Is GTA V next gen upgrade worth it in 2024?

As a long-time GTA fan who has poured endless hours into Los Santos since the initial 2013 release, I was eager to get my hands on the next gen expanded and enhanced version. Nearly 10 years later, I wanted to see if Rockstar could breathe new life into this legendary open world game with a glossy coat of paint.

And I‘ve got to say – I‘m loving this PS5 upgrade! The visual overhaul is stunning and it runs so smoothly. For $20, it has completely transformed and modernized the experience. So if you still play GTA V regularly like me, the upgrade is an absolute no-brainer purchase. Switching to new gen will make Los Santos feel fresh again.

But perhaps you‘re more casual about returning to GTA V. Maybe you want to relive the epic story or only dabble occasionally in GTA Online. Is it still worth upgrading then? Let‘s dive deeper…

Breaking Down The Major Improvements

Here‘s what you‘re getting for the upgrade price tag – either $10 if you owned PS4/Xbox One GTA V or $40 for the complete Edition:

As you can see, huge performance leap across the board! You‘re getting 4K sharpness combined with buttery smooth 60 FPS gameplay. The addition of ray tracing significantly bumps up the realism through accurate reflections and shadows. Jumping into Story Mode or firing up a GTA Online session now only takes 35 seconds instead of a painfully slow minute and a half. It all adds up to a supremely polished experience that feels wonderfully modern in 2024. Hats off to Rockstar for impressing me with these upgrades. It plays like a remaster – GTA V has genuinely never looked or performed better!

Digging deeper, it‘s not just about the graphics and speed…

An Array Of Quality-Of-Life Improvements

From the seamless character switching in Story Mode to the immersive 3D spatial audio, there are a ton of smart tweaks that smooth out roughness:

• Quick resume allows suspending and instantly restoring your gameplay session
• Haptic feedback support on PS5 controllers for engaging rumble effects
• Faster loading also applies to retrying failed missions
• Priority access to GTA Online on new gen consoles for less congestion

Combined with the visual polish, these changes make tasks less tedious and keep you focused on fun. It demonstrates Rockstar‘s attention to improving the entire experience.

Exclusive New Content – But Only For GTA Online Players

While story mode remains untouched beyond visual upgrades, GTA Online receives an injection of new exclusive content. We‘re talking new vehicles, the new Hao‘s Special Works shop, special map blips for new collectibles, and weekly special vehicle upgrades.

This is enticing stuff if you continue playing GTA Online. It expands the game with previously unattainable speeds and custom upgrades. As an Online regular, I love tinkering with these lightning fast variants. It brings new goals working with Hao to push vehicles to their absolute limit!

However if you purely play GTA V for the story mode, the upgrades bring no new single player content beyond a visual overhaul and quality-of-life tweaks. In that case, I‘d potentially wait for a deeper sale.

Is A Re-Playthrough Still Worth It In 2023?

Even after pouring endless hours into the original version, I‘m still keen to replay the entire story on my PS5. It almost feels like playing again for the first time. The visual uplift makes Los Santos glisten, while flawless 60 FPS performance means gameplay now matches the cinematic vision.

I‘d argue GTA V‘s campaign has aged remarkably well – many of its themes around fame, tech surveillance and consumerism feel just as prescient now as 2013. The writing and diverse trio of protagonists continue to entertain. This PS5 version is the best way I can relive a genuine classic – like reading a favorite novel in a glossy new format.

By The Numbers: A Lasting Legacy

The fact GTA V continues thriving in 2024 – still placing in monthly sales charts and maintaining a lively online community – speaks to its lasting quality and impression left on pop culture. The stats don‘t lie:

• 170 million+ copies sold across two console generations
• 1 million+ concurrent players monthly in GTA Online
• Currently #21 in highest rated PS5 games on Metacritic

Even critics re-reviewing it acknowledge how its satire and open world design set benchmarks. There‘s a reason it remains one of the best selling and most influential entertainment products ever created.

The Verdict: A Must-Buy For Regular Players

To directly answer the question – I wholeheartedly feel the GTA V next gen upgrade is worth it, especially if you still play frequently. As a regular Online player and story mode fan, I‘m blown away by how Rockstar transformed this classic into a showpiece game on new consoles.

It genuinely feels like the definitive edition. A visual spectacle with buttery smooth performance, meaningful quality tweaks and expanded online content. The discounted $10 upgrade cost is great value to experience Los Santos with supreme polish and optimization. Whether online chaos or story replay, it makes gameplay so much more pleasurable in 2024.

For casual players and story mode completers, I‘d potentially wait for a bigger sale. But ultimately, all GTA fans should check out the newExpanded & Enhanced version to witness a legendary open world game at its very best, continuing to shine brightly. Nearly 10 years later, I‘m still not bored of Los Santos – especially in spectacle 60 FPS 4K!

So fellow gamers, I can‘t recommend this PS5/Xbox Series upgrade enough. Time to put the pedal down and tear through those improved load times to the bright lights of Vinewood…See you in Los Santos!