eurogamer thinks gta 6 going full rdr2 realism is a huge risk but the right move, i kinda agree

Caught this Eurogamer piece earlier and it got me thinking. They're saying Rockstar is leaning hard into that Red Dead 2 style realism for GTA 6, maybe even further. Like, the days of stealing any car in sight and plowing through crowds of screaming NPCs without a second thought might be over. They're framing it as a risk, but also saying it's exactly what the series needs.
I remember when RDR2 came out and people complained about the slow animations, the weapon cleaning, the horse bonding. It was tedious at first but then it clicked. You started caring about your horse, your guns, your camp. It made the world feel heavy in a good way. If GTA 6 goes that route, I can see a lot of casual players bouncing off it. The ones who just want to cause chaos for 20 minutes after work. But honestly, I'm here for it.
The article mentions it might get "awkward" at times. Like, real life is awkward. You fumble with keys, you trip, you wait for a light to change. If Rockstar is simulating that level of friction, it could be frustrating. But it could also make the moments of action feel way more earned. Stealing a car should feel like a big deal, not just pressing Y and driving off.
I've been playing GTA since Vice City on the PS2. The series has always had this arcadey looseness. GTA 5 refined it to a point where it's almost too smooth. You can do anything instantly. That's fun, but it gets old. I want a GTA where I have to think about my approach, where the world pushes back. RDR2 proved Rockstar can do that without losing the fun. It just takes a different kind of patience.
Some people are worried it'll kill the sandbox vibe. I get that. But I think there's a middle ground. You can have realistic systems and still let players go nuts. It's about consequences, not restrictions. If I shoot up a gas station, I want the aftermath to feel real. Cops actually investigating, witnesses remembering my face, that kind of thing. That's more interesting than a wanted level that resets when I hide in a bush for 30 seconds.
Anyway, I'm not saying it's a sure thing. Rockstar could overdo it and make the game a chore. But after the extended look and all the previews, I'm leaning optimistic. They've had a decade to figure this out. If anyone can pull off awkward ultra-realism and make it fun, it's them.
Source: Eurogamer · Curated content.