Grand Theft Auto 6 could tell a heartrending story in a way that no other GTA has, but the real question is whether it should. As it stands, the pieces are there to put together a rather tragic tale, especially in comparison to past Grand Theft Auto titles. However, Grand Theft Auto 6 could be walking a fine line in terms of how deeply emotional it may actually be able to get. There's no doubt that its story could get deeper than any GTA before it, but the writers may not have the chance to write a true tragedy.
The story of Grand Theft Auto 6 has only been hinted at so far, but a few details have already been laid out. First, the rumors about the game having dual protagonists, as well as the first female protagonist in a modern Grand Theft Auto game, are already confirmed. Likewise, players got a small taste of what to expect from the plot, with Lucia having a history of legal trouble, and her and her partner pulling heists together. How all of this fits together is still unconfirmed, but this already offers a decent starting picture of what to expect from GTA 6.
What GTA Online Enhanced Could Mean for Grand Theft Auto 6
Rockstar recently took GTA Online a step further with its enhanced port, with this potentially giving insight into its plans for GTA 6's online mode.
GTA 6's Protagonists Could Find Themselves In a Tragic Love Story
Grand Theft Auto 6's Protagonists Show Some Romantic Chemistry
One major takeaway from GTA 6's first trailer is the fact that Lucia and her companion seem to be in a romantic relationship. In addition to going on heists and evading the police together, one scene in the trailer shows the two of them speaking on a bed with some definite romantic implications. While there have been instances in past Grand Theft Auto games where the protagonists could go out on dates, a concrete love interest is relatively new territory. While romance can be cute or moving, there's also potential for tragedy, either in the form of a falling out or one of them dying.
Two of Grand Theft Auto 5's endings featured a protagonist death, so the idea isn't completely unheard of in GTA.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Showed that Rockstar Can Make Tragic Tales
When one looks back at Red Dead Redemption 2's tragic story, it's clear that Rockstar has the ability to make a genuinely emotional tale. The story of Arthur and the Van Der Linde gang that unfolds over the course of Red Dead Redemption 2 gives players a firsthand look at how a previously close-knit group falls apart despite all attempts to save it. While the game had no shortage of amusing moments, it can't be denied that the overall story is a tragedy. With this in mind, Rockstar could definitely decide to take a similar tone with Grand Theft Auto 6.
Grand Theft Auto May Be Too Satirical For Serious Heartbreak
However, a tragic tale would also clash with Grand Theft Auto's satirical style. Historically, Grand Theft Auto games can be best described as parodies of society in general wrapped in crime stories. While the stories can go to tense and even sad places, most of the time the games are busy making fun of virtually everything. Putting a romantic tearjerker in the middle of usual Grand Theft Auto antics runs the risk of creating dissonance if not handled properly. Rockstar could certainly add a sad love story to Grand Theft Auto 6, but it shouldn't if such a story clashes with the rest of GTA 6's tone.
There's no telling where the relationship between GTA 6's protagonists will end up. While Grand Theft Auto 6's next trailer could certainly clear a few things up, it won't give away the whole story. A romance between the leads is an interesting idea, as are the many ways that it could turn out. A tragic twist for the lovers would bring drama, but it could also be a bad fit depending on the game's overall tone. Grand Theft Auto 6 could bring heartbreak, but it may not want to.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- November 19, 2026
- ESRB
- Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
