STACK #265 November 2026

GAMING PREVIEW

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Gameplay GTA VI expands player freedom by introducing dual-character play – switching between Lucia and Jason during missions or free roam. Cooperative two-character sections will also feature, such as driving and shooting combinations. Combat and movement

DYK?

have been overhauled, with newly introduced mechanics including prone crawling and zip-tie restraints. The wanted system will now use six tiers, with more aggressive escalation and improved police AI to keep players on their toes. Over 200 vehicle types will

In-game track Flower in a Hurricane features

Aussies Tame Impala and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. It’s included on the 34-track Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album , which releases the same day as the game.

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

FORMAT:

Possibly the most anticipated video game ever is finally with us this month, as Grand Theft Auto VI takes us back to Vice City – and beyond. Let’s take a quick dive into some of what to expect from the juggernaut game. Words Amy Flower HAVE A VICE DAY!

be included, all with interactive interiors. Plus, car theft will now require specific tools to overcome security, rather than just a simple door yank. NPCs will react dynamically to player behaviour and remember past actions. Plus, character appearance will change based on eating, exercise, and sleep. Look after them! Side activities will include skydiving, wrestling, basketball, mini-golf, gyms, plus street and offroad racing. Social media will also play a role in missions, with influencers livestreaming events in real time. Soundtrack Radio is integral to the GTA experience, and in GTA VI we’ll encounter various styles depending upon where we go in-game. Vice City will deliver a mix of classic rock and pop, while travelling wider will uncover assorted genres tied to Florida’s cultural identity, from Latin pop and country to Southern hip-hop, African, and beyond. Plus, talk radio will always an option. Meanwhile, to help make Leonida feel more alive, voice acting and performance capture have been expanded, bringing more natural and emotional dialogue. Technical stuff Working to the strengths of the latest console hardware, look out for ray-traced lighting, and a higher level of detail across the board than ever before, from vehicle physics to water simulation. It’s all thanks to Rockstar’s latest evolution of their game engine, RAGE 9, which also allows for more fluid animation, and vastly improved AI for a more realistic game world experience.

Where are we going? GTA VI will take place in Rockstar’s Florida-inspired state Leonida, including a reimagined Vice City. It’s all set in the present day. The world is substantially larger than that of GTA V , spanning urban districts, neon-drenched beachfronts, rural backroads, industrial zones, and vast natural environments. Beyond Vice City, confirmed regions include the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, Ambrosia, Port Gellhorn, and Mount Kalaga National Park. Based on screenshots released by Rockstar, estimates have the map to be roughly twice the size of Los Santos, with hundreds of interiors ranging from nightclubs and motels to supermarkets and public transport stations able to be explored. Unlike GTA V , it starts small and expands as story chapters are completed. Much effort has gone into making Leonida a living world, with wildlife such as alligators, sharks, dolphins, flamingos,

of rainbows to the fury of hurricanes. Characters and story The game stars dual protagonists in Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, who are basically a Bonnie-and-Clyde-like partnership. Lucia, recently released from prison, seeks a new start, while Jason has both a military and criminal background. The story kicks off when “an easy score goes wrong,” pulling the pair into a criminal conspiracy that stretches across Leonida. You must work on their relationship, too, as the

• Grand Theft Auto VI is out Nov 19

DYK? While unconfirmed by Rockstar, experts estimate that over US$1 billion has been spent developing GTA VI .

foxes, deer, and jaguars, and fully

explorable underwater areas containing hidden treasure. Meanwhile, weather is dynamic and can range from the calm

romance level is measured as you go. We’ll encounter several supporting

characters, including Vice City businessman Boobie Ike, aspiring muso Dre’Quan Priest, smuggler Brian Heder, and other local criminals.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, Mafia: The Old Country

NOVEMBER 2026

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