The Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition collection was released on PC and consoles already three years ago – in November 2021. It ran away. Last December, it also arrived on iOS and Android. However, the truth is that the original start of the package could not have turned out worse. The legendary trio of games was more crippled than improved by the Grove Street Games studio. Since then it has received several updates, but now it looks like we have a truly significant upgrade that brings many of the bugs back to the way fans remember it from the original.
The version for current consoles and PC received a big patch. The publisher briefly teases the new lighting, which has already appeared in the mobile version, but the changes are actually much more. Just to name a few, it’s worth mentioning new weather effects including rain, the return of haze and fog that cleverly reduced visibility on purpose, fixed animations and character models, better light, shadows, clouds, fire and a lot of other little things. Generally speaking, it can be stated that the definitive edition gets rid of the oddities that came with it and returns to the original aesthetics and customs.
In particular, the aforementioned lighting, color palette and corrected animations ensure that the definitive edition suddenly looks the way we really remember the original games. I love the original stylization of both Vice City and San Andreas and it was sorely missed in the remasters. Functional improvements are also pleasing. Players can run and aim at the same time when using some weapons. Movies can finally be paused.
Also worth noting is the fact that Rockstar Games removed the Grove Street Games logo from the intro. Perhaps this is also an indication that the original authors of the remasters were no longer involved in further repairs. After all, the Australian studio Video Games Deluxe already helped with the mobile version for Netflix, the launch of which went much better.
I highly encourage you to go through specific examples of enhancements as captured by fans.
1) Classic Lighting
All three titles of the Trilogy have received a „Classic Lighting“ setting that completely transforms each game’s visuals to resemble the originals more faithfully.
San Andreas’s Los Santos has that orange haze back now, The Desert got it’s purple sky look… pic.twitter.com/yrbIL3nqJv
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
Grove Street Games has been completely WIPED from the GTA Trilogy credits at start-up
Seems like Rockstar is completely distancing themselves from that studio, hope we see even more updates to fix this edition permanently pic.twitter.com/Vgzlwyn3N2
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
2) FOG IS BACK
This has restored the gigantic feeling of these games‘ maps.
GTA 3, Vice City and MOST IMPORTANTLY, SAN ANDREAS all now have volumetric fog effects making a return!
This means that you can no longer see the entire map of GTA San Andreas by just standing in a… pic.twitter.com/fLm8QAWnKa
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
You can actually run around GTA3 and Vice City DE with shotguns assault rifles and the flame throwers and shoot at the same time in the new GTA DE Patch
— Besk (@BeskInfinity) November 12, 2024
4) Combat Changes
You can now use shotguns and ARs while running around in GTA 3 and Vice City, this is a new mechanic that was not available in the original versions nor definitive editions yet a welcome QoL improvement.
Huge credit to @BeskInfinity for this footage pic.twitter.com/EosxzWpyyo
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
5) Characters are (mostly) FIXED
GTA DE had a massive issue of bodies being contorted in messed up ways especially CJ who looked like a goblin when riding a bicycle.
Character skeletons have been finally fixed. though the models themselves haven’t been changed much and remain a… pic.twitter.com/T7QuisIe95
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
6) Parallax Interiors are GONE
One of the GTA DE’s more interesting additions were 3D interiors that you could see from outside buildings, while great on paper (and actually in GTA 6) it was a mess here.
Most of the time, the percieved interior from outside had nothing to do… pic.twitter.com/ULFah5RsLX
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
7) Crouching is fixed
CJ’s crouching stance was horrific pre-patch, he looked completely deformed.
this has now been fixed and he looks normal once again!
BEFORE VS AFTER pic.twitter.com/9sy3bVwmFY
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
8) Different weathers are actually different
in San Andreas, there are many different weathers outside of just rain/sunny from the original game and they all looked completely different depending on which county/city you were at, this was completely broken in the Definitive… pic.twitter.com/1l672oxXC7
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
9) You can now pause in cut scenes
A Tiny Quality of Life change, you can now pause during cut scenes in all three games of the Trilogy.
No more being forced to watch them or skipping! pic.twitter.com/EksAlYf2by
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
10) Fly through clouds
One of classic GTA San Andreas’s coolest features is that you could fly through clouds and that is now FINALLY back!
It works almost identically to how it did in the original game, the definitive edition of San Andreas genuinely looks good now. pic.twitter.com/T0iUXX5Voa
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
Grove Street Games has been completely WIPED from the GTA Trilogy credits at start-up
Seems like Rockstar is completely distancing themselves from that studio, hope we see even more updates to fix this edition permanently pic.twitter.com/Vgzlwyn3N2
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
Completely new fire and glass breaking effects in the GTA Trilogy DE New Patch across all games and also extra bloom and flare to make it look nice. pic.twitter.com/jXXmSwYTCr
— Besk (@BeskInfinity) November 12, 2024
Welcome Back, GTA: A Hilariously True Remaster!
