Gangster squad
GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas get a fresh coat of paint
All three of the PS2 games in the series just got souped-up upgrades for PS5 and PS4 to celebrate the anniversary, and they’re yours for £54.99. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition features modern improvements to gameplay, and a graphical overhaul, while retaining the feel and look of the originals.
This means controls that feel like those of GTA V in the hands, with the layout of the buttons now matching that used in the most recent entry. That affects how gunplay and targeting feels: it’s now much more straightforward (including San Andreas’ drive-by shootings). Joining that are new and improved weapon and radio wheels, making switching between items in your arsenal much easier. A minimap overhaul even means you can more easily set and follow waypoints. New Rockstar Social Club Accomplishments also join the mix for veterans looking for additional challenges throughout Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas. Perhaps most importantly, you can now restart failed missions.
The art style is a semi-blocky, smoothedout one that harkens back to the originals but looks rather more detailed. Higher-resolution textures feature throughout, beyond the characters – weapons, roads, and vehicles have all been given a paint job. Naturally, on PS5, the Trilogy supports both 4K and 60fps. Additional visual upgrades include a vastly improved lighting system, new water and weather effects, better foliage, and increased draw distances. Bringing together three vintage titles for a modern generation is a tricky balancing act, but the developers appear to be pulling it off. How do the games hold up in play? Check back next issue, where we’ll have a more thorough look at the collection!
“The layout of the buttons now matches that used in the most recent entry, GTA V.”