The latest Gen 9 version of GTA 5 landed yesterday, offering a next‑gen upgrade for consoles. Nearly everyone could buy the enhanced edition for 712 rubles, except for Russian players who faced a few quirks. Is it worth spending again on a 2013 classic? The impressions from a long‑time observer who watched Rockstar’s PS5 update unfold are here to share.
About the updated version and Russia:
In Russia, enjoying the updated GTA 5 on PS5 isn’t straightforward. Consolers could purchase the new product using store credit codes and even download it, but after launch, reactions turned mixed. A 712‑rouble charge appeared in the PlayStation Store—yet funds could not be withdrawn from a card or spent elsewhere. When Sony refunded similar passes for Gran Turismo 7 or WWE 2K22, many mistook it for a banking issue. In this case, GTA 5 could not be paid with cards, only with the store balance. Rockstar previously signaled a withdrawal from the region, but the payment option remained available for the new release. Given economic pressures, spending 712 rubles in the PS Store didn’t feel right to many players.
Fortunately, everyone could still add GTA Online to their library for free, and that option remained accessible. The single‑player campaign did not receive a targeted rating for Russian players, but the multiplayer portion could be enjoyed without restriction.
Has the updated version become more visually appealing? Yes. Could the developers have delivered more content? Likely so. Instead of a sweeping upgrade, Rockstar stayed with a lean approach. Historically, such upgrades have often been bundled with ownership of the original title, sometimes at no extra charge.
What is the reader’s take on the GTA 5 refund in this context?
What’s good about the PS5 version?
The PS5 edition presents an older baseline for GTA 5. The game showed its age even on PS4 Pro, with limited improvements on a new generation and modern televisions. The original visuals featured lower resolution and simplified effects that could detract from immersion.
Rockstar did manage to make the PS5 version feel more playable. Textures were sharpened, resolution increased, lighting improved, and new rendering effects were added. The improvements provide a noticeable boost, though some effects, like reflections in puddles, can still feel imperfect. The updated edition brings in newer technologies that don’t always run at peak capacity, but they contribute to a more polished look overall.
There are settings that let players choose between a 60 FPS target for both the main story and GTA Online, or prioritize high visual fidelity with FPS capped around 30. The balance gives players options depending on their preferences and hardware.
Loading speed is another point of improvement. The story campaign, which used to take roughly a minute on PS4, now loads much faster on PS5. GTA Online, given a stable connection, loads in a significantly shorter time, reducing the downtime between sessions.
DualSense features also contribute to the experience. Haptics respond to braking and real‑world feel during acceleration, and certain weapons trigger stronger input. Even if not all features are fully publicized, the controller technology adds to the sense of immersion when driving and interacting with the world.
All in all, for fans who have dreamed of a 4K GTA 5 on a modern console with crisper textures and improved lighting, the PS5 version offers a compelling upgrade. PC players have enjoyed these benefits for a while, and the PS5 release sits closer to the PC experience than the PS4 re‑release, with only slight differences from the PC port.
At the same time, the caveat remains: there are many community mods for PC that vastly improve visuals compared with the PS5 edition. Modders push the envelope, while the base game on console offers a more locked‑in experience.
What’s wrong with the PS5 version?
Even with a higher resolution and several refinements, the game still looks dated—understandable given its age. Character models, effects like fire, and animations carry echoes of earlier eras, even as the world is more polished than before. The civilian AI, patrol patterns, and enemy behavior stand out more against the updated backdrop, sometimes highlighting the disparity with newer titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, where police behavior can feel inconsistent.
There are still imperfect aspects. The draw distance on PS5 remains limited; while it’s better than the prior re‑release, it does not meet current standards. Distant trees, buildings, and vehicles can pop into view unexpectedly while exploring beyond the city limits.
Bugs persist—some players report glitches that appeared in earlier versions, including vehicles spawning issues, occasional teleportation, and sporadic script failures that interrupt mission flow. Transferring a character from PS4 sometimes behaves oddly, and contrast adjustments can yield an unnatural look.
Even with improvements, many of the more substantial updates could have been implemented on PS4 and Xbox One, suggesting that some enhancements were restrained by platform constraints. For newcomers to GTA 5 or lifelong fans who crave a different aesthetic from the soap‑opera style, the re‑release is worth considering, but regional restrictions and slow paths to some features may temper enthusiasm. A free GTA Online option remains a practical alternative in regions with hurdles for the single‑player update.
For those who have already integrated GTA 5 into their routine, a revisit could still be appealing, but it is unlikely the update will redefine the gaming experience for veterans.
Are readers planning to explore the next‑gen version of GTA?
Endnote on the iteration and regional considerations: the PS5 upgrade brings notable improvements, while some limitations remain. The updated edition provides a more modern coating on a classic, but its value may hinge on regional access, price perception, and personal tolerance for older gameplay mechanics.