Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Review

[Flack]

Well, not so much of a review as much as my impressions after playing it for the past hour.

First of all, I think they really raised the bar as far as language goes. Within the first 2 minutes I heard (keeping this clean) the F word, the S word, the N word, BS, MF ... actually I can't think of any four letter words I didn't hear. From the opening clip where you have a conversation with the local police, you know right away what's in store for you.

The people in GTA5 seem to react more realisticly this time around. Punch a hooker and her pimp may come running. Try and carjack a gangbanger's car and he's liable to step out and open fire on you, and they're not the only ones -- the police appear to be quicker (and deadlier) on the trigger this time around as well. Smack a cop and be prepared to run far and fast to avoid the spray of gunfire. And while you can take a few shots before going down, I learned the hard way that a shotgun blast will pretty much end your game in a hurry.

In the first 30 seconds of the game I managed to get my bicycle stuck in a chain link fence, an error I never was able to recover from (without ditching the bike). Unlike the other GTA's, in this one there aren't a lot of primo cars available for your taking -- at least not initially. I pretty much found a choice of sedans, taxis, or police motorcycles (which aren't worth it in the long run).

I haven't really started the missions yet, I just spent about an hour driving around the town. MAN is it big. I mean, BIG BIG.

I assume the game is running off of the same engine, as I experienced the same issues as with the other games, mainly popup and (in high speed chases) a blurring effect.

If you ever wanted to play pretend shoot-em-up in an NWA video, GTA5 is your chance.

[Promophile]

Damn you... I have to wait till monday night.

[Sph1nx]

Grr.... must..... manage... to...wait until..... eb....gets...it...on...tuesday.

[SMB]

Saturday.Can't Wait.Suspense Is killing me.




:D

[pixelsnpolygons]

I really can't wait for this. How'd you get it early? Work in a game store?

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I really can't wait for this. How'd you get it early? Work in a game store?

I'm just guess here, but the game was just leaked onto the net a few days ago.

[SMB]

Can you swim in this one?
Can you put things in a trunk?
Can you shoot people through thier car windows?

[Jive3D]

Yes you can swim. And the maps really are huge. I have not had nearly enough tim to digest the game yet, but the music seems to be really good again this time around, with a selection that's going to make me nostalgic for 8th grade all over again.

I'll have to try shooting people though thier car windows this morning.

GTA SA is totally worth the full purcha$e price.

THe cities are MASSIVE HUGE BOHEMOTH!! ANd you can do lots of stunts with your BMX bike.

[EricRyan34]

I can't wait to get GTA: San Andreas, It looks really awesome!

[Kamino]

Mr. Vice City Freak here was actually considering NOT getting it.
GUYS WHO HAVE PLAYED IT:
How is the dialogue humour wise? I found most of vice city to be hysterical, dialogue-wise...(especially ricardo diaz) is this one vice-city-funny, or gta3-not-funny-almost-disturbing?

[dethink]

cool to see the AI has been bumped up - have the controls been improved to compensate (like they supposedly said they were going to do)? ;)

apparently they've been tightened and are similar to manhunt, but never having played it...

[josekortez]

I just bought the Double Pack for Xbox on Friday, so I think I'll mess with that one for a while...

[Mayhem]

From what I've seen of it (someone was running it here last night for a couple of hours), if you love GTA you'll love San Andraes, but I don't think it will be doing much to pull new people in. It's Vice City with a lot of new bells and whistles.

[Nesmaster]

damn...i really wanna play it now :(

and that blurring you speak of Flack, that can be turned off no?(trails, in options?)

[Chooky]

SMB - You could shoot people through their windows in Vice City, so I'd imagine you can do it in this game.

[slip81]

I still have 26 hours to go before I can play SA.

[Kamino]

SMB - You could shoot people through their windows in Vice City, so I'd imagine you can do it in this game.
you can shoot some store windows in the mall and then shoot the people behind them...but, IIRC, you cant shoot people that are INSIDE a car in VC.

[slip81]

SMB - You could shoot people through their windows in Vice City, so I'd imagine you can do it in this game.
you can shoot some store windows in the mall and then shoot the people behind them...but, IIRC, you cant shoot people that are INSIDE a car in VC.


I have definately stood on a roof more than once and sniped people in cars in VC. I don't know if it works with every gun, but you can definately stand at a distance, aim, and blow the head off of someone while they are driving with the sniper rifle.

