The video game industry moves at a lightning pace, with new releases coming so quickly that it’s hard to pause and wonder if the next big title truly outshines its predecessors. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with GTA 6—at least based on the early glimpses we’ve seen. Although the game won’t launch for another year, the screenshots already highlight Rockstar’s lead. A fan recreated GTA 6 screenshots using Cyberpunk 2077, and the side-by-side comparisons are striking. GTA 6 not only looks sharper—it makes other AAA games seem outdated by comparison.
GTA 6 Screenshots Are So Impressive They Make Cyberpunk 2077 Feel Dated
On the Cyberpunk subreddit, Reddit user NPO1 posted a slideshow comparing the visuals of the 2020 game with those of GTA 6. He noted, “GTA 6’s skin textures and subsurface scattering are phenomenal; Cyberpunk still struggles with that plasticky look in its skin textures.”
The important thing to note is that Cyberpunk 2077 was built to run on the PS4, which came out back in 2013. Naturally, newer consoles give developers more tools to enhance graphics. But here’s the catch: GTA 6 has reportedly been in development since 2018 the same year Red Dead Redemption 2 launched.
This timeline brings up a major question: with the PS5 still two years from release back then, how did Rockstar manage such a huge jump in visuals? Was the game initially less impressive? Judging by the first GTA 6 trailer, it seems likely development began on older consoles and later transitioned to newer hardware, resulting in a major visual upgrade.
GTA 6 Trailer 2 Largely Confirms That the Screenshots Are In-Game
Some fans have raised doubts about whether the screenshots shared in the post and on Rockstar’s official site are actually from in-game footage. The debate is understandable, especially since Rockstar only described the second GTA 6 trailer as “in-engine.” Meanwhile, some Cyberpunk fans remain skeptical that GTA 6 will deliver that same level of visual detail when GTA 6 finally launches.
Overall, fans are largely optimistic about Grand Theft Auto 6 while still appreciating the visual achievements of Cyberpunk 2077. One commenter said, “I can’t be the only one who thinks Cyberpunk looks incredible for a 2020 game. Its age shows more in gameplay than graphics, and I’m confident Rockstar will deliver a true next-gen experience as always. Both games are amazing, but Rockstar will always be #1!”
Another fan gave credit to both games, saying, “The characters in GTA 6 are insanely detailed, but honestly, the city visuals in Cyberpunk 2077 still look fantastic and nearly match up at least in screenshots. Night City is absolutely stunning.”
That said, Rockstar has proven time and again that their final releases closely match their trailers Red Dead Redemption 2 being a prime example. While comparing games can be entertaining, it often misses the bigger picture. Cyberpunk 2077 remains visually impressive, especially given its 2017 PS4 launch. With a high-end PC and mods, it can even achieve near-photorealistic quality.
What do you think about the screenshot comparisons between GTA 6 and Cyberpunk 2077? Let us know in the comments below!
