GTA San Andreas Complete Review
A Timeless Open World Game
GTA San Andreas Complete Review
When I first started playing GTA San Andreas, I promised myself that I would play only one mission and go to sleep right after. After three hours of riding on a stolen bike trying to get away from the cops because I started an open gang war by mistake, I knew it was one of my favorite games ever.
No matter how much time has passed, GTA San Andreas remains one of those rare games which cannot be stopped once you start playing. It's not just about completing all missions. There's something else – discovering the world, searching for secret locations, building your character up, purchasing houses, trying out all types of vehicles, and making your own story.
I have already played GTA San Andreas on PC and mobile devices, and each time I install this game again, there's always something new I've forgotten or didn't know before. If you wonder whether it's worth playing a classic, then this thorough review will give you a complete answer.
Game Information
Title of Game
Developer
Rockstar North
Publisher
Rockstar Games
Genre
Action/Adventure
Platforms
PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox
Mode
Single Player
Year Released
2004
Despite the age of the game, it is surprisingly fun to play.
Story That Keeps You Engaged
The story starts off with the return of Carl "CJ" Johnson to Los Santos upon learning that his mother had died.
But instead of enjoying peace, he learns that everything about his former neighborhood is messed up, from struggling friends, gang violence, to corrupt policemen who cause him trouble all the time.
One thing that I like best about the game is that the story does not confine itself to one city only. As the game progresses, you find yourself traveling through countryside, deserts, woods, mountain regions, casinos of Las Venturas, and ending up in San Fierro.
GTA San Andreas is unique in the way that unlike most modern games that depend on graphics, it depends on stories and characters.
Gameplay Experience
That is where GTA San Andreas really shines.
There is never an obligation to follow the mission only.
I can recall many hours wasted on actions that were not related to the story at all.
Such as:
Driving all around the map
Flying planes
BMX riding
New fighting techniques
Gambling in the casino
Tunnel exploration
Rare cars collection
Car customization
Freedom is the key aspect for the gamers.
And that freedom keeps attracting players to the game.
Gigantic Open World
Even now, the map still seems enormous.
There are three big cities in the game:
Los Santos
San Fierro
Las Venturas
Apart from those, there are also:
Villages
Mountains
Forests
Desert roads
Military camps
Airports
Beaches
Rivers
Each place has its own unique feel.
Traveling from one city to another will never be dull, as something unexpected always happens during the journey.
Graphics
I won't sugarcoat it.
It's obvious from the graphics that the game is outdated.
The characters lack realistic facial animations and texture quality is lower compared to recent video games.
However, after just twenty to thirty minutes of play, I've completely forgotten about them.
The gameplay is so fun.
And in case you are playing on PC, you may also download graphic modifications that will enhance lighting, textures, cars, weather and shadows.
Sounds and Music
Those radio stations are truly memorable.
You have a lot of choice while driving, as there are different music stations with rock, hip-hop, country, rap, and talk shows.
Nowadays, listening to those songs reminds me of the game.
The voice acting is fantastic as well.
Everyone has his or her own personality, which makes dialogues more interesting than boring.
Variety of Vehicles
There is no other game where you can see such variety of vehicles.
These include the following:
Cars
Motorcycles
Trucks
Bicycles
Boats
Helicopters
Airplanes
Trains
I enjoyed learning how to fly in airplanes without crashes every minute.
It is not that difficult, but a new player understands it fast.
Character Customization
This is an idea which came up long before its time.
CJ is able to:
Put on weight
Reduce weight
Develop muscles
Have hairstyle changes
Purchase clothes
Wear glasses
Have tattoos done
You have to feed CJ regularly.
Keep on visiting fast food restaurants and CJ gets fat.
If you take him to the gym often enough, he will develop strength.
It is these small things which create a real sense of life within the game world.
Missions Variation
The missions never get boring.
They include:
Car chases
Gangs fights
Robberies
Flight missions
Races
Stealth missions
Bike races
Casino missions
There are some missions which are easy.
Others may prove difficult.
One mission that I struggled with was the flying lessons during pilot school.
It took me many attempts before I succeeded.
In retrospect, it proved to be one of the best memories of my playing of the game.
Controls
PC
Both keyboard and mouse controls are suitable.
Driving seems easy and aiming is improved through practice.
A lot of people prefer controllers due to more convenient gameplay.
Android
Touchscreen controls are used in the mobile version.
Initially, they seem awkward.
Within an hour of playing the game, I got used to them.
Playing the game with the help of a Bluetooth controller makes things even better.
Performance
Another reason why the game is popular is that the system requirements are quite low.
Even the old computers can handle the game with ease.
Also, the mobile version runs quite well on most of the Android phones.
If you have a cheap phone or an old laptop, the chances are high that the game would still work fine.
Things That I Really Liked
Massive open world
Fantastic story
Unforgettable characters
Many side activities to do
Vehicle customization
Character customization
Endless gameplay
Awesome music
Smooth performance
High replayability value
Every time I play the game, I try something else.
This is how a good open world game should be.
Things that Can be Better
As this game is relatively old, it does not have everything perfect.
There are some parts which reflect its age.
For instance:
Old graphics
Camera problems
A few tough missions
Simple NPC behavior
Lack of checkpoints system
These things don’t spoil the game but are important to know about.
Tips for New Players
If you’re new to GTA San Andreas, these are some tips that will make your experience smoother:
Always Save Often
It’s always better to save at the end of each mission because sometimes you’ll fail unexpectedly.
Take the Time to Explore the Game
Don’t hurry with the storyline. There are a lot of hidden areas and events waiting for you in the game.
Go to the Gym
Training CJ’s stamina and strength will help him to fight and do missions.
Learn to Fly at an Early Stage
The game looks complicated initially.
Regular practice will make future tasks simpler.
Buy Safe Havens
Properties will allow you to store your progress in various locations on the map.
It will save a lot of traveling time.
Typical Player Errors
Many novice players make the same errors.
Try not to do that:
Ignores side tasks
Never upgrades CJ skills
Doesn't save
Spends all money in the beginning
Drives aggressively while doing missions
Avoids tutorials
Slow learning process will make it a lot of fun.
Is GTA San Andreas Worth Playing
It is.
If you have any concerns regarding the graphics of the game, you can try something more recent.
However, if enjoyment of gameplay, likable characters, freedom of choice, and an engrossing story are what you're interested in, then San Andreas still remains one of the best open world games out there.
And despite having tried quite a few modern games, I still come back to San Andreas because it has something unique.
The world comes alive in it, the missions remain interesting, and every time I play the game, I have new memories.
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