GTA V Enhanced gets improved graphics — modder adds path tracing and compares the visuals

Rockstar Games previously introduced the enhanced version of Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced on PC, but modders are not stopping and are trying to make the visuals even better. Recently, an updated version of the graphical modification CoreFX 1.4 was released.

In this project, every light source is taken into account, meaning that everything hit by a global illumination ray is illuminated by a light source (sun, sky, lamps, and glowing surfaces). This light continues to bounce “through the radiance cache, so an entire street literally emerges from the darkness.”

Enhanced global illumination is used, as well as RT reflections (ray tracing-based). Instead of shadow maps, RT shadows are utilized, along with a material lookup table “thanks to which metal looks like metal.”

Video comparisons of the improved graphics in GTA V Enhanced featuring CoreFX 1.4 against GTA V Legacy have already begun appearing online:

In addition, the CoreFX 1.4 project includes other graphical enhancements; for instance, volumetric smoke and volumetric clouds are available (true 3D, inspired by Microsoft Flight Simulator and Horizon Forbidden West). Water, puddles, cars, and other reflective surfaces will genuinely reflect what is on the screen.