[SMB]

Ok awesome now I am getting it on Wednesday....3 days 8-)

[TheJuggala]

What's the soundtrack like, a lot of rap?


BTW SMB nice sig ;)

[Flack]

What's the soundtrack like, a lot of rap?

So far, yes.

And I haven't tried shooting anyone inside a car, but I got have been shot several times -- one, for trying to car jack someone else's car, and another time when police were chasing me and were firing into the back of my car.

I got the game early by downloading it, but I just did that to get it quicker than waiting for it from Gamefly. I'll definitely be purchasing this one.

[DJ_DEEM]

there is lots of good music on teh soundtrack to like faith no more and rage against the machine (well if thats what u like : P)

i also heard there is a version of AFI coverin NIN head like a hole, which mae me cringe at the thought, im very afraid to hear it...how dare they try to cover the all mighty NIN trent should come down from the sky and stomp there ass

[Raedon]

Good thing they upped the Pimp AI... was worried about that.

[Kamino]

What's the soundtrack like, a lot of rap?


BTW SMB nice sig ;)

yeah..the soundtrack is crap...pure crap.
i'm still flip-flopping on this one. i don't know if i will buy it.

[racecar]

looking forward to it ,once i picked up @ ebgames !!
they should put the multiple radio stations ( vicecity) or maybe custom soundtracks(xbox) options on the game

[norkusa]

The soundtrack is crap??? I thought that would be the best thing in this game. I was expecting a ton of early 90's rap like NWA, Public Enemy and Ice-T. Is any of that in there? An AFI cover of Head Like A Hole? That's gotta be a fucking joke. Please tell me it is.

[Kamino]

looking forward to it ,once i picked up @ ebgames !!
they should put the multiple radio stations ( vicecity) or maybe custom soundtracks(xbox) options on the game
Yeah, If there was an XboX version in the works i'd hold off just so i could import VC tracks or blast some zeppelin...
Sadly i'll just have to play one station over and over or just turn the music off IF i buy it.

[Kamino]

The soundtrack is crap??? I thought that would be the best thing in this game. I was expecting a ton of early 90's rap like NWA, Public Enemy and Ice-T. Is any of that in there? An AFI cover of Head Like A Hole? That's gotta be a fucking joke. Please tell me it is.
different strokes for different folks. I hate rap. therefore, the soundtrack, aside from the one promised classic rock station, is going to be one hundred percent GARBAGE to me. Christ, i'll probably turn on the country and western station just for a break from the rap.

[Raedon]

Seems kinda buggy and it's daytime in cali but everyone is so dark you can't tell whats going on sometimes. I was driving and the first car I stole went into a camera angle below the road :P

So far the dialog is hit/miss, it's like some white guys wrote the script for a gang movie.

It's time for a new 3D engine on this series. Music is hit or miss.. Vice City I remember almost all the tunes, I'm not up on rap but it seems like this is a mix of real and fake stuff.

[DJ_DEEM]

i really wish i could say thats a joke about afi but sadly its not, i really really dont wanna hear it....

i heard there is like 150 songs or something like that, that sounds good, what i read on the site it seemed that it mixed everything up really well, i dunno tho

Tues is gonna b a great day, gta and DAWN OF THE DEAD UNRATED DIRECTORS CUT W00000000000!!!

i really dont know which im more excited about

[Raedon]

as always, the commercials are the best part of the radio imho.

[Bluteg]

Hell yeah the new GTA and Dawn of the Dead: Unrated both on my f'ing birthday! The soundtrack samples to GTA:SA seem awsome Slick Rick and Rage Against the Machine, come on now great shit. With the sniper you can shoot and decap anyone in their vehicle through the window in Vice City. Anyone know if an Xbox version is coming? I know it will but how long? I'd hate to buy the PS2 and have the Xbox come out Q1 '05 and buy that too. I'm really pessimistic about getting Xbox versions of multi-console realeses. I'm want the best (IMHO) version of a game. PS2 < Game Cube < Xbox!

[Jasoco]

I don't care for the actual game part of thesegames, I just like being able to run around and do just about anything. VC is the only one I can play because I love the music. I LOVE the music in Vice City. I love 80's music. I HATE current music and most Rap. THIS version I will not even touch until it comes to the Xbox. Unfortunately, my brither is the one who plays these games to the end, so unless I can talk him into waiting, he'll probably end up getting the PS2 version. So I'll have to talk him into waiting based solely on the custom tracks option that would most likely be included in an Xbox version. I'd load it with my favorite 80's tunes or hell, Katamari Damacy soundtrack. (How's that for a contrast.)

