Chapter 1 - Story Walk-through

This section provides walk-throughs for all of the single-player story missions. Note that many of these missions can be completed in a different order than the one presented below. You may have two or three story missions available at a time and can complete any one before moving to the next (although you will eventually complete them all). This walk-through attempts to stick with a particular contact until the mission set is exhausted.

The Cousins Bellic (Roman)

Niko Bellic arrives at Liberty City onboard the Playtpus; he’s come to live the American dream, like his cousin Roman. Sports cars, mansions, women…Roman claims to have it all. But it doesn’t take long for Niko to realize that Roman wasn’t quite honest about his situation. It turns out Roman’s sports car is just a taxi and the mansion is a rundown apartment.

Objective: Drive to Roman’s Place.

Follow the marked route out of the docks toward Roman’s "mansion". Drive Roman’s taxi onto the resident parking space in front of the apartment building—parking cars in this space will save them (like the garage in previous GTA games).

You earn $25 for completing this mission (as well as an achievement if you’re playing on the Xbox 360). Take the opportunity to save your game with a power nap on the bed before heading out to meet with Roman; he’s marked on the mini-map at his cab depot, the Express Car Service.

It’s Your Call (Roman)

Objective: Take Roman to the hardware store.

The hardware store is actually a front for an underground gambling ring. Apparently Roman pays off his debt by getting into more debt—your cousin is playing with money he was supposed to give to Albanian loan sharks. Roman claims he’s known as "The Janitor" because he cleans up…but that might be as accurate as his sports car and mansion.

Park at the marked location in front of the Discount Hardware and Roman will exit. Your cousin hands you an old phone with his new number: you need to call if those Albanian loan sharks show up. Roman says they’ll be in a beige Willard.

Objective: Remain stationary in the car and look out for the loan sharks.

Keep an eye out for those loan sharks. Roman will also call and let you know how the game is going.

Roman heads inside and leaves you as the lookout. You can rotate the camera around your car to look for the loan sharks. Look for them to pull up on the opposite side of the street. Roman will call once to tell you he’s cleaning up and moments later the loan sharks arrive.

Objective: Phone Roman and warn him.

Once the loan sharks arrive, it’s time to warn your cousin. Toggle the cell phone and dial Roman. Your cousin makes a quick exit out of the card game and gets into the taxi.

Objective: Lose the loan sharks and take Roman back to the cab depot.

You must evade the loan sharks, not eliminate them. The marked route leads you back to Roman’s cab depot. Drive fast and put distance between you and the loan sharks. It won’t be too hard to evade them. Accelerate along a straightaway and avoid crashing into vehicles or objects that would slow you down. Return Roman to the cab depot and pocket $30 for your troubles.

Three’s a Crowd (Roman)

Not long after you drop Roman off at the cab depot, he sends a text message. Your cousin is in trouble already. Drive to the cab depot and find Roman getting roughed up by Albanian loan sharks. After the fight, Roman wants your help in picking up Mallorie, his girlfriend. Plus there may be a girl for you.

Objective: Go to the subway station.

Get inside Roman’s car and drive along the marked route to the Hove Beach subway station. Pull up to the marker in front of the station. Honk the car horn to get the girls’ attention.

Objective: Take them back to Michelle’s apartment.

Proceed along the marked route toward Michelle’s apartment. It sounds like Michelle might be interested in ole Niko…but your "fresh off the boat" clothes need a makeover. After dropping the girls off, Roman phones and suggests hitting a clothing store to update your threads. This Russian style clothing department is back near the safehouse.

Objective: Get to the clothes shop on Mohawk and buy some new clothes.

To complete the mission, you must purchase an item of clothing. Fortunately, the first item is free but you can still completely overhaul Niko’s wardrobe if you wish. After the task is complete, Michelle will ring on the cell phone. She asks you out on a date! (The new clothes are already working their magic). Look for the heart and "M" on the map.

Bleed Out (Roman)

After you set up a date with Michelle, Roman will call needing your help. You can choose to go on the date or help Roman out. Family first, right?

Objective: Go and rescue Roman.

Apparently the irate Albanians have Roman cornered and he needs you to bail him out once again. Don’t worry—the date will wait. Drive to Roman’s location and find him getting pummeled on the basketball court.

Objective: Beat up Belder. Beat up Kalem.

This is your first task of melee combat. Follow the tutorial instructions to punch, kick, counter, block, etc. These guys aren’t too tough. Take ‘em down one at a time to complete the objective.

Objective: Go help Roman. Chase Darden.

Walk over to Roman and pick him up. Your cousin spots Darden outside the court—Darden makes a break for it. Sprint to Roman’s car; wait for Roman to hobble over and get into the passenger seat. Pursue the marked red car on your mini-map.

Keep Darden within your sights. Eventually, Darden will hop out and attempt to escape on foot. Exit your car and follow Darden up the stairs.

Objective: Take out Darden.

Darden’s got a knife so you’ll need to disarm him if you want to survive. Follow the onscreen tutorial to disarm Darden. Now you have the knife! He won’t last long against the blade.

Objective: Drive Roman back to the garage.

Return to your cousin’s car and drive back to the cab depot to complete the mission.