Summary
It has been a decade since the release ofGrand Theft Auto 5, with fans anxiously awaiting updates for the next entry within the franchise. Upon many rumors and leaks throughout 2023, Rockstar finally broke their silence by announcing the first-everGrand Theft Auto 6trailer. As one of the biggest franchises in gaming history, the expectations among fans are at an all-time high, especially after all the elements present in the studio’s most recent work onRed Dead Redemption 2.
While there is no doubt thatGTA 6is set to include jaw-dropping features compared to its predecessor, a variety of action and RPG titles over the years have taken on open-world elements successfully. DespiteGTAnot necessarily being an RPG series, especially compared to the likes of these titles, the elements presented in these games can very well fit within the nextGrand Theft Autoexperience.
CD Projekt Red’sCyberpunk 2077promised an open-world experience that many presumed had the potential to rival other popular titles, such asGTA 5. Its launch, however, disappointed many fans as the game was virtually unplayable for a large number of players, and failed to live up to the expectations its trailers presented. Fortunately, through a plethora of updates and a hugeDLC story expansion,Cyberpunk 2077is now the experience that fans had initially anticipated.
Developers at CD Projekt Red are renowned for RPG titles with the likes ofThe Witcher 3, but they managed to maintain all of the RPG elements while creating an open-world experience that is similar to that of Rockstar’s franchise. Despite only being playable in the first-person perspective, all of its gameplay elements are certainly worth replicating inGTA 6. While the two games are set in completely different times and environments, many ofCyberpunk’s combat and gunplay mechanics could be successful inGTA 6.
Sticking with CD Projekt Red,The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,while vastly unlike theGTAfranchise, provided some of thebest quests ever present in RPG games. Developers and writers managed to produce side quests to the point that they felt like main story quests, with dialogue and character interactions that were incredibly impressive.
While Rockstar is not typically known for choices or dialogue options placed throughout the narrative experience,GTA 6could change that.Red Dead Redemption 2took the experience close enough towards this, as every player’s action and decision in free roam would directly affect Arthur Morgan’s ending. With that in mind,The Witcher 3is one of the best action and RPG games to follow in terms of dialogue, with choices and interactions that will change the story’s ending.
Assuming thatGTA 6will feature an online mode later down the line, just asGTA 5did,Monster Hunter Worldwould be a great title to take after. It is incredibly important to mention the vast difference between the two franchises, but the online co-op experience in Capcom’s blockbuster title would perform very well if replicated in a brand-newGTA 6online experience. When hunting monsters and completing quests, players can be lucky with rare drops for certain armor or weapon builds, with thegame’s RNG active.
With heists present inGTA 5’s online mode, Rockstar could implement the same system inGTA 6’s, giving players a chance to receive special rewards upon completing heists or special missions. While an RNG system inGTA Onlinemay be controversial, it could work well if it is implemented correctly, without any egregious rarities or inclusions of heavy microtransactions.
With the idea of aGTA 6online mode,Dragon’s Dogma’s pawn system would be perfect for its experience. While it’s a single-player experience, Capcom allows players to use other players' created pawns and enlist them to join their party on their journey. This gives players room to connect.
This system would benefit players in aGTA 6online mode, who wish to take on heists or missions but may not have an online friend group to do so. AI allies could fill this void, and act as support within intense and difficult circumstances. While this may be very difficult to implement, it would not be a surprise to seeconsidering Rockstar’s acquirement of Cfx.re, who are responsible for the roleplaying FiveM mod inGTA Online.
Taking in-game relationships, dialogue, and story endings into consideration as aforementioned, theMass Effecttrilogy is the best action RPG forGTA 6to follow. With a variety of dialogue choices, romance, and potential story plot lines with decisions carrying over into the next game, theMass Effectseries is still highly regarded with fans anticipating a new entry.
Considering Rockstar’s move to feature a deeper morality system inRed Dead Redemption 2, the next best step would be toimplement romance and more freedomin characters' interactions with one another. While it will be important to keep the narrative within the same format thatGTAfans are accustomed to, this would elevate the experience entirely.
