bit-tech Shopping: Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Largest environment ever! Massive choices of transportation and weapons. Allow player to customize the character to the liking.

Weaknesses: Tedious side missions results in long gameplay time.

Summary: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of the PS2 games that push the Playstation 2 hardware to the max with its large environment and massive amounts of transportation and still able to run smoothly. It is probably one of the most accomplished Playstation 2 game ever made. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas offers one of the largest environment ever seen in the Grand Theft Auto games and similar type of games. Reaching the "edge", unless already there, would take some time. The game also offers massive amounts of transportation and weapons that players can choose from, including trains, jets, jet pack, and parachute, which were not available in the previous installments. The player can customize the character to the liking by giving the character accessories like sunglasses, jackets, and hats, or give them tattoos and hairdos. The player can also make the character distinct figure by different stats the character acquires overtime, it would result in a muscular, fat, or skinning character. The tedious side missions results in long gameplay time and are what makes the game from finishing too quickly. The side missions have its own pros and cons, but time consuming is definitely one of the biggest problem. The Greatest Hits version takes care of the biggest controversy with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Despite of the controversies that it sparked , overall, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is one of the most accomplished Playstation 2 game with its massive choices and customizations, it is what Grand Theft Auto games should be.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Gameplay is ginormous in scope. Three cities to play in. Character customization. Skill building. Much improved targeting system. A multitude of side missions / mini games. Great voice acting and 90?s

Weaknesses: Sketchy graphics. Annoying graphical glitches. Frustrating RC plane side missions. 90?s soundtrack.

Summary: This game is the pinnacle of sandbox play for the PS2. There is so much to do in this game that it is difficult to write a review that can capture the enormity. You start out as a 90?s gang member who evolves into something so much more by the end of the game through your travels and adventures in San Andreas, similar to Tommy Vercetti?s rise to power. The game improves on the series in almost every aspect possible. For me, it was the improved targeting system and the ability to better wield a weapon through constant usage. Gameplay is the same as the other GTA games. You can perform the main missions or waste hours doing everything else. What I liked about the game was the ability to customize CJ. Unlike Tommy Vercetti?s wardrobe change, CJ can physically get muscular or fat, which had a material impact on the game. With the size of the landscape and multitude of things to do, it is amazing that the PS2 was able to handle this game so well.Do not be deterred by the gangster lifestyle at the beginning of the game, otherwise you will miss one of the best games for the PS2.