Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition

The reviews of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition highlight a strong appreciation for its nostalgic storytelling and iconic narratives. Critics like Jeuxvideo.com and Meristation praise the trilogy’s distinct character arcs, with Vice City drawing inspiration from 80s cinema and GTA III offering a compelling noir storyline. MondoXbox emphasizes the interconnected criminal underworld of Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas, while Hobby Consolas and Power Unlimited celebrate the enduring charm of humor, street language, and unforgettable characters. Gamersky and GamingTrend note the historical significance of Vice City and San Andreas, particularly in their exploration of themes like family and betrayal, with Hey Poor Player highlighting San Andreas’s immersive, turbulent setting. These perspectives underscore the trilogy’s ability to evoke nostalgia while maintaining engaging, if dated, storytelling. However, several critics point to the limitations of the narratives, particularly when compared to modern standards. CGMagazine criticizes the stories as one-dimensional and unengaging, with shallow characters and forced plot twists, while IGN Italia finds GTA III’s narrative simplistic and lacking depth. Metro GameCentral notes repetitive storytelling in GTA III and a reliance on gangster movie tropes in Vice City, though it acknowledges San Andreas’ more modern approach. SpazioGames suggests the remastering failed to fully capture the original charm, and Vooks points out that GTA III has aged poorly with its simplistic map and repetitive content. Additionally, Guardian and Hardcore Gamer mention outdated dialogue and questionable taste in some narratives, reflecting broader concerns about the stories’ relevance to contemporary players. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus leans toward appreciation for the trilogy’s cultural impact and foundational storytelling. While some reviewers, like Atomix and Meristation, acknowledge the historical significance of the original titles, others, such as Jeuxvideo.com and SomosXbox, emphasize that the narratives remain powerful and evocative despite their flaws. The divide between nostalgia-driven praise and modern critique is evident, with many agreeing that the trilogy’s stories are best experienced as a retro homage rather than a cutting-edge narrative. Ultimately, the reviews reflect a balanced view: while the storytelling may feel dated, its influence and emotional resonance endure, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series.

The gameplay of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition received mixed but largely positive feedback regarding modernized features and accessibility improvements. Several reviewers highlighted quality-of-life upgrades such as weapon wheels, auto-saving, checkpoints, and improved aiming systems, which made the experience more approachable for newer players. For instance, IGN Adria noted that "new features like checkpoints and weapon wheels are noted positively," while VGC praised the "modern control overhaul" making it feel "more like GTA 5." Critics like NME and Hobby Consolas emphasized that the mechanical changes, including DualSense vibrations and updated aiming systems, enhanced enjoyment, with NME stating the games were "much easier to enjoy on a modern console." Additionally, some reviewers, such as Game Rant and GamingBolt, acknowledged the fundamental fun of the gameplay, calling it an "enjoyable" and "blast to play" experience despite its flaws. However, the gameplay faced significant criticism for its outdated mechanics, technical issues, and lack of substantial updates. Multiple critics, including GameMAG and SomosXbox, criticized the "poor shooting system," "clunky movement," and "unresponsive controls," which made the experience frustrating. IGN Adria and Eurogamer Italy pointed to persistent glitches, AI problems, and "numerous glitches" that undermined immersion, while Nintendo Life described the controls as "janky" with "stuttering frame rate." Performance issues were particularly pronounced on the Nintendo Switch, with VGC and Nintendo Insider noting "frame drops," "invisible objects," and "limited tools compared to other games." Critics like Hey Poor Player and MGG emphasized that core mechanics—such as car chases in GTA III or combat in San Andreas—felt dated and unengaging, with MGG stating the gameplay was "still far from contemporary third-person shooters." The overall consensus among critics is that while The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition offers some modernized touches, it remains a flawed remaster that struggles to reconcile its nostalgic roots with contemporary expectations. Positive aspects like improved controls and accessibility features were widely acknowledged, but the majority of reviewers felt the core gameplay was either outdated or marred by technical issues. While some, like Game Rant and GamingBolt, found the experience enjoyable on a fundamental level, others, such as GameMAG and VGC, argued it failed to elevate the original titles beyond their 2000s-era limitations. The mixed reception reflects a divide between fans who appreciate the nostalgia and those expecting more substantial upgrades, with many agreeing that the trilogy feels like "a copy-paste of the original games" (SomosXbox) rather than a true modernization.

