GTA 6 Already Looks More Realistic Than GTA 5 In One Huge Way

After 13 some-odd years of waiting, players finally have a meaningful understanding of what "Grand Theft Auto VI" is going to look like. The "GTA 6" extended look on Netflix attempted to deliver on the hype, showing off 27 minutes of gameplay and footage from the much-anticipated sequel. Pretty much from the jump, it was crystal clear that Rockstar tried to make the most of the years-long development process, as the game looks impressive. It also looks more realistic than anyone might have expected.

Fans have generally been saying the same thing after the "GTA 6" extended look, which is that the game looks incredible. There was a lot to look at, meaning it might have been easy to miss some of the shockingly realistic details. One of the most realistic and unique aspects has to do with how players interact with consumables. At one point, we see protagonist Jason open a fridge, and he's able to pick what he drinks. Players can choose when to puff on a cigar. It appears as though food will have similar interactions. This goes well beyond what players have ever been able to do in these games.

"Grand Theft Auto VI" centers on two new protagonists, Jason and Lucia, who have always known the deck is stacked against them. When an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves in the middle of a criminal conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida. They're forced to rely on each other if they want to make it out alive.

Players will alternate between controlling both Jason and Lucia. That means they will be able to control what both of them eat, drink, etc., with a much larger degree of specificity. Most interesting of all, though, what players consume will have a meaningful impact on the experience in the game.

Per Dazed, "Food affects Jason and Lucia's weight, while exercising visibly builds and tones their muscles." But that's not all. The outlet also notes that if the characters are out drinking for multiple days, or if they're away from bed or on the run from the law for an extended period of time, "their features are going to pay the price for that as well."

So yes, if you eat a bunch of junk food in the game, the character will gain weight. And if you do a bunch of illicit substances, it will show. This goes beyond the screen getting a little blurry when a character has a beer. These actions are going to have longer-lasting consequences. In that way, the game is going to more closely mirror real life, despite the surrealistic nature of it all.

This is just one small example of how much there is to unpack when it comes to this game. "GTA 6" will also have a massive map with lots of changes, representing the biggest one that Rockstar has ever included in a game. One can only imagine what else is hiding for players in that map. If there are restaurants, there may be more of an experience to be had than just set decoration. The same goes for bars and clubs, down to the smallest detail; expect more relevant interactions in these establishments as well.

"Grand Theft Auto VI" releases for PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026, with the PC release expected at a later date.