All GTA 5 Enhanced Edition Differences: Is It Worth Buying Again?

Grand Theft Auto 5's PC players have been saddled with a subpar version of the game, at least when compared to their console counterparts. Fortunately, the PC version, which has long since been behind in comparison to the next-gen console versions, has finally been updated, making it the definitive experience. Rockstar has re-released GTA 5 on PC as the Grand Theft Auto 5: Enhanced Edition, which comes with numerous upgrades that the console versions have enjoyed for some time, as well as a handful of PC-specific ones that those on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S don't get to experience.

However, after the heavily criticized next-gen GTA 5 remaster, people are wondering whether the PC edition is even worth the money. Rockstar has been re-releasing Grand Theft Auto 5 for a long time now, almost as much as Skyrim, so it is understandable that players have reservations when it comes to the brand-new "Enhanced Edition" and the supposed changes that it brings. Fortunately, despite a fairly mixed reception, it looks like PC players have at least a little to look forward to.

GTA 5 Enhanced Editions' Changes & Differences

Adds New Content, Ray Tracing, And More

Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition on PC is ostensibly the same as the next-gen GTA 5 remaster that was released back in 2022. It comes with all of the improvements that it has, both visually and mechanically, so fans who are stuck on PC or haven't been able to try out the next-gen console versions aren't missing out on anything. This means that the PC version now has improved visuals - including multiple graphical modes - and support for AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS. It also has much faster loading times, DualSense controller support, improved audio, and ray-traced shadows and reflections.

It also comes with a handful of additional improvements to gameplay, including new vehicles and upgradable ones in the Grand Theft Auto Online mode, GTA+ membership support, new challenges, an improved landing page, and more. The only PC-exclusive feature is the inclusion of ray-traced ambient occlusion and global illumination, as this remains absent from the otherwise identical console version. Crucially, it also doesn't restore the content cut from GTA 5 in the original next-gen remasters, although that is probably for the best as it was deemed offensive. You can see all the changes below:

Gameplay Changes	Visual Changes	PC-Exclusive Changes
New Vehicles & Upgradable Vehicles	Multiple Graphical Modes	Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion & Global Illumination
GTA+ Membership Support	Support For AMD FSR & NVIDIA DLSS
Ambient Animal Encounters	Ray-Traced Shadows & Reflections
Wildlife Photography Challenges	Faster Load Times
Updated Landing Page	Enhanced 3D Audio
Career Progression Tracker (GTA Online)
DualSense Controller Support

Of course, these improvements have also increased the recommended specs to run the game. The minimum system requirements now need players to have at least an Intel Core i7-4770 or AMD FX-9590 processor, 8 GB of RAM, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630 (4GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon RX 6400 (VG VRAM), and 105 GB of storage available. These requirements - bar the storage space - are naturally much higher than the original and now renamed GTA 5 Legacy Edition.

How Much GTA 5 Enhanced Edition Costs

It Is Free For Most

Character driving a motorbike at night away from the police in Grand Theft Auto 5.

The Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition is completely free for anyone who already owns a PC copy of GTA 5. This applies to those who have it on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The Enhanced Edition should have been added to those players' libraries immediately, although issues with GTA 5 Enhanced Edition has seen the process be delayed for a handful of people. Importantly, the original version of the game - which, as aforementioned, has been renamed Legacy Edition - will still be accessible in players' libraries.

Rockstar will continue to support the Legacy edition along with the new Enhanced Edition, despite the fact that it has been taken down. This is because Rockstar wants to make the upgrade mandatory, presumably in an effort to enable those whose PCs can't run the Enhanced Edition or those who can't migrate their account for whatever reason, to continue playing the game.

For those who don't own a copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 on PC, the Enhanced Edition costs $29.99 at full price. This is a decrease from the original game's $59.99 price, which is no longer available via digital storefronts. At launch, it received a 50% discount, bringing it down to just $15, which falls in line with the original version's typical price point during Steam sales. While not cheap, especially for a game that came out in 2013, it is worth mentioning that the Enhanced Edition comes with GTA Online and the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack included.

Is GTA 5 Enhanced Edition Worth It?

GTA 5 Is Always Worth It

A group of players in a black limo shooting a gun out of the top in Grand Theft Auto 5 Online.

GTA 5 Enhanced Edition is absolutely worth it, especially for those who already own a copy of GTA 5 and can therefore get it completely for free. Its improvements are mostly noticeable - more so for those who can benefit from the GTA Online gameplay additions - and the ridiculously fast load times help a lot, all of which makes it the definitive experience. Everyone who already owns GTA 5 can migrate their account from the Legacy Edition to the Enhanced Edition once, which makes picking up right where you left off very easy.

It is very important to note that there is separate matchmaking between the Legacy and Enhanced editions of the game. While people still playing GTA 5 Legacy can accessthe GTA Online mode and will continue to receive updates, they will not be able to play with those playing the GTA 5 Enhanced Edition version. Therefore, in order to continue playing with friends who do upgrade, it is essentially mandatory to play the Enhanced version. Additionally, it is worth taking into account the game's technical problems at launch, although Rockstar will likely quickly iron them out.

Even GTA 6 Won’t Be Able To Take Down GTA 5

Grand Theft Auto 5 may remain as popular as ever even after the release of GTA 6 in 2025, as players have a decade of time and money invested.

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Of course, for those considering getting GTA 5 for the first time, or who want to buy it on PC after playing the console versions, the $30 price tag is harder to swallow. However, it is still GTA 5 at the end of the day, one of the best games ever made, just with improved visuals and more gameplay additions. While Rockstar has been slow to get this version to PC players, and while it may not be substantial enough for some, the improvements it makes to Grand Theft Auto 5 are good enough to make the Enhanced Edition worthwhile.