I like being able to do anything. But not if I can't stand the theme of the game. If it took place in the 80's, yeah, I'd like it a little more. But as it is now, meh.

[Promophile]

rap haters unite!

[Flack]

With the sniper you can shoot and decap anyone in their vehicle through the window in Vice City.

This is exactly why minors should not be anywhere near this game. GTA:SA seems to be the most brutal of any of the GTA games. Maybe I'm just more sensitive to it now that I've got a kid and all, but the violence in this one is borderline for me.

This game is definitely tailered toward the gangster, rap, and gang communities. If you want to know what every rapper is going to be playing on next year's season of Cribs, I'm sure this is it.

[kainemaxwell]

What's the soundtrack like, a lot of rap?

So far, yes.


ugh, yuck. Flip-flopping about buying this Ghetto Theft Auto...

But yeah like Jasoco, I love the 80's and th emusic which is one the reasons I can go back to playing Vicy City so often and really not be bored.

[Flack]

Ghetto Theft Auto...

Perfect description.

[TheJuggala]

Flack wrote:

TheJuggala wrote:
What's the soundtrack like, a lot of rap?


So far, yes.


That's good news for me as i listen mostly to all rap anyways. I'll probably have to buy this tommorw as it seems like it could turn out to be a very cool game.

[SoulBlazer]

Hey, if you can't stand the music, just play your own. ;)

I do plan to get the game but I'll wait to see if they announce a XBox version.

[TheRedEye]

Are people seriously considering avoiding this game because a significant amount of its OPTIONAL and VAST music selection is of a genre they don't enjoy?

Is music the new graphics? Is that what people are concerned with now?

[norkusa]

Are people seriously considering avoiding this game because a significant amount of its OPTIONAL and VAST music selection is of a genre they don't enjoy?

Is music the new graphics? Is that what people are concerned with now?

It does seem pretty ridiculous not buying a game because you hate the soundtrack, but I actually know people like that. I had a friend that *refused* to play Crazy Taxi because he hated the Offspring with a passion. I tried to tell him how great the game was but he wouldn't listen.

AFI or not, I'm still getting the new GTA. Sure, there might be some crap on there but considering the variety of the past GTA game soundtracks, I'm sure there is a little something on it for everybody.

[jerkov]

From what I've heard, that AFI song is ONLY on that 2-cd soundtrack set and it's NOT in the game. Thank God.

I'm not too impressed by the soundtrack either, although there is some Danzig and Living Colour, so it's not all bad. I hated the soundtrack from GTA 3, but it didn't stop me from playing the living hell out of it. I should be picking up SA in about 15-20 minutes.

[Ninja Blacksox]

I'm all set to buy it in a few hours.

People are upset by the music in the game?

C'mon. It fits the theme perfectly. A gangsta game requires gangsta rap. It's as simple as that.

If you don't like it, turn it off.

EDIT: I've picked up the game. After looking through the instruction booklet, I have to say that the music looks STELLAR. The rap tunes are perfect. For the haters, there are only TWO rap stations: one featuring gangster rap of the early 90's and one featuring hip-hop from the late 80's. As for the rock tunes, any game that features Helmet and the Stone Roses is VERY cool with me. Can't wait to pop it in.

-A Boy

[Raedon]

I'm not upset with anything in the game besides the fact that the writing and load "black" between scenes screws up the flow of some of the action. It's just GTA3 refined to the point of moving on.

Yet again, another console becomes dated.. it's almost like watching my life blink by 5 years at a time.

[Flack]

Heh, it's kind of funny that everyone's upset about the music and no one is upset that you can shoot innocent people in the head all day long. :)

[Raedon]

Heh, it's kind of funny that everyone's upset about the music and no one is upset that you can shoot innocent people in the head all day long. :)

That is because they are not people.. they are fictional characters.. Like Bush and Kerry.

[SoulBlazer]

Touche. :)

I hope they plan to do a XBox or PC version. I try not to get a game for the PS2 if I can help it.

[youruglyclone]

pc and xbox versions will come but it's gotta take a year...RS signed an 1 year exclusivty deal with sony...so gta gets a year on sony systems before it can be ported to other systems...I think

as for the radio thing I usually keep to the talk stations...

[Nesmaster]

i read somewhere that a pc version is due between May-July 2005...

