GTA 6’s Story and Setting Still Have the Element of Surprise in One Regard

November 4, 2024

It’s nearly impossible to say what Grand Theft Auto 6 will look like. Although the series has some rather obvious narrative and mechanical throughlines, such as open-world design and satirical worldbuilding elements, Rockstar has a tendency to make major changes between releases, with GTA: San Andreas being fundamentally distinct from GTA 4, and GTA 4 being markedly different from GTA 5, for instance.

But perhaps the greatest distinction between the likes of GTA 4 and GTA 5 comes down to storytelling and presentation. A game like GTA 4, or even San Andreas to a lesser extent, trends toward a more sober, grounded, character-driven sort of narrative which, while certainly not lacking in satirical and comedic elements, is generally more mature and intimate. By comparison, GTA 5 is far more bombastic and absurd, its characters far less relatable and more emblematic of Rockstar’s critiques of American culture. With Grand Theft Auto 6 being the first entry in the series in well over a decade, it will be tasked with defining GTA‘s tone moving forward, at least in the short-term.

Xbox is Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place Ahead of GTA 6

Sony recently unveiled its plan — albeit a controversial one — to make way for GTA 6’s release, but Microsoft’s silence is cause for concern.

GTA 6’s Narrative Style Is Still a Mystery

GTA 6 Could Be Mature and Grounded, But It’s Hard to Tell

At this point, all that fans have to go off regarding GTA 6‘s story is its reveal trailer, which, while brief, touches on the relationship between the central characters Jason and Lucia. It would seem that Lucia has just been released from prison, perhaps not taking full accountability for her actions (suggested by her “just bad luck, I guess” comment to her parole officer). This is obviously speculation, but the way that Lucia is introduced in the trailer hints at a story about internal struggle and growth, with Lucia perhaps needing to come to terms with her past and make key decisions about her future.

Then, there are the theories that have been floated about GTA 6‘s other protagonist, Jason: fans have speculated that Jason, who seems to have some sort of romantic relationship with Lucia, is an undercover police officer. This would be a major plot point, so this speculation should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, but if it’s proven to be true, then the story will likely focus on themes like betrayal, love, and loyalty, which are all notably weighty and mature. Even if Jason is not an undercover cop, a narrative built around a couple is bound to be more emotionally intimate than one about a group of friends or criminal compatriots.

GTA 6 Could Be a Reaction to Red Dead Redemption 2, For Better or Worse

Red Dead Redemption is one of the most meticulously detailed, nuanced, and sophisticated stories told in the gaming medium. It’s Rockstar’s magnum opus when it comes to narrative design, and while it’s not down and dour all the time, it certainly isn’t what anyone would consider a comedy. GTA 6 might continue this trend, presenting a more grounded and introspective tale, perhaps indicating Rockstar’s desire to lean into more complex and mature dramas rather than biting satirical comedies.

Conversely, GTA 6 could buck the storytelling conventions of RDR2, going all in on humor and absurdity as a contrast to the former’s bleaker and more emotionally poignant tone. Of course, these are two completely disconnected series, but it’s important to remember that they’re being made by the same developer, and while Rockstar’s guiding light has always been its strong creative vision, its games don’t exist in a vacuum; GTA 6 will likely take some cues from RDR2, though how this wins up informing its narrative is ultimately unclear.