Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Good things come to those who wait, the old saying goes, but when it comes to a console exclusive that has build up so much hype and critical acclaim that those gamers that don’t own that specific console feel completely left out. This is what Xbox owners felt when Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was only available on the PlayStation2 ... we felt left out. Thankfully Rockstar has come to its senses and released these games on the Xbox. Yes we had to wait a long time for it but it was well worth the wait. Now finally Xbox owners are getting Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and it's a slightly better version. Ah, good things do come to those who wait.

We have much to discuss but we won’t get very far without explaining a few things. Grand Theft Auto III introduced something so incredibly simple yet unique that its design would be copied by games such as True Crime: Streets of LA and even DRIV3R ... it introduced total freedom. It’s open sandbox design was intoxicating because who doesn’t appreciate the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want, right? Well, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City pushed things a bit further but it is San Andreas that takes the series to new carjacking heights.

This game tells the tale of CJ, a young man who returns to his hometown of Los Santos (read: Los Angeles) after hearing news of his mother’s death.  He comes home only to be harassed and left in a rival gang’s turf by corrupt officers Tenpenny and Pulaski and, to make matters worse, he finds his Orange Grove gang family struggling to keep themselves from being wiped out. CJ isn’t even welcomed with open arms by his brother Sweet or his friends Big Smoke and Ryder. So begins CJ’s return to the gangster life and his rise from thug to respected criminal underboss. His rise takes him from the streets of Los Santos to the San Francisco-inspired San Fierro to Las Venturas (Las Vegas).

As I mentioned above, San Andreas takes the series to new heights despite its resemblance to Vice City. Here you can own assets that generate money, but you can also purchase property to use as hideouts and save points. San Andreas is an entire state complete with forests and a dry desert so there’s a lot to explore. Seeing as there are seldom any load times, it's the exploration of every nook and cranny of this world and the discovery of many new things to do that makes this a much different and longer experience. The unique jumps of the last two GTA games are still available but you’ll be drawn into the newer features such as participating in a cross-country race (complete with mountain biking) or sky diving off San Fierro’s main bridge.

The best series improvement, though, is centered on the main character CJ. You can build up his driving, shooting and swimming skills (yes, finally a GTA character can swim) RPG-style. Eat way too much junk food and watch CJ go from slim to obese or hit the gym and help CJ become a muscular thug. Unlike Vice City’s Tommy Vercetti who only had three or four different outfits to change into, CJ has the option to mix and match enough articles of clothing (including shoes, hats and bling) to match whatever style you choose to give him. Shoot off a shotgun one too many times and CJ will become a better shot with the shotgun. He can even wield two weapons at once. Best of all, early in the game you can even earn the respect of your gang and ask them to come along on missions.

Mission-wise, San Andreas throws mission types of varying difficulty ... something that is nothing new to fans of the series. Oftentimes you’ll be completing a somewhat easy mission and then moving on to a mission that will have you restarting the game over and over again. The game even introduces stealth into the mix such as when missions that involves breaking into a rapper’s crib to steal his songbook to infiltrating an Area 51 secret military installation. Then there are the missions that are just zany fun, such as when you help a local hippie radical named The Truth burn down his “crop” with a flamethrower before the local law discovers it.

While it's a much longer game than Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City, you’ll be gladly drawn into its universe (that even features familiar characters from the past two games) and the story that goes from gangster to crime epic. CJ is joined by an interesting cast of characters that become his greatest allies (like his sister Kendl and her boyfriend Caesar), and then there the girlfriends that require you to really work overtime to keep them happy. Discovering the game’s many secrets (like collectible horseshoes and oysters, for example) are what will keep you absorbed. You can even go on a rampage with a friend, introducing multiplayer to the series. Although the multiplayer is a short experience, its a much welcome addition ... although why CJ has the option to kiss an Elvis impersonator (among the few characters available to play) during the rampage is beyond me, but it's funny stuff.

Graphically speaking the visual differences between the PS2 and the Xbox version aren’t enormous but the Xbox version certainly has the upper hand. The vehicles in the game reflect the background and look shiny. There’s also better shadow effects and everything from in-game characters to the environments look sharper. You’ll be able to read signs, posters and advertisement much easier and admire the detailed car damage. So the pop-up issues that show up in the PS2 version are still there but the game flows much more smoother. This is great seeing as there’s so much to see in all of San Andreas.

A big part of what makes this an enjoyable ride is the game’s sound that throws clever dialogue, strong performances and a collection of tunes from several different musical genres. Never mind the celebrity voices that range from Samuel L. Jackson, Ice-T, Peter Fonda and the brilliant James Woods. The Grand Theft Auto series never takes its world all that serious even though it is inspired by real places ... yet when you hear the commercials on the talk radio station or listen to the DJs go into their next song you can bet you won’t be turning down the volume. As for the licensed music, there’s everything from classic country, 90s alternative rock, hip-hop to reggae. You can even use your own tunes thanks to the Custom Soundtrack feature.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the Xbox is the definitive version of the game and thus the best version that is a 'Must Have' for any gamer. Yes, the graphics are crisper and yes, the load times are over in the blink of an eye but with a grand story, great characters and an immense playground with way too much to see and do this is an example of gaming perfection and just one of those games that does live up to all the hype.

Gameplay: 9.5
San Andreas feels right at home on the Xbox so if the Grand Theft Auto Double Pack was the first time you played a Grand Theft Auto game controlling CJ will be familiar territory. Then again CJ does more than just jack vehicles and shoot gang members. He can swim, get comically fat, command fellow gangbangers, dress anyway he wants and even go on dates. With a great story and likeable characters, what’s not to like?

Graphics: 9.2
Visually sharper than the good-looking PS2 version, the Xbox version isn’t an enormous departure in the graphics department but the differences are certainly noticeable. In a game that throws so much on screen at once you’ll be certainly impressed with the incredible detailed cities, countryside and desert. The vehicles and characters just look great.

Sound: 10
Here’s another achievement in game design - the game’s sound is pure perfection whether we’re talking about the wonderful delivery of the witty and well-written dialogue or the massive song list that’s true to the era. This is a game that makes us forget that the game is voiced by recognizable Hollywood talents and makes us chuckle at its fun dialogue and genuinely funny stabs at commercial radio. You can even include your own tunes to the mix. 

Difficulty: Medium
The missions range from pretty simple (drive your homies to Cluckin‘ Bell) to downright hard (those Zero missions are murder) but then again this is no surprise to returning veterans of the Grand Theft Auto universe.  Flying is also just a tad harder in this one but it's nothing a few tries won’t fix.

Concept: 9.6
What other game has you climbing the urban criminal ladder while going on dates, playing old-school videogames in the local convenience store, earning a pilot’s license and gambling in the casinos in Las Venturas. Being able to rip your own tunes and play them in the game is a great console exclusive.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Believe it or not but San Andreas also introduces a series first ... it includes two player-only multiplayer mini-games. Aside from playing a game of pool against a friend in the local bars, there is Rampage missions that allow you and a friend go postal on local gangs and the ever-persistent law enforcement officials.

Overall: 9.6
San Andreas goes well beyond the expectations of gamers that thought that the series just couldn’t get any better than Vice City. Not only is it bigger and better, but it looks and feels so good on the Xbox so if you haven’t already bought this game this is the definitive version to own.