Tips and tricks to help you get started in Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is free on PC this week until May 21st on the Epic Games Store, as part of their weekly Free Game Fridays deal. And if you download it now, it’s yours to keep forever. But if you’ve never played Grand Theft Auto V before, here are a few quick tips to get you started when grabbing your free copy.

Fill out the character roster

Grand Theft Auto V has three playable characters, Michael, Franklin and Trevor. While you’re free to explore the game’s vast world of Los Santos more or less from the off, it takes a while before all three characters become available. Because of this, it’s worth pushing ahead with the story for the game’s first few hours, until you’ve unlocked all three. Doing this will also put a little money in your bank, as it’ll take you through the first major Heist mission.

Gear up

If you do decide to mainline the story, you should take at least one detour at some point during the proceedings and head to your local AmmuNation gun shop. The game gives you a couple of weapons as the story goes on, but it’s worth grabbing one or two extras like an SMG or an Assault Rifle. Also, ammo for most guns is very cheap, so make sure to stock up on it, as you don’t want to run out in the middle of a firefight.

Know your abilities

Each playable character has a unique ability that can help you gain an edge in certain situations. Franklin can slow down time when driving, Michael can slow down time while in combat, and Trevor can go berserk, able to rush into the fray and withstand a large amount of damage. It’s easy to forget about these abilities while in a gunfight or a police chase, so ensure to keep them in mind.

If you haven't already, head to the Epic Games Store to get your free copy of GTA V.

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