Rockstar's recently released enhanced version of Grand Theft Auto 5, dubbed GTA 5 Enhanced, has not been well-received on Steam since its launch in early March. This new edition, released on March 4, has garnered a 'mixed' user review rating, with only 54% of the 19,772 user reviews being positive. This contrasts sharply with the original GTA 5 on Steam, which, although now unlisted and unsearchable at Rockstar's request, boasts a 'very positive' rating.
In fact, GTA 5 Enhanced holds the dubious distinction of being the lowest-rated GTA game on Steam, faring worse than even Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition, which sits at a 66% positive review rating.
GTA 5 Enhanced offers a free upgrade to PC players, bringing features that were previously exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions of GTA Online. These include new vehicles and performance upgrades at Hao’s Special Works, animal encounters, and the ability to purchase a GTA+ Membership. Additionally, the update promises enhanced graphics and quicker loading times. All current GTA 5 PC owners can upgrade for free and transfer their Story Mode and Online progress to this new version.
Every Celebrity in GTA 5 and GTA Online
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Despite these enhancements, the account migration process has proven problematic for many players, contributing significantly to the negative feedback. Several users have reported issues, with one stating, "The GTA Online profile associated with this Rockstar Games account is not eligible for migration at this time." This has led to frustration, with some players refusing to restart their progress and opting to stick with the older version until a new game is released.
Another review highlighted the dissatisfaction with Rockstar's support, noting that the company seemed unable to help with migration issues. A third user expressed reluctance to restart their extensive gameplay history for what they perceived as minor graphical upgrades and additional features.
Despite these criticisms, GTA 5 Enhanced has seen strong player engagement, with a peak concurrent player count of 187,059 on Steam since its launch. However, the rocky rollout has raised concerns among PC gamers about the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, particularly regarding potential launch issues on the PC platform.
GTA 6 is set to launch in the fall of 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, with no immediate plans for a PC release. This has led to speculation and concern among PC gamers, especially after a former Rockstar developer urged them to trust the studio despite the controversial launch strategy.
In related news, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has addressed concerns about the future of GTA Online with the advent of GTA 6. Meanwhile, Take-Two has taken legal action against the online marketplace PlayerAuctions, accusing it of selling unauthorized GTA 5 content obtained through hacking and exploits.
Additionally, Rockstar has recently acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and rebranded it as Rockstar Australia.
