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A preview of San Andreas

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 28
Date: October 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Before I begin this preview, I would like to inform you that it is based completely off of information found on fansites.

GTA San Andreas is going to take place in the State of San Andreas, which Rockstar Games announced to be five times larger than the games predecessor Vice City. The State will include three major cities, Los Santos(based off of LA), San Fierro(based off of San Fransisco),and Las Venturas(based off of none other than Las Vegas). Although the fact that the game has three major cities may make it seem like the whole game map is urban, it is not. Cities will make up only half of San Andreas. For the first time in a GTA gmae there will be country side, including eight small country and suburban towns. The countryside will serve as a buffer in between the cities, and it is said that the ingame transition from urban to country will be gradual, like in real life.
Now that i believe I have given you a sense of the scale GTA:SA will have, I will move on to tell you about some of the games new features. The first one I will cover is the new targetting system. The new targeting system makes it so when you target someone, the camera will move up to your players shoulder giving you a better view of the target, much like the targeting system in manhunt. The new targeting system will also always target hostiles in a gunfight, unlike in Vice City when you were in a gunfight and your character would target an innocent bystander instead of the guy shooting at you. Another new exciting feature is swimming. As any GTA fan knows, you were never before able to swim in a GTA game. If caught in water, your character would instanly drown. Well, praise the lord, your GTA character can now swim. Not only can you swim, but you can dive to. Now you aren't limited to the surface of San Andreas. GTA:SA will also include many customization options, for your character and his cars. Character customization ranges from haircuts to clothing to tatoos. Your character can change his hairstyle at the local barbershop, add ink to his skin at the tatoo parlor, and will be able to by clothes from three different clothing stores. Depending on the clothes, hair, and tatoos you give him, the people around him will treat him differently. You will also need to buy clothes of a certain color so your gang will reconize you, at the expense of enemy gangs knowing you're an enemy. Car customization will include adding decals, changing suspension, and adding performance and visual enhancements to your vehicle. Eating and fitness are also factoes in GTA:SA. Your character will get hungry, and a hunger message will appear. Don't feed him to much though, or he will get fat. He can also work out to build his muscles. This will also affect how he is treated.

Unfortunatley, I am running out of time an need to cut this preview short. Alothough I told about many features, I was only able to scratch the surface of this gangster epic.

San Andreas Rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 32 / 54
Date: July 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I heard that there would be yet another GTA, I was happy! I loved everything about Vice City and when I got the email from Gamespot about San Andreas, I was full of joy.

The extra features on this game makes it in my opinion the best of the GTA series. I never would have thought that there would be anything like this on GTA and I'm glad that it will be now.

Now on the subject of there being a lead black character...what's the deal with you racist people? This is a game! It is fictional! What does it matter if you are black character or not? Tommy Vercetti was an Italian and I didn't hear any complaints from the Caucasians. You're not Italian but it's okay to protray one, but it isn't okay to protray a black man. What kind of logic is that?

I'm a black female and I don't complain when I play GTA that the main character is an Italian male. Heck, I believe that as long as the game is entertaining it shouldn't matter. You are not black, you are only controlling a black character. Guess what? When your PS2 goes off, you still aren't black!

You tell your kids not to believe things on TV because it's fake, well you should listen to your own advice. Don't believe what you see on your TV from your PS2 games because it is fake! It isn't real. And another thing, how do you think some blacks feel when they play their PS2? There are so few games with a playable black character, but do you hear them complaining about the games? No. So just please stop your craziness and play the game, it's going to be awesome!

Get ready to invest a LOT of your free time in this...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: November 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The Grand Theft Auto series has been the dream games series for every player ever since GTA3 was released in 2001, followed by GTA: Vice City (aka GTA4) just last year. So the inevitable question lingered for Rockstar Games of how do you top the two biggest-selling games of all time. Simply take the GTA formula and shift it to a new location, and the end result is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (aka GTA5)

GTA:SA takes place in the state of San Andreas (read: California, which is technically where the name comes from due to the San Andreas earthquake fault) in the early 1990's. The main antagonist of the story is Carl "CJ" Johnson, who left San Andreas 5 years earlier for Liberty City (GTA3's city) to escape the violence that surrounded him.

