6 GTA protagonists that deserved more closure than Rockstar gave them

Rockstar knows how to write unforgettable protagonists. From street hustlers to war veterans, every GTA lead has vibes. But not all of them got the closure they deserved. Some just vanished. Others died without a payoff. A few? Just left us hanging. Here are 6 GTA protagonists who deserved a better ending

1. Claude (GTA 3)

Silent, deadly, and low-key iconic, Claude walked so others could run. But even after building a criminal empire in Liberty City, he just… disappeared. No post-game cutscene. No word on what happened. Did he run the city? Did Catalina's betrayal haunt him forever? Rockstar gave us zero closure and that’s criminal.

2. Niko Bellic (GTA IV)

Niko's story is straight-up tragic. War survivor. Betrayed cousin. A man trying to leave behind a violent past—but the game forced him back in. Depending on your choices, he either loses his girlfriend or cousin. And after that? Nothing. No mention in GTA V. No closure. Just pain.

3. Victor Vance (Vice City Stories)

Victor was one of the most grounded and relatable GTA protagonists, trying to survive while protecting his sick brother. He worked his way up through blood, sweat, and smuggling… only to get gunned down in the first cutscene of GTA: Vice City.

He deserved a longer legacy, not a two-second death cameo.

4. Johnny Klebitz (The Lost and Damned)

Johnny went from biker gang VP to leading The Lost MC. His arc in The Lost and Damned was gritty and intense. But what does Rockstar do in GTA V? Makes Trevor stomp his face in like he’s a disposable NPC. The disrespect was wild. He deserved a send-off, not a shock kill.

5. Michael De Santa (GTA V)

Yes, Michael survived—but that doesn’t mean he got closure. His family’s still a mess, he’s clearly depressed, and even his dream of directing movies turns into chaos. GTA V ends with him pretending everything’s okay.

But you can tell: the man’s not at peace. Rockstar left his arc… open-ended.

6. Toni Cipriani (Liberty City Stories)

Toni went from mob errand boy to Don in Liberty City Stories, but then… poof. No major mention in GTA 3. No real payoff. We saw the grind, but not the reward. He deserved a real kingpin moment—and Rockstar ghosted him.GTA gives us chaos, crime, and epic stories, but not always closure. And sometimes, the silence after the credits hits harder than any explosion. Here's hoping GTA 6 gives its next protagonist the ending they actually earn.