The controversial Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition received a substantial update on Tuesday, addressing long-standing issues and introducing welcome changes—three years after its initial release.
This update, as reported by Rockstar Intel, brings a plethora of fixes and enhancements to the “definitive” versions of Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas across PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. A key focus of this update is the game’s lighting, a major point of contention since the trilogy’s launch.
Carl Johnson piloting a boat in the water under the golden gate bridge in San Andreas.
One of the most prevalent criticisms leveled against the 2021 PC and console releases was the altered lighting. Each original game possessed a unique visual identity, largely defined by distinct color palettes. GTA: San Andreas, for instance, was known for its iconic orange hue. The Definitive Edition, however, stripped away these signature tints, resulting in a flatter, less vibrant aesthetic. Furthermore, the overall lighting quality was subpar, with some areas appearing excessively bright while others suffered from a complete lack of illumination. A Reddit thread highlights the stark contrast between the original and remastered versions, showcasing how environmental lighting was significantly diminished or removed entirely. Coupled with the awkward character models and the absence of clouds, the graphics were widely perceived as a downgrade. These visual shortcomings were compounded by technical issues reported at launch, including crashes and various bugs.
The situation was so dire that Rockstar Games issued a public apology and re-released the classic PC versions of the three games on the Rockstar Store, offering them for free to those who purchased the Definitive Edition.
Netflix Release Paved the Way
Many of these issues were rectified when Netflix released the trilogy on its streaming platform in late 2023. This version included a “classic lighting” option that restored the original color palettes, improved water and clothing textures, and addressed general lighting problems, such as streetlight rendering. The new update appears to incorporate many of these improvements for PC and console versions.
Grove Street Games Removed
Interestingly, as noted by Grand Theft Auto YouTuber TJGM on X (formerly Twitter), all mentions of Grove Street Games, the studio responsible for the original Definitive Edition, have been removed in this latest update. While the GTA Trilogy was met with significant criticism, the reason behind this removal remains unclear.
This substantial update marks a significant step towards redeeming the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition. While it arrives three years after the initial launch, the improvements to lighting and other aspects of the game address many of the concerns raised by fans. The removal of Grove Street Games’ branding, however, adds another layer of intrigue to the story.
