GTA 6: the 12 most striking gameplay details

Our first Extended Look breakdowns covered the big features. But rewatching the 26 minutes of gameplay aired on Netflix (and cross-checking with Rockstar's interviews), it's often the small details that say the most about how GTA 6 will play. Here are the 12 most striking.

Each point is either seen in the program or confirmed by Rockstar in an interview. We flag which every time.

Combat: killing is no longer the only option

1. Missing on purpose to escape

The most surprising one. Rob Nelson (Rockstar) describes suppressive fire: you can control the direction of your shots and deliberately miss the police to startle them, buying time to get away. (Confirmed by Rockstar.)

2. Taking enemies down without killing

The program shows you can shoot an enemy's legs to put them out of action instead of killing them, and shoot out a police car's tires to stop it. (Seen in the program.)

3. Downing a helicopter from the back seat

During a chase, one character shoots down a helicopter from the back seat of a moving vehicle while the other drives. (Seen in the program.)

Police: a much finer system

4. Six stars… and what the police know about you

The wanted level goes up to 6 stars (versus 5 in GTA 5). A visible new touch: small icons under the stars show what the police know about you, namely your face, outfit, weapon and vehicle. (Seen in the program.)

5. Police that remember

The direct consequence: changing outfits or cars becomes a real tactic. Police have a persistent memory and recognize you later if you haven't changed anything, as Rob Nelson explained. Full details in our police news piece. (Confirmed by Rockstar.)

6. Holstering your gun to avoid panicking the crowd

NPCs react when they see a weapon. The program shows you can holster your pistol to blend in, and swap vehicles to shake off attention. (Seen in the program.)

"Freeform" crime: petty crime front and center

7. Car theft: quiet or brutal

Two approaches: slow, quiet lock-picking (the "Slim Jim" minigame) or smashing the window to go fast, at the risk of drawing attention. High-end vehicles with electronic locks need a key cloner. (Seen in the program.)

8. Robbing convenience stores, gas stations… and phone shops

Improvised petty crime takes a much bigger role than in previous GTAs: we see robberies of convenience stores, gas stations and phone shops, with no mission required. (Seen in the program.)

Characters and daily life

9. What you eat changes your body

Like in Red Dead Redemption 2, eating and drinking affect your character's weight and appearance. (Seen in the program.)

10. Faster switching than GTA 5

When Jason and Lucia are apart, switching uses a bird's-eye transition that's noticeably faster than GTA 5; when they're close, it's near-instant. (Seen in the program.) More in our gameplay breakdown.

11. Parasailing and bench press

Among the activities glimpsed, two small surprises: parasailing and a bench press minigame at the gym. (Seen in the program.) The rest of the pastimes are listed in our map and activities article.

12. Races of all kinds

The program shows several types of races, in sports cars as well as on dirt bikes. (Seen in the program.)

The takeaway

These details paint a more systemic GTA: the police react to what they actually know about you, violence is no longer the only answer, and Jason and Lucia's daily life has a concrete impact. Final answer on November 19, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (PC version still not confirmed).

The GTA 6 recap

• Everything the Extended Look revealed and Jason & Lucia: characters, romance and choices.
• Release date: everything we know and the pre-order guide.

FAQ

Can you avoid killing in GTA 6?

Yes: suppressive fire to startle and escape (confirmed by Rob Nelson), leg shots and shot-out tires.

Does the wanted level go up to 6 stars?

Yes, with icons under the stars showing what the police know: face, outfit, weapon, vehicle.