The initial reception of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition’s graphics and visual design highlights some notable improvements, particularly in technical aspects like lighting, textures, and frame rates. Critics such as Destructoid praised the new lighting system in Vice City, which enhanced its vibrant neon atmosphere, while JeuxActu noted that updated textures and smoother edges made the game “playable without causing eye strain.” Xbox Tavern acknowledged fixes to rain and lighting effects after updates, and IGN Adria mentioned improved character models, albeit with a loss of original atmosphere. Additionally, Gameblog.fr highlighted the use of Unreal Engine 4 for reworked 3D models, improved textures, and enhanced lighting, suggesting that the remastering process brought some visual fidelity to the classics. These positives indicate that while the games were not entirely revitalized, they received technical upgrades that addressed some long-standing issues. However, the negatives dominate the critical discourse, with widespread complaints about inconsistent art styles, poor character designs, and persistent technical flaws. IGN Adria criticized the “generic” visuals for lacking the charm of the originals, while Pocket Tactics and Games.cz highlighted issues like “poor character models,” “popping,” and a “Vaseline-smear filter.” NME and Cubed3 condemned the “ridiculous” character designs and “botched signs,” with Xbox Tavern noting that character models looked “goofier than original” and Gamer.nl describing the visual design as a “mix of improved models and poorly executed effects.” Bugs, glitches, and texture issues were also rampant: Nintendo Life cited blurry visuals on Switch, Vandal called the game “unfinished,” and Push Square pointed to “severe performance issues” and missing details. The consensus here is that the visual upgrades often felt rushed, with many critics feeling the remaster failed to honor the original games’ aesthetic or technical integrity. Overall, the critical response leans heavily toward disappointment, with most reviewers agreeing that The Definitive Edition falls short of its title. While some improvements in lighting, textures, and frame rates were acknowledged—such as Jeuxvideo.com’s praise for “new lighting and textures” or Gameblog.fr’s mention of Unreal Engine 4—the flaws overshadowed these positives. The lack of consistency in art direction, the loss of original charm, and the prevalence of bugs led to a sense of unpolished execution. IGN Italia, Cubed3, and NME all emphasized that the remaster felt like a missed opportunity, with IGN Adria summing up the sentiment: “the remastered visuals fail to capture the aesthetic of the original games.” Despite minor upgrades, the trilogy’s visual design was widely seen as a step backward, leaving many fans frustrated by the disconnect between the promised “definitive” experience and the final product.

The sound design and music of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition received mixed but generally positive feedback from reviewers, with many praising the nostalgic value and retained elements of the original soundtracks. Critics like Meristation and Atomix highlighted the "great selection of licensed music" and the "enjoyable 80s tracks" in Vice City, which enhanced the immersive experience. IGN and WellPlayed celebrated the "incredible soundtracks" and "blissfully fun" music, while Push Square specifically noted the appeal of Vice City’s radio stations. The original voice acting was also appreciated, with Gaming Nexus praising its quality in later games. Many reviewers acknowledged that the soundtrack, despite omissions, still evoked nostalgia and maintained the essence of the original titles. However, several critics pointed out significant shortcomings, particularly the absence of iconic tracks due to licensing issues. Jeuxvideo.com, Eurogamer Italy, and IGN Italia criticized the "incomplete" soundtracks, noting that missing songs like those in San Andreas and Vice City diminished the experience. GameOver.gr and Power Unlimited emphasized that expired licenses led to a "significant loss for the experience," while Guardian and NME highlighted poor audio mixing, with muffled dialogue and unbalanced sound effects. Some reviewers, like Vandal and Universo Nintendo, noted that the overall sound design felt "incomplete" or "lacked care," and TouchArcade mentioned initial issues with missing songs and problematic sound effects. These technical and licensing challenges overshadowed some of the positives for many players. The overall consensus among critics is that while the soundtrack retains its nostalgic charm and core appeal, the removal of key tracks and audio quality issues created a mixed reception. Reviewers like IGN Adria and SpazioGames pointed out that "iconic music tracks are missing due to expired licenses," which detracted from the original games’ atmosphere. However, many acknowledged that the retained music and voice acting still provided a satisfying experience, as noted by GamingTrend and Checkpoint Gaming. The trilogy’s sound design, though imperfect, remains a highlight for fans, even as it falls short of expectations due to licensing restrictions and technical limitations. The divide between nostalgia-driven praise and criticism over omissions reflects the broader debate about the remaster’s fidelity to its predecessors.