So, it seems the folks behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition have decided to take a cursory glance at their own dumpster fire from November 2021 and thought, “You know what? This could use some serious work!” Much like my last haircut, what a mess. But fear not, like a bad haircut, they’re giving it a snazzy upgrade! This upgrade has arrived so late, you could’ve had a baby in the time it took for them to get their act together. But better late than never, eh?
Now, if you recall, the original launch was less ‘definitive edition’ and more ‘definitively not ready for release’. It was basically a parade of bugs, glitches, and missing features that made you wonder—did the developers actually play their own game, or did they just scroll through some fan art on DeviantArt to get inspired? But let’s not throw Grove Street Games under the bus too hard; it’s already been thrown under a truck full of bugs and poorly rendered characters.
1) Classic Lighting
All three titles of the Trilogy have received a “Classic Lighting” setting that completely transforms each game’s visuals to resemble the originals more faithfully.
But thanks to the recent patch, we’re seeing some much-needed love! First off, the classic lighting that turned towns into two-tone disasters has been upgraded to something resembling a real-life city—instead of a kindergarten art project. Ah yes, remember the orange haze of Los Santos and the purple skies of the desert? Well, they are back! Thank goodness, because nothing says “I’m having a good time” quite like a visual that makes you feel like you’ve been stuck in a disco ball for hours.
Then there’s the fog. Oh, dear sweet fog. It has returned! This means you can now stand in San Andreas without seeing the entirety of the county laid out like a dinner plate. What a relief! Because nothing screams “immersive open-world experience” like being surprised by what’s behind you instead of being able to spot it from miles away. I mean, sometimes you just want to be scared out of your wits while driving a hot rod at full speed, right?
3) Combat Changes.
You can now use shotguns and ARs while running around in GTA 3 and Vice City!
Now, let’s talk combat! You can actually run and aim your deadly arsenal at the same time without looking like a toddler trying to walk and chew gum. What a game changer! I mean, just imagine poor CJ running around like he’s never seen a weapon before. If you thought that was frightening, wait until you see the “new and improved” animation glitches that were supposed to look realistic—but frankly, with some of the messages they send, they appeared as if they took lessons from a contemporary modern dance class.
Speaking of characters, let’s shed some light on the faces of our beloved anti-heroes. CJ’s original look made him resemble a goblin, and thankfully, they’ve finally tackled that horrifying rendering of human form. Don’t get me wrong, a bit of monstrous charm can sometimes spice things up, but no one asked for that.
5) Crouching is fixed
CJ’s crouching stance was horrific pre-patch; now, he looks normal again!
Now CJ can crouch like a human instead of whatever that twisted posture was—seriously, at one point, I feared for his spine! Did anyone hire a chiropractor? If not, they clearly need one after the game’s initial launch.
6) Different weathers = different weathers.
The distinct weathers in San Andreas do look different depending on the county/city!
Oh, and let’s not forget about the weather effects! You’ll get different varieties of rain and sunshine instead of being stuck in an eternal state of overcast—who doesn’t enjoy a bit of variety while robbing a bank? Because everyone knows that a good drizzle makes the getaway feel more dramatic!
Ah yes, the luxury of pausing during cutscenes. Finally! Easily one of the most irritating aspects of the previous editions—are we really not in the 21st century yet?
In short, the developers at Rockstar Games have done a solid job of stepping back toward the nostalgia of the original games. With their latest updates, perhaps we can finally appreciate the chaotic playground they’re known for. There’s still hope for all of you thrill-seekers out there! Who knew that all it would take was a patch deeper than a politician’s promise?
So here’s to the newly updated GTA Trilogy! They say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but evidently, we can give this one a much-needed bath and maybe a nice biscuit while we’re at it. It’s not perfect, but at least it’s memorable—just like my attempts at learning how to dance. If only I could run around in a shotgun while I did!
The Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition collection launched for PC and consoles back in November 2021, marking a significant milestone for fans of the franchise. Despite its long-awaited debut, the release was met with considerable disappointment, as players discovered numerous issues that compromised the gaming experience. By December of the same year, the collection made its way to iOS and Android devices, broadening accessibility for mobile gamers. The initial rollout of this classic package saw the legendary trio of titles diminished rather than enhanced, as Grove Street Games encountered a myriad of technical problems. However, following almost two years of updates, gamers are finally greeted with a substantial upgrade that aims to restore many of the beloved elements from the original games.