[kainemaxwell]

Heh, it's kind of funny that everyone's upset about the music and no one is upset that you can shoot innocent people in the head all day long. :)

They're like the yellow shirts from Star Trek that die before the first commerical. :)

[Promophile]

Picking it up been playing it blah blah blah....

Heres my take.

The good stuff

The gameplay is great, there are lots of new features, controls are MUCH MUCH less stiff, more variety in what you can drive, HUUUUUUUUGE area to drive around in, including City AND Country areas

The bad stuff

Unless your really good at understand Ghetto talk you won't understand half of what the characters are saying. Dialouge is like this:

"YO BITCH I'ma GONNA GO GETS CUT"

Which in English means

"I'm going to go get a haircut"

Its not so much the slang its just that its really hard to understand the PRONOUCIATION of what their saying. Coupled with the slang it makes for really confusing talking.

Also too much rap music, like 5 freaking radio stations devoted to rap. If you like rap whatever, but I don't...

Anyways thats my take so far.

[Ninja Blacksox]

Also too much rap music, like 5 freaking radio stations devoted to rap. If you like rap whatever, but I don't...

Wow.

Try two.

There are two rap stations.

There are two rock stations.

How are people failing to comprehend this?

-A Boy

[Promophile]

Also too much rap music, like 5 freaking radio stations devoted to rap. If you like rap whatever, but I don't...

Wow.

Try two.

There are two rap stations.

There are two rock stations.

How are people failing to comprehend this?

-A Boy

Two rap stations, 3 soul / funk stations, same thing. whats the second rock station? There is only one form what I know, K-dust.

[Ninja Blacksox]

Also too much rap music, like 5 freaking radio stations devoted to rap. If you like rap whatever, but I don't...

Wow.

Try two.

There are two rap stations.

There are two rock stations.

How are people failing to comprehend this?

-A Boy

Two rap stations, 3 soul / funk stations, same thing. whats the second rock station? There is only one form what I know, K-dust.

Oh. I get it.

All music made my black people sounds the same.

Gotcha.

The two rock stations are K-DST and Radio X.

-A Boy

[Promophile]

Also too much rap music, like 5 freaking radio stations devoted to rap. If you like rap whatever, but I don't...

Wow.

Try two.

There are two rap stations.

There are two rock stations.

How are people failing to comprehend this?

-A Boy

Two rap stations, 3 soul / funk stations, same thing. whats the second rock station? There is only one form what I know, K-dust.

Oh. I get it.

All music made my black people sounds the same.

Gotcha.

The two rock stations are K-DST and Radio X.

-A Boy

Yes, not liking Soul / Rap / Funk makes me racist :roll: . I'm 1/4 black so I guess that means I hate myself then?

[Ninja Blacksox]

Yes, not liking Soul / Rap / Funk makes me racist :roll: . I'm 1/4 black so I guess that means I hate myself then?

I didn't suggest that you were racist.

I suggested that you were dumb.

Rap sounds nothing like soul or funk.

One is spoken. The other two are sung.

All three happen to be made primarily by black people.

Give me a break.

-A Boy

[Promophile]

Yes, not liking Soul / Rap / Funk makes me racist :roll: . I'm 1/4 black so I guess that means I hate myself then?

I didn't suggest that you were racist.

I suggested that you were dumb.

Rap sounds nothing like soul or funk.

One is spoken. The other two are sung.

All three happen to be made primarily by black people.

Give me a break.

-A Boy

I said "same thing" because I don't like those genres. You misunderstood. Now stop with the personal attacks and don't be a jerk.

[Ninja Blacksox]

I said "same thing" because I don't like those genres. You misunderstood. Now stop with the personal attacks and don't be a jerk.

It might've been a better idea for you to say "Yeah, but I don't like those genres, either," rather than just simply saying "Same thing."

I am done.

-A Boy

[jerkov]

I'm very impressed with the game so far........so easy to get lost, and I've only been in one of the three cities. How I wish for a custom soundtrack option, though - I guess I've been spoiled by Vice City for the PC (although I liked A LOT of the standard soundtrack music in Vice City anyway). I did hear Gap Band's "You Dropped a Bomb On Me" while driving around, so the game does score major bonus points for that. They should've put in the real 15-minute version of the song.

I'm curious to see how long it takes to officially "unlock" the other parts of the state. I wonder if there are a lot of different vehicles in each city, or if they are mostly the same.

