Grand Theft true crime San L.A

[Famine]

Not at all - but the player is supposed to be - or at least identify with - the character. Otherwise what's the point of a first-person perspective?

I've never used the phrase "n***er" in my life - and find it distasteful (and, shock, so does the censoring code on this very forum). I wouldn't say it. Why is the character I'm supposed to identify with saying it? Yes, I'm sure it's the language of the culture and all terribly real, but I wouldn't say it. Ever.

I wouldn't say it's a complaint - more an observation.


The health icon thing is also invalid. In GTAVC you didn't die - unless otherwise injured in the course - through not picking up health icons. In GTASA you MUST buy food or you will die.


You should all note that I've only listed the points I feel are either not as good as the previous game or directly detracting from the gameplay. If you don't like negative comments about the game, just gloss over them - comments like "If you don't like [xxx] play [xxx] instead" are extremely unhelpful. You all should know that no game is perfect. I've not yet posted any positive points because, frankly, everyone else on Earth has done this so far. I will be making them as I find them - however if all you want to read is positive reviews without any hint of possible detractions, you're reading the wrong posts.

I deliberately avoided contact with anything about San Andreas so that I was not unfairly biased one way or the other, and didn't have a weight of expectation behind the game. Who else here can say that? Or that they've not been to an FAQ/guide site for hints and tips? Anything I say about the game is independant and unbiased.

I will continue reviewing the game critically. For those who don't know what "critically" means, look it up. It doesn't mean I'll be taking it apart until there's no fun left - I'll be saying as I find througout.

Jimmy - You have to learn to be a better marksman (with each different class of weapon, no less - although it seems to have no effect on your accuracy). You learn new fighting "moves" (involving a collection of button presses). The yellow downward pointy triangle marking a significant building. It's an awful lot like True Crime. I hated that too (as in you & I hated it, not I hate it and GTASA) - but I played it through to all three endings. I'm only at about 15% in GTASA - and now Mount Chiliad is opened up to me, it's getting more interesting - it's not purely about gangland recriminations and some of the variety of GTAVC is coming. I also liked the gag at the end of the "Reuniting the Families" mission.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

The targeting system is way worse than GTAVC - you apparently have to gain proficiency with different weapons, but I can still hit, 100% of the time, anything I'm locked onto from any distance.

Actually, that's only when you target your enemy for a couple of seconds. If you didn't notice, when you just target and shoot straight away, CJ will either miss or hit very poorly.

Also, on your complaint of the eating, I don't find it irritating at all. In fact, I haven't really had to sidetrack for food at all. If I pass a food place, I like to grab something to eat. Plus, if you need to replenish your health, you kill 2 birds in one stone. But the fact of the matter is, you don't have to eat too often at all. It's very rare that CJ needs to eat.

I do agree with you, however, that the game opens up alot more when you leave Los Santos. Even though I love the "Gangsta" them (not in real life particularly, but I do in this game), moving onto San Fierro provides some freedom and relief to me, as you are not always doing jobs for other people.

This game just keeps getting better in my view, and I'm not really seeing it being like True Crimes too much at all.

 

[qjasonp]

The only thing that I don't like about SA is the camera angles.
I mean like when your driving and you push up are down on either analog controller,the damn camera also moves up or down,and I also noticed that when you want to turn around the camera angles get all messed up,but other then that.......................I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KieranMurphy]

Not at all - but the player is supposed to be - or at least identify with - the character. Otherwise what's the point of a first-person perspective?

I dunno. I find CJ to be a wisecracking funny mother****er. I like that. I don't need to identify with him anymore than that. But that's maybe just me.

I've never used the phrase "n***er" in my life - and find it distasteful (and, shock, so does the censoring code on this very forum). I wouldn't say it. Why is the character I'm supposed to identify with saying it? Yes, I'm sure it's the language of the culture and all terribly real, but I wouldn't say it. Ever.

Neither would I. But I can watch Boyz N The Hood and enjoy it without being bothered in the slightest by that word. That word fits in nicely in my opinion with the culture of the game without being offensive or bothersome in the slightest to me. If other people think otherwise then fair enough. It's just a word that fits in with the culture of the characters using it to me.

The health icon thing is also invalid. In GTAVC you didn't die - unless otherwise injured in the course - through not picking up health icons. In GTASA you MUST buy food or you will die.

