Rockstar just dropped the second GTA VI trailer, and it’s nearly three minutes of pure chaos, character reveals, and a sun-soaked return to Vice City. While we’ll have to wait a bit longer, the game’s now slated for release on May 26, 2026, that hasn’t stopped hype from reaching a boiling point. Between a surprise trailer launch and a revamped website full of new info, there’s a lot to unpack.
We’re heading back to Vice City, Rockstar’s spin on Florida, and it looks bigger, busier, and more alive than ever. The trailer is crammed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details, but here we’re focusing on the standout moments that give us a real sense of what’s coming.
What are the things to expect from GTA VI?
Fluid Physics can be seen with the Beer
The cans of beer on a table quite literally have bubbles rising to the top, yes, it’s that realistic. And the reflections? Bluntly sharp. Car windows and reflective surfaces appear fantastic, all things considered for this being accomplished on a baseline PS5. It’s clear Rockstar’s not cutting any corners.
Jason was in Military and Lucia has an Ankle Monitor
We find out a little more about one of the two game protagonists, Jason. Rockstar officially confirms on the website that he served briefly in the Army. But if you take a close look at his tattoo in one of those introductory shots, it looks like he was in a parachute division, another element of his past that might be employed in gameplay or missions.
Lucia, the other lead, has her own detail that’s intriguing. Right after she’s released from prison, she’s wearing an ankle monitor, a discreet thing to notice, but there nonetheless. Maybe that means the game starts with some limitation of movement, even confining you to a smaller section of the map for some of the start. Later in the trailer, though, the monitor vanishes, implying growing freedom as the story goes on.
RDR2 Easter Eggs in GTA VI
Rockstar also enjoys a good universe crossover. The cash in GTA VI isn’t random, it contains presidents mentioned in Red Dead Redemption 2, like Thaddeus Waxman and Franklin Hardin. It’s a sweet tribute to fans, and most likely not the first Red Dead easter egg hidden in the game.
Metros are Back in the Game
Transportation also seems to be getting a significant kick. There are different shots of an operational metro system, like one overhead during a police chase at the beginning of the trailer. It’s a fairly heavy implication that speedy travel or subway-based movement will be part of the gameplay loop.
Sony’s partnership with Rockstar is not just a publicity stunt. During one of the scenes, there’s an Ammu-Nation ad on TV, and right next to it is a PS5, in plain view. Sony isn’t secretly behind the game; it’s literally within it.
The Game is Set in Vice City
With GTA VI bringing us back to Vice City for the first time since the 2002 classic, it’s no wonder Rockstar is cramming the game with Easter eggs and callbacks. One section of the trailer has Jason and Lucia grabbing guns from the back of a car, a direct nod to the classic moment with Tommy Vercetti and Lance Vance. Seasoned fans will definitely love the reference.
Discussing locales, one of the spots in the trailer has the duo enter the “NINE 1 NINE” club, and that’s reference to a popular Miami nightclub. There’s much more where that came from, GTA VI aims to draw significant inspiration from actual Miami hotspots, giving the map an even more grounded and recognizable look.
We also get a glimpse of what seem to be a number of side activities scattered all over the game world. From fight clubs down in the underground to fishing, pool, mini-golf, and even a gym, it seems like there won’t be anything left undone. And who knows, perhaps we’ll even be able to bulk Jason up like we could with CJ back in San Andreas.
More wildlife
Wildlife is back too, and not just flamingos and gators like in the first trailer. One scene shows a mountain lion stalking around Mount Kalaga National Park. While animals were present in GTA 5, they weren’t really part of the story. This time around, there’s a good chance they’ll play a bigger role in shaping the world, or even the missions.