The major issue I had with Vice City was that the city felt way too small. Although the map size may have been twice as large as GTA 3, a lot of the space was extremely under-utilized and the road system was very simplistic. Liberty City felt more like a real city and was much more fun to drive around in. San Andreas is just massive - I don't know how long it'll take before I really know my way around everywhere. SA should keep my occupied for a long time to come, and I'm looking forward to it.

[buttasuperb]

How the fuck do you group Soul or Funk with Hip Hop?

I'm just glad to see there's a Slick Rick song on the sountrack.

Can't wait to try this game out later this week.

[Promophile]

How the fuck do you group Soul or Funk with Hip Hop?

Because they're all boring as hell :roll: . I'll be sure to elaborate my thoughts more clearly next time.

[digitalpress]

Heh, it's kind of funny that everyone's upset about the music and no one is upset that you can shoot innocent people in the head all day long. :)

They're like the yellow shirts from Star Trek that die before the first commerical. :)

Um... ? I think you got the wrong color there, pal.

I'm picking up the game today and I'm excited that there's all kinds of funk, hip-hop and rap. I'm not particularly a fan of these styles of music but the game is all ABOUT the people who love (and write!) that music. "I'm gonna pop a cap in yo ass" mentality doesn't play right with New Order or Spice Girls in the background, IMO. Enoy Vice City for what it is, try to enjoy San Andreas for what it is. Or just wait for the Xbox version and put your own music in the game.

I can't wait to play this.

[buttasuperb]

Because they're all boring as hell :roll: . I'll be sure to elaborate my thoughts more clearly next time.

Great post there buddy. Congratulations.

PS. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Sph1nx]

On my way to the mall to pick up my copy..... WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

(More info later)

[DigitalSpace]

Here's a Gamespot article that has details on all the celebrities that did voices for the game:

link (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/25/news_6111344.html)

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Rap does suck and it does basically sound the same just my opion

[Ninja Blacksox]

Rap does suck and it does basically sound the same just my opion

Re: the above...

Wow.

Anyhoo, the game is pretty great. The "O.G. Loc" mission has been my favorite thus far.

-A Boy

[slip81]

I'm picking up the game today and I'm excited that there's all kinds of funk, hip-hop and rap. I'm not particularly a fan of these styles of music but the game is all ABOUT the people who love (and write!) that music. "I'm gonna pop a cap in yo ass" mentality doesn't play right with New Order or Spice Girls in the background, IMO. Enoy Vice City for what it is, try to enjoy San Andreas for what it is. Or just wait for the Xbox version and put your own music in the game.

I can't wait to play this.

Right on! I got the game yesterday (after waiting in line for over an hour), got home played it for three hours and loved it. I'm not the biggest fan of rap, but I like it in the context of the game because that's the type of image the game is trying to portray, it would sound wierd if CJ was cruising in his pimped out ride with Flock of Seaguls blasting. Plus the rap just sounds cool pumping out of my sub, I can't wait to get the bass boost for the car:)

[Jasoco]

Okay. Let's keep the personal attacks personal. RE: Use Private Messages.

Anyways, I am willing to give this game a shot. I read the back of the box and it says early 90's. And even though, I prefer the more 80's type of 90's music, at least early 90's Rap and Hip-Hop is better than what we have now. So when it comes into my house, I will give it a shot.

But I won't buy it myself. I see no reason to. I am not a fan of the whole missions thing. I'd rather wait for my brother to buy it, beat it then play his game to do all the cool stuff.

Question, though. Anyone have a link to the soundtrack listing? What songs are in the game? I'd like to take a gander. I might even find stuff I like.

[Promophile]

Seriously some of us just don't like Rap. You don't have to jump down our throats for expressing our opinions.

[youruglyclone]

believe you can turn the radio off
so what's the big deal?

[Nesmaster]

well its midnight here now, and i have been playing straight since 4 pm, and all i can say is WOW. the map really is huge, and just the first city is massive. some of the missions are very fun, but ive ran into two so far that i didnt like. this is such an improvement, i recommend everyone gives it a try :)

[videogameking26]

Got it monday night, played it for hours and love it...only 3.21% complete and on like the 7th mission...also the size is insane @_@

Would be playing right now but so tired from work...will probably play after work tomorrow.

[kainemaxwell]

Are there Hidden Packages in SA like in VC?

[dethink]

no. there are oysters to find (?) and tags that must be tagged over.