Rockstar Games' latest update to Grand Theft Auto 5, known as GTA 5 Enhanced, hit Steam on March 4 but has received a lukewarm reception, earning a 'mixed' user review rating. Out of 19,772 reviews, only 54% are positive, a stark contrast to the 'very positive' rating of the original GTA 5 on Steam, which is no longer listed at Rockstar's request. In fact, GTA 5 Enhanced currently holds the title of the least favorably reviewed GTA title on Steam, with Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition trailing at 66% positive reviews.
The Enhanced version offers a free upgrade for existing PC owners of GTA 5, boasting features like those from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions of GTA Online, including new vehicles, performance upgrades at Hao’s Special Works, animal encounters, and access to GTA+ Membership. Additionally, it comes with enhanced graphics and faster loading times. Players can seamlessly migrate their Story Mode and Online progress to this new version.
Every Celebrity in GTA 5 and GTA Online
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However, the account migration process has proven problematic for many, fueling the bulk of the negative feedback. Players have reported issues such as being unable to migrate their existing GTA Online profiles, with one frustrated user stating, "The GTA Online profile associated with this Rockstar Games account is not eligible for migration at this time." This has led some to view the Enhanced version as a downgrade, with comments like, "This is an objective downgrade from the 'old' version. Gonna pretend this was never released and continue to enjoy Legacy version until the new game comes out when I'm 60."
Other players echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over Rockstar's support and the inability to migrate their accounts. One review lamented, "I'm leaving a negative review mainly due to Rockstar deciding that some accounts should arbitrarily not be able to migrate, and if you ask for help from support, they just say they can't do anything about it." Another added, "I can't migrate either of my two accounts... With the game being over 10 years old I am sure as hell not going to completely restart all my progress in Online just to get marginally better graphics."
Despite these challenges, GTA 5 Enhanced has still managed to attract a significant player base on Steam, reaching a peak concurrent player count of 187,059 since its launch. Yet, these issues have raised concerns among PC gamers about the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, with worries that similar problems might plague its PC debut.
GTA 6 is set to launch in the fall of 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, leaving PC players waiting. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to shed light on the delayed PC release, urging PC gamers to trust in Rockstar's decision. Meanwhile, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has addressed concerns about the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6, and Take-Two has taken legal action against PlayerAuctions for selling unauthorized GTA 5 content.
In other developments, Rockstar has acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, renaming it Rockstar Australia.
