'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' is violent, exhilarating game
Rarely does a video game excel in so many ways
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
The game isn't for everyone because of its graphic violence and coarse language, but mature fans of this 32 million-unit-selling franchise who want to know if this sequel lives up to its hype, the answer is a resounding yes.
"Grand Theft Auto" players must run, gun and drive through a bustling city to perform missions such as knocking off a mob boss or preventing a truckload of ammunition from reaching its destination. You can also carjack any vehicle in the game, but doing so in front of a police officer results in a cat-and-mouse chase throughout the neighborhood. "Grand Theft Auto" games are also known for their exceptional soundtracks; players can toggle between many radio stations in every car, each playing a different kind of music.
While 2002's "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" took place in a Miami-like town in the 1980s, "San Andreas" is all about the grittier '90s, and involves three fictitious cities: Los Santos (based on Los Angeles) San Fierro (San Francisco) and Las Venturas (Las Vegas). Some missions take place in the countryside between each of these three metropolises.
'Boyz N the Hood'
If "Vice City" was likened to an interactive version of "Scarface," consider "San Andreas" the closest thing to starring in "Boyz N the Hood." Gamers play as Carl "CJ" Johnson, a young man who returns to the slums to avenge his mother's murder with the help of his old gang.
The dialogue between CJ and his crew is raw but convincing. DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the screenplay for the movie "Friday" and who has produced albums for LL Cool J and Ice Cube, co-wrote the game script. He also helped acquire voice talent for the game, including Young Maylay, an up-and-coming West Coast rapper, along with familiar celebrities, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, James Woods and George Clinton, to name a few. The story is very well written and is packed with plot twists and other surprises.
"San Andreas" introduces new game-play features to the series. For one, you must perfect certain skills over time, such as hand-to-hand combat and driving. You must also earn "respect" with each mission; the more you gain, the more likely gang members will help you on missions. CJ must also eat to maintain health and stamina -- but if he eats too much and doesn't visit the gym, he'll become overweight and less likely to succeed at more physical missions.
Other additions include the ability to climb fences, ride a bicycle, swim underwater and parachute from a plane.
Two players can tackle a few tasks together in the optional cooperative missions.
Few video games pull off everything successfully, but "San Andreas" does so in spades. Indeed, this mature-rated game may be deemed offensive for its depiction of life as a "gangbanger," but if taken for what it is -- an interactive action-adventure for adult gamers -- you won't find a title that's more difficult to put down.
Must-see games
"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" is the most expansive game yet in the series. Rockstar Games estimates that it will take 100 hours to finish, if you include the optional side missions. With three huge cities, plus desert and countryside locations, there's a lot to explore -- and miss if you don't know where to look.
Here's a guide to some must-see locations. These spoilers don't give away any of the game's story, but they might remove some of "San Andreas" surprises.
When Carl "CJ" Johnson gains enough skill points in running, swimming and cycling, he can sign up for a triathlon in the Los Santos Gym. This race, which takes CJ through the southern tip of the state, begins with a lengthy swim, followed by a mountain bike excursion, and eventually ends with an extensive uphill run.
Once players have visited all three cities in the game, you can hijack a train at any of the six train stations, such as the Yellow Bell Station in Las Venturas. The freight-train mission challenges players to navigate the train through each of the checkpoints within a predetermined amount of time -- but speeding may cause the train to derail on tight corners. Complete this mission and CJ will be awarded a good deal of money.
Check out the Camel's Toe club in Las Venturas. Not only is it an impressive-looking bar on the inside, but if CJ can dance well, he'll impress the ladies and unlock new songs. Similar to rhythm games such as "Dance Dance Revolution," the trick is to press one of the four controller buttons with corresponding on-screen icons -- without falling out of step.
For the first time in the series, "Grand Theft Auto" gamers can parachute out of planes or off bridges and tall buildings. One of the most exhilarating moments in the game is taking the plunge, spreading your limbs and free-falling toward the ground before pulling the rip cord. Watching the ground grow closer is a sight to see. And savvy players can even soar into a restricted military base in the desert. Other goodies include fully playable '80s-style arcade games at the local bar in Los Santos and off-track betting outside of Las Venturas.
