GTA 5 Enhanced Edition for PC Breaks Steam Records—But for All the Wrong Reasons

Rockstar Games recently launched Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) Enhanced Edition for PC, but instead of celebrating a triumphant release, the company is facing a storm of negative reviews. The game has quickly made history on Steam—not for its success, but for becoming the worst-rated GTA game ever.

At the time of writing, only 53% of user reviews on Steam were positive, categorizing the game under “Mixed” reviews. This puts it even lower than Grand Theft Auto 3 – Definitive Edition, which had around 66% positive feedback. So, what went so wrong with this so-called “Enhanced” edition? Let’s break it down.

Why Is GTA 5 Enhanced Edition the Worst-Rated GTA Game on Steam?

1. Account Migration Woes

One of the biggest disappointments for long-time players was the botched account migration process. Rockstar had promised a seamless transition for GTA Online players upgrading to the Enhanced Edition, but many encountered frustrating “not eligible” errors.

Imagine dedicating six to eight years to building progress in a game, only to be told you can’t carry it over to the new version. Players expected a smooth migration, but instead, they found themselves forced to start from scratch—something understandably unacceptable for a decade-old game.

2. “Enhanced” Graphics That Feel Like a Downgrade

If a game has “Enhanced” in its name, you’d expect noticeable improvements in visuals. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case here. Players with high-end rigs—including those powered by the NVIDIA RTX 4090—reported stuttering issues and washed-out textures. Rather than an upgrade, the graphics felt like a step back, making many question whether this version truly offered anything superior.

3. Removal of the GTA Online Text Chat Feature

A major grievance among the community was Rockstar’s baffling decision to remove text chat from GTA Online. The game thrives on player interaction—whether it’s coordinating heists, making shady deals, or simply trash-talking opponents. Stripping away such an essential communication tool felt like a massive downgrade, making the multiplayer experience feel less immersive and engaging.

What Players Are Saying

The backlash has been swift, with frustrated players venting their disappointment across Steam reviews and gaming forums. Here are some of the most telling reactions:

• “I can’t migrate either of my two accounts. Rockstar support is completely useless and can’t help. With the game being over 10 years old, I am sure as hell not going to completely restart all my progress.”

• “Enhanced? More like downgraded. The game looks worse, runs worse, and somehow feels clunkier than ever.”

• “Forcing a large majority of your players to start over while pushing scummy microtransactions is not a great look.”

Final Thoughts

Instead of delivering a true next-gen experience, Rockstar has alienated a significant portion of its loyal player base with technical issues, poor optimization, and baffling design choices. While the game might still appeal to newcomers, veteran players are left wondering if this so-called “Enhanced” edition was worth the wait—or if it was merely a cash grab.

Will Rockstar address these issues, or is GTA 5 Enhanced Edition doomed to remain one of the most disappointing re-releases in gaming history? Only time will tell.