Now, he learns that his mom has been murdered and he returns to SA, only to find himself being framed for murdering a cop by 2 other corrupt officers (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Penn), which leads him back to the family and gangs that he left behind.

Needless to say, the area of San Andreas is HUGE. Imagine both Liberty City and Vice City combined and you still have nearly 1/3 of the map that San Andreas encompasses.

Several changes in the game include an all-new selection of stations to check out on the radio while cruising around the town with several songs that will definitely having anyone in their 20's (like me) having major flashback memories. Another major change of the series is that you have to keep yourself in shape by both eating and exercising. Too much eating and not enough exercise will definitely fatten you up and it will show on your character physically and gameplay-wise as well. You can also gain/lose proficiency in riding bikes/motorcycles, driving, and (most importantly) shooting. Also, remember when if you got a 2-star Wanted level in the first 2 GTA volumes, the cops would start shooting you? Not in SA, where a 1-star will get the cops gunning for you immediately.

This is definitely NOT a game for kids to play, since there is some STRONG language used by virtually everyone in the game (you'll hear more f-bombs, s-bombs, mf's and the n-word said in the first 5 minutes of the game than in most movies). The missions are not all that easy, especially when you have another gang shooting at you while you're running around town.

All in all this game should consume about 150 hours of time to finally get through, which is pretty much the better part of a week, so try to clear out a lot of time from your schedule. So will you have a fun time in San Andreas if you played GTA3 and GTA: Vice City? Oh yeah! If you need this to complete your GTA collection, definitely get it. If not, you need to have your head checked...

Only one word: WOW (Keep out of reach of Children)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: November 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is THE PS2 game to get this holiday season. Anyone who thinks this is simply a rehash of Vice City is wrong. This game goes above and beyond any GTA game before it and is arguably the best in the series!

This particular Grand Theft Auto takes place in not just one but FOUR different cities. It also takes place in 1992. You play as Carl Johnson (better known as "CJ") who has returned to his hood in Los Santos. You're soon caught in the middle of a gang war and in all essence have to leave Los Santos. Where as GTA3 had a tendency to remind us of movies like "The Godfather" and "The Untouchables" this game is more of a reminder of "Menace II Society" and "Boyz N the Hood".

The game plays out very nicely. As in the previous GTA games you go around performing missions for various people. Each mission gives you a reward of some sort. The more missions you complete the more of the game you'll get to explore. There are set missions you must do to complete the story (and win the gang war) but several are optional.

Alongside the gameplay it more takes a spin on the GTA games. For example, in this one, rather than collecting 100 hidden packages you have to "tag" certain graffiti marks that mark your territory.

As with other GTA games you've got several different weapons and vehicles of your choice. Your arsenal is nearly endless. Almost any weapon you can think of is here. You can also steal cars (go figure) and cruise the city if you want. The nice thing about the GTA series is there's really no "end". You can "beat" the game but there's always something more you can do. It's also open-ended. Do you really want to continue missions or do you just want to run around on a killing spree? Your choice.

This particular GTA also lets you fly planes. In Vice City you could fly planes but not like in this. You can actually go to the airport and steal one (and on some missions you have to use one). Also, unlike in other GTA games, your character can actually swim.

Another twist San Andreas adds to GTA is how much more character building goes into it. You COULD have a buffed up character if you work out your muscles enough. You can control what Carl looks like. Do you want him to have an afro? Are you willing to pay to cut that afro? What kind of clothes do you want him to wear? That's not all, you can actually date in this one and the game lets you know how you're progressing in the relationship. San Andreas really is bigger.

The game also keeps track of your criminal record as did past GTA games. Each time you commit a felony you'll get a "star" that adds to your "wanted level". Your wanted level goes up to six but you've got to be a real major bad ass to do that. Usually by four it stops for a while. The higher your wanted level the more umm... wanted you are. However, the police actually DO bust other criminals besides you. It isn't uncommon to see them chasing around another crook.

Graphically it isn't that far ahead of Vice City. It runs smoothly and looks less clunky (not quite as many square faces) and runs fast. There are still a couple of problems with the loading times but they're not quite as long as the past GTA games.

