All GTA Protagonists Ranked

Grand Theft Auto and GTA: London had several playable characters, but they were significantly limited in their backstories, development, and narrative. This is why they aren’t mentioned in this ranking, and the list will begin with Claude Speed of GTA 2. All the GTA protagonists are ranked based on various elements, including their development, memorability, and realistic writing.

13. Claude Speed (GTA 2) & Mike (GTA: Advance)

These two characters have been added to the list because they’re both GTA protagonists, but Claude Speed barely has any characterization or development, and Mike has a very simple story. They’re both from older games, which explains why they’re less fleshed out and also why they’re ranked last.

Mike has a straightforward story of being betrayed by his friend Vinnie, who runs away with their money. Claude works for whoever pays him, and ultimately turns against all the gangs, taking down their leaders. He doesn’t have any emotional depth or a backstory that forces him to take the route he’s on.

12. Claude (GTA III)

This is the first developed GTA protagonist, who arrives in Liberty City but is betrayed by his girlfriend. The betrayal explains why Claude starts his journey to take revenge and begins working his way up the criminal underground. The GTA protagonist is famously silent, communicating through actions rather than words.

Claude isn’t the best GTA protagonist, but he has a real reason for the criminal acts he pulls. Despite this, he isn’t ranked higher on the list because this was arguably GTA’s first attempt at making a protagonist who has a backstory and motivation, but he is still flat compared to newer characters.

11. Toni Cipriani (GTA: Liberty City Stories)

Toni returns to Liberty City after having spent four years in hiding due to a crime he previously committed. The protagonist starts working for Don Salvatore Leone and starts his blood-filled path toward becoming a key figure in the criminal underground. He has a toxic relationship with his mother, who compares Toni to his father, and the character tries to gain her approval.

This unique mother-son dynamic makes Toni a distinct character compared to other GTA protagonists, as he has insecurity due to the constant comparisons. Despite this, Toni is loyal and carries out orders to expand the influence of the Leone family. He isn’t bound by a moral compass and does whatever’s necessary to advance.

10. Huang Lee (GTA: Chinatown Wars)

Huang Lee doesn’t have much character development, but the GTA protagonist has one of the best backstories in the series. He’s the son of a Triad leader who travels to Liberty City after his father is murdered to deliver a family heirloom to his uncle. The heirloom is unsurprisingly stolen, and Huang starts his quest to find it and also to uncover the secret behind his father’s death.

Huang is cocky, sarcastic, and spoilt, but he still stands out from other GTA protagonists because of why he is going around the city killing people. His main objective isn’t to become the leader of triads; instead, he wants to honor his father and family. This makes the character unique despite not being deep or having inner turmoil like others.

9. Victor “Vic” Vance (GTA: Vice City Stories)

Victor starts off in the US Army, but is discharged after his superior gets Vic framed for a drug deal. Vic joins Vice City’s criminal underground with his brother Lance Vance, which gets him into conflict with the Mendez cartel. Despite becoming a criminal, Vic has a moral compass, which stops him from getting into the drug business. 

Victor’s motives are straightforward, as he wants to survive and also look out for his family. Ironically, the protagonist eventually goes into the drug business, but his contradiction is what makes him a realistic character. Vic is eventually killed on the orders of Ricardo Diaz, which is why Lance goes on his revenge spree in the game, joining Tommy Vercetti.

8. Johnny Klebitz (GTA IV: The Lost and Damned)

Johnny is unexpectedly made the leader of the Lost Motorcycle Club after Billy Grey is sent to rehabilitation. The protagonist tries to work out deals with rival bikers to fix the Lost MC’s issues while also dealing with the club’s financial problems. Billy eventually returns, returning the club to its violent nature and overturning Johnny’s deals. 

Johnny’s story is compelling because the character tries to do the best with the hand he’s been dealt. He wants to remain loyal to the club while trying to protect it from its leader, but he is fighting a lost cause because Billy wants to go about it his own way. Billy ultimately dies, and the clubhouse gets burned down, which gives Johnny a bittersweet ending. However, GTA V changes that, as Trevor Phillips kills Johnny.

