What Rockstar Removed from GTA 5: The Cuts That Still Frustrate Fans

More than a decade after its release, Grand Theft Auto V continues to dominate the gaming landscape with its unmatched open-world experience, engaging storyline, and thriving online community. However, despite all its accolades and commercial success, GTA 5 is not without its criticisms. In fact, one of the most enduring frustrations among long-time fans of the franchise is what Rockstar removed from GTA 5 compared to previous titles — particularly GTA: San Andreas and GTA IV.

From beloved RPG mechanics to immersive interiors, Rockstar's decision to trim down or altogether eliminate various features has led to heated debates and persistent community disappointment. In this article, we explore the major features Rockstar removed from GTA 5, the community's reaction, and why many fans are still hoping that GTA 6 will restore the depth the series once had.

1. RPG Elements and Character Progression

One of the most beloved aspects of GTA: San Andreas was its extensive RPG-style progression system. Players could level up skills such as stamina, strength, driving, and even customize the protagonist's physique through diet and gym workouts. These elements added a personal connection to CJ's journey and encouraged players to engage with the world on a deeper level.

However, Rockstar removed from GTA 5 most of this customization depth. While skill stats exist (e.g., shooting, stealth, flying), they are barely impactful and improve automatically over time rather than through player-driven effort. The removal of fitness systems, weight changes, and muscle mass progression left many fans feeling like the newer game was a step backward in player immersion.

Why it still stings: Players miss the sense of ownership and personalization that came with building CJ into a unique character based on playstyle.

2. Functional Taxis and Fast Travel

In GTA IV, players could hail a taxi and fast-travel to any waypoint instantly, a perfect feature for both casual players and roleplayers. Unfortunately, Rockstar removed from GTA 5 the option to skip taxi rides unless in Director Mode or using mods. Instead, players are forced to sit through the ride or drive themselves.

Given the vastness of the GTA 5 map and the game's encouragement to explore various missions across the map, this omission is glaring.

Why it still stings: Fans argue that fast travel in such a large world should be a basic quality-of-life feature, not an afterthought.

3. Depth of Car Customization

Although GTA 5 reintroduced car tuning with Los Santos Customs, many fans felt it paled in comparison to Midnight Club: Los Angeles—another Rockstar title. Players expected vibrant neon underglows, custom gauge dials, more extensive engine and body modifications, and more.

While some of these features were later added to GTA Online, particularly with the "Los Santos Tuners" update, the single-player campaign still lacks the immersive car culture that Rockstar once celebrated.

Why it still stings: Rockstar removed from GTA 5 a golden opportunity to integrate deep car culture into the core experience, especially since they had the tools to do so.

4. Gambling Minigames in Story Mode

Fans of San Andreas and Red Dead Redemption will remember being able to walk into casinos or saloons and gamble in minigames like poker, blackjack, and slots. Despite the existence of a massive, luxurious Diamond Casino in GTA Online, Rockstar excluded any form of gambling from GTA 5's story mode.

Why it still stings: It’s not the lack of a casino that bothers players — it’s the inconsistency. The infrastructure exists in Online but was withheld from single-player, leaving many to wonder what the reasoning was.

5. Fully-Accessible Interiors

One of the most immersive aspects of earlier GTA titles was the ability to enter various buildings: fast food joints, clothing stores, gyms, police stations, and more. In GTA 5, most buildings are just set pieces. While there are some interiors, especially during missions, the majority of buildings in Los Santos are sealed off.

Why it still stings: The city feels less "alive" when most of it is inaccessible. This makes the open world feel more like a polished movie set than a living, breathing city.

6. Mods and Fan Creations Targeted by Rockstar

It’s not just about what Rockstar removed from GTA 5 in-game — it's also about what they’ve removed from the community. Fan-made mods have long been a vibrant part of GTA’s ecosystem, from reimagining Liberty City to integrating GTA 6 leak-based content. Yet time and time again, Rockstar and its parent company Take-Two Interactive have taken legal action against modders.

The takedown of the Liberty City Preservation Project and the GTA 6 fan map mod made by 'Dark Space' highlighted Rockstar’s continued hostility toward the modding community. While the company did eventually hire the creators of FiveM and RedM, it was only after years of antagonism.

Why it still stings: Modders have often fixed bugs, extended game lifespans, and added value — only to be met with takedowns instead of appreciation.

7. Feature Removals in GTA 5 Enhanced

With the release of GTA 5 Enhanced in 2025 for PC, many players hoped for more than just graphical upgrades. And while performance was indeed improved, some features were missing:

• Text chat was disabled in GTA Online Enhanced at launch.

• Migration issues blocked some players from transferring their online characters.

• Players were charged for free bonuses like the Karin S95, and GTA+ subscriptions did not activate correctly.

Although Rockstar resolved many of these issues with patches, the launch still left a sour taste for players expecting a polished experience after a decade of game development.

The Bigger Picture: Why These Removals Matter

The heart of the issue isn’t just technical — it’s emotional. Each time Rockstar removed from GTA 5 a feature that once made earlier games feel more lived-in, immersive, or customizable, they chipped away at the sense of player agency that once defined the franchise. It’s not about graphics or map size. It’s about freedom, interactivity, and role-playing potential — the hallmarks of the GTA experience.

As we wait for the release of GTA 6 in Fall 2025, many long-time fans are hopeful. The overwhelming demand for RPG mechanics, deep interiors, and a more open approach to community modding is louder than ever.

Conclusion: The Legacy of What’s Missing

Grand Theft Auto V is a masterpiece, no doubt. But it's also a game where the absence of certain features is just as noticeable as its accomplishments. The things Rockstar removed from GTA 5 still echo through forums, YouTube videos, and Reddit threads because they matter. They matter to the players who built muscle memory in San Andreas’ gyms, fast-traveled through Liberty City cabs, and bet it all in casino minigames.

The hope is that GTA 6 won’t just be a technical marvel — it will be a spiritual successor that brings back the depth, the chaos, and the soul of what once made GTA the king of open-world games.

Until then, the community will keep reminding Rockstar of what was removed from GTA 5 — and why it should come back.