Well, I've been playing it for a while now and the only reason I've died so far is because I've been shot to death, my vehicle has exploded or I've been standing beside an explosion. I've yet to suffer low energy or die due to lack of eating.

I also liked the gag at the end of the "Reuniting the Families" mission.

What gag? I probably missed it.


KM.

 

[Famine]

The sign you crash through? Go back and read it again - it's quite funny. The sign originally says "The Taste Of Things To Come!"

If you do not eat - and do nothing at all - CJ will die. Try it. Then turn Vice City on and go out to work. Tommy will still be alive when you get back (although if you've got an original PS2, the console might not be). And Jimmy - it's not a complaint, it's an observation.

On the wisecracking, I found Tommy funnier. Maybe it's because he was darker and more sarcastic - my particular tastes. And I could just imagine Ray Liotta saying everything, which made it funnier still - that exasperated look.

 

[Vasco]

I haven't eaten in this game yet and I've been playing for around 7 hours or so. I've passed quite a few days as well as I save after every mission...personally I've always used the sticks and it's just a matter of preference (just like GT3).

 

[Famine]

I was greeted with the sound of Carl's stomach rumbling and a warning to get some food or his health would diminish.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

Yes. First of all it diminishes very slowly. Secondly, when you save, his Health gets replenished and it acts as if he ate at home. I really don't know why you get so irritated by it. But oh well, I suppose it's just not your thing.

Second of all, I agree with KM on the language and character. I don't really understand why you don't a character unless they act like you. I know you're just saying you liked Tommy better because you can relate to him more, but your wording came across very different. It sounded as if you don't like CJ because he doesn't act/talk like you.

Then turn Vice City on and go out to work. Tommy will still be alive when you get back (although if you've got an original PS2, the console might not be)

Hey, I know that. Probably the main reason my PS2 died. I left it on ALL the time, until I went to sleep. Turned it on in the morning. I did it to get my hours up. I thought I was clever. My PS2 out-smarted me.

 

[KieranMurphy]

The sign you crash through? Go back and read it again - it's quite funny. The sign originally says "The Taste Of Things To Come!"

I never noticed.

If you do not eat - and do nothing at all - CJ will die.

I'd heard that before, but it so far hasn't been an issue for me. I only eat when I've been injured and need health. I'm saving that regularly that it's not noticeable. Maybe when I've completed the missions and I'm just doing rampage type things and I'm not saving so often I'll start to notice.

On the wisecracking, I found Tommy funnier. Maybe it's because he was darker and more sarcastic - my particular tastes. And I could just imagine Ray Liotta saying everything, which made it funnier still - that exasperated look.

I loved Tommy. But I think CJ's funny as well. Ah well.


KM.

 

[Famine]

Yes. First of all it diminishes very slowly. Secondly, when you save, his Health gets replenished and it acts as if he ate at home. I really don't know why you get so irritated by it. But oh well, I suppose it's just not your thing.

*sigh*

Observation, not condemnation.

Second of all, I agree with KM on the language and character. I don't really understand why you don't a character unless they act like you. I know you're just saying you liked Tommy better because you can relate to him more, but your wording came across very different. It sounded as if you don't like CJ because he doesn't act/talk like you.

I'm actually saying I don't like CJ because what he says is completely alien to me, not because he doesn't act or talk like me. I can see myself as Tommy - although Tommy doesn't act or talk like me. I cannot see myself as CJ. Although in both cases, I don't think I'd rampage around a city for 48 hours driving a tank and murdering in cold blood.

Tommy is the stronger character. He's the archetypal anti-hero. You want him to win, even though he's so bad. The whole world is against him - hell, even his best friend in the game turns against him. CJ, so far, seems to be just some ghetto guy intent on revenge against the other gang because they killed his brother and his "moms".


On a final note, everything I've said is a balanced opinion and I am reviewing aspects of the game from a critical, impassive standpoint. I don't "hate" x, or get "so irritated" by it - if I did, I wouldn't still be playing it - so stop making it out as if I am. Or is it the new forum policy to only post glowing praise for every aspect of the game? If Rockstar don't get balanced views, how will they know what to improve and what to leave alone for the next game?

 

[Jay]

CJ, so far, seems to be just some ghetto guy intent on revenge against the other gang because they killed his brother and his "moms".

Yes so far, but that changes.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

*sigh*

Observation, not condemnation.

