GTA 5 is one of the biggest gaming success stories of all time, with over 210 million copies sold.
Rockstar Games has milked every bit of potential from its decade-old open-world masterpiece, reworking and re-releasing it for different console generations. But fans are fed up, and the latest attempt to revamp GTA 5 has just made matters worse.
The PC version of GTA 5 Enhanced was intended to align with the upgrades console players had for years. Instead, it morphed into Rockstar's "worst- rated" game on Steam.
Now, with just over 50% positive reviews, it has overtaken the infamous GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition as the biggest disappointment. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does.
The problem is that Rockstar botched the launch. Account transfers were a struggle for players, with many getting hit with restrictions over old bans, suspected modding, or things they couldn't pin down. The absence of text chat also drove a wedge between players, making it more challenging for random users to interact online. Now, all that’s left is honking horns and using emotes.
On top of that, the so-called "enhancements" barely improved the game's visuals or performance. It looked even worse.
It has always been painfully obvious that Rockstar is milking GTA 5 for all it's worth. They know the game still sells, so why bother rushing GTA 6? Three console generations, numerous enhanced editions, and still, we're stuck waiting for something new from GTA. And they never even gave us single-player DLC, which honestly should've been expected for a game of this caliber.
I get that GTA 5 is a goldmine, but how many times can Rockstar repackage the same thing before people get tired of it? The latest re-release just proves that they're stalling. Not to mention, GTA Online also keeps milking players with Shark Cards, and Rockstar couldn't care less about anything that might hurt that cash cow.
GTA 6 is lined up for release this year, but history has shown that the 2025 release date isn't locked down just yet. Rockstar has a habit of delaying games, and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up waiting even longer.
It's no secret that the demand for GTA 6 is at an all-time high. Rockstar released the first trailer in December 2023, setting the record for the most-watched video game trailer on YouTube within 24 hours.
While GTA 5 was groundbreaking in its time, it now survives off nostalgia and the ongoing strength of its brand.
And if there's one thing worth repeating: Players have had enough of the re-releases, cash grabs, and the waiting game.