5 things GTA 6 can learn from The Last of Us

GTA 6 is going to be massive. But if Rockstar wants to level up the story game like never before, they should take a few notes from The Last of Us — Naughty Dog’s emotionally gut-punching masterpiece. Sure, GTA is all about chaos, crime, and crazy open-world freedom, but sprinkling in just a bit of what made TLOU iconic? That’s the cheat code to legendary. Here are 5 things GTA 6 can (and should) steal from The Last of Us playbook:

1. Make Players Care About the Characters

The most iconic thing about The Last of Us isn’t the infected — it’s Joel and Ellie. Their bond is what carries the game, drawing players into their world emotionally. GTA 6 can benefit from deeper character relationships that go beyond surface-level criminal partnerships. We need protagonists who evolve, feel pain, grow over time, and make us care about them. Lucia and Jason already show promise, but Rockstar can double down on humanizing them, not just through cutscenes, but through in-game moments that reveal vulnerability.

2. Ground the World in Real Emotion and Consequences

One of The Last of Us's strengths is how every choice and action feels meaningful. Characters suffer consequences. Violence has weight. Death isn't just a game mechanic — it leaves an emotional scar. In contrast, GTA 5 often treated chaos like a punchline. For GTA 6 to grow, Rockstar should bring more gravity to its world. If a character dies, it should matter. If a heist goes wrong, it should impact relationships.

3. Refine Stealth and Combat Mechanics

While GTA has always been about explosive action, The Last of Us showed how smart, fluid stealth can enhance tension and immersion. Rockstar could revamp its clunky stealth mechanics to allow for quieter, smarter play — sneaking into compounds, silently disabling guards, or using the environment more tactically..

4. Environmental Storytelling That Actually Speaks

The Last of Us is famous for telling mini-stories through graffiti, abandoned homes, and the world itself. You learn about people who died, lovers separated, communities torn apart — all without a word spoken. GTA 6 could benefit from this subtle form of storytelling. A messy apartment could reveal a drug addict’s decline. A boarded-up mansion might hint at Vice City’s class divide.

5. A Story That Isn’t Afraid to Take Risks

Naughty Dog wasn’t afraid to polarize players with The Last of Us Part II. Whether you loved or hated its direction, it took bold narrative swings — and GTA 6 should too. Rockstar has often played it safe by relying on familiar tropes and sarcastic humor. But with a new generation of gamers craving meaningful stories, it’s time to take risks with character deaths, moral ambiguity, or even narrative structure. Make players argue. Make them uncomfortable. Make them feel something.

GTA 6 has the potential to be more than just the next sandbox playground. By borrowing emotional depth, risk-taking, and immersive storytelling from The Last of Us, Rockstar can redefine what an open-world crime epic can be.