*sigh*

I didn't say anything about condemnation. I'm giving my opinion about what I've experienced, and it seems most people don't get annoyed by this. I'm just wondering why you get annoyed by it. I'm not actually going against you on any of this.

Have you been playing for ages without saving?

 

[R32GTST/M]

Or that they've not been to an FAQ/guide site for hints and tips?

Not me! I’m not really into having someone else show me how to play a game, and get the most from it. Id rather figure things out for myself.

Also, on your complaint of the eating, I don't find it irritating at all. In fact, I haven't really had to sidetrack for food at all. If I pass a food place, I like to grab something to eat. Plus, if you need to replenish your health, you kill 2 birds in one stone. But the fact of the matter is, you don't have to eat too often at all. It's very rare that CJ needs to eat.

It’s bothered me and interfered with my game play on a few occasions, most recently being when I was completing Flying school. Just before I commenced I received the warning telling me to eat, I ignored this and when I completed Flying school, CJ was almost dead and all my Muscle had gone away. That was annoying because the Flying school is in the middle of nowhere, and is food is not easily accessible. I didn’t die though which has been experienced by others.

The only thing that I don't like about SA is the camera angles.
I mean like when your driving and you push up are down on either analogue controller, the damn camera also moves up or down, and I also noticed that when you want to turn around the camera angles get all messed

The latter can be annoying, but I have learned to tolerate it. But with the aforementioned statement, I find the fact that you can, change the camera a godsend, especially in San Fierro when driving over blind hills, or in stealth for looking round corners.

 

[Famine]

*sigh*

I didn't say anything about condemnation. I'm giving my opinion about what I've experienced, and it seems most people don't get annoyed by this. I'm just wondering why you get annoyed by it. I'm not actually going against you on any of this.

Have you been playing for ages without saving?

You said that I "get so irritated by it" and, just now, "you get annoyed by it". Point out to me those parts of my observation please. I did say it was "highly intrusive".


I like Catalina. She's funny.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

I'm sorry if my comments offended you in any way.

I like Catalina, except she can get annoying when you have your speakers up load and her voice tends to pierce your ears occasionally!

It’s bothered me and interfered with my game play on a few occasions, most recently being when I was completing Flying school. Just before I commenced I received the warning telling me to eat, I ignored this and when I completed Flying school, CJ was almost dead and all my Muscle had gone away. That was annoying because the Flying school is in the middle of nowhere, and is food is not easily accessible. I didn’t die though which has been experienced by others.

I'm pretty sure that saving makes it act as if CJ has had something to eat. I'm pretty sure on this. It also regenerates your health. And you have a Save Point just around the corner from the Flight School, so you should have tried that.

The only thing that I don't like about SA is the camera angles.
I mean like when your driving and you push up are down on either analogue controller, the damn camera also moves up or down, and I also noticed that when you want to turn around the camera angles get all messed

I actually like the Camera better than Vice City, I love looking over the top of hills to see if I can jump, or to prepare for a collision, etc. It's a dream-come-true to me. But that's just a personal feeling, I can see how some people would hate the low camera angle. It doesn't annoy me at all.

 

[yeti]

The new camera angle works well for me too... I also like the way we can move the camera whenever we want instead of having to be standing still (Like in 3 and VC).

I still use the L1 technique quite a lot to centre the camera and get my stats up at the same time!!!

C.

 

[KieranMurphy]

I like Catalina. She's funny.

She's one crazy b!tch.


KM.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

I still use the L1 technique quite a lot to centre the camera and get my stats up at the same time!!!

Yeah, so do I. I also love how you can know what day it is.

 

[Famine]

Catalina certainly makes the Los Santos/San Fierro interim missions a lot of fun - a lot more than they might otherwise be with the large expanses of nothing to explore.

Funnily, I explored San Fierro more or less totally. Then in the mission for "The Truth", as I entered San Fierro, CJ said...

"Wow. San Fierro. I can't believe I've never been here before."

Dolt.


I tried to leap over a Packer into San Fierro's airport (Easter Bay?), but it wouldn't work. Bugger. I DID manage to do the Bloodring Banger mission though. The $10,000 came in kind of handy.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

Yeah, I loved San Fierro. I didn't think the countryside as large expanses of nothing. I thought of them as part of the routes between each city.

I like the Countrysides anyway, they have a few things I like doing, and racing over hills and through forests is fun on a Sanchez. The Desert is very well done too.

