Here’s what to expect from GTA 6 compared to GTA 5

Grand Theft Auto 6 is easily one of the most anticipated games of all time. While the game has been nominated for the most anticipated title at the Game Awards, most fans agree that it’ll definitely be a sweep for Rockstar Games’ upcoming title and the game will more than easily get the award. After all, GTA 5 is one of the most influential and successful games ever, and the decade-plus wait time has only increased the excitement fans have.

However, speaking of GTA 5, it’s still the newest Rockstar GTA title fans have to go on. While the company has released games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and the GTA Enhanced Trilogy, they’ve all either been games of different genres or rereleases. Therefore, GTA 5 is the best comparison players can make for what they can expect from GTA 6.

While not much is known about GTA 6 yet, here is everything fans can expect from the game compared to its prequel. The things we’re covering today include the area, protagonists, graphical change, GTA Online, and whether it’ll lose its unique edginess and unhinged humor.

Vice City like we’ve never seen before

Grand Theft Auto VI is bringing players back to Vice City which we first saw in GTA: Vice City, but this time with a major twist: it’s set in the modern day. The trailer shows a vibrant and neon-lit city that breathes with life and perfectly blends the ‘80s vibe with modern-day advancements. GTA V did something very similar with Los Santos by adding tons of rural areas, and GTA VI will take it up a notch with an even larger map with locations inspired by Florida.

There are a few locations that you’ll recognize, like Starfish Island and the Malibu Club, but Rockstar has also hinted that Vice City will be part of a much bigger world. This is similar to how GTA V took us to different locations and perspectives with its three protagonists, so we can expect a similar dynamic experience between Jason and Lucia.

Apart from the obvious visual improvements in the map, there are tons of additional cool details that can be spotted. The map will have lush tropical beaches, realistic wildlife with possibly more advanced interactions, as well as a wider range of POIs. the map will also have a much bigger contrast between rural and urban areas, ranging from skyscrapers and nightlife districts to farmlands, swamps, and possibly even dense forests.

A new protagonist duo: Jason and Lucia

In contrast to GTA V’s three-protagonist formula, GTA VI will now take us to two main characters: Jason and Lucia, marking the first time the series will have dual protagonists. Rockstar seems to be going with the iconic Bonnie and Clyde dynamic with Jason and Lucia, a plot that will take us through themes and moments filled with trust, loyalty, and betrayal that will play a key role in their relationship.

Lucia who is shown in the prison attire in the trailer has a troubled past, with her now diving deep into the criminal underworld of Vice City. The story dynamic feels like it’ll be a lot more personal and emotional, and about how these two characters navigate the criminal life together with their relationship as the primary focal point. The Bonnie and Clyde comparison is a big shift from GTA 5, which followed Franklin, Michael, and Trevor in an unholy trinity.

While there was some heavy intertwining in the backstories of Michael and Trevor, the game focused more on how the trio came together. The shift to a duo means we will get more depth and a more character-driven story that feels a lot more intimate and personal, and the game could very possibly have multiple endings depending on player choices that are made from much earlier on in the game.

It’s a good change from GTA V, where the multiple perspectives kept each character’s storyline a bit more fragmented, and the final ending choice wasn’t really important till the last mission.

A massive leap in graphics and mechanics

Rockstar’s confidence based on statements suggests they’re not too worried if they take their sweet time on the game’s release, which shows they want the game to look and play as good as it possibly can. The trailer released last year shows us hyper-realistic environments and a dynamic day-night cycle that makes the world feel alive. From the way light reflects off wet pavements to flickering neon lights in the light, this will all come to life thanks to the hardware of the PS5 and the Xbox Series X.

GTA VI will also build up on GTA V’s foundations in mechanics and will refine gunplay and vehicle handling even further. Leaks as snippets of gameplay suggest smoother aiming, more tactical shooting, and more realistic combat. There are also hints of improvements in the cover system, bullet physics, and firearm weight.

Cars will feel a lot more responsive with each car having its unique feel, and we can expect the motorbike physics to improve upon GTA V’s sensitive handling, stability issues, and even AI behavior. Natural, the game will have various new cars and returning cars from the Vice City era.

Also hinted in the trailer is the dynamic weather system which will change the environment in tangible ways. For example, puddles forming after it rains will affect vehicle handling, which adds to the realism. The AI is getting a big boost too, with NPCs having more lifelike reactions to the player and the world.

What will GTA VI Online look like?

With the success of GTA Online, many wonder if Rockstar will continue it, or create a fresh GTA VI Online. It’s been a pressing question, especially since the players have been enjoying years of updates, new content, and an ever-evolving world. Based on current info, a new standalone online mode seems likely, which will offer a fresh city, characters, and missions. It will seemingly utilize GTA VI’s map with Vice City spanning multiple locations.

The biggest challenge for Rockstar will be balancing the ongoing support for GTA Online with the introduction of GTA 6 Online. We can expect GTA Online to remain active for a short time, perhaps a couple of years, or until GTA VI’s PC release rolls around when Rockstar will start feeling that they’ve retained enough players. A possible strategy could be offering cross-game rewards to Online players while Rockstar keeps perfecting GTA VI online through updates and additional resources.

Will GTA 6 “go woke?”

Perhaps the biggest fear fans have is whether GTA 6 will lose the no-holds-barred and unhinged humor previous games in the series have had. The fact of the matter is that the era is much different now compared to 2013 when GTA 5 came out, and the internet doesn’t handle the same types of jokes anymore. However, Rockstar hasn’t ever been one to shy away from controversy.

As a matter of fact, Rockstar Games has been in legal trouble before thanks to how unhinged it is. If court cases weren’t enough for the studio to give up its edginess then we don’t think some people on the internet being mad will. With that being said, fans can expect some major changes in the game.

Firstly, as mentioned above, GTA 6 has the first mainline GTA protagonist. This means there will be certain services and locations that will appeal more to the feminine audience, something that was unthinkable in past games. Strip clubs and similar activities or locations will likely be changed to fit both genders.

Additionally, the game could potentially add some LGBT elements by letting the player have a physical relationship with both genders as Lucia. It’s important to note that Lucia is easily the more popular protagonist, and it seems like the overall story focus will be on her too. While Jason will no doubt have services and locations specific to him, the general player base is already gravitating more toward Lucia