Taking a trip to San Andreas?

Did you ever wonder why Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was briefly banned from American stores? Did you know much about the game at the time, or understand that the 'dirty little secret' programmed into the game was really only a very small part of the mature themes wrapped into the game? If you didn't know any of this you likely don't know San Andreas is the fourth game in the GTA series from Rockstar games, and there is SO much more you don't know.

The concept
Because this is the fourth game in a series you are picking up on an existing character, CJ. Though you may not know him, he's been around and had a number of high profile adventures before. That said, it you haven't played the other games it's not going to be a problem...other than some references at the beginning to you returning home this is really a stand alone type of arrangement. I'd never played the other three and had no problem getting up to speed.

Role playing is the name of the game here as you lead CJ through his mission to retake his neighborhood from rival gangs, restore his gang to prominence, expand to other cities, and make himself rich! You'll do all this in a free style adventure. Take missions to unlock greater range of movement and abilities or explore the portion of the map you've unlocked. Once a city is available to you free exploring through the whole thing is not only allowed, it's encouraged. Discover weapons, cash, and other secrets through this method.

You'll need a ride and the only way to get it is to steal it. Car jacking is the method of choice and you'll be able to boost anything from dirt bikes, street bikes, police bikes, bicycles, sports cards, pickup trucks, fire trucks, or police cruisers. There are hundreds of cart types and each has different performance characteristics.

Rolling gunfights with other gangs isn't unusual and you'll have to kill or be killed. Using shotguns, uzis, grenades, pistols, chainsaws, your fists, or dozens of other weapons you'll restore yourself to superiority.

As a role player, this game forces you to eat regularly to keep your strength up but don't eat too much or you'll get chubby. By a change of clothes once in a while so you don't stink! Oh yeah, be sure to hit the weight room and get your lift on to earn respect and strength.

Soundtrack
Mostly the soundtrack plays in while you drive. Choose any one of around a dozen radio stations to get rap from the 1990s, classic hip hop, rock from the late 1980s and 1990s, classic country and more. A wide array of music is available and it's all mainstream and popular enough to be enjoyable. Each radio station also has it's own DJ and most of them are funny enough to be memorable.

Appearance
Graphically, this game is pleasing. It's detailed and covers so much variety. Characters mostly move as they should even though you do get an odd glitch here and there. Non-player characters (NPCs) aren't real variety filled...you'll see LL Cool J and Ice Cube used as a generic street person hundreds of times. It's just one of the parts of the game that are simple.

Even with the simple parts the cars look great, the guns are dead on accurate, and the movement works fine. These huge environments come across well, including the underwater scenes.

Objectionable content
If there is a downside to GTA: SA it would be this. Computer generated dialog is filled with profanity. Murder, theft, gang activity, and battling the police aren't things you can do in the game, they are things you must do to proceed in the game. Simply put, this game didn't get it's Mature rating by accident. I'd never buy this for anyone under 18 years old and even then I'd be careful not to buy it for someone who I felt was easily influenced.

If you aren't offended by 1990s gangsta rap (Dre. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, DMX) or movies like Deep Cover, Belly, and Scarface you won't be offended by this. Same themes, same schemes...as a matter of fact this game is like living those artists work so if you like them you'll love this!

Overall
I simply can't write enough to tell you how big and open ended this game is. Especially considering it is PS2 based the game is HUGE and can be replayed for over a year without getting boring. If the objectionable content doesn't create a problem for you this is a classic that you can enjoy for a long time. On the other hand, those offended by the objectionable content will find no shelter in this game. There is simply not a grey area in this case: you are gangsta or you go home.

The game is loads of fun for me...too bad I'm ashamed to tell my 'grown up' friends I play it!