How awful are the GTA PC ports?

[fastbeaver]

considered getting GTA III on Steam but a friend assured me not too. How many differences are there from the console ports

[fastbeaver]

sh*t i ment san andreas

[Petrolhex]

For the 3D Universe games (GTA3-SA) they aren't very good but they can be better. There are numerous problems by default like restrictive mod support, removed songs and of course the lack of 60 FPS. You can fix these by doing the following:

-Downgrading each game to 1.0. This lets you restore mod support and soundtracks.

-Install Silentpatch. An outdated version of each game is no match for this as it fixes numerous bugs.

-Install an ASI loader. There are some for each game although I am unfamiliar with which are the best, but for SA I used this.

-Install widescreen patch + UI extras. Self-explanatory.

-Install SkyGfx. This mod brings back graphical features from the PS2 versions, the first version of each game and what Rockstar originally intended.

-Install GInput. This one depends on your tolerance for imprecise controls for driving and flight, particularly flight in SA which feels way too touchy on a keyboard. It adds better support for modern XInput controllers.

-Install Framerate Vigilante. It is a work in progress but is absolutely worth looking into. It fixes framerate-related bugs to allow the game to play in 60 FPS. The difference is night and day. There are still some bugs but you can flip between 30 and 60 FPS using a config file.

It's a lot to take in but its worth it to be able to play the best version of each game, with better controls and better resolutions, combined with PS2 graphical features missing from later ports and mod support.

[GoodEveningFolks]

they aren't awful. Sure, you will experience some bugs but you will manage to enjoy it if you push yourself hard enough

[Lioshenka]

I don't know, I played SA and II on both PS2 and PC, and have to say that PC version is pretty good. The only major downside is the missing PS2 orange atmosphere, which makes a massive difference to the game's environment, but as far as the enjoyment of it goes, it's all just as good, bar that Badlands part during the Catalina's missions where the mission audio disappears. R* released a fix for it, but it doesn't really fix it, so don't bother.

 

I would recommend getting a second-hand original version though, god knows what music has been cut out of the newer releases. Obviously, given the game's age you'll have to do a little ritual with the settings every time you want to play it to make the mouse work, but it's not too bad.

Edited December 17, 2020 by Lioshenka