Embarassing fanboys since 1982

BeaArthur

Contributor
CRank: 5Score: 83380

User Review : Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Ups
  • Turf wars are implemented very well{A very long main story with a lot of side missions will keep you busy{The new RPG elements are a great addition
Downs
  • Character development leaves a little something to be desired{There are sometimes too many things going{Map could have been easier to traverse

Rockstar does it again

With Grand Theft Auto (GTA): Vice City improving the GTA universe in every aspect, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had an even taller order to fill than Vice City did. Once again the team over at Rockstar did not disappoint. Although San Andreas was my least favorite of all the GTA games, it still stands the test of time and is a classic no matter what console generation you currently dabble in.

In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, you meet CJ (Carl Johnson), who has just returned home (from a 5 year stay in Liberty City) for his mother's funeral. When he realizes that his former gang is in complete disarray and no longer runs the streets the way the used to Carl decides to help return them to prominence. You spend the game trying to right all the wrongs that have been done to you in a classic story of revenge. Although I liked the main story in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, it didn't appeal to me the way in which it's predecessors did. My main gripe with the story is how you never really surpass being a petty street thug. In Vice City you watch as Tommy Vercetti slowly takes control and becomes a major player. By the end of San Andreas however, CJ is still running errands for people who are not fit to clean his shoes. Despite my issue with the character development, Rockstar (in true Rockstar fashion) has once again put together a fantastic cast of characters.

Once again Rockstar has really improved on the GTA formula. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, to my surprise, was actually able to improve on what GTA had offered it's audience in previous GTA titles. My favorite addition had to be the gang warfare. Being able to start turf wars and then seize territories added a lot of new gameplay; and the ability for rival gangs to try and take over your territory helped keep this new feature very fresh. I was also a big fan of the RPG elements. Being able to increase your weapon proficiency and conditioning really had visible benefits as you trekked around San Andreas. Nothing says GTA more than lots of terrain to explore and experiment with. With this in mind I was thoroughly impressed with the overwhelming size of San Andreas. It was also nice to be able to do missions in a wide variety of locations so that you weren't constantly looking at the same scenery.

As great as San Andreas is, I don't feel as though it was as flawless as GTA 3 and Vice City were. As much as I loved all the new features I almost feel that there is too much going on sometimes. Whether it's having to go to the gym to stay in shape, or having to go grab some pizza so I don't die, or having girlfriends call you, I sometimes felt like I was on sensory overload. Not that I am unappreciative of these features I just wish Rockstar could have found a way to make them feel more organic and less like a chore. For all that there is to do I also felt like the map was too sparse. Now don't get me wrong, I loved going into the country and seeing the landscape really fit into the atmosphere but having to do missions that would start in one area and then pick back up 10 minutes later (after you had driven past miles of wide open space) when you finally reach your destination is a little irritating. I fell that decreasing the map size and filling in the empty contry side would have been more advantages. In the end though these are minor inconveniences and do not in anyway take away from the experience.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a worthy conclusion to the last console generation. As with Vice City, San Andreas lives up to the billing and produces another terrific example of how crime does pay. Any flaws in San Andreas are minor and are more than made up for by the great new content. In the end it is another phenomenal job from Rockstar and a must play for all video game fans.

Score
9.4
Graphics
Some things in the game feel like a chore but overall it is another fantastic experience.
9.2
Sound
Character models have been improved. Frame rates are once again impressive.
9.7
Gameplay
Voice acting is not as good as previous titles but they still blow most games out of the water.
10.0
Fun Factor
All the extras make this game as fun as any other GTA.
Overall
9.8
Deadman645843d ago

was this review really just posted 2 hours ago? Have you heard of GTA:IV?

Dr Pepper5843d ago

And? There is no rule saying you can't review older games.

JackBauerIsHIGH5843d ago

This was easily the worst GTA there was. Sure, there was more to do. But the game just did not have the sharpness of the previous version, Vice City. The RPG elements were a horrible idea, imo.

Still good of course, just not the best one out there.

GTA4 in 3 days...

BeaArthur5843d ago

Deadman64..considering I wasn't a member of this site when this game came out it would make it hard to review it.

TheDeadMetalhead5839d ago

I just reviewed Exite Truck. So I really would think twice before posting stupid comments, Deadman64

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5839d ago
130°

The reason why there are two different codes for each cheat in GTA San Andreas

From GTA BOOM: "Recently, Obbe Vermeij, a former developer at Rockstar North, shared some intriguing technical details about the ingenuity that went into creating the cheats for the GTA Trilogy"

Gamingsince1981153d ago

I bet it was painful not charging for the cheats as microtransactions

jwillj2k4467d ago

Honorable mention to Drive Clubs Ferrari Fxx-K. Should be there over Horizon.

446d ago
TheColbertinator466d ago

The Suzuki Escudo Pikes Peak from the Gran Turismo series

Nissan Skyline from Need for Speed Underground

Motorcycle Steamroller from Dead Rising 3

And finally a car you never drive but saves your ass over and over : Honey Badger from COD MW2

Gardenia466d ago

I was thinking of Mad Max. That V8 felt really good to drive around in, especially with upgrades.

dumahim466d ago

No one liked the Batmobile in Arkham Knight. Top 10?

toxic-inferno466d ago

I don't know... It was a strange addition to the game, and the parts of the game where you had to fight in it were tedious. But driving it around Gotham felt brilliant.

BrainSyphoned466d ago

FFXIII-Snow's Shiva motorcycle
Persona 5-Makoto's Persona motorcycle

150°

Grand Theft Auto's Cluckin Bell Restaurant Opens in Real Life

Earlier this weekend, a real-life Cluckin' Bell popped up in San Diego during Comic-Con 2022. It has been described by its creator, BoyWorldWide, as an "immersive experience" and a 4-day "art performance" that is now coming to an end.

Read Full Story >>
comicbook.com
Knightofelemia639d ago (Edited 639d ago )

Just need Freckle B*tch's from SR now lol I would love to go down there and say I ate at Cluckin Bell

YodaCracker639d ago

Or “FB’s” in the new censored Saints Row.

Phoenix76638d ago

Enjoy your Cluckin meal, sir