Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Review
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced offers a modernized experience of the classic game with improved graphics, ray tracing, and smoother performance compared to the legacy version. Players appreciate the nostalgic value of the story mode with its three unique protagonists and immersive open-world design, enhanced by updated lighting and textures. The game still delivers engaging gameplay mechanics, vehicle handling, and an expansive world to explore both in single-player and online modes.
However, the Enhanced edition introduces some controversial changes including a mandatory online connection even for single-player, an invasive anti-cheat system (BattlEye) that raises privacy concerns, and removal of text chat in online play. Many players report persistent bugs, longer loading times, and optimization issues despite graphical improvements. The online mode is criticized for repetitive grinding and cheating problems. Overall, while the Enhanced version refines visuals and performance, it is marred by technical issues and unpopular monetization and privacy policies.
Highlights
Players praise the enhanced graphics and ray tracing that bring Los Santos to life with stunning lighting and textures. The story mode remains a high point with memorable characters and dark humor. Improved loading times and smoother gameplay are noted as positive changes. The game’s open-world design and vehicle mechanics continue to provide engaging gameplay. Many enjoy revisiting the game with friends in GTA Online, appreciating new vehicles and content additions. The Enhanced version is regarded as a nostalgic yet fresh experience for returning players.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the mandatory online connection for single-player and the intrusive BattlEye anti-cheat system that collects extensive personal data. Players report numerous bugs, crashes, and longer loading times than expected. The removal of text chat in online mode reduces communication options. The online grind is considered repetitive and expensive, with some frustrated by monetization practices like subscription services and overpriced in-game items. Optimization issues persist, with reports of poor CPU/GPU utilization and input lag. Some feel the Enhanced edition is more of a cash grab than a true upgrade.
Pros
- • Stunning ray-traced lighting enhances the immersive open world beautifully.
- • Story mode remains engaging with unique protagonists and dark humor.
- • Improved loading times compared to the legacy edition.
- • Smoother gameplay performance and better optimization in many areas.
- • Expanded vehicle selection with realistic models and handling.
- • GTA Online offers fun multiplayer heists and activities with friends.
- • DLSS and FSR support help performance on mid-range hardware.
Cons
- • Mandatory online connection even for single-player frustrates many.
- • BattlEye anti-cheat collects invasive personal data raising privacy issues.
- • Removal of text chat limits player communication in online mode.
- • Persistent bugs, crashes, and game-breaking glitches reported frequently.
- • Longer loading times and frequent loading screen failures.
- • Online mode grind is repetitive and monetization is aggressive.
- • Poor CPU/GPU utilization causes suboptimal performance on high-end PCs.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
Welcome to Los Santos
When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber, and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. government, and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody — least of all each other.
Current PC players can transfer both GTAV Story Mode progress and GTA Online characters and progression with a one-time migration from the legacy version of GTAV to GTAV Enhanced.
Stunning Visuals
Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes including ray tracing features such as ambient occlusion and global illumination, ray traced shadows and reflections, support for AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS, and more.*
Faster Loading
Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before by using SSD and DirectStorage on supported devices.
Immersive Controls
Feel new levels of responsiveness with dynamic resistance via the Adaptive Triggers on the DualSense™ wireless controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and much more.*
3D Audio
Enhanced audio with support for Dolby Atmos and improved fidelity of speech, cinematics, and music.* Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighboring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
Grand Theft Auto Online
Experience GTA Online, a dynamic and ever-evolving online universe for up to 30 players, where you can rise from street-level hustler to become a kingpin of your own criminal empire.
Enjoy new high-performance vehicle upgrades and improvements like the Career Builder as well as all GTA Online gameplay upgrades, expansions, and content released since launch, ready to enjoy solo or with friends. Pull off daring co-operative Heists, enter adrenaline-fueled Stunt Races, compete in unique Adversary Modes, or hang out in social spaces including nightclubs, arcades, penthouse parties, car meetups, and much more.
Exclusive Content
Step into Hao’s Special Works at the Los Santos Car Meet, featuring elite new upgrades and exclusive modifications. Then take these high-performance vehicles into HSW races, new time trials, and more.
New Career Builder
Get started in GTA Online with the tools of the trade. Quickly choose from one of four businesses — Biker, Executive, Nightclub Owner, or Gunrunner — and select from properties, powerhouse vehicles, and weaponry to kick-start your enterprise.
New Menu Design
Immediately access everything GTA Online has to offer right from the main menu, including the latest and most popular updates.
Access to All Current and Previous Updates
Dive into more than 40 massive updates with more to come, featuring everything from running a covert ops installation in Agents of Sabotage, to tracking down and dragging in Southern San Andreas' most wanted in Bottom Dollar Bounties; exposing corrupt cops and killer cartels in The Cluckin' Bell Farm Raid, to daring robberies of the most coveted vehicles in Los Santos in The Chop Shop. All this and more available alongside a wide range of races, modes, activities, and social spaces to enjoy solo or with friends — including nightclubs, arcades, penthouse parties, car meetups, and much more.
Experience entertainment blockbusters Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online — now upgraded for a new generation with stunning visuals, faster loading, 3D audio, and more, plus exclusive content for GTA Online players.