GameNow Review

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas review

9.5Critic average / 10
92.1%Steam positive reviews · 83K
No player reviews yet

Release date
Developer
Rockstar North
Publisher
Rockstar Games
Genres
action-adventure game, third-person shooter
Systems
Android, iOS · PS2, PS3, PS4 · Windows, macOS · Xbox, Xbox 360
Image credits

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At a glance

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a must-play for fans of the series and those who enjoy immersive, open-world gaming experiences. Despite some technical issues, the game's rich narrative, detailed world, and engaging gameplay make it a standout title.

Full review ↓

What works

  • Expansive and detailed open-world environment
  • Engaging and well-crafted narrative
  • Impressive graphics and voice acting

What doesn’t

  • Technical issues with graphics and frame rates
  • Occasionally repetitive mission structures

GameNow review

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas review: A Masterpiece of Open-World Gaming

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a critically acclaimed open-world action-adventure game that offers a vast and detailed world with intricate social dynamics and impressive graphics. Critics praised its narrative, voice acting, and gameplay improvements, though some noted technical issues and repetitive mission structures.

Review updated ·

This summary reflects the cited sources, which may describe earlier versions. The update date does not confirm a new playtest or the current patch.

World and Story

Critics widely praised Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for its expansive and meticulously detailed world. The game's cities are praised for their attention to detail, with unique weather patterns and social dynamics. The narrative is considered one of the series' best, with critics highlighting the effectiveness of its dialogue and scene-setting. Some reviewers noted that the game's story, while entertaining, occasionally felt constrained by mission structures that required players to travel long distances and replay sequences.

[1] [2]

Gameplay and Systems

The gameplay in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas received significant praise from critics for its improvements over previous entries. The game offers a high level of freedom and variety, with players able to approach missions in their own way. However, some reviewers noted that the removal of improvisation from previous games and the lack of branching paths could be seen as a drawback. Technical issues such as pop-up graphics and unstable frame rates were also reported by several critics.

[1] [2]

Presentation and Audio

The presentation and audio of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas were highly praised. Critics noted the game's impressive graphics, with particular attention to the animations, foliage, and weather effects. The voice acting was also commended, with performances by actors like Samuel L. Jackson and James Woods being highlighted. However, some critics pointed out issues with the game's control systems, particularly in combat targeting and the handling of vehicles.

[1] [2]

What works

  • Expansive and detailed open-world environment
  • Engaging and well-crafted narrative
  • Impressive graphics and voice acting
  • High level of player freedom

What doesn’t

  • Technical issues with graphics and frame rates
  • Occasionally repetitive mission structures

Verdict

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a must-play for fans of the series and those who enjoy immersive, open-world gaming experiences. Despite some technical issues, the game's rich narrative, detailed world, and engaging gameplay make it a standout title.

Sources

This review was drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed here, then checked automatically so that no source text is copied. Scores from outlets are facts recorded on Wikidata.

Source publications: wikipedia.org

  1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas — Wikipedia (en) en.wikipedia.org · CC-BY-SA-4.0
  2. 俠盜獵車手:聖安地列斯 — Wikipedia (zh) zh.wikipedia.org · CC-BY-SA-4.0

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