GTA VI Extended Trailer Teardown: Return of Six-Star Wanted, Dual Protagonist Switching and Tribute Easter Eggs

Netflix first obtained the exclusive six-hour broadcast rights of the 26-minute extended trailer before it was put on platforms such as YouTube. This latest image, which has been described as the most anticipated video game in history, is not so much a promotional video as a list of Rockstar's past works - from "Red Dead Redemption 2" to "GTA: San Andreas", almost every screen contains a self-reference.

Grand Theft Auto VI may take more than 80 hours to complete, and the details released in this trailer exactly correspond to this scale: an upgraded wanted system, a criminal profile-like mechanism, and a re-adjusted gunplay feel.

Six Star Wanted returns, Criminal Profile makes cause and effect more sophisticated

At the 14-minute mark of the trailer, Jason hangs on the outside of the getaway vehicle and suppresses the police car and helicopter with an automatic rifle. Six wanted stars briefly flash across the screen. This detail is worth paying attention to, because "GTA V" limited the star rating to five, which was a special case in the series of 3D works - other works have always had a sixth star, symbolizing the pursuit power of the NOOSE special service team in "GTA IV".

IGN's preview report pointed out that the game's new Criminal Profile system is conceptually close to the honor system of "RDR2", but the judgment is more delicate: shooting back at the NPC who strikes first will not be regarded by the system as an act of the same level as indiscriminate killing. Rockstar North co-studio director Rob Nelson told IGN: "Continuous behavioral patterns may affect the way the world reacts to you and the direction of the narrative." The report also mentioned that small actions such as throwing garbage into the trash can or feeding Leonida wild animals can also improve the character's Criminal Profile.

The dialogue system has also been adjusted accordingly. Players can use the options on the screen to taunt or appease NPCs to cool down tense scenes - this is also a design language borrowed from "RDR2".

There is no need to open the roulette wheel when changing guns, and it is more convenient to hold the gun with one hand

At the combat level, the most direct change is that players can finally switch between two firearms instantly without opening the weapon wheel. At 18 minutes and 31 seconds, Lucia neatly switches back and forth between the long gun and the pistol at the outdoor shooting range. The action of picking up the gun has also become faster: in the office shootout at the end of the trailer, Jason smoothly picked up the Duke 556 assault rifle in the enemy's hand. At 9 minutes and 21 seconds, Lucia is holding a large bag filled with cash, weapons or drugs in one hand, and firing a shotgun with one hand in the other hand, showing that some weapons can be operated with one hand.

The switching of the two protagonists is indeed a thing. At 18 minutes and 41 seconds, the camera cuts from Jason to Lucia in a high-speed chase scene. The two are trying to escape in a red convertible. At 10 minutes and 50 seconds, Lucia and Jason were approached by criminal partner Brian Heder to discuss business at a rooftop bar called Effluvia in the city center. The two briefly discussed who should take the job, and finally Lucia got up and left, leaving Jason and his can of GTA series signature beer Pißwasser alone to go to the appointment. This also implies that some tasks will force the player to choose one of the two, and even decide the candidate directly through cutscenes.

Stealing a car also adds another layer of touch. At 6 minutes and 07 seconds, Jason played a "Slim Jim" lock-picking mini-game, using a flat metal tool and a right joystick chronograph to open the door. Rob Nelson told IGN that high-end cars equipped with electronic locks require a duplicate key machine to start, which means that not every car of this generation can be directly connected to the electric start. The new version of the map HUD that appears at about 8 minutes allows the buildings to be presented in 3D, making it easier for players to get familiar with the city while driving their newly stolen car.

Side activities are also filling the screen: basketball, off-road motorcycle racing, diving, limited time shooting challenges, RV racing, rowing, and backyard wrestling segments with WWE's signature wrestling moves, all flashed at different times in the trailer.

Another hidden clue in the film is Rockstar's frequent tributes to its own works. The scene of Lucia, Jason and Brian Heder fishing on the water echoes the fishing mini-game in "RDR2"; the section where Jason's dangerous driving caused a passerby to hang on the side of the bridge is reminiscent of the random passerby incident in "GTA IV". Moving forward in the timeline, the scene of Lucia doing bench presses seriously is a clear nod to the fitness system of "GTA: San Andreas". The mask worn through the prop wheel before the robbery, the new action of hiding the gun behind the back before entering the store, and the icons on the screen indicating the status of physical strength, clothing, and vehicles also have a strong "RDR2" origin; the game even adds a telescope function, but this time the objects of peek are replaced by passers-by wearing VR helmets with awkward postures, which is a million miles away from Arthur Morgan observing elk in the wilderness.

Elements that are familiar to old players are not absent: when Lucia drives a stolen car and drags hostages, pressing R3 will call out an optional live broadcast similar to the Lifeinvader in "GTA V"; a TV commercial of wild boars and deer is interspersed, suggesting that hunting missions may return. What’s even more interesting is that at the end of the trailer, Jason showed off bullet time shooting similar to that of Michael De Santa, as well as a “Max Payne 3”-style kill shot. A new key targeting system also appears on the screen: the red dot represents a critical hit, and the yellow marks around the joints indicate that players can choose non-fatal ways to disarm the enemy, a technique reminiscent of "GTA IV".

The game is expected to be released on November 19, and information such as platform and pricing has not yet been revealed in this extended trailer.