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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Publisher: Rock Star Games
Platform: PS2
ESRB Rating: Mature
Game Type: Action/Adventure

Review by: Lando da Pimp

Rating: 9 out of 10

Grand Theft Auto III was a revolutionary game that took the gaming world by storm. The game worked well using both driving simulations, and walking/shooting in very effective ways. A year later Vice City was released expanding the game and its world considerably. Now Rockstar has released an even larger Grand Theft Auto game with San Andreas. San Andreas definitely lives up to the Grand Theft Auto name. In fact, it's arguably the best game in the series.

The Story
You play the role of Carl "CJ" Johnson who returns home to Los Santos because of the death of his mother. Stepping off the plane, CJ is picked up by a couple of crooked cops when he arrives letting CJ know that he is being watched and should not have returned. Arriving home you discover that your gang the Grove Street Families has fallen on hard times with no real influence on the streets. Like the previous GTA games you make your way up in the underground by accomplishing a series of missions earning money and most importantly respect.

Graphics / Look and Feel
When if first heard that the world for GTA: SA would be 10 times the size of Vice City I was a little worried about how the graphics' transitions and loading times would be. That is an awful large playing area to be loaded. Like previous versions, San Andreas has some graphical problems but a lot of work has been put into fixing them. I think Rockstar needs to be commended for what they have been able to do with system hardware that by computer standards, is obsolete.

San Andreas takes place in the early 90's with a West Coast gangster theme. Drawing inspiration and influences for its characters from ghetto films like Menace II Society and Boyz N the Hood. We have already seen a Godfather theme (GTA III) and Scarface (GTA VC) themes; so hopefully the next GTA could be a modern day Sopranos Jersey theme. [Ed note: do you get to go around smacking up who-ers?]

Like the previous versions San Andreas is very visually stylish. Throughout the cities you have very unique looks. There is enough difference between the different areas broken up with countryside. Throughout the rural area are a series of winding country roads, lakes, plenty of off-road action, small little towns in the middle of nowhere. The addition of highways is also great. It can take you 10 minutes sometimes to get to another area of the map. This adds a more realistic type feel for when you need to bust a cap in somebody far away.

Gameplay
One could easily argue that San Andreas is a combination of Grand Theft Auto and The Sims. Some of the added features this time are keeping your character fed, clothed, tattooed, and even in shape. If you are running out of energy you can stop by a fast food place and grab a quick bite to eat. But don't eat too much because you can easily become too fat and not have the energy to run or swim. Yes I said swim. Finally the ability to swim has been added. I can't tell you how many times I crashed into the damn river on Vice City.

The game also tracks a lot of other statistics. Respect is the big one.

Earning respect in the 'hood is achieved as you complete missions sometimes instead of money. A higher respect rating gives you the right to recruit gang members to follow you around and shoot at rival gangs.

Driving ability is a skill that is also improved as you drive through the game. Riding motorcycles, bicycling, and piloting aircraft just to name a few. The more you do it, the more ability you have. This tightens up the controls a bit. In the case of motorcycles, it also makes it less likely that you'll fly off the bike in a wreck.

The greatest thing about GTA: San Andreas is that it's insanely fun to play, regardless of how you decide to play it. Like Vice City, the game play is very linear completing mission to mission. With San Andreas I have found myself exploring more than anything else. Looking for the jumps, learning the roads, and even learning new tricks. My favorite thing in the beginning of the game is to explore the cities you are not allowed to explore yet. You can easily swim across to the other side. But be warned once you enter, your wanted rating goes up four stars. I tried to use the decrease "wanted level cheat" but that doesn't work in those areas temporarily off limits. I have been successful in staying in these no-trespassing levels for a good bit of time before I am caught.

The missions are less frustrating this time around as well but they are a bit harder. The pacing of the missions and the information you are given to accomplish the mission helps the frustration of not knowing what to do.

My biggest complaint with gameplay is the reworking of the PS2 controller. You can no longer control your character or drive the cars with the touchpad. You have to use the control sticks and it is hard as hell to get used to. They also changed the radio controls making it impossible to change the station without stopping the car. I wish that they gave the functionality to set up the controller on your own.

Sound
San Andreas is a great sounding game that is just as great as Vice City. Vehicle sounds such as engine noises and tire squealing seem to be improved while the basic gun fire sounds and atmospheric sounds seem to be just as good as GTA VC. The biggest improvement was the voice work. The dialog is clearer, alleviating the frustration I had with previous versions trying to hear what the characters say. The voice talent this time is even bigger with San Andreas. You will easily recognize Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, Ice-T, and James Woods.

GTA VC did a great job of really making you feel that you are in the eighties with the music and dialog on the car radio. This is what made me I was back in the Reagan era. San Andreas stations don't quite give that same feeling. Maybe it is too soon to get that 90's feeling yet. Even though the game is set 12 years ago, much of the music still holds up unlike the 80's retro songs that easily dated it.

The DJs on the radio as always are fun to listen to while you drive around. Some celebrities voiced DJs. Chuck D from the rap group Public Enemy hosts the classic-rap station, George Clinton helms the funk station, and Axl Rose voices the DJ of the classic-rock station. On the talk radio station you can hear Andy Dick and Wil Wheaton with the return of Lazlo.

Overview Usually a game that you drive, run, shoot, and multiple other tasks would be such a mess that the game would be impossible to enjoy. This game has a great story, a well-performed cast, and a great experiential game that brings the typical player, as close to being a gangster as possible in real life. This is by far the most impressive Grand Theft Auto to date and I can't wait to see what is next.

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All images property of Rockstar Games. Article © 2004 MillionairePlayboy.com.