If RDR2 perfected the visuals and physics 7 years ago, how much better can GTA 6 really go?

Waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been as hot a topic as the game itself, and since Rockstar recently delayed it again, it's been added a few more months. Grand Theft Auto 6 It is expected to be a historic start for the industry, but with such huge hype comes great expectations. I, like tons of others, am practically foaming at the mouth GTA 6 to finally get here, but the longer the wait, the more worried I get.

As excited as I am, I have to remind myself to keep my expectations in check, especially when it comes to GTA 6user visuals. Over the years, games have become more and more realistic looking and many of them are incredibly immersive. Rockstar in particular has always seemed to have a special ability to bring worlds to life. Now that the developer is gearing up for one of the biggest launches ever GTA 6still wondering how it will compare to Red Dead Redemption 2because it's going to be incredibly hard to top what Rockstar managed to achieve with this game.

GTA 6The new release date is set to November 19, 2026.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is still considered a masterpiece in terms of visuals and physics, which could actually hurt GTA 6

Rockstar released Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018.
Despite its age, the game is still used to measure how good new versions look.

RDR2 launched for the last gen console and still often looks better than brand new games. All over the internet, when a new AAA game comes out, there's almost always someone commenting on it.”RDR2 looks better.” Even for those who don't like it RDR2it's hard to deny that it's one of the best looking games ever made. From the lighting to the attention to detail, Rockstar knocked it out of the park with this western adventure. The comparison between them is even more shocking GTA 5 and RDR2. There were five years between their launches, but RDR2 it looks a full decade ahead of its Rockstar predecessor in terms of visuals and realistic physics.

On the one hand, it promises GTA 6 that's much more exciting, but on the other hand, it could leave some players feeling left out at launch, at least for a while. is true GTA 6 must have better visual and physical properties than RDR2but it's really hard to imagine a scenario where it should leapfrog a western by leaps and bounds, e.g. RDR2 did with GTA 5. Even from those two GTA 6 from the trailers that have been released, it's clear that the game is incredibly visually impressive. However, it doesn't look too different from RDR2's visuals, and that might start some post-launch debate about whether or not the realistic graphics and physics have mostly hit their limits.

First Red Dead Redemption coming to Switch 2 on December 2, 2025. After that, many are hoping RDR2 be transferred. There are even rumors that Rockstar is considering a Switch 2 port GTA 6but that should be taken with a grain of salt.

Can the visuals and physics really get that much better in games after RDR2?

These are some of the most visually realistic games since RDR2

The last of us part 2
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
Alan Wake 2
Ghost of Yotei
God of War Ragnarok
Cyberpunk 2077
Ghost of Tsushima

Be it realistic brutality The last of us part 2 or a mind-boggling but realistic design Alan Wake 2all the games on this list hit their visual limits. It's really hard to imagine them looking any better without being completely made into full-length movies. RDR2 it will be able to look a little better with the current gen upgrade, but honestly, it might not be much. RDR2 and this list of visual powerhouses may be a sign that it's time for the industry to turn away from trying to make games look as realistic as possible and focus on something else.

GTA 6 it can be a decisive factor in this. Once GTA 6 Upon release, this could be a clear demonstration that game development has probably hit the pinnacle of achieving realism. Of course, it's also hard to say what else is possible with the visuals and physics when it's unclear what the next-gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles are capable of, but while the games may be more realistic, it makes me wonder if they should even be.

GTA 6 must have better visual and physical properties than RDR2but it's really hard to imagine a scenario where it should leapfrog a western by leaps and bounds, e.g. RDR2 did with GTA 5.

GTA 6 will change the industry in more ways than one

Yes, GTA 6 is set to rake in a staggering amount of money and potentially even spark a new price point for AAA titles, but it could also signal a change in direction for the game's visuals and physics. If GTA 6 it doesn't move RDR2's visual needle too much, then some developers may start turning their attention to other features like stylistic character design and even deeper, more complex stories. There are plenty of games that have these qualities, but narrative building and unique designs might be more common in the discussion of what makes a game good than how it looks.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a great example of this hypothetical post-GTA 6 the world i dream of Visually, the game is still stunning and has fantastic physics, but it also didn't skimp on realism. The character design is more stylish, but it still clearly feels like a modern game. Success and praise Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 saw possible ripples that create a larger wave of future games that may finally shake the years-old question, “But it looks better than RDR2?”

Of course, only time will tell RDR2 it may still be the ultimate test of the game's visual success in the years to come, but I hope not. I stand by the claim that RDR2 is one of the best games of all time, but I also don't think that realistic graphics and physics have to be the epitome of great development. GTA 6 it will look fantastic. Maybe it doesn't look much better than RDR2but it will still look great and hopefully serve as a reminder that realism isn't everything.