Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas

Reviewed by Angel Herrera
December 21, 2004

Developer: Rockstar North Publisher: Rockstar Games Website: Click Here Platform(s): PS2, XBOX, PC Players: 1 - 2 ESRB Rating: Mature

Rockstar does it again with the latest installment of the GTA series, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. This newest addition is the largest to date with San Andreas as the state and a total of three cities: San Fierro, Las Venturas, and Los Santos. The story is set in the early 90s, and the main character is Carl Johnson, a gangster who returns from prison only to find that his mother's been murdered and his neighborhood is not what it used to be. Now it's up to him and the rest of his friends and family to take the neighborhood back.

Driveby in San Andreas. Click image to enlarge.

As you progress through the game, you will find new allies, rival gangs, and even girlfriends. You will acquire allies by doing jobs for them or helping them out when in trouble. Rival gangs are mostly located in Los Santos and will try to take you out when they spot you. You will be able to take over other gangs' territories, and the more you control, the more money you will gain. However, you have to survive the wave of gang members who will try and take you out. There are a total of six girls who can potentially be your girlfriend, two you get automatically, the other four you have to find, and they have different standards on how they like you to be. For instance, one of them prefers fat guys, while another likes skinny guys and so on.

This game will take you many hours to beat and collect everything imaginable in the game. You can collect things like horse shoes which will increase your luck when you find yourself in Las Venturas playing some blackjack or the slots. As in the previous GTA, you can also gather all the hidden packages, and of course, there are the side missions such as playing taxi driver to police man and arresting the criminals that roam around San Andreas.

Each new GTA game is well done and improves upon the previous titles. San Andreas is no exception, for you now have more customization options. On certain vehicles, you can do upgrades like spoilers, rims, nitrous and a stereo system. You can also turn an average car into a racer if you have the funds for it. The best feature is the ability to customize CJ's appearance; you can adjust his weight, change his hairstyle and clothing, and even put different tattoos on him.

As you play the game for countless hours, you will find that there are too many things in the game to do, from acquiring territory, to businesses, and finding all the packages. There are just too many things to mention because the game is so big with a lot of things to do. One thing is certain; you will not be disappointed by this game because you will play it for hours even after you beat it.

More Screenshots (click image to enlarge view) :