We’re just weeks away from the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, and the hype surrounding Rockstar Games’ next magnum opus is off the charts. Over the past couple of weeks, the developer has revealed plenty of new GTA 6 details about what players can expect from Vice City and the state of Leonida. From a more immersive world to new activities and mechanics, it’s clear that the game will take the series to a completely new level compared to its predecessor. So, if you’re wondering what GTA 6 will let you do that GTA 5 didn’t, here are some of the biggest features you should look forward to.
1. Manage a full-blown relationship
One of the things you can do in GTA 6 that you couldn’t do in GTA 5 is managing the relationship between our protagonists, Jason and Lucia. How close they become and whether their relationship stands the test of time will come down to your actions.
You will be able to take them shopping, go on drives, commit robberies, and participate in various other activities to strengthen their bond. Neglecting their relationship could cause it to fall apart over time, which will have a direct impact on certain missions and story elements.
Unlike GTA 5, where Michael, Trevor, and Franklin did have a dynamic that was out of your control, GTA 6 seems to give players a much bigger say over how its protagonists interact and shape the story. It’s a much deeper system that adds RPG-like elements to the game.
2. Stop at gas stations to refuel
Gas stations in GTA 5 didn’t really serve much of a purpose, but Rockstar is changing that in GTA 6. This time around, we’re going to see functional gas stations where players can refuel and even repair their vehicles. That’s not all, as electric vehicles will also get access to dedicated charging stations around the game.
Whenever you decide to refuel or recharge your vehicle, a cutscene lasting around 10 seconds will play. Rockstar has stated that it doesn’t want fuel management to become a burden for players, which is why fuel consumption has been deliberately slowed down across all vehicles. Whether you like this feature or not, there’s no denying that it adds another layer of realism to the game.
3. Build a reputation as a criminal
GTA 6 will allow you to build your reputation as a criminal in Leonida with the new Criminal Profile system. It’s somewhat akin to the Honor system we saw in Red Dead Redemption 2, but it works a bit differently. The system will track what sort of criminal you end up being.
If you manage to de-escalate situations without causing chaos, you’ll be a professional. However, if you choose to take everyone out and cause destruction, your Criminal Profile will reflect that.
There are four different Criminal Profile states in the game: Professional, Aggressive, Violent, and Psycho. However, if you commit serious crimes, your profile will go beyond Psycho, and this change will be irreversible for the playthrough. Both Jason and Lucia will have their own individual Criminal Profiles.
4. Use your vehicle to store weapons
Say goodbye to the days of GTA 5, where you could carry infinite weapons and switch between them using the weapon wheel. With GTA 6, Rockstar is taking a realistic approach by requiring players to use their vehicles to store their weapons in the trunk. Every personal vehicle in the game will be able to carry your selected loadout as well.
This seems like a negative change on paper, but it’s going to completely change how vehicles are used and how missions are tackled. Instead of scrolling through the weapon wheel to find the right weapon for the situation, you’ll now have to think ahead about which vehicle to take and what weapons you want to bring along to deal with your targets.
5. Hit the gym to stay in shape
If you’re fond of staying fit and hitting the gym in real life, you’ll be able to do the same in GTA 6. Both Jason and Lucia will physically change depending on how much you play and what you eat. If you eat too much, for example, you can expect both protagonists to gain weight and look bigger.
This can be dealt with by hitting the gym. Players will be able to work out and exercise their characters to lose weight, and even build muscles. This means staying in shape will become another aspect of managing Jason and Lucia throughout the game.
It’s not just working out either, as other aspects of their lifestyle, such as getting enough sleep, can also affect the characters. This is a major change from GTA 5, where working out and maintaining your character’s fitness affected their hidden stats rather than their actual physical appearance in the game.
6. Explore a variety of new activities in leonida
Side activities aren’t exactly new to the GTA franchise, as previous games have featured tons of them. However, GTA 6 is amping up things by offering tons of new ones for players to enjoy.
What are we talking about? Well, for instance, the GTA 6 Extended Look revealed that players will be able to use VR headsets, watch in-game shows and commercials on their TVs, participate in car and bike races on dedicated tracks, try wrestling, read newspapers, go base jumping, hit clubs, take part in shooting ranges, go fishing, and even participate in backyard wrestling.
The activities we’ve mentioned above are just scratching the surface. Some activities that are worth looking out for are scuba diving and kayaking. With so much to do across Leonida, you won’t have to always focus on the main story missions.
7. Turn dirty money Into clean cash
GTA 6 will feature three different types of money: funds stored in your bank account, physical cash, and money kept in your duffel bag. Any money deposited in your bank account will be safe, just like in previous games. However, carrying cash comes with risks, as you’ll lose it if you die before depositing it at an ATM.
What’s interesting is how the game handles the money stored in your duffel bag. You’ll need to take it to a fence, essentially a black-market middleman who will take the stolen goods off your hands and pay you in return. This means money earned through robberies won’t be instantly credited to your account. You’ll need to take steps to turn your stolen loot into usable funds.
8. Reach a six-star wanted level
GTA 6 will bring back the franchise’s iconic wanted system, allowing players to cause chaos across Leonida, attracting different levels of police attention. The more trouble you cause, the more wanted stars you’ll earn, which will bring more forces after you. However, Rockstar is bringing several changes to make the system more immersive, such as NPC witnesses and police officers remembering your face, vehicle, and other details.
One of the biggest changes is the return of the six-star wanted level. This GTA 6 feature isn’t new, as it was present in older games but was removed in GTA 5. It’s currently unclear what kind of law enforcement response players can expect after reaching six stars, but one thing’s for certain: escaping the police at that level won’t be an easy task.
9. Dual-Wield your weapons
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Based on all the screenshots and leaks surrounding GTA 6, it seems like dual-wielding weapons is another potential feature that could make its way to the game. As the name suggests, this would allow players to wield two weapons at the same time, such as pistols or even shotguns, and fire them at the same time.
However, it’s crucial to remember that Rockstar Games hasn’t officially confirmed dual-wielding in GTA 6. There’s always a chance that the feature could be scrapped before the game’s final release.
10. Keep up with leonida on social media
Social media has become a huge part of our everyday lives, and GTA 6 looks set to bring that same influence to the game. Players will be able to access social media platforms through their phones, where they can watch short-form videos of people partying, pulling off stunts, and getting into all kinds of situations across Leonida. You will also be able to watch influencers and follow their accounts.
However, social media won’t be just about entertainment. It will also allow players to discover what’s happening across the state. You could come across livestreams of ongoing events and then travel to the location yourself to see what’s happening or even get involved.
Wrapping up
GTA 6 is shaping up to be a much more immersive experience than GTA 5, with Rockstar introducing several new mechanics and activities that could change how players interact with the world. From managing Jason and Lucia’s relationship and keeping them in shape to refuelling vehicles, storing weapons, and building a criminal profile, there’s plenty to explore beyond the main story.
With a more detailed world, expanded activities, social media, and a revamped wanted system, Leonida looks set to offer plenty of reasons to keep exploring even after completing missions. While some features, such as dual-wielding, remain unconfirmed, everything Rockstar has shown so far points toward a significantly deeper open-world experience than its predecessor.
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