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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GTA: San Andreas has an embarrassment of riches. There's a trend in the industry for developers to shoe-horn in as much secondary action as possible, largely as a result of the Grand Theft Auto series, but ultimately it usually ends up feeling, well, shoe-horned in. For Rockstar, these sundry activities, while ostensibly secondary to the main story, are just as crucial to the experience as the meandering plot that slowly unravels through the game.

To be sure, there is a story, and it's handled with as much attention as the rest of San Andreas. Lead character Carl Johnson - CJ to you and me - is a complex character, someone it's hard to get a real feel for. He's the kind of guy who will shoot a person without a moment's hesitation, but who'll piously rebuff anyone who offers him drugs.

After five years away from the 'hood, a result of the death of his little brother Ryan, CJ is summoned back to his cosy cul-de-sac in Los Santos by the death of his mother. But CJ has a history in Los Santos; a corrupt police officer by the name of Tenpenny is the first character you meet in the game.

There are no voice actors included in the opening credits, but from the first F-word barked, you know it's Samuel L. Jackson behind that foul mouth. Whether it's a testament to the game or a derision of his recent acting choices, this is Jackson's most believable role in years. Together with his partner, voiced by Reservoir Dogs alumnus Chris Penn, Tenpenny is set on screwing CJ over at every possible juncture. The game is acted out by several of Hollywood's most known performers, including James Woods and Peter Fonda, while the lead role is capably filled by newcomer Chris Bellard.

The game follows CJ as he asserts his presence on the San Andreas crime scene. No one and nothing will stand in his way. But there's a flaw to his violent and self-destructive behaviour; CJ comes across as being a nice guy, someone it's hard to imagine would be doing all these things. It's as if you see him doing all these heinous acts, but can't accept that that's the kind of person he really is.

Violence is, obviously, a prevalent theme, but, to be frank, it's a little disconcerting. While the game engulfs you in freedom outside of the central plot, inside you're tethered to the cinematic sequences that drag you through. You have no role in deciding how the story plays out, and if you want to progress, you have to kill - a lot.

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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