Pros: graphics are amazing, game is HUGE, storyline, innovation, much more
Cons: music a little lacking, too many stereotypes, NOT FOR KIDS!
The bottom line: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the best GTA game yet. You want freedom? Play this Game.
Well, I bought it for my dad for his birthday the other day...a 40 something year old English professor who loves video games, particularly Grand Theft Auto...and I've been playing it every day since. Few games, like novels, have the ability to just suck me right in to the point where the first thought each morning is continuing where I left off. When you can find a game like that, well that's gold.

I've been a fan of the GTA games since Grand Theft Auto III with the silent, un-named protagonist in Liberty City. The graphics of that first game simply blew me away, yet the most remarkable aspect was the freedom. Yes, ever since the 3D world of video gaming was introduced back in the day with Nintendo 64 (I remember how blown away I was then) I have loved games that give the player unlimited freedom in his movements and actions. GTA III offered that, yet left much more wanting. Vice City, the sequel/prequel set in the 1980's however, even though it included much more freedom, didn't quite do it for me. I can't quite put my finger on it, just something about it wasn't right. We own Vice City too, but I could never get into it.

Then comes Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which I was skeptical of at first. Since I am not drawn in and fully immersed in the gameplay, I can say it was a worthy buy and would recommend it full-heartidly.

The game follows Carl "CJ" Johnson, a relatively young black man returning from his temporary stay over at Liberty City on the East Coast, to his ghetto hood in San Andreas, which is actually a state on the West Coast. There are three major cities in this game, rather than just one, and huge countryside in between. We start off in a city based so obviously on Los Angelas (which is as far as I've gotten so far, bare in mind I haven't completed the game, so the review may not be 100% full). Anyways, CJ is distraught at the recent death of his dear mother and he wants to find out who's responsble. CJ's lost many family members to violence over the years, including a younger brother. So, we are introduced to some characters, including CJ's brother Sweet, his boys Big Smoke and Ryder and others, etc. They all live on Grove St., which is CJ's original hood. Things are bad in the area lately, they got to deal with corrupt cops C.R.A.S.H. squad led by Samuel L. Jackson, really! And an ensuing gang war with the Ballas and North Side Vagos.

The story at this point in the game pretty much emulates the early 90's hardcore gangsta flicks, like Menace 2 Society and Boyz in Da Hood and the game itself is set in 1992. Anyone remember the early 90's, when gangsta rap was serious? It's quite a flashback. I gotta be honest, at first I couldn't identify with playing as a brother, but CJ's character is the strongest and most interesting GTA character yet. He may be a bit of a gangsta, but he's not a bad guy, he seems to have a sense of honour and cares about those close to him, which in reality can be true of many we dub as "gangstas". He seems to authenitcally care about his 'hood too, as he don't want no base dealers messin' up his boys. Of course, in my file of the game, I make him the illest hustler on the block who is cold-blooded and rutheless, more like a psycotic white serial killer guy than a true thugged out guy. But that's just me. You can make your CJ any way you want.

Alright, now here's the most innovative new part of the game. Besides a huge map with infinite freedom, beautiful wilderness palettes and new gadgets, items, weapons and vehicles, the best new part of the game is the way you can affect your player himself. CJ begins the game as a somewhat scrawny little hoodrat, but you can change that if you wish. Personally, I wanted my CJ to be buff and tough, so I got him in the gym and built his muscle, he's a huge, hulking gangsta. So, I dressed him also, in the green of his gang and a cowboy hat and an eye-patch. You can also change his clothes in every aspect, by purchasing new clothing and such, how much he weighs by buying food (or not buying food) and how fit he is, whether it be muscle mass or stamina or energy.

Another thing that's realistic about this game is the money factor. It ain't easy to make money in this game, at least not as easy as in the other GTA's. Most missions, for example, once passed don't give CJ thousands of dollars (you ain't working for the wealthy mob here afterall) but rather he gains respect in the eyes of his crew. It's hard to make money, therefore you gotta earn whatever you change about CJ. You can purchase new properties a.k.a. save points and storage places. This makes it more realistic, particularly for one living in the ghetto.

The storyline is complicated, even though I am relatively at the beginning. The characters are far deeper than the other GTA games. All I can say is I am sucked into the storyline and can't wait to see what happens next. Sound is adequete and the music is fine, like Vice City the game uses real music from the time, yet nothing too special. Once more, my favourite aspect of the radio is the chat station, which is as always hilarious. The game, like othet GTA games is filled with humour. Sometimes it's just fun to wander around town and listen to the conversations the townspeople have with one another, just random little tidbits, must've been fun to make.

Controls are easy to learn, particularly if you have played other GTA games, though I must warn if you are used to using the pad rather than the joysticks, then forget it. The game only uses the joystick, which suits me fine. The gameplay is the greatest strength of this game, as I had stated early. CJ has mroe freedom than any GTA protagonist yet. He can even say things to people on occassion by your choice. He can dance, drink, eat, work-out, play pool, swim, play video games, spray-paint up his gang-name, pretty much anything. He can also enter many buildings, which was the weakness of GTA III. Also, the game doesn't seem to get difficult too fast (like Vice City), it keeps at a fair pace throughout, the missions increasing in difficulty as the players gets more used to the virtual world.

The graphics are fairly good, though nothing new in the GTA world. I am only surprised a game can hold so much data. There is no huge pause in loading in this game, even while initially playing. The textures of the game are quite advanced and the lighting is well-done.

Now, here's the biggest point I want to stress. This game is for adults only. I wouldn't even let a 15 year old play this game, as they are quite impressionable at that time. It is by far the most violent and gory of games, rife with realism in the death scenes. The game also hosts the "F" word and even the "N" word frequently, which surprised the hell out of even me. As always, there is much sexuality in the game. CJ can even enter a strip club to get a lap dance.

The violence is a big issue. There is this part of me that believes games like this shouldn't even be allowed to exist. And that's ironic since I love my GTA, particularly this latest edition. It's just, people are stupid, plain and simple. People are impressionable. Children might see this game and think this is all acceptable. I mean, I am a well-balanced adult and can differentiate between reality and fantasy, no matter how realistic the depiction may be. Others simply can't. Parents, be careful. Really monitor your young kids in what the watch, listen to and play. I've seen so many parents who don't seem to give a sh*t and that's disturbing. I mean, I ain't saying that kids are gonna play this game and suddenly join a gang and start packing heat and all, it's just, I honestly don't feel they should be exposed to games like this, at least until they can fully understand some things.

That being said, however, I can't help but love GTA: San Andreas. Some might find it hard to appreciate if they don't appreciate, say hip-hop culture. I mean, in the others you are working for a mob, which most people can identify with. I mean, everyone's seen the Godfather movies right? It might take some getting used to for some, but I am sure many will love it. Again, though, I suppose it's a very acquired taste.

San Andreas remains once of the most innovative and interesting games of all time. I highly recommend it, yet with a hint of caution for the younger crowd. Aiight, I'm out, latez.

UPDATE MAY 26, 2006: Alright, just a little update, been playin' this game for some time and much has changed in the storyline, still good story though. There's a certain point where CJ does pilot training that is extremely frustrating, but if you're playing it, just keep at it, it's worth it in the end...the flying missions are amazing. I was playing the multi-player mode the other day with my Dad, it's just a free-roam of the city going on random rampages and whatnot, it's a lot of fun for a bit, but the two-player mode is very shoty and full of glitches, my guess is they'll update it for the next GTA. anyways, enjoy the game!