By gamingepicenter.com 
The gaming industry has seen its fair share of disappointing releases year in and year out. Some flops are more notable than others, but few have had the same level of controversy as the launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. This compilation of three beloved titles—Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas—was highly anticipated but ultimately marred by a host of issues. Let’s dive into the details of the trilogy’s rocky launch, the subsequent updates, and whether it’s finally worth revisiting these classics. Read more such articles on Gamingepicenter.com
When the trilogy was announced, excitement was palpable among fans. The prospect of revisiting classic titles with updated graphics and gameplay seemed like a slam dunk for Rockstar. However, when the trilogy launched in 2021, reality set in quickly. Players encountered performance issues on consoles, misspelled signs, glitches, bugs, crashes, broken animations, and characters that looked oddly modeled. The rain effects in San Andreas made it difficult to see anything, which was just one of many complaints.
To say the initial reception was poor would be an understatement. The trilogy’s Metacritic user score plummeted to 0.4 at launch and currently sits at 1.1. Critics were no kinder, with the PS5 version receiving a Metascore of just 54 based on 47 reviews. Despite these issues, the trilogy sold over 10 million copies within three months of its release, indicating that many players were willing to wait for fixes.
Who to Blame?
Blame for the disastrous launch was allocated across the board. First, Grove Street Games faced criticism for its handling of the project, especially considering its previous ports of Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City. Then there was Rockstar, which was called out for releasing the trilogy in such a broken state. The company even issued refunds for the PC version, acknowledging the disappointment.
Initial Fixes and Improvements
Roughly a month after launch, Rockstar began rolling out fixes, including a cinematic camera for all games, several misspelled sign corrections, and improved stability. However, the most significant improvements came when mobile versions of the trilogy launched in December 2023, published by Netflix and developed by Video Games Deluxe. These versions captured the feel of the classics and offered superior visuals compared to the console and PC versions.
Long-Awaited Update
After nearly a year of silence, the long-awaited update for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch has finally arrived. This update brings a laundry list of fixes and improvements, making it worth revisiting the trilogy. Community members like TJGM and Vide Tech UK on Twitter have compiled significant changes, and the overall sentiment seems to be leaning towards a more positive outlook.
Notable Improvements
Classic Lighting: One of the most praised changes is the restoration of classic lighting in each title. This update allows for a more authentic experience, with Liberty City no longer appearing overly bright at night.
Volumetric Clouds: San Andreas now features volumetric clouds, enhancing the visual experience when flying high in the sky.
Realistic Shadows: Shadows now move in sync with the sun’s position, creating a more natural feel throughout the game.
Improved Fire Effects: Fire now includes additional bloom and lens flares, making it more visually appealing.
Cube Map Reflections: These reflections are back, looking much better than the previous screen space reflections.
Frame Rate Improvements: Players have reported better performance on current-gen platforms and even on the Nintendo Switch.
Gameplay Enhancements
Along with visual improvements, the update has introduced several gameplay enhancements. Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City now allow players to shoot and move with weapons like shotguns and assault rifles, which was previously impossible. Movement animations while aiming have also improved, adding a layer of fluidity to the gameplay. Players can now pause during cutscenes and save files display the date and time, making it easier to keep track of progress.
Lingering Issues
Despite these improvements, several issues still plague the trilogy. While CJ’s character model is closer to the original, other character models, including Denise, still look out of place. The level of detail in some areas remains underwhelming, and poorly upscaled artwork can still be found in San Andreas. Additionally, interior lighting requires adjustments to match the original games.
Controversy Surrounding Developer Credits
An ongoing controversy involves the removal of Grove Street Games’ logo and name from the intro and main menu. Founder Thomas Williamson criticized this decision, highlighting that many fixes provided by those developers had been withheld from players for years. While the exact contributions of Grove Street Games to the update remain unclear, the timing of these changes raises questions about the development process.
Final Thoughts
The current state of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is a far cry from its launch. While it still has its share of issues, the updates have significantly improved the experience. Players who have been on the fence about picking up the trilogy may find it worth diving into, especially with the nostalgic elements restored through lighting changes and volumetric fog.
However, it might still be wise to wait for a further price drop or additional updates, as some problems remain that could be addressed in the future. Ultimately, the trilogy can evoke the nostalgia of the originals, but there’s still much work to be done before it can be deemed a complete redemption story.
Have you played the updated version of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition? What are your thoughts on the improvements? Share your experiences in the comments!
1. What is Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition?
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is a remastered collection of three classic titles: Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, featuring updated graphics and gameplay enhancements.
2. What were the major issues at launch?
Upon release in 2021, the trilogy faced significant criticism for performance issues, bugs, glitches, poorly modeled characters, and a problematic lighting system that altered the original aesthetics of the games.
3. Have the issues been fixed?
Yes, a recent update has addressed many of the initial problems, including improvements to lighting, character models, gameplay mechanics, and overall performance. However, some issues still persist.
4. What notable improvements have been made in the latest update?
The update includes restored classic lighting, improved shadows and fire effects, enhanced character animations, and better performance on current-gen consoles. Players can also now shoot while moving with weapons.
5. Is it worth revisiting the trilogy now?
The update includes restored classic lighting, improved shadows and fire effects, enhanced character animations, and better performance on current-gen consoles. Players can also now shoot while moving with weapons.