Rockstar's latest iteration of Grand Theft Auto 5, dubbed GTA 5 Enhanced, has not been well-received by the Steam community since its launch in early March. The game, which hit the market on March 4, has earned a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, with only 54% of the 19,772 user reviews being positive. This rating starkly contrasts with the original GTA 5 on Steam, which, despite being unlisted at Rockstar's request and thus invisible in Valve's search results, boasts a 'very positive' user review score.
GTA 5 Enhanced currently holds the dubious honor of being the least favorably reviewed GTA title on Steam, falling behind even Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition, which sits at 66% positive reviews. This new version offers a free upgrade for existing PC owners of GTA 5, bringing features previously exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions of GTA Online. These include access to the latest vehicles and performance upgrades at Hao's Special Works, encounters with animals, and the option to purchase a GTA+ Membership. Additionally, the upgrade promises enhanced graphics options and faster loading times, allowing players to migrate their Story Mode and Online progress seamlessly.
Every Celebrity in GTA 5 and GTA Online
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Despite the appealing updates, the process of migrating accounts has been fraught with issues, a problem highlighted in many of the negative reviews labeled as 'most helpful.' Frustrated players have reported encountering messages such as, "The GTA Online profile associated with this Rockstar Games account is not eligible for migration at this time." One particularly vocal critic expressed their frustration, stating, "If you think I'm throwing away nearly 700 hours of gameplay on one character so that you can make a few more bucks off me, then you can lick my anal orifice clean. 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."
Another player shared their disappointment, noting, "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." Similarly, another review lamented, "I can't migrate either of my two accounts. R* support is completely useless and can't help. 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 (if that) and HSW and whatever other minuscule features they added."
Despite these challenges, GTA 5 Enhanced has maintained a strong player base on Steam, with a peak concurrent player count reaching 187,059 since its release. However, the rocky launch has raised concerns among PC gamers about the future release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC, with fears that similar issues might plague its debut.
GTA 6 is slated for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, leaving PC gamers waiting longer. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer tried to shed light on why GTA 6 would come to PC after its console launch, urging PC gamers to trust the studio despite the controversy surrounding its release strategy.
For more on GTA 6, including insights from Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 launch, check out our coverage. In related news, Take-Two has initiated legal action against PlayerAuctions, accusing the online marketplace of hosting "thousands of listings for unauthorized, infringing GTA 5 content – including heavily modified player accounts, in-game assets, and virtual currency – all gained by using hacking software, cheats, and technical exploits."
Additionally, Rockstar has recently acquired the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, Video Games Deluxe, and rebranded it as Rockstar Australia.
