Never has a title marked a generation as much as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas did. This iconic action game, developed by Rockstar Games, has left an indelible mark on the history of video games. If you like action, freedom, and the urban world, this title is sure to take you on an unforgettable journey.
Your adventure in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas starts when the protagonist, Carl Johnson or CJ, goes back to Los Santos following his mother’s murder. He is immediately drawn back to his former gang and life of crime, clashing against corrupt authorities and influential criminals.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, better known as GTA: San Andreas, is an action and open-world game originally released in 2004. It's set in San Andreas, the fictional U.S. state, consisting of three major cities: Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. All of them are based on real locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, respectively. These locations feature references to real-life elements.
One of the most distinctive features of GTA: San Andreas is its acclaimed freedom of action. From the moment you take control of CJ, you find yourself immersed in a vast environment where you can explore the city and rural areas at your leisure. And you can do it all: explore, steal vehicles, complete missions, cause chaos... the final decision is yours — but make sure you’re ready to face the consequences.
As the plot for GTA: San Andreas unfolds, you will find yourself involved in a series of situations that will take you straight to the heart of San Andreas' criminal world. The story will captivate you from the beginning, thanks to its charismatic characters, emotional moments, and a few unexpected twists that will keep your interest every step of the way. All of these are revealed through various missions.
In GTA: San Andreas, there is no time to rest. Apart from its story, you will have a wide variety of side tasks and activities to enjoy. From illegal races to heists, air combat, and gang wars, this title will never let up. The game also features character customization. That means you can improve CJ’s endurance, strength, and even his “sex appeal” to turn him into a true criminal boss.
You can also customize CJ’s appearance by changing his clothes, hairstyle, and accessories. It should be noted, however, that clothing options are somewhat limited. With tattoo parlors based in different areas of San Andreas, getting CJ a cool tattoo not only makes him more desirable to his girlfriends, but also boosts his Respect. Save for the Idlewood and El Corona tattoo parlors, the parlors Hemlock Tattoo and Redsands East offer unique tattoo patterns at varying price points.
Meanwhile, one of the things that makes GTA: San Andreas even more special is its incredible soundtrack. Its repertoire of songs covers various musical genres such as hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. Undoubtedly, its music perfectly complements the criminal atmosphere of the game and immerses you even further into the streets of San Andreas.
There are a few drawbacks to this beloved title. Given its age, the graphics and movements will seem awkward and wonky compared to recent GTA titles. There are also some minor issues with the narrative. For instance, Lance Wilson — or Ryder — started as an essential character that ended up being a forgotten villain. There is also the lack of backstory for many of the characters.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, any action you do in-game — from working out to driving a vehicle — will influence CJ’s character stats. These stats are:
This refers to the amount of body fat that CJ has, affecting his physical appearance and abilities. As such, CJ loses Fat when working out, whereas his Fat increases when he consumes food. Hence, it’s important to maintain the right amount of Fat to minimize CJ’s risk of overweight and muscle loss.
2. Muscle
Whether it’s running or working out, physical activities are critical to CJ’s muscle gain, and therefore, have an impact on his Sex Appeal, Respect, and melee combat damage.
3. Stamina
Much like in real life, stamina can be improved through exercise. A higher stamina means CJ is less likely to get exhausted from riding a bike, running around the streets of San Andreas, or swimming in bodies of water.
4. Sex Appeal
The stat indicates CJ’s overall desirability to women. While Fat and Muscle contribute to Sex Appeal, it is also important for CJ to wear nice clothes, sport a suitable hairstyle or tattoo, and drive the best car.
5. Respect
As they say, respect is earned, not given. Hence, in order for CJ to gain more Respect, he must complete missions, work on his physical appearance, eliminate enemy gang members, and many more. A high Respect stat allows the protagonist to take in more gang members.
6. Lung Capacity
The above stat refers to CJ’s breath-holding endurance underwater. Improving Lung Capacity is tedious, as the player needs to dive, swim, and return to the surface as soon as CJ’s breath meter is almost depleted. Take note that a Lung Capacity of 5% or more is needed to do the mission “Amphibious Assault.”
7. Weapon Skill
Weapon Skill influences CJ’s proficiency in using weapons. A high Weapon Skill greatly enhances his combat prowess, enabling CJ to perform accurate shots, strafe faster, and many more. Upgrading this stat can be done by shooting cars and people.
8. Vehicle Skill
Vehicle Skill indicates driving proficiency and is improved the farther you drive, allowing CJ to have better control and handle of a vehicle.
Throughout the years, GTA: San Andreas has become a cult classic within the video game industry. Its success has led to all kinds of remastered versions and adaptations for multiple platforms. One of the most recent examples is Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, which brings back the world of San Andreas, updated for the new generation of consoles. In short, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a whole experience that action and crime game enthusiasts shouldn’t miss.
Version
2.2.18
License
Paid
Platform
iPhone
OS
iOS 16.4
Language
English
Downloads
485K
Developer
Rockstar Games Inc.
