Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The biggest game of 2004 is here, but does it live up to the hype? We take to the streets of San Andreas.

	Version PS2	Developer Rockstar North	Publisher Rockstar	Genre Action/driving

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However monotonous the constant killing may become, though, it's a much friendlier affair than the previous two games. The targeting system pilfered from Manhunt works well, though it doesn't solve everything once the action gets dense. When surrounded by multiple enemies, the system often leaves you in the lurch. The capable, first-person shooter setup of the manual controls is there to fall back on, provided you regain control of the sometimes wayward camera in time.

Your weapon wielding proficiency improves through repetition, as do your abilities to ride BMXs and motorcycles. The much-touted feeding system is much more straightforward than it would initially seem, and it hardly requires any attention at all. It's possible to play around with your body and see rapid results, but general negligence doesn't make the game significantly more difficult. The malleable statistics give the game a distinct RPG flavour.

The physical size of San Andreas, like the scope of the story, is truly huge. Going back to Vice City after this is like going on a safari in your backyard. Each of the three main cities - Los Santos, San Fiero and Las Venturas - is detailed and unique. And then there's the countryside, offering all manner of quaint burgs and miles and miles of gravel roads and farmland. Just riding around the state is a thrill and will keep you busy for ages as you uncover more surprises to gleefully distract you from the task at hand.

In GTA: Vice City the outstanding soundtrack alleviated any sense of boredom the constant travelling might have induced, but in GTA: San Andreas it's not quite as effective. The soundtrack, broad as it is, seems sparse. This is compounded by the abhorrent nature of several of the radio stations. The DJs and commercials, however, are as entertaining as always, prompting you to pay special attention lest you miss the next punch line.

Sadly, the game uses artificial means to block you from entering areas it doesn't deem you worthy of reaching yet. A closed bridge, for instance, blocks your path to Las Venturas. That's not a problem, I thought, as I dived into the river and used the new swimming skill to traverse the intervening water mass. Upon my illicit arrival on the riverbanks of Las Venturas, though, I was met by a swarm of police on foot and in helicopters buzzing above me. For a game as focused on freedom as this, I did feel a little cheated to be denied entrance to the cities at my will.

This is particularly galling because of the sheer depth of the game. It was past the 15 hour mark that I finally reached San Fiero, the second city, and several hours more after that before I walked into the neon trellised playground of Las Venturas. While this approach does provide the proverbial carrot, it also means that a great many people will not see everything that the game has to offer.

The geographic scale is oftentimes an annoyance too. With a paucity of save locations and missions that frequently require you to traverse great distances, you spend a lot of time on the road. Combined with the occasionally imbalanced difficulty, this can lead to the odd bout of frustration as you traipse back to a location to repeat a mission only to die once again because of some cheap gameplay tactic.

These minor quibbles don't, however, spoil the experience. GTA: San Andreas is Rockstar's formula perfected. While it does smack of a kitchen sink approach to gameplay that could perhaps have been more focused, it is compelling enough that you'll want to see the end. The freedom is as exciting as before, and the improvements dotting the gameplay make for a more enjoyable experience. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off for another helping.

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Catch up with our massive GTASA coverage here:

• Announcement (March 2004)
• Preview 1: First Preview (June 2004)
• Preview 2: Tasty New Screens, Diet Info
• Preview 3: Workin' Out, Jackin' Cars
• Preview 4: Another Massive Update
• Preview 5: Livin' Los Santos
• Preview 6: Shops and Robbers
• Preview 7: First-Hand Impressions
• Preview 8: Near Final Build Impressions
• Preview 9: It's Here! Final Preview
• Review - our final verdict