Our first big, official look at Grand Theft Auto 6‘s gameplay premiered today on Netflix (without any Cyberleek watermark covering a big chunk of the screen), and there was plenty of driving, gunfire, and other debauchery of the sort you typically expect in a GTA game. But one thing that really stands out is that the romantic dynamic between co-leads Jason and Lucia feels like something really special for the series.
Players will be able to swap between Jason, the big meathead of the pair, and Lucia, who seems to be the brains of the operation, but what we saw of the game today makes it look like this is absolutely a Bonnie and Clyde situation in which both of the two are capable leads. Even if you’re playing as one character, the other is often close by and involved. And outside of bonding over their shared criminal life, Rockstar showed several scenes of the two being a regular lovey-dovey couple who share some cute, endearing moments amid all the bloodshed.
Jay and Lu are like any other couple doing mundane things. They go on joyrides, Lucia buys clothes for Jason because she insists on upgrading his wardrobe, and Jason is clueless when she asks for advice on her outfit. The connection is seen in small touches like how, even as you’re controlling one character, they can hold hands as they walk through a function. The banter between them is pretty sweet, too. Jason is a bit more high-strung and stoic, with Lucia bringing some levity to balance him out.
They’re cute together! The toxic part of me is seeing some of the fucked-up shit the two are doing and still letting out an audible “aw” when Jason knocks Lucia’s chair over while she’s tied up to protect her from incoming fire. Man is just as restrained as she is and is prioritizing her. Shit’s got me putting my hand over my heart and saying “I want one like that.”
Oh, also, there’s a scene where they go to a strip club together? We love a pair secure enough in their love for one another that they’re able to enjoy the sights of Vice City nightlife together.
In general, what we’ve seen of Grand Theft Auto 6 thus far seems to lean less on the over-the-top satire of previous games in the series in favor of cranking up the crime drama part of it, and the relationship between Jay and Lu is leaning into that. Will the Bonnie and Clyde comparisons follow through all the way to a tragic ending for this pair? I hope not. What we’ve seen already has me smitten with their love story.