Music wise the game has spectacular voice overs. No game EVER has had this good of voice acting. It's more convincing than most other games out there. The music can either be good or bad, depending on what you're into. You'll hear a lot of early 90's classics. A lot of the music is Hip-Hop and R&B but there's a little bit of something for everybody. The talk shows are hilarious as well.

Now for the cons. Are there cons for this game? Sadly yes there are. Its great that the gameplay has remained unchanged but the problem isn't there. The problem is some missions are downright frustrating. The piloting controls for flying a plane also feel a bit clunky at times.

Then of course there's what parents fear: The violence and explicit language. If you're a smart parent you'll keep this game far away from your kids who probably don't understand the difference between reality and fantasy yet. The game rightly deserves the "M" rating. As for the language, while it is bad keep in mind the game is rated "M" so once again, keep it away from your children who may be too young.

Overall, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is a grand game. By far one of the best games the PS2 and probably even the best game in the GTA series so far. It's much bigger and out-going than any other GTA game yet. If you're in the mature audience this game is probably going to hold you over for a while. It'll take well over 70 hours to complete but every hour spent on this game I guarantee you is worth it.

Mature gamers enjoy...NOT FOR KIDS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 23
Date: October 27, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Okay people. I have played this game for a couple of days now and have come to really appreciate this game for what it is. It is a game that opens up so many possibilities of gameplay it is crazy. Follow the scripted storyline and you will have countless hours of gameplay alone, not to mention just taking the time to see what the cities have to offer. Having said that, this is a long game and it will take a long time to complete it. If you are the type of person who likes to have a game where you are maxed out on abilities within the first few hours, this game is not for you. If you have the patience to put into this game, you will find that the wait is what makes the game.

Now, parents, please understand this. This is definitely not for kids. I am a parent, and I would play this in front of my daughter, but I would not carry along the gameline. I would show her how you can drive the different vehicles (she is young) and just to see the different places in the game. The vocal and visual are extremely graphic when you follow along the story line and even when just driving around you will be shot at often. People buy these types of games for their kids without taking the time to read ahead and learn what the game is, and then they end up returning the game to the store and complaining about it when you DIDN'T TAKE THE TIME YOURSELF TO READ IT.

This is not a game for rental because it will simply take longer than you may be willing to pay for the rental fees. Buy this game if you enjoyed Vice City, you will love this game for the freedom and the abilities this game will afford you. Now, I am still in the early stages of the game, but so far it has been a extremely great game.

Again parents, learn about this game before you buy it for your child. Educate yourselves on the games rating system that is in place to protect our kids. I would never in a million years let my daugther play this game. There are people out there who would love to prevent this type of game from ever reaching our hands, fearing that for some ungodly reason we as mature and reasonable adults can't determine for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. Again, that is mature and reasonable adults.

Okay, enjoy this game for its originality, its length of gameplay and gametime, and the freedom it has that other games have tried to emulate, but have failed to capture the essence of the game. Also, this will probably be the last GTA game on the current generation of consoles, until PS3 hits the shelves.

Quit your Bitchin

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 14
Date: October 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I read a review on here and the person was bitchin because it was too much work. I am sorry but that is what makes a game a game. If it were too easy you wouldn't like it either. I love the huge levels, they remind me of True Crime. I like that they guy swims now. I can't tell you how many times i would die because i fell in the ocean in the other games. I love the music, the past music was not as good. You can even play video games and basketball with your "homies." The only bad thing is that if you go off the allowed board you get a four star wanted level. I got a code for lower wanted level and it doesn't work if you go off the board. I like just stealing cars and driving around shooting people. It is a great way to releive the stress of a hard day. You get to hurt and kill people and it is all a game. I also hate all those people that blame games for kids who kill in schools. I know the difference between a game and real life. Kids are smarter than us adults give them credit for. Do you really thiunk that a kid thinks "oh look i can kill someone and all they do is take a bribe and let me go".

Also i have found something kind of weird. If you get arrested you can walk around the police station. Find the shower room and you will find a surprise weapon. Tip: there is an underground police garage at the police station. If they see you go in there they will try to kill you. If you go down there you can steal a police car just don't let them see you. You will get a 3 star wanted level and codes don't remove it.

