There were over 500 days between the first and second trailer for being delayed until May 2026, and the latest trailer has only further amplified the ridiculous levels of hype around it. Rockstar has always pushed the boundaries of the gaming industry, and the technical elements shown in the latest trailer shows that the studio is doing so once more.

While the first trailer at the end of 2023 showed off a lot of what GTA 6 will have to offer, it was dominated by overarching long-distance shots. Trailer number two covered this ground again, but it also heavily showcased some of the incredible technical details that the game will feature as Rockstar builds on the ground-breaking Red Dead Redemption 2. Here are the biggest technical leaps between the two trailers.

8 Water Looks More Life-Like Than Ever

Waves In Motion

There are a lot of groundbreaking technical visual aspects shown in the GTA 6 second trailer, and while it is yet to be seen if some clips will look just as good in moment-to-moment gameplay as they theoretically can in-engine, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic. One element that has stood out in both trailers, but especially the newest, is the water.

Water is going to heavily feature in Vice City along its beachfront, as well as the many pools, with the second trailer showcasing these with incredible accuracy.

Moving water has long been in the series, with players able to swim since GTA San Andreas. However, the water effects and the way that it's displaced by vehicles and people are at a level not seen before. The trailer showcases this with boats and jet skis with incredible ripple effects behind them. When Jason and Lucia sit staring into a lake, it also stands out, as the waves just move so naturally in front of them.

7 GTA 6's Second Trailer Features Incredible Scenery

The Whole World To View

While big scenic shots were a major part of the first trailer, they aren't in focus as much in the second, as the finer details take the stage. However, the scenery that is highlighted is a step up from our first glimpse of this version of Vice City. The trailer gets off to a strong start with incredible overhead shots of Leonida Keys, followed by more from the main city itself.

While most of the video focuses on the big city, further incredible footage is shared from the various locations revealed for the game, including the Grasslands and Port Gellhorn. Considering how far out the footage is from the locations and objects, the rendering showcases the draw distance possible on current game consoles, with no pop-in in sight.

6 Wildlife & Animals Are Surprisingly Detailed

Unlimited Potential

Animals appear to be a key extra set for GTA 6 after appearing in various guises in previous games. While the new trailer doesn't focus on them, the ones we can see are incredibly detailed. From the crocodiles in the marsh area to the pets that could potentially be used by players in between missions. Inspiration has been taken from Rockstar's previous hit Red Dead Redemption 2, which had the most immersive wildlife and environment ever seen, including horses whose testicles changed size in different seasons.

While due to the setting itself, GTA 6 is unlikely to have more different species of animals than Red Dead Redemption 2, Vice City has a lot of potential creatures that could be included.

Potential pets are also shown, with Jason's snake appearing in the apartment, along with cats. The scope of these is yet to be confirmed, but what we have seen looks like we could have a variety to rival even RDR2's huge number. Finally, the number of birds in view across several shots in the sub-three-minute trailer is something to look out for, and they will surely be present in the game throughout your Vice City journey.

5 Glass Bottles Are A Surprising Winner

The Most Impressive Tiny Details

One of the most incredible visual aspects of the second trailer was the detail and realism in glass bottles. Jason is seen with a classic alcoholic beverage in a number of shots, including one with Lucia chilling and another carrying a pack of beers out of a shop.

While bottles might not seen like much, they're often a weak point in otherwise impressive games, with static liquid or unconvincing glass textures. GTA 6's trailer could hardly be more different from this standard, showcasing an extraordinary attention to detail. The beer inside the bottles moves and swishes in a realistic way as Jason walks away with them, and the bubbles fizz perfectly when enjoying a drink. It's another example of the tiniest detail being thought of in GTA 6, even though we don't know whether gameplay footage will be the equal of cutscenes in this department.

4 Reflections Are A Staggering Achievement

Mirrors In The Front View

In my opinion, the most impressive visual scene in the second trailer is the side view of Jason driving his car, showing off a lot of features that GTA 6 will bring. Of all details present in this shot, the standout is the variety of reflections. At a glance, it looks like something that could be taken out of real-life Miami.

The side mirrors and rear mirror both render other footage that you are driving past in the car. Ray-tracing has made advanced reflections more possible in recent years, but it's still common to feature relatively simple reflections due to performance demands. In the same shot, the light further reflects off Jason's glasses, highlighting a truly incredible feat that Rockstar has been able to achieve on current-generation hardware. This all takes place in a shot that looks like proper gameplay footage, not a cut scene.

3 Lighting Makes Every Scene More Real

Realism At All Times

One of the most immersive elements of the latest GTA 6 trailer is the lighting, which looks incredible. There are a lot of elements of the Vice City nightlife on display, with the reflecting neon pink lights looking as crisp as possible. The scene where Jason drives past the cop cars and the sun is setting on the wall behind highlights how good a job Rockstar has done.

In a game where the day and night cycle plays a big part in the story and the functioning of the open world, the different lighting available is a crucial part, and one that many series struggle to deliver in a truly immersive capacity.

Lighting is a key element of every shot in the trailer, and a number of others highlight the full extent of its capacities. The second trailer covers most of the different times of day in one go, making for an excellent overall showcase. There are also some incredible shadow effects for not only the playable characters but also other known NPCs and the general people you can interact with in-game. Jason's moving shadows are shown off throughout.

2 Skin Effects Make Humans Feel Real

Muscles, Sweat, & So Much More

One area that the close-up shots in the trailer especially highlight strongly is the variety of different effects on the skin. At the start of the latest trailer, Jason is seen working on a roof. Here, you get close-ups of how sweat interacts and affects the skin of the characters. While we don't know if this will carry on in actual gameplay, the level of detail puts most games to shame. Both protagonists also flex their muscles during different shots, especially Jason, where we can see every aspect of his muscles moving exactly as they would in real life.

Motion capture is commonly used in gaming, but getting precise, life-like details on musculature takes things to another level. Clothing and its effects on skin are also one of the stand-outs from the new trailer, likewise moving realistically as the different characters progress across various scenes. This includes the jewelry that player characters are wearing, which would typically be expected to be relatively static.

1 Characters Are Great Across The Board

The Best Character Visuals We Have Seen

While all of the above are incredible technical leaps, without doubt, the most impressive feat is the character models themselves, starting with Lucia. Of the two protagonists, the female lead was the center of attention in the first trailer, and while it shifts to Jason for the second, the improvement in her character model is clear. In the scene where she is being released from prison, her hair, which in trailer one looked good, now visibly moves realistically as she walks. Across the board, her physics are every bit as impressive as Jason's.

Jason features heavily in this trailer, and the changes to his body as he performs different activities and simply performs everyday movements are also something we haven't seen before. More of the additional characters that we now know about have appeared in both of the trailers so far, with a marked difference in appearance between the two. This time, there's plenty to showcase the tiniest of details on teeth, golden chains, and facial appearances. Grand Theft Auto 6 is ready to break some new ground, and the second trailer definitely shows huge technical leaps in numerous areas.