Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Dec 12, 2015 11 years ago
Returning after his mother's murder to the semi-fictional city of Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), Carl Johnson, a former gang banger, must take back the streets for his family and friends by gaining respect and once again gaining control over the streets. However, a story filled with crime, lies and corruption will lead him to trudge the entire state of San Andreas (based on California and Nevada) to rebuild his life.
What it’s like
San Andreas delivers a sprawling, cinematic open-world experience set in early-90s America, where you navigate the gritty streets of Los Santos and the rural expanses of San Fierro and Las Venturas. The narrative is a grounded crime drama focusing on loyalty, betrayal, and survival within a corrupt system, driven by memorable characters and sharp, era-specific dialogue. Gameplay is defined by immense variety: from high-octane car chases and third-person shooting to stealth missions, sports mini-games, and extensive vehicle customization. The world feels alive with distinct regional cultures, radio stations, and interactive environments that reward curiosity. While the core mechanics of driving and shooting are robust, the experience is heavily augmented by its sheer scale and the freedom to engage in almost any activity imaginable, creating a sense of agency rarely seen in contemporaries.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicExploration / WorldGameplay / MechanicsProgression / ReplayabilityStory / NarrativeSystems Depth / Build VarietyCharactersCo-op / MultiplayerCombatWriting / Dialogue
Keep in mind The game suffers from significant technical issues on modern platforms, including buggy physics, clipping glitches, and dated controls that can feel clunky. Additionally, the massive scope means pacing can drag during repetitive side activities or long travel times between distant map locations.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from ign.com, play.google.com, simbasible.com, metacritic.com, doubleyouteeeff.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 26, 200422 years ago |
| Xbox | Worldwide | Full release | Jun 10, 200521 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 04, 200819 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 12, 201016 years ago |
| iOS | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 12, 201313 years ago |
| Android | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 19, 201313 years ago |
| Windows Phone | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 28, 201413 years ago |
| