5 Ways GTA 6 Can be Better Than GTA 5

Earlier today, Rockstar Games confirmed the imminent release of GTA 6′s reveal trailer, ending a decade-long wait for the game. Now that we know the gaming is coming soon, I thought it would be interesting to dig into what it needs to do to standout. Below are the 5 ways GTA 6 can be better than GTA 5.

5. Better Graphics

The first item on my list is almost a given: GTA 6 will undoubtedly feature superior graphics compared to GTA 5. It’s simply a matter of fact. A decade ago, Rockstar Games developed GTA 5 for machines that, by today’s standards, are crazy underpowered. Now, with the advancement of technology and better platforms, the game is poised to deliver more impressive visual experiences.

If you have any doubts, just take a look at the footage from Red Dead Redemption 2 or the GTA 6 leaks. Both examples demonstrate that Rockstar Games has made significant advancements in the graphics department, leaving no room for skepticism about the improved visual quality.

4. More Interactive Locations and More Stuff To Do At Them

When GTA 5 debuted in September 2013, its expansive map marked a pivotal moment in gaming. Players could explore a huge diverse range of settings, from the bustling city of Los Santos to the arid deserts of Blaine County, offering a bunch of locations to uncover.

While I anticipate a similar scale for GTA 6, one aspect I hope receives more attention is enhancing the depth and interactivity of these locations. Despite GTA 5‘s numerous places to visit, many lack meaningful activities.

To distinguish itself from GTA 5, GTA 6 could focus on designing buildings and locations with more meaningful and diverse purposes. Recalling features from previous games like bowling, weightlifting, strip clubs, and golfing, expanding the in-game world to accommodate these activities and more could transform GTA 6 into a game of its generation.

3. Deeper & More Interesting NPC Interactions

In GTA 5, NPC interactions are rather restricted. Many NPCs primarily serve as targets for players to confront and create chaos. While a few NPCs have more significant roles that enable emergent interactions, the majority do not.

Fortunately, it seems that Rockstar Games knows this and is working on enhancing the NPC system and player interactions with characters within the game world. Their most recent release, Red Dead Redemption 2, showcased a greater variety of engaging interactions that could occur as you explored the open world.

Should GTA 6 adopt and expand upon the systems introduced in Red Dead Redemption 2, it has the potential to significantly enhance open-world interactions, providing a more captivating experience in those crucial minute-to-minute gameplay moments.

2. Release a Content Filled GTA Online at Launch

The initial launch of GTA Online was challenging. It began in beta with limited content, primarily revolving around driving and missions. A decade later, it has evolved into a significantly larger, more expansive online experience, proving to be a lucrative money making machine for Rockstar Games year after year.

I fully expect GTA 6 to feature an online mode, but I’m concerned that Rockstar Games might opt for a similar early access beta release, like they did with GTA Online. To truly set the title apart from GTA 5, delivering a substantial, content-rich online experience right from the start is crucial.

1. Creating a More Compelling and Satirical Storyline with Interesting Characters

Of everything on this list the story of GTA 6 is what has me concerned the most. Since GTA 5 released back in 2013 the world has undergone a massive change in perception of content and ‘correctness.’ Former Rockstar writer and co-founder, Dan Houser, said as much in a GQ interview back in 2018.

“It’s really unclear what we would even do with it, let alone how upset people would get with whatever we did,” says the co-founder of Rockstar Games. “Both intense liberal progression and intense conservatism are both very militant, and very angry. It is scary but it’s also strange, and yet both of them seem occasionally to veer towards the absurd. It’s hard to satirise for those reasons. Some of the stuff you see is straightforwardly beyond satire. It would be out of date within two minutes, everything is changing so fast.”

Considering Rockstar Games’ penchant for tackling controversial topics, it’s intriguing to see if they’ll maintain their daring approach in GTA 6’s narrative. Given the current state of the world, there’s a wealth of hot-button issues they can delve into to create a compelling storyline.

In addition to the writing, the studio must ensure that the characters in GTA 6 are both relatable and compelling figures you’d want to invest countless hours with. GTA 5 established a high standard in this regard, with characters like Trevor, Michael, and Franklin who offered a well-balanced blend of eccentricity and likability.

Achieving excellence in both writing and character development could elevate GTA 6 above GTA 5, but it’s a considerable challenge. The departure of Dan Houser, responsible for writing many of the previous games, has left uncertainty regarding storyline strength.

What do you think of these 5 ways GTA 6 can be better than GTA 5? What are yours? Let me know in the comments below.