Why I am Even More Excited For GTA 6 After Watching The Extended Look

Grand Theft Auto has meant a lot to me for, well, my entire time playing games. I remember the first time I ever set foot in Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto 3 while my babysitter’s son let me play for 5 minutes on PlayStation 2. I immediately found ways to play all of them up to San Andreas at the time. Grand Theft Auto has always been more than crime, violence, and sex for me. It has always been freedom. The freedom of Grand Theft Auto, paired with Rockstar’s narrative, is what makes this franchise so special.

The GTA 6 Extended Look (all captured on base PS5) has just premiered and will eventually hit YouTube tonight at 9 pm Eastern. We have just watched it over at Nettos Game Room, and I couldn't be more excited. In fact, I am more excited than I thought I could be.

The ‘GTA 6 Extended Look” focuses on the dynamic chemistry between GTA 6’s main characters, Jason and Lucia. They're in love and can even fall out of love within the game depending on the player's actions. (I am going to try my absolute hardest for these two to stay in love) The public has known about this chemistry, but this look really solidifies it between the two. Part of the extended look shows Jason and Lucia getting ready to meet a couple at a rooftop bar, with Lucia getting dressed while Jason waits for her. We also see Lucia and Jason go into a drug house to pick up for “Boobie.” After talking to one of the dealers, they learn the whole place has been set up for a police task force raid. Jason and Lucia must fight their way out, showing us the first “official gunplay”. 

Small moments like those will gradually build their love. There will be struggles between the two, and it will be up to the player to balance that. Grand Theft Auto 6 is going to be a Bonnie-and-Clyde story, and that makes me so excited because Rockstar has only gotten better with their narrative work. I personally think that is my favorite part of Rockstar. I love the stories they have to tell, and this is shaping up to be the biggest and most personal one! 

We have to talk about gameplay itself though! Gameplay is clearly where Grand Theft Auto shines and gives players, as I mentioned earlier, freedom. But GTA 6 is going to be a little different because it will be one of the most simulated games we have ever seen. This gameplay changed mostly with Red Dead Redemption 2, which introduced players to a more realistic gameplay loop. I personally love it because it feels like there are consequences. I mean consequences and realism, meaning you have to eat, sleep, and you can only carry a limited number of weapons instead of unlimited guns like in past installments. One thing that did stand out, though, is the shooting. Of course, I haven't gotten my hands on it and won't until November 19th, but I hope the shooting has been improved. In today's look, it seems pretty standard, with possibly a bit more sway, but we will not know until closer to release. I really think there's a lot Rockstar can do with the guns!

With Grand Theft Auto 6, a lot is changing, though. It looks like you can carry only a limited number of guns, and the rest will have to be in the car. Cars look heavier and take more damage than ever before. The physics of the police cars being shot at the wheels, then flipping, looks unreal! The extended look also gives us a look at racing, which will probably be my favorite part of this game. GTA 5 racing was huge in the RP world on Twitch (modded servers where you could roleplay). Reports say car customization will be close to Forza (a famous racing franchise with in-depth car mechanics). The idea of underground racing in Vice City where you can customize all the cars available in the world sounds like a fantasy. We can even say that maybe this is Rockstar’s way of bringing back Midnight Club! 

Other small, detailed mechanics were shown, like working out after returning from San Andreas, while we see Lucia bench pressing, and you can gain and lose weight! Trust me, though, ima stay lifting in the gym in GTA 6. We also see parachuting, kayaking, shooting at a gun range, and racing dirt bikes (the mud mechanics look unreal)

Policemen seem to remember the player's car and clothes, though. There are icons in the top right that seem to indicate that. Meaning the player will really have to think about how to approach different situations. This excites me, though. I assume that every player's story and experience will be different in how the game plays out. I think that natural storytelling within gameplay benefits a player's experience like no other! 

Overall, this GTA 6 Extended Look was really great. It felt a little all over the place, but Grand Theft Auto 6 is allowed to be. I am sure I missed some tiny details because there are so many in this look. The full release, of course, will hopefully be fully coherent. This gave us a great look at what is to come and gave us a taste of Vice City. I cannot believe that GTA 6 is almost here and it feels weird to even type those words. This is going to be a monumental moment for the world and a lot of people cannot wait for November 19th, 2026!