GTA V Enhanced: A Visual Journey 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 update introduces significant graphical enhancements and new features, including full DualSense controller support, enhancing the gaming experience for PC users.

Key enhancements include ray-traced reflections, updated vehicle designs, and numerous smaller adjustments that boost the game's visual quality. A recent side-by-side comparison by the popular YouTube channel GameV illustrates the graphical evolution over the past 12 years. The improvements are particularly noticeable during rainy nights or in darker settings, where advanced global illumination and ray-traced reflections create stunning visuals. However, in bright, sunny conditions, the differences between the original and enhanced versions are less evident.

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 rating on Steam. Some players question the value of the update due to the subtle visual changes. Furthermore, there have been complaints about issues with DualSense functionality and glitches when transferring characters from the original GTA Online. While some have successfully transferred their characters, others are still encountering persistent bugs.