The voice acting in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition receives mixed praise, with several critics highlighting its strengths. Meristation emphasizes that the voice acting is "solid," particularly in Vice City, where characters are "well-developed and memorable," enhancing the overall experience. Similarly, Gaming Nexus praises the voice acting of the later two games in the trilogy, while GamingTrend notes it is "better than expected, especially for the main cast." IGN Italia and Metro GameCentral also commend Vice City and San Andreas, with the latter benefiting from a "star-studded cast" and Ray Liotta’s iconic portrayal of Tommy Vercetti. App Trigger and God is a Geek acknowledge Rockstar’s general reputation for strong voice work, suggesting that the trilogy’s audio aligns with the studio’s standards in some respects. However, several critics point to significant shortcomings. CGMagazine criticizes GTA 3 as "particularly poor," noting that while Vice City shows "some improvement," the overall quality still falls short of modern expectations. Comicbook.com and NME describe voice lines as "outdated," "poorly recorded," or delivered with a "gravel monster" quality, highlighting inconsistencies in performance. Stevivor mentions "echoey and jarring" background sounds, while VGC points to "inconsistent audio quality" due to partially cleaned-up and "lost" voice lines. God is a Geek adds that "audio mixing hampers its quality," suggesting technical issues detract from the experience despite individual performances. The overall consensus reflects a split between nostalgia-driven appreciation and frustration with dated or inconsistent execution. While some critics, like Meristation and GamingTrend, find value in the voice acting’s familiarity and occasional standout moments, others, such as CGMagazine and NME, argue that the trilogy fails to meet modern standards. The trilogy’s voice acting is often seen as a mixed bag: Vice City and San Andreas benefit from strong performances and recognizable talent, but GTA 3 lags behind, with technical flaws and uneven delivery undermining its impact. Ultimately, the reviews suggest that while Rockstar’s signature style remains intact, the Definitive Edition does not fully elevate the voice acting to match the quality of more recent titles.

