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 offers significant graphical upgrades and introduces new features such as full DualSense controller support, providing an enhanced experience tailored for PC gamers.

Among the standout enhancements are ray-traced reflections, revamped vehicle designs, and numerous smaller tweaks that collectively elevate the game's visual fidelity. The popular YouTube channel GameV recently released a side-by-side comparison video, illustrating the evolution of the graphics from the original release over the past 12 years. The improvements are most noticeable during rainy nights or in shadowy areas, where advanced global illumination and ray-traced reflections significantly enhance the atmosphere. However, under sunny conditions, the differences between the base game and its enhanced version are less distinct.

Despite a strong launch, with over 187,000 concurrent players on Steam—surpassing 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 are questioning the value of this update, citing the relatively subtle visual improvements. Additional criticisms include issues with DualSense controller functionality and glitches associated with transferring characters from the original GTA Online. While some players have reported successful transfers, others are still encountering persistent bugs.