GTA 6 Impresses Fans with Stunning Visuals Compared to GTA 5
Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6 is finally on the horizon, and the recent extended showcase has sent the already hyped fanbase into a frenzy. With leaks and teasers circulating, excitement is at an all-time high.
Naturally, fans are drawing comparisons between GTA 6 and its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto 5. Many are thrilled with the side-by-side comparisons popping up on social media, like the one showcasing GTA 6’s Jason and GTA 5’s Michael diving into the ocean.
Diving in water
Grand Theft Auto 6 VS Grand Theft Auto 5 side by side comparison
While most reactions are positive, there are some dissenters who argue that the diving animation in GTA 5 looks superior. It’s understandable; Jason’s backflip might come off as a bit unrealistic, but that’s the trade-off for a more dynamic animation style.
This isn’t new information, as the August 25 leak confirmed it, but the enhancements in crowd density and draw distance in GTA 6 are impressing even the most devoted GTA 5 fans. A parachuting clip comparing the skyline quality in both games highlights just how far graphics have come since GTA 5 launched in 2013. Sure, the draw distance in GTA 6 may come with a 30 FPS cap at launch, but it’s still a remarkable upgrade.
GTA 5 vs. GTA 6 – Parachuting Animation ????
Upgrade or Downgrade?
Character models are where the graphical upgrades really stand out. A Reddit user named Noru122 has been recreating promotional images of GTA 6 using GTA 5 every time a new trailer drops. While it’s not a completely fair comparison—given that the GTA 6 images are part of a polished marketing campaign—it’s fascinating to see these visuals side by side.
For a more balanced comparison, check out the two images below.
La primera comparación directa entre GTA 5 (Online) y GTA 6
Son el mismo personaje.
“GTA 6 luce como GTA 5 pero con mejor iluminación”
GTA 5 ???? GTA 6
The difference is stark when comparing Grand Theft Auto Online’s NPC Valentina to her counterpart in GTA 6. For those unfamiliar, Valentina wasn’t part of the original 2013 release; she was introduced in the Money Fronts update in June 2025.
Lighting appears to be a major focus for GTA 6, and one comparison really highlights this.
GTA 6 vs GTA 5:
The difference at night is crazy.
Even with the “high resolution ray traced reflections” added to GTA 5 after the PC release of Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced in 2025, the lighting effects don’t hold a candle to what GTA 6 showcases at night.
While it’s easy to be skeptical of any game, it’s hard to deny that the developers have crafted something truly impressive if this is what the game looks like on a standard launch-edition PS5.
