- Primary Subject: Grand Theft Auto V / Grand Theft Auto VI
- Key Update: A nostalgic retrospective reflecting on GTA V’s legacy, protagonists, and iconic moments as players prepare to transition to GTA VI.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: October 23, 2026
- Quick Answer: As GTA 6 approaches, I reflect on Grand Theft Auto V's deep immersion, main characters, customization, and memorable Los Santos moments.
When Gfinity’s Editor-in-Chief put forward the idea of taking one final journey across Los Santos for a retrospective look back on Grand Theft Auto 5, I was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions.
I actually remember being a tad late to GTA 5; you see, I was still a bit too young to experience the likes of Vice City, San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto IV at the time, so I suppose I wasn’t in as much of a rush to get the 2013 installment compared to long-term fans. As amazing as it looked in the build-up to launch, I guess part of me felt cautious about whether I’d actually enjoy it due to being out of the GTA loop.
But in reality, it didn’t take long for my head to be turned, with plenty of school friends telling me just how fun it was and that I simply had to experience it for myself. Safe to say FOMO started setting in big time!
And well, the rest is, as they say, history. For the ordinary person who isn’t looped in on gaming culture, it’s easy for them to turn around and say “it’s just a video game,” but the truth is, GTA 5 was so much more than that. Los Santos provided a deep sense of immersion that invited you in to get lost, to create memories. It was a place to escape, a distraction from the real world, and when a game offers you all of those things, it will always hold a special place in your heart.
Despite my lack of GTA knowledge and prior hands-on experience, playing GTA 5 felt completely natural from the get-go. I’ll be honest, I had some reservations about there being three switchable main protagonists to begin with; I worried that there would almost be too much happening and we’d struggle to grow any sort of emotional attachment when jumping from one character to another. Looking back at Michael, Franklin, and Trevor now, though, they’re icons of the franchise and were perfect for what Rockstar wanted to achieve. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Within mere hours of playing, it was as if I’d known them for years; they were easy to connect with, and their varying personalities made you view each one distinctly. Yet I always had their back and developed a genuine interest in seeing how their relationship would grow over time. I even recall wondering how on earth the trio would ever get along given how vastly different they were, yet because they ultimately shared the same goal in life, their individual stories clicked all the pieces together really nicely.
I’m someone who absolutely loves customization in video games, so GTA 5 was a dreamland. Whether it was weapons, vehicle mods, or clothes, if I could purchase it and put my own spin on something for each character, I did. Goodness knows how many hours I spent browsing shops, garages, and Ammu-Nation. They were activities you could repeat again and again without ever growing bored, at least for me! But that was the whole point of GTA 5. You’d get down and dirty with the crew, break the law, pull off massive heists, and treat yourself with whatever share you walked away with. I found the entire gameplay loop deeply satisfying and enjoyable.
While I cherish plenty of moments from my time in Los Santos, two stand out in particular whenever I think back on GTA 5. A friend once told me about the Bugatti Veyron, known in-game as the Truffade Adder, which would randomly spawn near the shops in Rockford Hills. I wasn’t really one for buying brand-new vehicles and storing them away; instead, I preferred stealing cool-looking rides from across the map, saving them via Los Santos Customs, and driving them back to one of the characters’ houses.
So anyway, when I was told about the Adder and where to find it, I felt a rush of pure excitement upon spotting it parked up for the first time. Even though I knew others were aware of its existence, it was as if I'd struck gold and found a loophole, acquiring one of the best vehicles early before anyone else. From that point onward, the Bugatti was my go-to car. I still recall customizing it like it was yesterday, alongside Franklin’s Bravado Buffalo S, which was, of course, modeled after the Dodge Charger.
Another distinct memory from my years in Los Santos involves frequently hopping on the Grand Theft Auto: iFruit companion app installed on my iPod to feed, pet, walk, play fetch, and train Chop. I also spent quite a bit of time remotely tweaking vehicles and ordering custom license plates for them. Looking back, it wouldn’t be seen as a big deal today, but it felt huge at the time. Then, when I next booted up the game on my PS3, Chop would happily greet me after receiving some fuss, and my personalized plate would be waiting right there on my cars. Small details, sure, but they went a long, long way.
We could sit here for days talking about the characters of GTA 5, the missions, the layout, and so on; all of it was simply perfection. But what I’ll perhaps miss most are the relaxed drives through Los Santos and Blaine County in my own time, flicking through every radio station with the volume at full blast, stopping at each traffic light, and taking everything in. I know you all did that from time to time as well! Just being in that environment, watching the world go by, nothing could ever top it.
Once I’d spent an hour or so reminiscing about the good old days, I made my way up to the top of Vinewood Hills overlooking the city. Quite fittingly, the sun had just started to set, with that same distinct car engine intermittently roaring off in the distance.
If I could describe that feeling standing there, knowing that this would potentially be the last time I set foot in Los Santos, it would be bittersweet. There was a hint of sadness, but also plenty of joy and appreciation for what this game did for me. I was a high school teenager when I first loaded up GTA 5. Today, I sit here typing this article as a 27-year-old married man with GTA 6 just weeks away. It’s very much a full-circle moment, not just for me, but for all of you who experienced what I did back in 2013 and beyond.
Hopefully this is more of a see you later rather than a final goodbye, but if it isn’t, Los Santos - it was an absolute pleasure.
You forget a thousand things every day pal. Make sure this is isn't one of ‘em!
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