GTA 6 Needs Vigilante Missions To Return (& Be Better)

Many players want to see the return of Vigilante missions in Grand Theft Auto 6, which is rumored to be released as early as 2022. However, there are significant areas that need improvement if Rockstar Games does decide to re-introduce these side missions.

When Grand Theft Auto V debuted in 2013, many players were frustrated that Vigilante side missions, as well as the franchise’s traditional Paramedic and Firefighter activities, were no longer available. In previous games, players had the opportunity to embark on these missions in order to earn rewards and to level up. However, this was abandoned in Grand Theft Auto V, much to the dismay of players who preferred engaging with both sides of the law.

Given the disappointment that Grand Theft Auto 5 caused by not including Vigilante side missions, it’s very likely Rockstar Games may re-introduce them in GTA 6. However, it may only be worth doing this if the developers take the time to address some of the serious issues plaguing these side missions from earlier installments in the franchise.

Why Players Want To See Vigilante Missions In GTA 6

Grand Theft Auto games have long allowed players to take the law into their own hands, and this typically results in violence and a shoot-out. Vigilante missions often end this way as well, but by participating in them gamers are able to play on the side of the good guys for once, helping round up criminals around the city in order to maintain law and order. This offers a nice change of pace and helps shake up the gameplay.

Vigilante missions in their original form could be accessed upon entering any Law Enforcement vehicle, including SWAT vans as well as police cruisers and motorcycles. Once activated, criminals appear as red dots on the map. In order to win the mission and progress to the next level, players must chase down the suspect’s car and kill the perpetrator. The difficulty increases with each level, with more and more enemies appearing over time. Players receive cash awards along the way, and upon completing a certain level they receive a in-game bonus. In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, this was an armor boost. In GTAIV, it was an achievement trophy.

How Vigilante Missions Should Improve In GTA 6

It may seem contradictory, but there are times when Vigilante missions are too tough and other times when they’re too easy. Players are required to completely start over if they fail a mission, with no restarting from the last checkpoint allowed. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if they made a simple mistake that cost them the entire mission. GTA 6 should consider allowing players to restart Vigilante missions from a specific checkpoint.

Some players recommend using cheat codes in order to make Vigilante missions easier. Gamers can spawn specific law enforcement vehicles, like a helicopter or tank (which was especially durable during the franchise’s PS2 era) in order to balance the hard difficulty. Of course, it’s possible for players to steal these vehicles in the game itself without needing a cheat code, but this makes it all the more difficult. Additionally, cheating through something always takes away from the gameplay experience, and reduces the satisfaction players feel upon completing the mission. Grand Theft Auto 6’s Vigilante missions should not make players want to cheat.

Finally, there is a glitch in GTA: San Andreas which makes Vigilante missions extremely simple. Players can steal a police car, activate the mission, and then enter an interior location like a fast food venue, bar, or even a clothing store. If they walk around the venue, a message should appear saying the suspects have been taken out, without the player even needing to fire a gun. Players can repeat this process for all of the game’s Vigilante levels. Rockstar would need to ensure exploits like this don’t become a problem in GTA 6.

It would be great to see vigilante missions included in Grand Theft Auto 6, but only if Rockstar takes the time to address and resolve prior issues associated with these side-missions.

About The Author