In recent years the remastered versions of the games of our childhood have conquered part of the videogame market by leveraging the nostalgia of the players in favor of an improved technical sector. This trend has now also touched Grand Theft Auto, certainly one of the most successful sagas and with a large and solid fanbase. The remastered jersey touched the titles that undoubtedly needed it most: GTA III, GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas. For the occasion, the three games have joined in a sensational trilogy with the GTA The Trilogy – Definitive Edition, and this is his review.
GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is available a few days on PlayStation, Xbox, PC e Nintendo Switch but the same few days were enough to do infuriate the community about the conditions of this release. What happened then? Let’s start with order!
Our GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition review
As anticipated, GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition includes GTA III, GTA San Andreas and GTA Vice City originally released on PlayStation 2. Taking advantage of the same hardware, all three games used very similar technologies and graphics renderings so it shouldn’t be surprising that the choice of a remastered and definitive version fell precisely on this chapter.
Gamend Theft Auto III marks the advent of 3D within the saga and will put us in the shoes of Claude Speed, the criminal betrayed by his partner during a robbery and joined the renowned Leone mafia family. Its story takes place at Liberty City and will see him climb to the top among the ranks of the underworld in search of success and revenge.
Grand Theft Auto Vice City instead it is set in the city that gives it its title. Here, Tommy Vercetti, protagonist of the game, works for the Forelli family for which he ended up in prison for 15 years. Upon his release, Tommy goes to Vice City where, again, the family has plans for him that are anything but legal. Even in the new city he will have the opportunity to prove his worth and to be able to understand who are his friends and who are the real enemies.
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas closes the trilogy bringing us to The Saints dove Carl Johnson, a member of the Groove Street neighborhood gang, returns to settle some family business. After 5 years on the West Coast, the situation that Carl finds on his return is far from rosy after discovering that his mother was killed after an attack by the rival Ballas gang. Thus begins the long and hard road to reconquer the neighborhood and to search for a better future for Carl and his family.
Oh, Sh…, here we go again!
This Definitive Edition, adapted from Grove Street Games, brings with it a series of graphic and non-graphic improvements. We have indeed a new lighting system, high resolution textures, a longer viewing distance, a model upgrade, scenery improvements and much more. Improvements also from the point of view of gameplay definitely updated and adapted to the gameplay style of contemporary gamers, inspired by that of GTA V. All this and remember, three complete games, for the price of only one (€ 59.99). On paper this would seem the dream of every fan of the series but the reality is not so rosy.
Our test of GTA: Trilogy
Thanks to Nintendo and Rockstar Games, we got to play the Nintendo Switch version by GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. The visual impact that all three chapters of the trilogy have is undoubtedly sensational and the differences with the original version on PlayStation 2 are very notable. The rendering of lights and shadows is excellent as well as the extra-improved and detailed textures. The gameplay changes, more than necessary to give the title a makeover, are really well done and spot on. These range from improved car control to changes and improvements to mini-game mechanics (on GTA San Andreas) to the introduction of the GPS-style navigation system on the minimap. Loads are inevitably faster, and all three games run much smoother and more linear.
Unfortunately, not so good is the rendering of the character models, secondary and not. In the attempt, all in all successful, to give them more meticulous details and characteristics, most of them end up assuming grotesque and cartoon features. Definitely the less appropriate style for the themes and rhythm of this saga. Definitely improved (a lot) is also theTO THE of NPCs, from cops to members of our gang. Their virtual brains appear to have been removed during the remastering making the characters into dolls waiting to be hit. To these are also added some bugs and hilarious glitches.
The version on Nintendo Switch is not the best, especially as regards GTA: San Andreas, certainly the most demanding title .. The potential of the hardware limits the graphics upgrades of the game and many facets of light and shadow and textures are lost. In the busiest situations, especially during races, chases and those high-speed situations that require quick work from the console, the FPS drop to worrying levels. The “jerky” situations are the order of the day. However, it must be said that having the fantastic stories of Los Santos, Liberty City and Vice City at your fingertips in the “small” Nintendo console is something extraordinarily enjoyable.
Our review of GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in a nutshell
Ultimately, GTA: The Trilogy isn’t quite the flawless and enjoyable remastered we expected. It must be said, however, that the graphic improvements are there and they are truly remarkable with related strengths and weaknesses. Returning to retrace the streets of Vice City and Los Santos in a totally new guise (or asphalt?) Was really exciting. What further future patches can fix the problems this version brings with it?
We remain confident for the future. In the meantime, chase that damn CJ train!