GTA V Enhanced: A Visual Evolution Over a Decade

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

Among the standout improvements are ray-traced reflections, updated vehicle designs, and numerous minor tweaks that significantly enhance visual quality. The popular YouTube channel GameV recently presented a side-by-side comparison, demonstrating the graphical evolution from the original release over the past 12 years. The most striking differences are evident during rainy nights or in shadowy areas, where the advanced global illumination and ray-traced reflections truly stand out. However, under sunny conditions, the distinctions between the base game and its enhanced version are less noticeable.

Despite a strong 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 users have questioned the need for this update, citing the relatively subtle visual enhancements. Further criticism includes problems with DualSense functionality and glitches related to transferring characters from the original GTA Online. While some players have reported successful transfers, others are still encountering persistent bugs.