5 things GTA 6 can learn from Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games has already raised the bar with Red Dead Redemption 2, a game that redefined open-world storytelling and immersion. And now, with GTA 6 on the horizon, expectations are sky-high. But to truly blow minds, GTA 6 shouldn’t just look ahead, it should also take a few smart lessons from its wild-west sibling. Here’s what GTA 6 can borrow from RDR2 to become Rockstar’s greatest hit ever.
1. Meaningful NPC Interactions Make the World Come AliveFrom random travelers to gang members at camp, RDR2 made every NPC feel handcrafted. You didn’t just walk past people; you talked to them, formed relationships, and saw them change over time. GTA 6 should ditch the lifeless NPC filler and give us dynamic, memorable side characters who grow, react, and even remember what we did last time. Make Vice City breathe.


2. Deeper Character Arcs = Stronger Emotional PayoffIn RDR2, Arthur Morgan wasn’t more than just a cowboy. He was a complex, flawed, and evolving human being. His journey hit hard because it felt real. In contrast, GTA protagonists often lean into satire and chaos, which is fun, but rarely emotional. GTA 6 needs to slow down and let us feel for Lucia and Jason. The heists, the betrayals, the adrenaline, it all hits different when you’re emotionally invested in the characters behind the guns.
3. Slow Moments MatterNot every moment has to be a high-speed chase. RDR2 taught us to enjoy fishing, camping, sitting around a fire, or just watching the sunset. These slower beats gave weight to the chaos that followed. GTA 6 should give players room to breathe.
4. Consequences Build AttachmentIn RDR2, your actions shaped how others saw you. Steal too much? People hate you. Help someone out? They’ll remember. The world responded to your choices. GTA 6 can go beyond wanted stars. Imagine a world where your reputation, choices, and relationships change how missions unfold and how the city reacts to you.


5. Realistic Animations = Next-Level ImmersionSay what you will about RDR2’s slower pace, but when Arthur skinned animals or opened drawers, it didn’t feel like a game. It felt like life. GTA 6 should embrace that immersive realism, especially in smaller details like breaking into houses, repairing vehicles, or interacting with the environment. Every micro-action, if polished, adds macro realism.

RDR2 was a masterclass in immersion, storytelling, and world-building. GTA 6 has the potential to go even further. But to get there, it should stop and listen to its cowboy cousin. The future of Vice City might just lie in the past.