A new video has broken down many of the visual enhancements put on display in Rockstar's most recent trailer for the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. The analysis highlights some of the more subtle changes alongside more dramatic overhauls like the character models, which were recently criticized by some GTA fans.
After months of speculation, GTA Trilogy - The Definitive Edition was finally announced earlier this month. The remastered collection is looking to provide both new and old fans of the franchise with a more visually and technically robust way to experience these iconic open-world adventures. The trilogy is promising enhanced visuals, improved sound, and modernized controls and gameplay mechanics more similar to the most recent entry in the series. The release will be a compilation of three GTA games: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto III, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Reception of the remaster has been somewhat mixed, with some fans taking to Steam voice their complaints about GTA Trilogy - The Definitive Edition replacing the original versions of these games on digital storefronts.
Mixed feelings aside, this remastered trilogy indeed looks visually distinct when compared to the original releases, which is something that gaming YouTube channel ENXGMA took the liberty of dissecting in a recent video. The video in question is a deep dive into some of the Definitive Edition's enhancements, including improved textures, character models, animations, and even sound. Perhaps the most drastic change can be seen in the new lighting engine, which offers dynamic reflections that change based on movement, positioning, and time of day. ENXGMA also points out more minor changes, such as reworked clothing fabrics and denser foliage.
One thing that the video was not able to comment on was the enhanced gameplay, which Rockstar recently confirmed would be inspired by Grand Theft Auto V. This could end up being one of the most crucial changes made in this remastered trilogy, so it's a shame that players will have to wait a little longer to get more information as to how the controls have been reworked. If better shooting and driving mechanics have been implemented in this trilogy, it might end up swaying a lot of those sitting on the fence.
While pointing out the improvements made to details like character hands (which no longer draw comparisons to oven mitts), ENXGMA's video still took some light jabs at the reworked character models. The graphics of the original GTA games would likely not be considered realistic by many, but they still had a grittier art style. With this new approach, some gamers feel that the characters look far too cartoony. The final product will tell whether this smoother, more colorful art style clashes with the tone or gameplay in the remasters.
Grand Theft Auto Trilogy - The Definitive Edition will be coming to all major platforms on November 11.
Source: ENXGMA/YouTube