Revisiting Grand Theft Auto 5

Following the news that a German physicist has found a way to make Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA V) playable on a 1989 Nintendo Game Boy, we decided now would be a great time to revisit Rockstars masterpiece, arguably the jewel in their already exquisite crown. Despite being released over eight years ago now (GTA V was later released on eighth generation consoles), GTA V remains one of the most popular video games ever made. In fact, GTA V is the second-best selling video game of all time, with over 155 million sales, behind only Minecraft.

Earlier this month, rumours suggested that ninth generation console GTA V players might be treated to next-gen bonuses which would include an “expanded and enhanced” version of the game. Rockstar North has committed to a ninth-generation console release before the end of March 2022. But with time running out, don’t be surprised if they delay this launch. With that being said, there remain tens of thousands of gamers still playing GTA V online. And for good reason.

The game is a masterpiece, fully deserving of every one of the hundreds of awards it has received. For a video game to still be receiving tens of thousands of downloads per month over eight years after its release date is a sure-fire sign that GTA V deserves its place on the shelf as one of the greatest games of all time. Considering that most players on PlayStation will have already completed the main storyline missions of the game, this article will look at the many things that can be done outside of the main storyline. The city of Los Santos is a treasure trove full of intrigue and mystery. If you haven’t yet taken the time to investigate the city to its full extent, then you are in for a treat. Whether it is searching for a serial killer or gambling your way to becoming a millionaire at the Los Santos casino, here are four intriguing easter eggs and mysteries which you may have missed the first time around.

The Infinity Killer

Whilst the conclusion to the Infinity Killer mystery was discovered fairly quickly, it was the details which took a little while longer for gamers to find out. As you play the game, you will often here off-handed mentions over the radio of a serial killer from 1999 known as the Infinity Killer. Based on the real-life Zodiac Killer who operated in Northern California during the late 1960s, all of the Infinity Killer’s victims can be found in GTA V. All of them are wrapped up in plastic bags. In addition, you can find lots of random clues about the Infinity Killer at locations throughout Los Santos. The killer has a total of 8 victims which you can find out for yourself by either finding all 8 bodies or by reading the various poems (one of which is written on the wall as graffiti inside the Bolingbroke Penitentiary). The whole story regarding the Infinity Killer is pretty spooky and if you are not aware of it, you will have lots of fun tracking down all the clues and the bodies.

Transform into an Animal

This one can only be found if you are playing on the NextGen version of GTA V. Rockstar decided to add some new features for NextGen players, one of these additions was the Peyote Plant. Found at various locations across Los Santos, these plants can be consumed by the player. Simply put, you eat a plant and then you turn into an animal! Certainly, an amusing addition, once you find all the plants, you will be rewarded with the Crypto Zoologist achievement with the description “you unlocked all animals for use in director mode… or did you?” Unsurprisingly, this sent players into meltdown. Players decided to search the games files for any files or scripts containing references to undiscovered animals. Players then found out that they could search for and find gold Peyote plants which generated only on certain days and at certain times. In fact, there are even more requirements for these gold Peyote plants to generate. For example, many of them require you to be at a certain location at a certain time of the day! Some of the animals you can get a glimpse of include Big Foot and The Beast. Enjoy!

Mount Chiliad Mystery

Is it the UFOs, the Illuminati or something much more dastardly? There’s a whole subreddit on what is known as the Mount Chiliad Mural which you will find at the top of the mountain inside the cable cart station. Many have tried to solve the mystery, and many have failed. The red eye at the top of the mural (also on the mural is a jetpack, an egg and a UFO) did not turn out to be the Illuminati! At the observation deck of the mountain, you can find some graffiti which reads “Come back when your story is complete”, if you beat the game with 100% completion and venture back to the observation deck at 3am you will see a giant flying UFO. Whilst many thought that this completed the easter egg, others were not so sure. That was until GTA V was released on the Next Gen of consoles. In 2017, there was a GTA update called The Doomsday Heist. This new expansion included an underground bunker below Mount Chiliad which contained nuclear weapons owned by a megalomaniac tech billionaire. Following the mission, you will be awarded a jetpack (hence the jetpack symbol).

But is that all there is to the mission? Many Reddit users don’t think so. Perhaps you can solve it?

Gambling – The Diamond Casino and Resort

Although not really an easter egg, the Diamond Casino and Resort update allows players to become millionaires by playing casino games and slots. The main story mode missions for the most part are pretty good at helping you to increase your bank account. Each time you complete the missions for the first time you should get a bonus of around $50,000 and if you complete the finale, you should be rewarded with around $100,000. Although you can complete the casino story mode missions for a second time, you will not receive the same bonus. The second way to make money in this update is to complete side missions given to you by Miss Baker. Do these missions and you will be given a bunch of money as well as lots of chips which you can use at the casino. However, the best way to make money is by actually playing the gambling games. The Lucky Wheel is akin to a live roulette reel and can be spun once per day. It is recommended by expert players to spin this wheel once per day.

Another good method of making money in GTA V is by playing slot machines. You should be aware, the slot machines are not all the same. The highest earning slot machines in GTA V are Deity of the Sun and The Diamond Miner. Both of these slots are loosely based on real high RTP slot games and can be played using the casino chips you earned from Miss Baker. Chips can always be converted to real money too, so you can cash out your winnings instantly. The reason slot machines in GTA are so good for making money is because it really only takes one big win to make it worth it. You can hit a maximum win of 2.5 million chips from one spin. Of course, these machines can be frustrating when you lose but if you can keep your patience for one big jackpot win then it will be worth it. A fourth way to make money is by gambling on the tracks – this is called ‘Inside Tracks’. Here you select a horse with certain odds to win and then you bet on the horse. If that horse wins you will get paid out. Betting on evens seems to be the most profitable way and you can double your money if that horse wins. Each horse race finishes in less than 30 seconds too, so its very quick whether you win or lose.

Other casino games include Three Card High Roller Poker, Blackjack and Roulette. If your goal is to win as much money as fast as possible, the best way seems to be to do it on your own. If you do it with other players online, it is going to take a lot longer. Of course, Rockstar have ensured that it is not too difficult to win when you play these games, it is meant to be fun after all!

Are You Inspired Yet?

The above easter eggs are just a drop in the ocean! GTA V truly is a unique game, full of mystery and intrigue where there is always something new to be discovered around the corner. Without a doubt, it is one of the most in-depth video games ever. I will now go and check out the Mount Chiliad Mystery for myself! Wish me luck!

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