Highlights
- The Grand Theft Auto franchise has evolved over time, with more emphasis placed on the narratives told within the immersive open worlds.
- The franchise has a wide range of iconic protagonists, with passionate debates among fans about which characters stand out.
- Trevor Phillips, Niko Bellic, and Carl Johnson are ranked in the S-Tier of the franchise's best protagonists, while Claude from GTA 3 and Claude Speed from GTA 2 are ranked in the lower C-Tier.
The Grand Theft Auto franchise initially wowed fans with its immersive open worlds and the near-endless opportunities it gave players to cause chaos within them. As the IP evolved, however, much more effort was placed into the narratives that are told within these worlds, and the main characters of any installment did well to reflect this.
The many protagonists of Grand Theft Auto have gone on to mark some of the most memorable characters in gaming over the years, with the franchise having amassed a wide range of iconic figure-heads. The depth, complexity, and even frequency of Grand Theft Auto protagonists have only increased over time, with fans often engaging in passionate debates over which main characters stand head and shoulders above the rest.
This tier list will only be focusing on the protagonists of mainline Grand Theft Auto releases.
S-Tier: Trevor Phillips, Niko Bellic, Carl Johnson
Grand Theft Auto 5's Trevor Phillips deserves to be ranked among the best of the franchise's many mainline protagonists. Trevor stole a lot of the limelight from GTA 5's bold selection of three main characters, with his terrifyingly erratic behavior and strange sense of morality leading to some of the most memorable moments across the entire IP. Trevor ultimately provided a sense of horrific brutality and comedy that perfectly encapsulated the world of GTA 5 and Los Santos, making him one of the most iconic protagonists in GTA history.
Grand Theft Auto 4 also did an excellent job with its protagonist, with Niko Bellic offering a sobering take on the reality of living within the criminal underworld. The player experiences the squalor of Liberty City at the same pace as Niko, with the game beginning with the character's emigration to the city. Scarred by his first-hand experiences of the Yugoslavian War and driven by a desire to protect his family and friends, Niko offered an uncharacteristically touching tale in the otherwise eccentric world of Grand Theft Auto.
Carl Johnson is the unforgettable main character of 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, holding a soft-spot in the hearts of many longtime GTA fans. Like Niko, Carl's actions are driven by a desire to protect his loved ones, with loyalty being one of the main overarching themes of the title. CJ consistently displays skills way beyond his lot in life, with his cool demeanor masking a genuine desire to rise above life's hardships and make a name for himself.
A-Tier: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, Tommy Vercetti
Michael De Santa is seen by many as the most narratively important figure among GTA 5's three protagonists, with Trevor and Franklin only being relevant to the story through their ties to Michael. As a career criminal wallowing in the self-pity of a luxurious life of "witness protection," Michael has very little control over his life or family, at times making him seem like quite a pathetic character. With that being said, a highly capable and empathetic figure lies behind Michael's flaws, making him an extremely compelling protagonist overall.
Franklin Clinton is also unforgettable as a main character, with his story noticeably mirroring that of CJ's. Like CJ, Franklin used the skills available to him to escape a life of destitution, smartly using Michael as a key contact and mentor in bettering his life through any means necessary. Throughout a lot of GTA 5's story, Franklin shows more maturity and emotional intelligence than the game's two other main figures, exemplifying the characteristics that make him a likable and impactful protagonist.
Tommy Vercetti took the helm for the story of 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, rapidly rising through a neon criminal underworld inspired by Miami in the 1980s. A wise-cracking protagonist of extreme confidence, Tommy's character was greatly boosted by the voice acting performance of the late Ray Liotta. This also made Tommy the first GTA protagonist to have a voice actor, and Tommy Vercetti had an abundance of defining swagger as a result.
B-Tier: Claude
2001's Grand Theft Auto 3 was the first entry to the franchise to adopt the 3D third-person perspective, providing a newfound level of intimacy between the player and protagonist for the IP's future. Sadly, this was not capitalized on very well by GTA 3, with its main character being a completely voiceless protagonist simply known as Claude. A lot of the appeal behind Claude comes from the mystery surrounding him, and while he has become a cult favorite in some circles of GTA fans, his silence makes him lack a presence, ensuring he is bested by many other Grand Theft Auto protagonists.
C-Tier: Claude Speed, GTA 1's Protagonist
Strangely, Grand Theft Auto 2 also possessed a silent protagonist named Claude, with his full name being Claude Speed. Many fans interpret this protagonist as the same Claude from GTA 3, yet any game prior to GTA 3 is now considered to be from the narratives of a different GTA universe. With players controlling the silent Claude Speed from a classic top-down 2D perspective, it is very difficult for any attachment to be formed between the player and main character, leaving him near the bottom of the rankings.
The original Grand Theft Auto also fell into these same trappings, with this being almost inevitable given its time of release. GTA 1 gave fans a choice between the names of several protagonists, with this only impacting how the main character's sprite looked in-game, earning the original game the bottom spot in the rankings of the franchise's many protagonists.