I'm still yet to have anything bad to say about this game. There are a few glitches, sure, but they aren't much to complain about and they were expected.

 

[Famine]

More good news: The Monster is good. The mission "Deconstruction" is funny. I have all golds in the driving school (although one of the tests involves an awful lot of luck and a tiny amount of skill) - however the driving school does remind me, again, of True Crimes...

 

[yeti]

Catalina certainly makes the Los Santos/San Fierro interim missions a lot of fun - a lot more than they might otherwise be with the large expanses of nothing to explore.

What's all this babble about Catalina... I've got a bird called Helena... it says so in my stats... (Progress with Helena)?

The one that you steal the Tanker with (That's the only one I've done so far)... and 3 other "soft targets"?

C.

 

[Famine]

Catalina is Cesar's cousin. She's a complete psychopath and I don't think she counts as a "girlfriend", so she wouldn't appear in the stats with a progress result.

With her you go to rob a liquor store, a gas station, a bookies and a bank - although I won't reveal anything about the subsequent events in those missions. But yes.

 

[yeti]

So WTF is Helena then?

I've not met a Helena in my game yet she's in my stats (Under Denise!)...

I couldn't here what Catalina/Helena said when she said her name cept that it ended in an "a"... If it is Catalina... is it the same one that used to be in GTA3?

I've done the gas station... hang on you're english... petrol station mission... but I had to go all the way back to Angel Pine to speak to "The Truth"... so I'm saved in Angel Pine at the moment waiting to do that mission!!

C.

 

[Jay]

Ive got one that says "Progress with Michelle" in the stats, I dont have a clue who Mechelle is?

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

There are a fair few different Women you can Date. Also, yes, Catalina is the same one from GTA 3. Also, another major re-appearance that shocked me happens which is connected to her. If you played GTA 3, you will notice this. My jaw dropped, surprised me alot.

Anyway, I won't elaborate any more on this, too big-a-spoiler.

Also, I do agree that the Driving School is a little like True Crimes, and they may have took a page from their book, but it's done much better and so are alot of things. I don't think San Andreas is overly much like True Crimes, and in the areas that it is similar, it's done a hell of a lot better. In my opinion of course.

Comparing this to True Crimes is an insult to San Andreas.

 

[T5-R]

Well to be honest dispite the amusement of dressing up CJ like a clown, I've been pretty dissapointed. The play area is huge, but the graphics are pretty bad most the time (but then I've recently played Xbox GTA) & the whole gangsta thing is very irritating. So sick of seeing/hearing about rappers etc... here in the UK, where the whole Bling Bling thing seems to be in fashion. It also dissapoints me that they've used so much swearing in the game (more like the original Getaway, but then that seemed fitting to me) in past GTAs there has been little swearing & instead witty dialog.

I was never that impressed with GTA III (I've been a fan of GTA since I first tried the demo of GTA1). But Vice City sure made up for it, it was great & I feel atleast so far SA isn't much different. I also feel SA has lost the GTA 'feel' & that the car models suck.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

San Andreas delved away from the GTA feel a little, but not overly much. The fact that there is swearing is a big change, but it's nothing major to me. As you said about swearing in The Getaway being fitting, I think in San Andreas it's very fitting. Plus, they are trying to get closer to real life each game.

On your comment about it being similar to Vice City: I do not get what you mean there. Different handling, many different features, as you said: different feel, swearing, a whole different theme, different abilities, etc etc etc.

The car models suck? I found them to be much better than GTA 3 or Vice City. How come you think they suck?

By the way, I realise all that I just said came across quite direct, but I'm just stating what I feel. Sorry if any of it feels direct to you, it's not. Opinions are valued here.

 

[KieranMurphy]

The car models suck? I found them to be much better than GTA 3 or Vice City. How come you think they suck?

Same here. I love the rendering style and I think they look great. It's no Gran Turismo 3 but they're a big improvement on earlier GTA games.

Apart from the ever present graphical glitches, the graphics do look much better. Just load up GTA III and compare the car models and the textures on buildings and you'll see the difference.


KM.

 

[Jimmy Enslashay]

Or even load up Vice City. The only difference between Vice City and San Andreas on Graphics I can see is doors on buildings. They done this to blend the whole environment together.

They didn't blend them all in to be great graphics, as it would take forever to load. Think coding-wise. You'll see they've done an overwhelmingly fantastic job. The graphics outweigh any other GTA.