As the release date forGrand Theft Auto 6slowly draws closer, I find myself growing increasingly excited by the prospect of exploring the game’s map. Perhaps even more so than finally getting hands onGrand Theft Auto 6itself after such an agonizing wait.
The map is the centerpiece ofeveryGrand Theft Autogame. It’s where lasting memories are made, a key factor in why eachGTAhas such staying power. It’s a credit to Rockstar that Los Santos still feels fun and exciting after almost 12 years of driving through the same streets on a daily basis. The engaging missions and interesting characters may feel like the star of the show in the moment, but looking back, it’s that feeling of cruising the streets at breakneck speed that I remember the most about my time with theGrand Theft Autogames.Expectations are no different forGrand Theft Auto 6, a game that will be expected to hold its own for years, just like its predecessor. In that, a great map will be essential.
Grand Theft Auto 6will take place in Leonida, and has the potential to be the biggest map in the series to date. However, it’s specifically the Vice City elements that excite me the most.Vice Citywas my firstGrand Theft Autogame, and its rendition of the 80s will always be near and dear to my heart. Seeinghow Vice City changes inGrand Theft Auto 6(or rather, how it doesn’t) is actually a more exciting prospect than the game itself. For those who have fond memories of driving down Ocean Drive or causing havoc at Vice City International Airport,Grand Theft Auto 6has the potential to be a serious Vice City nostalgia train if Rockstar plays its cards right.
Grand Theft Auto 6’s Map is Going to Be a Serious Vice City Nostalgia Train
There are already hints aboutwhatVice Citylandmarks will appear inGrand Theft Auto 6, too. Eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed the Ocean View Hotel in the game’s first trailer, a possible hint of more to come from theGTA 6map. Things like this have only fueled my hype further, but it’s the unseen elements that leave me more excited than ever. I want to see the Vercetti Estate. I want to see the North Point Mall. I’m even looking forward to climbing the Vice City lighthouse for the first time, should it be included. I want to see how Rockstar breathes new life into these areas and landmarks for a new generation - I want to be onboard thisGTA: Vice Citynostalgia train.
Vice City always felt like an obvious choice for a modernGrand Theft Autogame. Its bright neon aesthetic is the perfect complement to the power of modern hardware and game engines, which will almost certainly result in a stunning end product. If rumors are to be believed,Grand Theft Auto 6may run at 60 FPS on PlayStation 5 Pro, which would be incredible given the game’s visual fidelity. Now, with less than a year to go untilGTA 6’s launch, the approaching reality of being able to explore Vice City like never before is arguably the game’s most intriguing prospect.