The technical performance of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition receives mixed feedback across platforms, with some minor positives despite widespread criticism. On the Nintendo Switch, while most reviewers like Vooks and Nintendo Life condemn its poor frame rates, glitches, and long loading times, a few note slight improvements in certain aspects. For instance, Gameblog.fr highlights fast loading times on the PS5, though this is not explicitly tied to the Switch. On the PS5, critics like Gameblog.fr acknowledge that while frame rate drops and texture issues persist, the overall performance remains enjoyable, and Press Start Australia notes that occasional frame rate hiccups do not significantly impede gameplay. For the Xbox Series X, VGC mentions a “solid framerate” in some cases, though this is overshadowed by broader complaints about optimization. Meanwhile, the PS4 version (as reviewed by PSX Extreme) sees post-launch patches addressing many graphical issues, suggesting that technical problems were mitigated over time, albeit not entirely resolved. The negatives for each platform are overwhelmingly severe, with critics consistently highlighting major technical flaws. On the Nintendo Switch, the game is described as a “mess” by Nintendo Life and VGC, plagued by frame rate drops, glitches, and crashes that severely impact playability. The Xbox Series X faces criticism for poor optimization, with Vandal and Game Rant noting performance issues even on next-gen hardware, including frame dips and graphical mishaps. For the PS5, the consensus is particularly harsh: IGN Adria calls the remaster “dirty code” leading to instability, while Destructoid and Metro GameCentral detail broken character models, AI glitches, and visual anomalies like floating objects. Even Gameblog.fr acknowledges texture flickering and clipping issues in Fidelity mode. The Xbox One version (as reviewed by Xbox Tavern) is criticized for being released in an “unacceptable condition,” with bugs doubling file sizes and a delayed physical release. Across all platforms, the game’s technical shortcomings—frame rate instability, graphical glitches, and crashes—are repeatedly cited as major drawbacks. The overall consensus among critics is that GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition is a technically flawed remaster, with issues persisting across all platforms despite some post-launch patches. While the PS5 version sees minor improvements in performance and stability (e.g., Gameblog.fr’s “fast loading times” and PSX Extreme’s note on fixed graphical issues), most reviewers, including IGN Adria and Destructoid, argue that the game feels like a rushed, unpolished product. The Nintendo Switch version is particularly criticized for its poor optimization, with Vooks and Universo Nintendo highlighting “choppy frame rates” and “resolution problems.” Even on next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X, technical issues remain significant, as noted by Vandal and Game Rant. The only slight optimism comes from GamingBolt and WellPlayed, who mention that some bugs were fixed with patches, but these fixes do little to address the broader lack of polish. Ultimately, critics agree that the trilogy’s technical performance fails to meet expectations for a “definitive” edition, tarnishing its legacy and frustrating players across all platforms.

The positive aspects of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition’s replay value are largely tied to nostalgia, content variety, and improved mechanics. Critics like Game Rant highlight the abundance of cheat codes and optional activities that allow players to "create their own entertainment," while Meristation emphasizes that the trilogy offers significant replay value for fans revisiting or experiencing the games for the first time. Gaming Nexus praises the sandbox nature, noting hours of enjoyment in San Andreas through creative mission goals and exploration, and LevelUp argues that the trilogy remains "immensely fun" despite flaws. Jeuxvideo.com and SpazioGames also acknowledge the nostalgic appeal and engaging gameplay elements, suggesting that the games’ historical significance and open-world freedom still resonate with fans. These perspectives underscore the enduring charm of the original titles, even in a remastered form. However, the negatives surrounding replay value are centered on technical issues, missing features, and a lack of meaningful improvements. Gamer.nl and SomosXbox point out that technical flaws and "numerous errors" diminish the experience, while CGMagazine and Comicbook.com criticize repetitive gameplay and outdated mechanics as major drawbacks. IGN Adria and IGN Italia note that the remaster’s poor execution and missing content—such as local multiplayer—significantly reduce its appeal. GameOver.gr and Games.cz argue that the trilogy fails to add value compared to original versions, and VGC warns that Switch-specific issues may deter players. Even App Trigger and Vooks suggest that the games are "just alright" or better suited for fans of the originals rather than newcomers. These critiques highlight a widespread frustration with the remaster’s lack of polish and failure to elevate the experience. Overall, critics are divided but lean toward acknowledging the trilogy’s nostalgic appeal and content depth as key strengths, even if technical shortcomings and missed opportunities temper its replay value. While Game Rant, Meristation, and Gaming Nexus celebrate the games’ enduring fun and accessibility for fans, many others—such as CGMagazine, IGN Adria, and Games.cz—argue that the remaster’s flaws make it less compelling than the originals. The consensus seems to be that The Trilogy is worth revisiting for longtime fans who prioritize nostalgia over modern polish, but its replay value is limited by technical issues and a lack of substantial upgrades. Platforms like PS5 and Switch see mixed reactions, with some critics (e.g., Nintenderos) noting significant playtime potential if technical hurdles are overlooked, while others (e.g., VGC) caution against the experience on certain systems. Ultimately, the game’s replayability hinges on whether players prioritize sentimentality over refinement.