7. Franklin Clinton (GTA V)

Franklin is an up-and-coming Los Santos gangster who wants to expand so he can live a more luxurious life. He links up with Michael De Santa, which opens up more lucrative criminal activities for him. The character’s association with Michael and Trevor Philips isn’t easy, but Franklin is the practical character out of the three.

Franklin’s motives are clear, as he wants to turn his life upside down and is done with petty crimes, but he isn’t reckless. The protagonist knows when to take risks and when to back down, which makes him more levelheaded. He is manipulated by both Michael and Trevor, but that’s the price he has to pay for his ambition for a better life.

6. Luis Lopez (GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony)

Luis is a grounded protagonist compared to others in the series, as he has real goals and worries. He works as Tony’s bodyguard and must handle it when things get too hot because Tony owes people money. The character wants to protect Tony, look after his mother, and stay away from too much trouble. 

Luis has to navigate Liberty City’s nightlife while managing his relationships, but Tony’s chaotic life makes that hard for him. The character hates it when the people around him continue making mistakes and reacts to Tony’s bad decisions sarcastically. He is also a certified playboy who tries to keep others from making major mistakes, which makes him unique. 

5. Michael De Santa (GTA V)

Michael is a retired bank robber who faked his own death to get away from the criminal life. Despite living a life of luxury with his family, the protagonist isn’t satisfied, which leads to arguments, cheating, and more destructive issues. Michael eventually returns to his criminal past, but can ultimately decide to move on to producing films.

Michael is one of the most realistic protagonists in GTA because he is selfish, manipulative, and a horrible friend. He cracked a deal with a crooked FIB agent to get out of the criminal life and manipulated Trevor into thinking that Michael was dead and Brad was in prison. The character is substantially flawed, but that’s what makes him a good protagonist.

4. Trevor Philips (GTA V)

Trevor is a career criminal and one of the most volatile GTA protagonists. He is involved in both illegal guns and drugs, and becomes even more volatile after learning the truth about Michael and Brad. Despite this, the character will do anything for his friends, which seems weird considering his typical behavior.

There is no doubt that Trevor Philips has significant behavioral issues, but his loyalty to his friends highlights that he’s a layered character. His reaction to Brad’s death and Michael’s betrayal shows that he cares in his own destructive way. He is also funny and can become quite endearing despite his dirty clothes and lack of hygiene.

3. Tommy Vercetti (GTA: Vice City)

Tommy is a member of the Forelli crime family who is released from prison after spending 15 years inside. He is sent to Vice City for a drug deal, but is ambushed and loses the money. This starts a series of events where Tommy is searching for who betrayed him and starts to build his own crime empire as he advances. 

Tommy isn’t a simple guy, as he has a short fuse and can’t handle being betrayed, but is shrewd and calculating when he needs to be. He starts off doing odd jobs in Vice City, builds connections, and ends up killing Diaz. The last mission concludes his story beautifully, as he becomes the key player in Vice City’s criminal scene.

2. Niko Bellic (GTA IV)

Niko Bellic moves to Liberty City after his cousin, Roman, promises him that he can live a successful life in America. The protagonist’s backstory involves someone betraying him during war, criminal activities, and a failed smuggling operation. Niko starts to move up the ladder in Liberty City’s criminal hierarchy, but struggles with his traumatic experiences and need for revenge.

He is one of the more conflicted GTA protagonists, as Niko expresses regret for his past, but he only knows how to live like a violent criminal. He has a complicated relationship with Roman, and can’t escape the need to find the one who betrayed him in the past. Niko’s moral dilemma and his actions make him a layered character, and he misses out on number one because CJ’s development is more in-your-face.

 

1. Carl “CJ” Johnson (GTA: San Andreas)

Carl Johnson is the protagonist of one of the most iconic GTA games of all time, San Andreas. CJ leaves Grove Street after his brother is killed, but he returns after his mother’s death. This starts an uneasy relationship between him and police officers, who want to control CJ. The protagonist reunites with his family, gets betrayed by those closest to him, and forms new friendships.

Themes of greed, betrayal, and revenge aren’t uncommon in GTA, but CJ’s struggle to break away from the cops controlling him sets him apart from other protagonists of the franchise. He has to balance his loyalty to his family and Grove Street as CJ tries to amass power and expand his criminal empire. CJ develops as the game advances, understanding the sacrifices Sweet made, and also becomes more loyal to his people.