GTA V Enhanced: A Visual Evolution Over a Decade

The much-anticipated PC release of Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, Rockstar's next-generation version of the iconic open-world game, is now available. This enhanced edition introduces substantial graphical upgrades and new features, such as full DualSense controller support, providing PC gamers with a heightened gaming experience.

Key enhancements include ray-traced reflections, redesigned vehicles, and numerous smaller adjustments that significantly boost the game's visual quality. The popular YouTube channel GameV recently released a side-by-side comparison video, demonstrating the graphical evolution from the original release over the last 12 years. The improvements are especially noticeable during nighttime scenes with rain or in shadowy settings, where the advanced global illumination and ray-traced reflections truly stand out. However, the differences are less evident under sunny skies, where the distinctions between the original and enhanced versions are more subtle.

Despite a strong launch that saw over 187,000 concurrent players on Steam, exceeding the recent peak of 184,000 for the standard edition, the reception has been mixed. Currently, the game holds a 56% positive rating on Steam. Some players question the value of the update, citing the modest visual enhancements. Additionally, there have been complaints about issues with DualSense controller functionality and glitches when transferring characters from the original GTA Online. While some users have successfully transferred their characters, others are still encountering persistent bugs.