GTA V is feeling a tad tired now. No matter how many DLCs Rockstar releases, the game has been out for several years now. You can only get so much enjoyment out of a Trevor-inspired six-star wanted level.
Gamers have already turned their attention to the next generation of Grand Theft Auto. Yet GTA VI has had no official announcement or credible rumors associated with it, so we are left to dream.
Rockstar has a long history of reusing and modernizing features from previous games in their latest incarnations. Let’s look at the classic elements that should return in GTA VI.
Gambling with a Twist
Playing at the casino initially appeared in (arguably) the best version of the game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Las Venturas was the fictional incarnation of Las Vegas and saw the main character CJ playing games like blackjack, roulette, and slots.
GTA has an opportunity to reinvent the gambling feature by taking it online. As online casinos turn to live-action games, there’s no reason why the controversial game series cannot also take it online.
The opportunity to play online casino live roulette in-game is a ripe one and a chance for Rockstar to add an addictive feature to the legendary franchise.
Different Time Periods
The modern setting of GTA V offered a revolutionary new look at Los Santos and the broader San Andreas area. The problem Rockstar has is how do they make GTA VI distinct? Not enough has changed since GTA V to make a mark on the franchise.
Adding different periods to the franchise, even in the same game, allows it to adopt an exciting change of pace.
The HD Universe has focused on recent years, so why not take the next GTA city and turn it into something different?
More Customization
Customization peaked within GTA San Andreas before falling back again. In San Andreas, overeating fast food could make your character morbidly obese and alter his performance. Likewise, hitting the gym would make him into a physical freak.
While customization had no impact on the overall game, it was nice to see how your choices impacted your character. It’s the little things like this that make games memorable.
Better Hand-to-Hand Combat
GTA V’s hand-to-hand combat was disappointing, with no real variation or customization. On the other hand, GTA IV offered a fun twist on urban combat by making it challenging to knock an opponent to the ground.
GTA San Andreas’s hand-to-hand combat was also interesting. CJ was able to pull out basic street fighting moves and even try his hand at taekwondo.
While not a dealbreaker, it added a layer of customization that enchanted gamers. There’s a reason why GTA San Andreas sold 27.5 million copies, making it the best-selling PlayStation 2 game of all time, fitting behind the popular GTA V.
Purchasable Safehouses
Safehouses have featured in several early GTA games, including San Andreas. Whether it was a sad rural house in Prickle Pine or Madd Dogg’s Mansion, your character could own a diverse array of property added a sense of progression.
GTA V was generally limited to a select few safehouses based on the protagonist’s lifestyles. GTA’s online play left much to be desired in this respect, with most safehouses feeling vanilla and dull.
A return of the unique array of safehouses situated throughout the gaming world would be a nice call back to some of the earlier games.
It also gave players something to do with their millions!
More Visitable Locations
GTA is defined by both the characters and the locations. Visiting Liberty City, Vice City, or Los Santos offered a chance to sample different flavors of gameplay.
GTA San Andreas got this right, with the opportunity to visit Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas, and even a brief trip to Liberty City. That doesn’t even include the little countryside and desert towns you could encounter.
Subsequent games felt a little samey. As fun as GTA IV was, unlocking the various boroughs of Liberty City felt less like an achievement and more just like a visit to yet another concrete jungle, without much to differentiate each area from the next.
Should GTA VI decide to implement this feature, Rockstar has the potential to deliver one of the most diverse game worlds in gaming history.
Conclusion
GTA is one of the most iconic gaming franchises in the world. While most players believe GTA VI will see a return to Vice City, we know nothing more. However, rumor has it Rockstar will make a GTA VI announcement shortly.
It will be intriguing to see which features Rockstar decides to incorporate into the sixth incarnation of their flagship series.
What feature would you like to see return in GTA VI?