When Do GTA 6 Reviews Come Out? Leak Points to November 18

If you want to read what critics think before you play, you may not have to wait until launch day. A leaked review schedule doing the rounds this week says the GTA 6 review embargo lifts on November 18, one day before the game comes out on November 19.

Neither Rockstar nor Take-Two has announced a review date, so treat everything below as a rumor.

What does the leak say?

• Main embargo: most reviews go live on November 18, in the morning in the US and around midday in Europe.
• A second wave: some websites and YouTube channels may have to wait until launch, just after midnight Eastern time on November 19.

The exact times in the leak don't line up perfectly between time zones, which suggests they were copied down loosely. The date matters more than the hour here.

When do critics get the game?

Earlier this month, Insider Gaming reported that GTA 6 reviews will go live before launch, and said it knew the planned embargo date but wouldn't share it because it could still move. The well-known insider NateTheHate then added that review copies would go out before the end of October, giving critics about three weeks with the game.

That would be a change from what some feared. Earlier in the year, a rumor claimed reviewers would only be allowed to play at a location Rockstar controls, to stop leaks. Recent reports point to normal review copies instead.

Does November 18 make sense?

It fits Rockstar's habits. Its big releases have often had reviews go up a day or so before launch, and GTA 6 preloads start on November 12, so players will already have the game installed while the first scores come in.

It is also the same night the Miami Heat host their GTA 6 themed home game, so November 18 could turn into a big day for the game even before it unlocks.

What we're watching

We'll update this page if Rockstar or a major outlet confirms the date. Until then, our launch day checklist covers what you can already get ready.