5 things GTA 6 can learn from The Last of Us

Time of India

7 hours ago

Image via Rockstar
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.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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If a character dies, it should matter. If a heist goes wrong, it should impact relationships.
GTA 6 Weapons & Combat
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.
Why GTA 6 Can't Afford to Be Bad
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.