# The Once Troubling Reissue of the Three GTA Classics Has Finally Been Rectified, and That’s Uplifting Spirits
It’s astonishing to think that three years have passed since the debut of *GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition*. Upon its release in November 2021, the compilation of three legendary Grand Theft Auto titles—*GTA III*, *GTA: Vice City*, and *GTA: San Andreas*—faced widespread dissatisfaction. The remastered editions were riddled with glitches, subpar performance, and questionable design decisions that left enthusiasts feeling like they had received an inadequate product. Nevertheless, as of November 2024, Rockstar has discreetly issued a patch that has finally brought the trilogy up to acceptable standards, and fans are celebrating.
## A Subtle Comeback: Patch 1.112
Without much hype, Rockstar deployed Patch 1.112 for *GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition* on November 12, 2024. Accessible on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the patch notes were remarkably minimal, noting only two significant updates:
1. A variety of bug fixes and enhancements.
2. The introduction of a “Classic Lighting Mode” that replicates the skies and ambiance from the original titles.
While the official patch notes may have been understated, the real effects of Patch 1.112 have been substantial. Players have swiftly recognized that the trilogy now feels like a refined and valuable product, a stark contrast to the disastrous condition it was in at launch.
## What Has Shifted?
Although Rockstar provided limited information in the patch notes, the community has been quick to discover a multitude of improvements. Gamers have taken to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to share their observations, and the changes are noteworthy. Here’s a summary of some of the most significant updates:
### 1. **Enhanced Visuals and Ambiance**
– **Fog and Volumetric Clouds**: One of the most prominent modifications is the reintroduction of fog and volumetric clouds. These elements not only boost the visual experience but also restrict the player’s view distance, reinstating the atmosphere of the original games. In earlier versions of the remaster, the absence of fog made the environment seem flat and synthetic, but now the cities feel significantly more immersive.
– **Classic Lighting Mode**: Possibly the most praised addition is the “Classic Lighting Mode,” which revives the stylized skies from the original games. In *San Andreas*, for instance, the skies can now showcase vibrant shades of orange and purple, restoring the iconic aesthetic that fans cherish. This lighting mode was initially introduced in the mobile editions of the games and has now transitioned to PC and consoles, much to the joy of fans.
### 2. **Gameplay Enhancements**
– **Run and Gun**: In *GTA III* and *Vice City*, players can now run while shooting with shotguns and assault rifles, a feature that was sorely missed in the remastered editions.
– **Corrected Animations**: Numerous character animations have been adjusted. For example, CJ from *San Andreas* no longer exhibits an odd hunch when cycling, and he now drinks soda correctly instead of pouring it through his forehead.
– **Opaque Windows**: One puzzling change in the remastered versions was the introduction of transparent windows in the cities, resulting in numerous visual glitches. These windows have now been reverted to their original, opaque condition, resolving many of the problems.
– **Pause Cutscenes**: Players can now pause cutscenes, a small but appreciated quality-of-life enhancement.
– **Claude’s Middle Finger**: In a nod to the original *GTA III*, lead character Claude can once again give the finger, bringing back some of the game’s irreverent charm.
### 3. **Performance Improvements**
– The remastered trilogy was infamous for its poor performance at launch, with frame rate drops and crashes being frequent issues. While Rockstar hasn’t disclosed specifics, players have reported that the games now operate much more smoothly across all platforms.
## A Revival: The Significance of Lighting
While many of the gameplay and animation corrections are welcome, the most transformative shift is arguably the lighting. The “Classic Lighting Mode” has been a revelation for fans who felt that the remastered versions were devoid of the atmospheric allure of the originals. The updated lighting mode reinstates the moody, stylized skies that characterized the visual essence of *GTA III*, *Vice City*, and *San Andreas*. As one fan expressed on X, “Bro, the Classic lighting doesn’t even look like the same game as the old GTA DE graphics. Never going back.”
It’s a testament to how significantly atmosphere can influence a game.