10 Lessons GTA 6 Can Learn From Red Dead Redemption 2

15.11.2023 - 15:15 / screenrant.com

has a lot to learn from . The and series have always filled different niches, but the two are undeniably similar and can influence each other in a variety of ways. The most recent games in each series, and respectively, are hailed as visual, narrative, and gameplay masterpieces. They've set many trends in the open world and third-person shooter genres — trends that each one's next title should seek to follow.

But at the same time, neither game is absolutely perfect. Both have their flaws, and while many of 's can be explained away by the fact that it's an older game from two console generations ago, some of 's have only become more glaring in the five years since its launch. Whether from 's successes or failures, here are ten lessons that should learn.

Related: GTA 6 Can Improve These Overlooked Grand Theft Auto Mechanics

Crunch refers to a harmful workplace culture in which developers are made to work overly long hours in order to reach strict deadlines. It has touched almost every corner of the video game industry, and according to a former Rockstar dev, the original was developed under severe crunch. It's not only bad for developers, who must sacrifice their own health and personal relationships during periods of crunch, but also for the games they make. Rushing out could result in a buggy, blatantly flawed game, but ensuring that it's completely finished before it ships, even if it takes a few extra months, creates a quality product.

Sometimes, 's visuals look so realistic that it's difficult to tell screenshots from photos. At times, can be stunning. Looking back at horse tracks in the desert sand, gazing out at distant hills, watching the wind ruffle the grass across a vast plain — these images are moving and enduring, a large part of what makes so engaging. looks great, especially for its time, but a decade later, standards have changed. Wherever is set, its landscape should be rendered with the same stunning beauty and meticulous attention to detail.

As good as its main story is, 's side content is even better. Whether it's casing general stores before the posse robs them, hunting legendary animals, or finding the Klan and burning them alive, almost every side mission in is unique, enjoyable, and impactful. has a similar feature — the Strangers and Freaks missions spread throughout Los Santos — but they pale in comparison. 's side missions don't tend to take themselves quite as seriously. They're usually pretty brief and spontaneous, and even when they're not, the characters in them are one-note jokes. A balance of both is fine, but leaning all one way gets repetitive.

Another thing that gives a lasting impact is its cast of characters. Every major character in the game, especially the ones