Grand Theft Auto 6 is returning to Vice City, but that doesn’t mean that Tommy Vercetti needs to return as well. The GTA: Vice City protagonist is easily the biggest name from his debut game, but that doesn’t mean that his presence is necessary. In fact, bringing back Tommy could have some unintended consequences.
According to reports, Grand Theft Auto 6 is going to be the first GTA title to return to Vice City since GTA: Vice City itself. After spending most of the last decade in San Andreas for GTA 5 and GTA Online, a change of scenery will be more than welcome. The leaked details about the game are looking to provide a Grand Theft Auto title with a different feel from the rest of the series. Although Tommy is likely at the top of the list of Vice City characters that could appear in 6, that may be a decision worth thinking about before moving forward.
Related: Why GTA 6’s Female Protagonist Is Such A Big Deal
Tommy was the protagonist of Vice City and an easy candidate for the most vicious protagonist in any GTA title. He mercilessly tore his way through the streets, destroying everything and everyone in his path to becoming the strongest figure in the underworld. A good portion of the cast is dead by his hand by the end of the game, and he takes his place as Vice City’s kingpin. The events of the game show that Tommy is a very scary man, and the events of the game have also made him powerful. Tommy could be GTA 6‘s villain without changing much (if anything) about his character from Vice City.
Tommy’s Return Could Take Up Too Much Attention In GTA 6
Bringing back Tommy would have some strong potential downsides, however. For one, the GTA series does not have a habit of bringing back past playable characters. The main exception has been GTA Online featuring an expansion with Franklin from GTA 5, but even then, those two games are functionally sister titles. Not to mention Franklin was just a quest-giver in Online, a game that had no overarching story to begin with. Bringing Tommy back, either as an ally or an enemy, would be a change in the formula, and arguably an unnecessary one at that. Bringing GTA 6 to Vice City was smart, but that doesn’t mean Tommy needs to be there.
The biggest issue with bringing Tommy back would be the risk of him overshadowing the new main characters. The GTA 6 protagonists are brand-new to the franchise, and this game is their chance to make themselves known to the fanbase. However, Tommy’s presence would naturally draw a lot of attention to himself. GTA 6 should be focused on the story of its actual protagonists, not building up an established character that fans already know. Tommy returning in GTA 6 carries too much of a risk of him overshadowing the stars of the game, and the developers should be aware of that. With GTA 6 set to be a unique game, it will be better to let the leads tell their story rather than lend the spotlight to Tommy once again.
Whether or not Tommy will make an appearance in GTA 6 is still unclear. Only basic details of the game have been revealed so far, and there is still a vast amount of directions that the story could take. However, whatever the game may become, Grand Theft Auto 6 should not be reduced to a mere nostalgia trip for a past protagonist.