GTA Pushes Great Boundaries - MAVV Ignores Responsibility

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: October 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

As somebody who has been a fan of the series since GTA 3, has followed the progress of GTA: San Andreas, and who has followed the progress that the game has made in advancing the technology behind video games and exploring the mental abilities to go beyond the knowing, GTA: San Andreas brings to us a new world of possibility in video gaming. When you look past the plot and the various elements that people like MAVV complain about, this game challenges the player to think more on their feet and be more accountable for the actions that they make as they follow along the storyline. I'll have my copy within 24 hours of this posting, and I can't wait to have my hands on it.

As for the comments from "MAVV - Nancy", she fails to recognize the role that parents play in the lives of their children, and the responsibility that comes with making sure that the content of the video games, movies, and anything else that they watch/play/listen to meets their standards. The ideal parent would keep an eye on what their kids do, would make sure that their kids grow up with an understanding of what is real and what is make believe, and would make sure to take responsibility for the doings of their kids. Unless these kids have a funding source outside of their parents' allowance and have the ability to close their door to their parents upon desire, the parents will have all access and control over what they do within their household.

Many times, I see parents go to the local video game store and they will go straight to whatever video game their kids want and take the copy to the register to purchase. In this process, they never ONCE look at the rating that is provided easily for the parents to view. The ESRB rating system which video game makers currently use to easily display the type of content of the game and to what age groups their products are intended for is not perfect. I am not aware of anywhere in the country where video game retailers are forced to go along with ratings, similar to how movie theatres are forced to go along with the G - R - XXX ratings for movies. Given that being the case, at the end of the day, most of the time when it's time to make payment for the game so that Junior can run home and try to save the Princess or kills the terrorists, the parents are the ones who pull out their money or credit cards to make the purchase.

At the end of the day, most video games (outside of games that promote explicit sexual content) have a place within the retail industry. But the checks and balance system needs to be corrected so that all parties that play a role in these games are accountable for. Video game makers place the ratings so that parents and merchants know who these games are meant for. The stores should not sell video games to kids who are clearly not the intended market for the game, as stated by the ESRB rating. And lastly, the parents should know what the ratings on the games that their kids play are and what it actually means in regards to what is in the game.

At the end of the day, buck stops with the parents. If parents don't want their children to play games like GTA: San Andreas, then don't buy these games for them and don't allow them to make any purchases of games like these. Last time I checked, the parents run the house. I hope that MAVV and similar organizations understand that.

Large Map, Good Music, Awesome Game, The Voices

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: October 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas has a HUGE playing area. I have only unlocked the first city and the playing area is huge and overwhelming. I notice that no one has mentioned the music. The modern hip hop station (the game takes place in 1992) includes songs by Dr. Dre "Nothin But a G Thang," "Deep Cover," and "Dre Day," NWA, "Express Yourself," and "Always Into Something." This station also includes songs by Comptons Most Wanted, Eazy E, Cypress Hill, and Ice Cube. They have a old school hip hip hop station that includes songs by Slick Rick, Public Enemy, Biz Markie and others. This game has more stations that previous GTA games. Their is a classic rock station that has songs by Rod Stewart "Young Turks," and Billy Idol "Mony, Mony." Jah Radio is back with a west coast version. This GTA game also has a country music station.

There is also a R&B station with current R&B for that time frame, SWV, Ralph Tresvant, Bobbie Brown, and a more older uptempo R&B station with songs by Rick James among others. There is also a station with songs by Guns N Roses, Soundgarden, and others. There are so many stations I can't recall them all.

The character voices. Samuel L. Jackson is probably the biggest name on the game as the voice of a crooked cop. 90's rappers YoYo and MC Eight lend their voices to the game as does n Dr. Dre rapper The Game. There are a lot of voice characters for this game.

The game has three airports, bikes, and all kinds of neat things. It even seems like their is a skate park but I guess it's a bike park. Whereas Vice City was a game some people finished rather quickly this game seems like it has the same playing ease but won't be so quick to finish for most. Also, there is just soooo much to do and the game is so large I am sure people will be finding out new things about the game for some time.

