With the long-anticipated launch ofGrand Theft Auto 6drawing closer, it is no wonder that more discussion than ever is being had regarding what kind of narratives and themes the game will explore. Thanks to the first reveal trailer for the project, fans have a fairly decent idea of what can be expected from the main story of the game, at least from the perspective of its protagonists, but a lot of the more minor details are still up in the air.
While many players are already expecting the core story ofGrand Theft Auto 6to be rich and in-depth, it is worth noting that the inevitable online mode for the title will be a great way to extend this narrative, much in the same way it did forGrand Theft Auto 5. If the online experience ofGrand Theft Auto 6has anywhere near as much longevity and narrative quality asGTA 5’s multiplayer counterpart, then Rockstar could finally give fans a more tangible idea of what happened to Niko Bellic, the iconic protagonist of 2008’sGrand Theft Auto 4.
Niko Bellic Deserves an Update in Grand Theft Auto 6
It is clear to see why Niko Bellic is considered by many to be one ofthe most memorable protagonists across the entireGrand Theft Autofranchise. WithGrand Theft Auto 4being the last mainline release to have a singular protagonist, Niko Bellic existed in the sweet spot of Rockstar’s more modern and thorough storytelling, while still having an entire game’s-worth of character development without the bloat of multiple protagonists.
This matched well with the muchdarker and gritty themes ofGrand Theft Auto 4’s characters, locations, and narratives, with Niko’s story being one of war, violence, grief, and betrayal. This gives a unique perspective toGrand Theft Auto 4which is channeled through Niko, creating the perfect storm of memorability that has seen the character still be so present in discussion surrounding the franchise, despiteGTA 4releasing almost two decades ago.
As such a well-received character, many fans were hoping for anappearance from Niko Bellic at some point during 2013’sGTA 5, although this sadly never happened. While references are made to Niko in a handful of dialogue instances throughoutGTA 5, many fans were disappointed that the ultimate fate of the character is still up for debate, andGrand Theft Auto 6should be the title to finally lay this mystery to rest.
It is known throughGTA 5that Niko “went quiet” since the explosive life of crime that he led throughout the events ofGTA 4, but there is no real way of telling what has happened to Niko since the 2008 game. Despitehow expansive the story ofGrand Theft Auto 6is already rumored to be, it could make sense for the game’s single-player to focus majorly on its unique characters, without having to rely on nostalgic call-backs to older games. If this is to be the case, then there is clear room forGTA 6Onlineto feature Niko in some capacity.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Online Could Be the Perfect Resting Ground For Older Protagonists
2013’sGrand Theft Auto Onlinehas grown to become a powerhouse for the franchise, even carrying forward the post-launch narrative ofGTA 5that many fans were hoping to see in dedicated story expansions.GTA Onlinehas been the major way in which players have seen how the likes ofTrevor, Franklin, and Lamar have changed in the years afterGTA 5’s release, and it only seems right that Niko Bellic is given the same treatment inGrand Theft Auto 6 Online.
This does not necessarily mean that Niko has to be condemned back into a life of crime inGTA 6, but the game could easily offer that piece of closure that fans have so desperately wanted to see for the last 16 years. It would be a shame ifGTA 6did not find a way to celebrate the rich history of the franchise’s pastin some capacity, and the story-related content of the game’s online mode seems like the perfect setting to give Niko Bellic the life update that he deserves.
