If RDR2 Perfected Visuals and Physics 7 years in the past, How A lot Higher Can GTA 6 Actually Get?

The watch for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been simply as a lot of a sizzling subject as the sport itself, and with Rockstar lately delaying it as soon as extra, a couple of extra months have been added. Grand Theft Auto 6 is predicted to be a historic launch for the trade, however with such immense hype additionally comes big expectations. I, like tons of others, am virtually foaming on the mouth for GTA 6 to lastly get right here, however the longer the wait will get, the extra considerations I’ve, too.

As excited as I’m, I be sure that to remind myself that I’ve to maintain my expectations in verify, particularly on the subject of GTA 6‘s visuals. Through the years, video games have more and more appeared increasingly sensible, with many being extremely immersive. Rockstar, particularly, has all the time appeared to have a particular talent for bringing worlds to life. Now that the developer is gearing as much as have one in every of its largest launches ever with GTA 6, I maintain questioning the way it will look compared to Red Dead Redemption 2, as a result of it will be extremely troublesome to enhance upon what Rockstar managed to realize with that recreation.

GTA 6‘s new launch date is about for November 19, 2026.

Pink Lifeless Redemption 2 is Nonetheless Thought of a Masterpiece When it Involves Visuals and Physics, Which May Truly Damage GTA 6

Rockstar launched Pink Lifeless Redemption 2 in 2018.
Regardless of its age, the sport remains to be used to measure how good new releases look.

RDR2 launched for a last-gen console and nonetheless oftentimes seems to be higher than brand-new video games. Throughout the web, when a brand new AAA recreation releases, there’s virtually all the time somebody commenting, “RDR2 seems to be higher.” Even for individuals who don’t love RDR2, it is exhausting to disclaim that it is among the finest wanting video games ever made. From the lighting to the eye to element, Rockstar knocked it out of the park with the western adventure. What’s much more surprising is comparisons between GTA 5 and RDR2. There have been 5 years between their launches, however RDR2 seems to be a full decade forward of its Rockstar predecessor by way of visuals and sensible physics.

On the one hand, it makes the promise of GTA 6 that rather more thrilling, however on the opposite, it might depart some gamers feeling left down at launch, no less than for somewhat bit. Granted, GTA 6 is certain to have higher visuals and physics than RDR2, however it’s actually exhausting to think about a state of affairs the place it one-ups the western by leaps and bounds, like RDR2 did with GTA 5. Even from the 2 GTA 6 trailers which have been launched, it is clear that the sport is extremely visually spectacular. Nevertheless, it would not look exceedingly completely different from RDR2‘s visuals, and which may kickstart some post-launch debate about whether or not sensible graphics and physics have largely hit their limits or not.

The primary Pink Lifeless Redemption is coming to the Swap 2 on December 2, 2025. After that, many are hoping for RDR2 to be ported. There are even rumors that Rockstar is contemplating a Swap 2 port for GTA 6, however this must be taken with a grain of salt.

Can Visuals and Physics in Gaming Actually Get That A lot Higher After RDR2?

These Are Among the Most Visually Reasonable Video games Since RDR2

The Final of Us Half 2
Dying Stranding 2: On the Seaside
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Alan Wake 2
Ghost of Yotei
God of Warfare Ragnarok
Cyberpunk 2077
Ghost of Tsushima

Whether or not it is the realistic brutality of The Last of Us Part 2 or the mind-bending, however lifelike, design of Alan Wake 2, the video games on this checklist have all hit their visible limits. It is actually troublesome to think about them wanting any higher with out simply utterly making them absolutely live-action movies. RDR2 will be capable of look barely higher with a present gen improve, however actually, it might not be by a lot. RDR2 and this checklist of visible powerhouses could be an indication that it is time for the trade to steer away from making an attempt to make video games look as sensible as potential and pivot that focus to one thing else.

GTA 6 could be the deciding issue on this. Once GTA 6 launches, it might be a stark demonstration that recreation improvement has probably hit the heights of reaching realism. In fact, it is also exhausting to say what else is feasible with visuals and physics when it is unclear what the next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles are able to, however even when video games can get extra sensible, it makes me surprise in the event that they even must be.

GTA 6 is certain to have higher visuals and physics than RDR2, however it’s actually exhausting to think about a state of affairs the place it one-ups the western by leaps and bounds, like RDR2 did with GTA 5.

GTA 6 is Going to Rework the Trade in Extra Methods Than One

Sure, GTA 6 is going to rake in a staggering amount of money and doubtlessly even ignite a brand new value level for AAA titles, however it additionally might sign a change in path for in-game visuals and physics. If GTA 6 would not transfer RDR2‘s visible needle an excessive amount of, then some builders might begin placing their consideration to different options, like stylistic character design and even deeper, extra advanced tales. There are many video games round which have these qualities, however narrative-building and distinctive designs might be extra frequent in dialogue about what makes a recreation good as an alternative of the way it seems to be.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a good instance of this hypothetical post-GTA 6 world I am dreaming of. Visually, the sport remains to be gorgeous and has incredible physics, however it additionally would not get hung up on realism. The character designs are extra stylistic, however it nonetheless clearly seems to be like a contemporary recreation. The success and praise that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has seen could be the ripples that create a bigger wave of future video games that may lastly shake the years-long query, “However does it look higher than RDR2?”

In fact, solely time will inform, and RDR2 nonetheless might proceed to be the last word take a look at of a recreation’s visible success for years to come back, however I hope not. I stand by the declare that RDR2 is without doubt one of the biggest video games ever made, however I additionally do not assume lifelike graphics and physics must be the epitome of nice improvement. GTA 6 is going to look fantastic. It might not look significantly better than RDR2, however it’s nonetheless going to look nice, and it’ll hopefully additionally function a reminder that realism is not every part.