Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is arguably the most anticipated game of the decade, and with Rockstar Games’ track record of pushing boundaries, expectations are sky-high. Set to release in Fall 2025, the game promises a return to Vice City within the fictional state of Leonida, paired with a Bonnie-and-Clyde-inspired duo, Lucia and Jason. But what will make GTA 6 truly stand out? Here’s our list of the top 10 gameplay features we’d love to see, blending realism, immersion, and that signature GTA chaos.
1. A Living, Breathing Open World with Dynamic NPCs
Rockstar nailed immersive worlds with Red Dead Redemption 2, where NPCs had daily routines, personalities, and reactions that made the world feel alive. GTA 6 needs to take this further. Imagine pedestrians in Vice City who adapt to the time of day, weather, or your actions—street vendors closing up during a storm, locals gossiping about your latest heist, or cops recognizing your car from a previous chase. A world where every NPC has a story would make Leonida the most immersive sandbox yet.
2. Enterable Buildings and Interiors
One of the biggest gripes about GTA 5 was its lack of accessible interiors compared to earlier titles like GTA: San Andreas or GTA 4. In 2025, with the power of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, we want GTA 6 to let us explore more than just mission-specific buildings. Picture walking into a neon-lit Vice City nightclub, robbing a random suburban home, or hiding out in a high-rise office. Procedural generation could even create unique interiors on the fly, making exploration endlessly rewarding.
3. Advanced Heist Mechanics
GTA 5’s heists were a game-changer planning, executing, and escaping with millions felt cinematic. For GTA 6, we want heists to evolve. Give us more control over planning (choosing entry points, disguises, or crew members), dynamic obstacles (like a sudden police sting), and bigger stakes think robbing a cruise ship off Leonida’s coast or hitting a tech billionaire’s private island. With Lucia and Jason as a duo, cooperative heist dynamics could add a fresh twist.
4. Realistic Police AI and Wanted System
The police in GTA 5 were relentless but predictable lose line of sight, and you’re free. GTA 6 could overhaul this with smarter AI. Imagine cops tracking your vehicle’s license plate, remembering your outfit, or setting up roadblocks based on your last known location. A six-star wanted level could return, escalating from local PD to SWAT teams and even military response. Adding a surrender option (with jail time or bribes to escape) would deepen the realism.
5. RPG-Style Character Progression
GTA has flirted with RPG elements before San Andreas had gyms and weight gain, while Red Dead Redemption 2 refined this with stamina and grooming. For GTA 6, let’s see Lucia and Jason grow through their actions. Train at a gym to boost melee damage, practice driving to unlock advanced maneuvers, or build a criminal reputation that unlocks new missions. Real-time beard growth for Jason or customizable skill trees could tie progression to the narrative.
6. Enhanced Vehicle Customization and Physics
Cars are the heart of Grand Theft Auto, and GTA 6 needs to deliver. We want deeper customization think engine tuning, suspension adjustments, and unique paint jobs like the sparkling finish seen in the trailer. Pair this with physics that strike a balance between GTA 4’s weighty realism and GTA 5’s arcade accessibility. Optional manual transmission or weather-affected handling (slippery roads in a Leonida hurricane) would make driving a skill worth mastering.
7. In-Game Social Media System
The GTA 6 trailer teased a modern Vice City with TikTok-style clips, hinting at a social media presence. Let’s expand this into gameplay. An in-game phone app could let you post about your crimes, track public reactions, or pick up side missions from viral posts (“Steal this influencer’s yacht!”). Online, it could tie into GTA 6’s multiplayer, letting players share clips or taunt rivals a nod to how social media shapes today’s world.
8. Dynamic Weather and Environmental Hazards
Leonida, inspired by Florida, is prime for wild weather. Beyond rain and fog, imagine hurricanes that flood streets, forcing you to adapt boats instead of cars, or missions delayed by a storm. Wildlife like alligators could roam the swamps, attacking if you get too close. These elements would add unpredictability, making every playthrough feel unique and keeping the world reactive.
9. Improved Combat and Stealth Mechanics
GTA 5’s combat was solid but lacked depth. GTA 6 could borrow from Red Dead Redemption 2 with a robust melee system (dodging, countering, and weapon variety like katanas or riot shields) and expand stealth. Leaked footage showed prone crawling and body-dragging build on this with silenced weapons, distractions, or gadgets like smoke bombs. Let Lucia and Jason feel like cunning criminals, not just trigger-happy chaos agents.
10. Cohesive Multiplayer Integration
GTA Online became a juggernaut, but it felt detached from GTA 5’s story. For GTA 6, we’d love a seamless blend perhaps a co-op campaign where you and a friend control Lucia and Jason, or a shared world where single-player actions (like buying a safehouse) carry over to multiplayer. Crossplay between PS5 and Xbox, plus dedicated servers to reduce hacking, would make GTA 6 Online a long-term hit.
Why These Features Matter
GTA 6 isn’t just another sequel it’s a chance for Rockstar to redefine open-world gaming. With over a decade since GTA 5, fans expect innovation that leverages next-gen hardware and reflects a world that’s evolved socially and technologically. These features blend the series’ anarchic roots with deeper immersion, giving players freedom, consequence, and a Vice City that feels alive.
What do you think? Are there features you’d add to this list? Whether it’s jetpacks from San Andreas or a full-on VR mode, GTA 6 has the potential to be a cultural milestone. Let’s hope Rockstar delivers when it lands in Fall 2025 because after all this hype, anything less than legendary won’t cut it.
