GTA 6 Story Length Praised by Gamers: 'As Long As Possible'

The conversation around Grand Theft Auto VI has reached a point where even its length is becoming a major talking point. Surprisingly, players are inclined to agree on one thing: longer is better.

For many fans, the gold standard isn't GTA V — it's Red Dead Redemption 2. One Reddit user put it simply: 'At least the RDR2 length.' That's no small ask. Red Dead Redemption 2's main story runs roughly 50–60 hours, with completionist playthroughs easily exceeding 150 hours. It's a massive, deliberate experience that players clearly want GTA 6 to match or even surpass.

Why does RDR2's length work so well? A slower, more immersive narrative pace; character-first storytelling; a world that evolves alongside the story; and enough content to justify long-term investment. These are the qualities fans hope to see translated into Vice City and beyond.

Not everyone looks back at Grand Theft Auto V as the perfect template. In fact, some players felt its story mode didn't go far enough. One fan highlighted a common criticism: 'GTA V's story mode seemed so short that it was really something that disappointed me.'

What players felt GTA V lacked: a longer, more fleshed-out main story; more missions comparable to earlier entries like San Andreas; greater narrative weight across its protagonists; and a stronger sense of progression. San Andreas and GTA IV already offered significant depth, but RDR2 pushed the envelope further.

For GTA VI, fans want to see that completionist number climb well past 100 hours — possibly even into the 150+ range. One of the most upvoted sentiments comes from a Reddit user: 'As long as possible… I'd really love if it took hundreds of hours to actually explore and complete every single thing in the game… this is a game that cannot be rushed.'

That mindset reflects a broader shift: GTA VI isn't just something to finish — it's something to live in. Players want hundreds of hours of meaningful content, a world that rewards slow exploration, side activities that feel just as important as the main story, and a game designed to be experienced over time, not rushed through.

Of course, not everyone believes that longer automatically means better. One fan offers a measured take: 'Depends on the story itself.' Padding a game with unnecessary content can backfire, especially if it disrupts pacing or weakens the narrative. Short, focused experiences prove that a tight 30-hour story can still be deeply satisfying.

But GTA VI is arguably the biggest release in modern gaming. Rockstar has gone on record saying this will be 'the largest game launch in history.' That premise naturally translates into player expectation of scale — in map size, in activities, and in story length.

There's a clear throughline: players want more time in GTA VI's world. Whether that means matching Red Dead Redemption 2, surpassing it, or simply avoiding the perceived shortcomings of earlier GTA entries, the expectation is shaped by immense hype.

At the same time, length alone isn't enough — the story has to justify it, the world must support it, and the experience must remain engaging from beginning to end. If Grand Theft Auto VI can strike that balance, it won't just meet expectations — it might redefine them.

The game launches November 19, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.