The Grand Theft Auto Definitive Editions have been a topic of much discussion since their release. This article delves deep into the changes brought by patch six and assesses the overall impact on these classic games.

Unveiling the Truth about Grand Theft Auto's Definitive Editions

Good Stuff: The Classic Lighting Option

The classic lighting option in patch six is a significant improvement. In San Andreas, it captures the spirit of the original games, as seen in the opening cutscene with similar lens flare effects and a smoggy sky gradient. Late in the day, the orange haze gives the game a unique atmosphere. Gameplay also closely matches the original look in most conditions. In GTA 3, the classic lighting gives a darker look with a blue or green tint, and the horizon becomes softer. Vice City shows a broadly similar palette in the opening cutscene and warmer hues in gameplay. Overall, the classic lighting option makes these games more visually coherent and distinct.

Other Changes and Issues

Patch six also revises fire effects, making them more appealing with higher-resolution flames and better light casting. However, there are some issues. In San Andreas, there are low-detail terrain variants that don't align properly, creating black unrendered holes. Headlights of the player car also have a lighting issue that doesn't match real lights. Fire sprites sometimes appear intermittently, reducing the game's warning system. Many visual issues from previous patches haven't been fixed, like spelling errors and alignment issues with ground clutter.

Performance and Consistency

The frame-pacing issue that plagued the Definitive Editions for a long time has been resolved in patch six, providing a locked 30fps in fidelity mode on current-gen consoles. Performance modes generally run at a solid 60fps, with minor frame-rate drops in certain situations. However, the use of AI-upscaled artwork still results in poor-quality assets, and redrawn art has its own issues like blank buildings and repeating texture patterns.

Remastering vs. Remake

Remastering three large PS2-era titles within Unreal Engine is a challenging task. Relying on basic art and animation while aiming for a modern visual look has its limitations. A more comprehensive remake effort could have produced better results, but it would require a larger budget. Despite the issues, the Definitive Edition versions are currently the best way to play the older GTA games with modern controls and a reasonable update.