GTA San Andreas

[perth shrimper]

.....Or is this game a little over-rated?

It's one of the best selling games in history, is known as the PS2's greatest game, gets 99% review status by most paper and internet publications and is viewed with reverant status by many PS2 owners.

I don't get it, whats the big deal??

Graphics are dated, vehicle control is poor, gun control and lock on sights are dodgy. Admittedly i've only played it for around 8 hrs ( of an approx 60 apparently ).

I'm thinking of packing it in.

Is it worth perservering or am i missing something?

 

[Beefy]

Its the best game thats ever been made. They trimmed a bit off the graphics to make the game around 15 times larger than Vice City and its a a gamble that definately paid off.

Vehicle control is a bit dodgy at the start as your character says that he hasn't driven for years. As you drive more, CJ's driving skills improve and the cars become easier to control. Its the same story with flying later in the game. But even at the beginning the cars control better than 90% of racing games.

I was expecting a mild step up from previous GTA games but was blown away by just how big a game San Andreas is. The story takes a bit of getting used to and the characters are initially hard to identify with, but over the course of the game you get more into the storyline. The music in the game isn't as instantly likeable as the 80s tunes in Vice City but, again, after a while you get used to them. And you've got to love driving through the hick towns in your jeep listening to the country and western channel.

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

I still play with GTA3, spend most of my time doing dangerous stunts with the fire engine or hiding in alleyways takingout pedestrians and blowing up the police helicopters with the mortar.
I still haven't crossed the bridge yet, has anyone got a cheat as I very rarely play the game as its supposed to be played.

 

[Birri]

I liked it completed it & still have it indoors somewhere play fifa mainly and have GTA liberty city storeis for the PSP that I play on the train home.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (The Artful Shrimper @ April 11 2006,09:24)]

  I still play with GTA3, spend most of my time doing dangerous stunts with the fire engine or hiding in alleyways takingout pedestrians and blowing up the police helicopters with the mortar.
I still haven't crossed the bridge yet, has anyone got a cheat as I very rarely play the game as its supposed to be played.

Yeah, theres a cheat to get over onto the second island. Think you've got to put in a cheat code to bounce a car over the barricade onto the bridge, then put in another cheat code to make the car be able to fly over the gap.

I've had a quick look through some of the FAQs on gamefaq.com and can't find it, but its definately somewhere.

 

[shrimper4life]

Definately a great game. Completed all the missions but coudn't be bothered to do the rest such as horseshoes etc. But ive done fireproof status etc Definately 9/10 if not 10

 

[TrueBlue]

I think they key that has always been to the GTA right from the early days of GTA 1 when it was a top down 2D view is the Freedom aspect you dont have to do any missions you can do what you want you have the freedom to make the choices and thats an aspect many games cant contend with.
There is talk that GTA4 will be set in London if so I fell it would make for an execlent game but we will have to wait for the PS3 for any launch the game will be bigger then San Andreas and Will have stunning graphics.

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ April 11 2006,14:14)]There is talk that GTA4 will be set in London if so I fell it would make for an execlent game but we will have to wait for the PS3 for any launch the game will be bigger then San Andreas and Will have stunning graphics.

yes yes yes but can i hide in alleyways blowing Toms' heads off with sawn off shotguns and launching rockets at helicopters....
...and i need cheat codes.

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] (The Artful Shrimper @ April 11 2006,15:12)]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ April 11 2006,14:14)]There is talk that GTA4 will be set in London if so I fell it would make for an execlent game but we will have to wait for the PS3 for any launch the game will be bigger then San Andreas and Will have stunning graphics.

yes yes yes but can i hide in alleyways blowing Toms' heads off with sawn off shotguns and launching rockets at helicopters....
...and i need cheat codes.

I am sure you will find a way mate you always do!

 

[scrounger]

Played it alot. I don't like the gang slang used, that so often is in these type of games. However, still thought the game was very good, with some very hard challenges. What annoys me the most is when you fail a mission, it takes so long to get back to where you to retry it, very time consuming and unnecessary at times.

 

[perth shrimper]

Have now played this for a few more hours....i have now acquired a girlfriend who i pick up and take for pizza?

What's the point

?

I feel i should enjoy this game coz of its reputation but i'm gonna give it up.

 

[Birri]

Perth, It takes weeks or months to play the game depending on how much time you play it. The game is so big, the girlfriends have to have the right presents at the right time. You have to take them to the correct food joint/bar or go dancing or driving, but if they arent happy with one thing thats it. They sulk & want to go home & you lose some of the brownie points you built up before towards getting the outfit each one has. Thats without doing missions & collecting weapons/hidden packages & exploring the cities & the country towns between them or just going to the gym or swimming to build up CJ's muscle.

 

[perth shrimper]

Cheers for that.....but whats the deal with the women?
I understand that it could be seen as one of the many mini games but i find it dull at the moment. I just go for pizza then drop her home.

How many hours before things really start going off?
As said, i've played about 10 hrs now and i'm bored and disappointed.

 

[Beefy]

The girlfriends are an optional part of the game. If you stick with them then they end up giving you rewards such as not losing all your weapons when you're arrested.

If you're not enjoying the game, don't play it.

 

[Kenny]

I didn't really get really hooked in until I got out of the first city, there were some really b'stard missions that nearly made me give up but I peservered. The story line just opens up as you get further into it. Great cameo from Danny Dyer and Sean Ryder in the 3rd act.

as for the complaint about having to go back to certain points in the game - I always made sure I saved the game after each mission. It's not like theres any shortage of "save" points in the game.

One of my mates said completing San Andreas was like saying goodbye to an old friend after spending so many hours locked into it.

How comes your playing it Perth, I thought games like this were banned in Oz?

 

[Beefy]

I think they had to edit all the prostitution references and maybe the drug references out of the game before they could sell it in Oz. been the same thing since GTAIII.

 

[perth shrimper]

It was banned for a while due to the inception of a mini game called 'Hot Coffee' which i'm sure can be found on your systems in the u.k.

It basically involved you rooting women whenever you wanted, the scenes were totally nude and you had to press x fast to simulate the actual sexual act. I've seen screen shots and they would appear innapropriate if your 14 yr old son was playing it but as an adult it was hardly Hardcore.

All the drug stuff and prostitutes are still in it however.