Is Subtle the Canon Choice for the Big Score? Grand Theft Auto V’s “The Big Score” represents one of the most complex and consequential heist missions in gaming history. As the final major heist in the game’s story mode, players face a critical decision that has sparked countless debates in the GTA community: should you choose the subtle approach or the obvious approach? While both options lead to successful completion of the mission, understanding which approach aligns with the game’s canonical narrative requires examining the story’s themes, character development, and long-term consequences.
Table of Contents
Understanding The Big Score Mission
The Big Score serves as the climactic heist in GTA V’s main storyline, where the three protagonists—Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips—execute their most ambitious robbery yet. The mission involves stealing gold from the Union Depository, one of the most secure facilities in Los Santos. Players must choose between two fundamentally different approaches: the subtle method, which relies on stealth and careful planning, or the obvious method, which emphasizes direct confrontation and overwhelming force.
The subtle approach involves using specialized equipment to break into the depository through underground tunnels, while the obvious approach focuses on a more traditional heist involving helicopters and direct assault. Each method requires different crew members, equipment, and strategies, ultimately affecting the mission’s outcome and the amount of money each character receives.
The Case for Subtle as Canon
Several compelling arguments support the subtle approach as the canonical choice for The Big Score. From a narrative perspective, the subtle method aligns more closely with the character development arcs established throughout the game. Michael De Santa, despite his complicated past, consistently demonstrates a preference for calculated planning over reckless violence. His experience as a former bank robber emphasizes the importance of preparation and minimizing unnecessary risks.
The subtle approach also reflects the game’s recurring themes about the evolution of criminal methodology in the modern era. Throughout GTA V, the story contrasts old-school criminal approaches with contemporary techniques that rely more on technology and intelligence gathering than brute force. This thematic element suggests that the subtle approach represents the “smarter” choice that forward-thinking criminals would naturally gravitate toward.
Furthermore, the subtle method typically results in higher monetary rewards for all three protagonists, which aligns with their primary motivation for undertaking the heist. The reduced crew requirements mean fewer people to split the profits with, making it the economically rational choice for experienced criminals who have learned to maximize their returns while minimizing their exposure to law enforcement.
Character Motivations and Decision-Making
When examining each protagonist’s personality and motivations, the subtle approach appears more consistent with their established characteristics. Michael’s desire to prove his competence as a planner and strategist makes the subtle approach an appealing validation of his skills. Franklin’s pragmatic nature and focus on financial advancement also support choosing the method that offers the highest potential payout.
Even Trevor, despite his reputation for chaos and unpredictability, has demonstrated throughout the game that he can appreciate well-executed plans when they serve his interests. His participation in previous subtle operations, such as certain aspects of the Paleto Bay heist, shows that he’s capable of restraint when the situation demands it.
The subtle approach also minimizes civilian casualties and property damage, which, while perhaps not a primary concern for the protagonists, reduces the intensity of law enforcement response and public attention. This consideration becomes particularly relevant when considering the characters’ desire to retire from active criminal life following the heist.
Technical and Gameplay Considerations
From a game design perspective, the subtle approach showcases more of GTA V’s diverse gameplay mechanics. It requires players to utilize stealth elements, specialized vehicles, and coordinated timing between multiple characters. This variety demonstrates the game’s technical capabilities and provides a more comprehensive gameplay experience that highlights the unique three-protagonist system.
The mission structure of the subtle approach also allows for more character interaction and dialogue, providing additional insight into the relationships between Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. These moments of cooperation and teamwork serve to reinforce the bonds between the characters before the story’s conclusion, making their eventual separation more emotionally impactful.
Alternative Perspectives
While the case for the subtle approach as canon is strong, some players argue that the obvious approach better reflects certain aspects of the GTA series’ traditional emphasis on action and spectacle. The obvious method provides more explosive set pieces and dramatic moments that align with the series’ reputation for over-the-top criminal activities.
Additionally, some interpretations suggest that Trevor’s influence on the group might push them toward the more aggressive approach, particularly given his psychological profile and preference for direct confrontation. However, this perspective often overlooks the fact that even Trevor has shown the ability to appreciate sophisticated planning when it serves his goals.
Long-term Story Implications
The choice between subtle and obvious approaches also has implications for how players interpret the characters’ post-heist futures. The subtle approach, with its higher success rate and better financial outcomes, provides a more satisfying conclusion to the protagonists’ criminal careers. It suggests that they’ve learned from their experiences and evolved as criminals, rather than simply repeating old patterns of behavior.
This evolution is particularly important for Michael’s character arc, as it demonstrates his ability to successfully blend his old criminal expertise with new methodologies. For Franklin, the subtle approach represents the culmination of his learning process throughout the game, showing that he’s absorbed the lessons taught by both his mentors.
The Community Consensus
Within the GTA V community, discussions about the canonical approach to The Big Score often lean toward the subtle method, though not universally. Many players cite the superior financial outcomes, reduced risk, and better alignment with character development as primary reasons for considering it the “correct” choice from a story perspective.
However, it’s important to note that Rockstar Games has never officially designated either approach as canonical, leaving the decision ultimately in the hands of individual players. This ambiguity allows for multiple valid interpretations of the story’s conclusion, reflecting the game’s emphasis on player choice and agency.
Conclusion
While both approaches to The Big Score offer valid gameplay experiences and narrative outcomes, the subtle method presents the strongest case for being considered the canonical choice. Its alignment with character development, thematic consistency, superior financial results, and demonstration of criminal evolution make it the most narratively satisfying conclusion to the protagonists’ heist career.
The subtle approach represents not just a tactical choice, but a philosophical statement about the nature of modern criminal enterprise and the importance of adaptation and intelligence over brute force. For players seeking the most coherent and satisfying narrative conclusion to GTA V’s story, the subtle approach offers the most compelling path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does choosing the subtle approach affect the game’s ending? A: The choice between subtle and obvious approaches for The Big Score does not directly impact the game’s multiple ending scenarios. However, it does affect the amount of money each character has available for the final missions, which can influence certain dialogue and character interactions.
Q: Which approach gives more money to the protagonists? A: The subtle approach typically provides higher monetary rewards for all three protagonists because it requires fewer crew members to split the profits with, and the specialized equipment costs are generally offset by the reduced crew expenses.
Q: Can you replay The Big Score with a different approach? A: Yes, like all GTA V missions, The Big Score can be replayed through the game’s replay feature, allowing players to experience both the subtle and obvious approaches and compare their outcomes.
Q: Do the crew members you choose affect which approach is considered canon? A: While crew member selection affects mission execution and profit distribution, it doesn’t determine which approach might be considered canonical. The choice between subtle and obvious is the primary narrative decision point.
Q: Has Rockstar Games ever stated which approach is canon? A: Rockstar Games has not officially designated either the subtle or obvious approach as canonical, maintaining the ambiguity that allows players to interpret the story according to their own choices and preferences.