A major patch has now been implemented for current consoles and PC versions of the game. While the publisher hinted at improvements in lighting—previously showcased in the mobile adaptation—players can expect a host of additional enhancements. Notable features of this update include the introduction of new weather effects such as rain, and the reinstatement of haze and fog, cleverly manipulating visibility to create an authentic ambiance. Animation fixes and updates to character models, along with improved lighting, shadows, clouds, and fire effects, contribute to the overall aesthetic transformation, making the game feel more in line with its origins.
The upgraded lighting, along with a revamped color palette and corrected animations, creates a striking resemblance to the cherished visuals of the original titles. Enthusiasts of Vice City and San Andreas, in particular, will appreciate how the remaster aligns more closely with the iconic styles. Functional improvements have also been implemented, allowing players to run and aim simultaneously while using certain weapons, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Notably, players can now pause cutscenes, providing greater control over their gaming sessions.
In a significant move, Rockstar Games has entirely removed the Grove Street Games logo from the intro, signaling a clear separation from the original developers of the remaster. This change suggests that the studio is seeking to distance itself from initial failings and potentially collaborate with new partners. Noteworthy is the involvement of Video Games Deluxe, an Australian studio that previously assisted with the mobile version for Netflix, which was met with much better reception compared to the earlier releases.
I highly encourage you to explore specific examples of enhancements as captured by fans.
1) Classic Lighting
All three titles of the Trilogy have received a „Classic Lighting“ setting that completely transforms each game’s visuals to resemble the originals more faithfully.
San Andreas’s Los Santos has that orange haze back now, The Desert got it’s purple sky look… pic.twitter.com/yrbIL3nqJv
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
Grove Street Games has been completely WIPED from the GTA Trilogy credits at start-up
Seems like Rockstar is completely distancing themselves from that studio, hope we see even more updates to fix this edition permanently pic.twitter.com/Vgzlwyn3N2
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
2) FOG IS BACK
This has restored the gigantic feeling of these games‘ maps.
GTA 3, Vice City and MOST IMPORTANTLY, SAN ANDREAS all now have volumetric fog effects making a return!
This means that you can no longer see the entire map of GTA San Andreas by just standing in a… pic.twitter.com/fLm8QAWnKa
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
You can actually run around GTA3 and Vice City DE with shotguns assault rifles and the flame throwers and shoot at the same time in the new GTA DE Patch
— Besk (@BeskInfinity) November 12, 2024
4) Combat Changes
You can now use shotguns and ARs while running around in GTA 3 and Vice City, this is a new mechanic that was not available in the original versions nor definitive editions yet a welcome QoL improvement.
Huge credit to @BeskInfinity for this footage pic.twitter.com/EosxzWpyyo
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
5) Characters are (mostly) FIXED
GTA DE had a massive issue of bodies being contorted in messed up ways especially CJ who looked like a goblin when riding a bicycle.
Character skeletons have been finally fixed. though the models themselves haven’t been changed much and remain a… pic.twitter.com/T7QuisIe95
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
8) Different weathers are actually different
in San Andreas, there are many different weathers outside of just rain/sunny from the original game and they all looked completely different depending on which county/city you were at, this was completely broken in the Definitive… pic.twitter.com/1l672oxXC7
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
9) You can now pause in cut scenes
A Tiny Quality of Life change, you can now pause during cut scenes in all three games of the Trilogy.
No more being forced to watch them or skipping! pic.twitter.com/EksAlYf2by
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
10) Fly through clouds
One of classic GTA San Andreas’s coolest features is that you could fly through clouds and that is now FINALLY back!
It works almost identically to how it did in the original game, the definitive edition of San Andreas genuinely looks good now. pic.twitter.com/T0iUXX5Voa
— Synth Potato🥔 (@SynthPotato) November 12, 2024
What are the new weather effects introduced in the GTA Trilogy update?
The new weather effects have made a significant impact, enhancing the overall immersion in the game. Players can now experience diverse weather patterns, which not only change the visual aesthetic but also influence gameplay. The restoration of haze and fog improves the atmospheric settings in key areas, bringing back that sense of mystery and scale that was iconic in the original games.
this update is shaping up to be a strong response to the criticisms that followed the initial launch of the GTA Trilogy. While it may not entirely erase the past shortcomings, the improvements provide a much-needed refresh that aligns with the nostalgic charm players remember. It’s clear that Rockstar Games is committed to refining the experience and making it worthy of its legendary status in gaming history.
As fans continue to explore these changes, it will be interesting to see how future updates further refine the gameplay and visuals. Players are hopeful that with continued support, the GTA Trilogy will rise from its rocky start and become a cherished collection once again.