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.
