It's been roughly 18 months since Grand Theft Auto V was let loose on the world, and it quickly became one of the best-selling games of all time. Then, Rockstar released the updated versions of the game on next-generation hardware, and the game became one of the best-selling titles on either platform seemingly overnight.
Unfortunately, while PS4 and Xbox One owners were playing Rockstar's latest open-world opus, one platform got left behind. PC players were initially promised the game alongside its console counterpart, but multiple delays pushed the project further and further back. Gamers have only just now gotten their hands on the finalized PC port, and only one question remains: was it worth the wait?
If you've been waiting for an answer to that very question, you're in luck: gamers have been putting the game through its paces, and early comparison videos show just how much of a difference some high-powered hardware can make.
First and foremost, it's easy to see that Grand Theft Auto V running at 60 frames-per-second is gorgeous. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were always smooth and stable, but the 60fps framerate makes the PC version the smoothest by far. Then again, it'll take quite a bit of power to get the game running at a smooth 60fps, but if you can manage it, Grand Theft Auto V will look that much better.
In regards to the rest of the package, the differences are much more subtle. Textures between the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC versions are almost identical, and the shaders used in the PlayStation 4 port look nearly the same as the maxed-out shadows on PC. Unless you're searching for tiny little details, it may be hard to notice the more subtle improvements that are present in the PC version.
Of course, the differences will be even harder to see in the middle of a gunfight - excluding the 60fps framerate, minor texture differences and lighting changes are going to take a backseat when the action kicks up.
That being said, if you're the kind of gamer that likes to stop and take a moment to look out across a virtual world, the ridiculously long draw distances and improved lighting of the PC version will definitely impress.
So, is Grand Theft Auto V prettier on PC? Well, that depends on your hardware - like any PC game, GTA V's visual fidelity is going to differ between configurations. For console players who already have the game, picking up the PC version might not be the best idea. Unless you really want that 60fps boost, you probably won't see much of a difference.
For those who play on PC and nothing else, picking up GTA V isn't so much a question as it is a necessity. It's one of the best games of both the last and current console generation, and you're getting the version with the smoothest gameplay and better graphics - what's not to love?
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