GTA V Enhanced: A Visual Journey Over a Decade

The much-anticipated PC release of Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced, Rockstar's next-generation iteration of the iconic open-world game, is now available. This updated version introduces significant graphical enhancements and new features, such as full DualSense controller support, providing an enriched gaming experience for PC enthusiasts.

Notable upgrades include ray-traced reflections, revamped vehicle designs, and numerous smaller adjustments that enhance the visual quality. The popular YouTube channel GameV recently released a side-by-side comparison video, demonstrating the evolution of the graphics over the past 12 years. The improvements are most striking during rainy nights or in dimly lit areas, where advanced global illumination and ray-traced reflections stand out. However, under sunny conditions, the differences between the original and the enhanced version are less noticeable.

Despite an impressive launch, with 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 review rating on Steam. Many players are questioning the value of the update, citing the relatively minor visual enhancements. Additional criticisms include issues with DualSense controller functionality and glitches related to transferring characters from the original GTA Online. While some players have successfully transferred their characters, others are encountering persistent bugs.