The briefing
GTA V opens in Ludendorff, North Yankton, in 2004. Michael Townley, Trevor Philips and Brad Snider are robbing a cash depot, years before the Los Santos story. This is a guided introduction: follow the displayed controls for your platform rather than relying on button instructions from an older edition. The opening teaches intimidation, weapon use, cover and character switching in a tightly controlled space.
Walkthrough: direct the hostages into the room without shooting them, use the phone when instructed to detonate the charge, and collect the money. When a guard restrains Michael, switch to Trevor and take the clear shot required to free him. Outside, move between cover positions and clear the route to the getaway vehicle. During the drive, stay on the instructed road; this is not an opportunity to explore North Yankton freely. Brake for turns before accelerating back onto the snowy route.
Story spoilers — reveal narrative details
the escape collapses and the sequence ends with Michael’s apparent death and a funeral. Later missions revisit what happened, so the opening should be read as an intentionally incomplete account. The campaign then moves to Los Santos and introduces Franklin. North Yankton is a mission setting, not a second fully open region accessible from the ordinary Los Santos map.
Sources & further reading
Read the game and edition listed in the facts panel before applying gameplay advice. Story outcomes are marked as spoilers. Read our corrections policy.