No better bang for the buck

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: August 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

If you have the money get this monitor. All other monitors this size are at least hundreds more. This monitor is 24" widescreen, contains over 2.3 million pixels is so bright you have to turn it down in order not to burn your retinas, and has 1000:1 contrast ratio with a response time of 16ms (meaning ghosting is barely noticeable). This monitor has great features like Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-picture, and takes 5 different inputs (vga, dvi, s-video, component, composite) has a great menu with lots of options and settings you can adjust, as well as 4 usb ports, and an 9-in 1 media card reader. The stand is height adjustable, and the monitor can be swiveled, rotated or positioned and way you like, including vertically. The only thing to watch out for is that on dvi settings are limited, and dead pixels do occur, but these are problems with every lcd monitor. All in all there is no better value for the money.

You Already Know...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: November 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is simply the greatest game to come out on any console (since Tetris!). San Andreas is by far the largest of its kind and its immersing storyline and gameplay outshine the rest. Be prepared to spend many days with this joint. In fact I played it so much I had people referring to me as "CJ Fool" It's like an RPG/adventure game where you can basically do anything you want. The gangsta lifestyle quickly pulls you in as you attend the funeral of your mother...apparently murdered by a rival gang. No matter who you are or where you are from you probably couldn't have that going down without some type of retaliation. So in that case the story immediately relates. From then on...anything goes. Kill rival gang members to gain territory and take over the city. Defend your hood against attacks from rival gangs. Decorate the city with your graffiti to show who's territory it is and to gain respect. Think you are outnumbered? Command up to a 7 man army and trek into the enemy's territory and show em what's up. Anything is possible. Take your girlfriend ( yes girlfriend ) out on a date ( drinking, eating, dancing - yes dancing). Outhop the competition with your hydraulics on your lowrider. Customize your car with hoods, rims, nitro (yes nitro), exhaust pipes, colors, sound systems etc. Eating is essential, exercise is essential...otherwise CJ will lose weight or he won't be able to knock somebody out. He won't be able to hop the fences when the heat is after him ( yes hop fences). Get your weight up in the weight room. Deck that man in some nice threads or have him rep his hood with bandanas and hoodies. Give that man a fresh cut or a nappy look. Play arcade games or gamble away your money. Steal cars, break into houses at night, interact with people walking on the street, kill drug dealers parading your streets. Race cars, fly airplanes or better yet buy a ticket and fly to the next city, play basketball, participate in the triathlon. CJ can now swim, so accidentally drive off a cliff and it's no problem this time around. The highways are intricate and mountains and buildings are tall. Mountains you ask? You damn skippy. You think it's gonna be sweet having to run down a mountain if you lose your bike? No way. Get lost in the country side and find yourself walking where you need to be. And that country side is huge complete with small towns, tractor trailers, farms ( yes farms), and forests. Highways are complete and people don't lollygag on them either...don't get caught slippin cause they will ram you and keep on trucking. And speaking of trucks you got big rigs patrolling that country side...flying over them hills trying to get where there going. The features of this game are endless.

The missions aren't anything sweet either and are challenging to say the least, more challenging than the last two GTA games. The westcoast lifestyle is exemplified in the soundtrack with classic tracks by Snoop, Dre, Eazy E, NWA, Da Lench Mob, 2Pac, Ice Cube, DOC, and Cypress Hill. If you feel like chillin to some funk they got that Zapp, Cameo, Ohio Players, Rick James and George Clinton, James Brown, War. Want that soul they got that Isley Brothers for you. Want to relive the early nineties they got the classic Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, SWV, GUY, En Vogue, Bell Biv Devoe, Boyz II Men, Soul II Soul, and Aaron Hall. Want that old school rap they got that Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Eric B & Rakim, Biz Markie, Public Enemy and Brand Nubian. Simply put the soundtrack is off the meter. The game is also long enough to warrant 50 bucks being spent, and prepare to lose sleep, friends, jobs, relationships, time and sense of reality after you buy this game. Trust me it's greatness. 1000 times better than Vice City. Yea. 10 stars

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