GTA 4 is a happy one, as if players choose to take revenge, then Kate is killed. Niko embarks into Liberty City without someone important to him, regardless of the player’s choice.

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