
Of course, this perspective is subjective. For many players, the neon-soaked atmosphere of Night City is far more evocative than the sun-drenched streets of Los Santos, regardless of NPC behavior logic. The sci-fi setting itself creates a barrier to “realism” that GTA‘s contemporary satire doesn’t have to overcome. While both games often treat their non-player characters as mere window dressing, the pinnacle of environmental dynamism remains Red Dead Redemption 2, where Rockstar successfully prioritized spontaneous events to make the world feel truly alive.
Related: Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6 face impossible expectations, suggests former Bethesda lead artist


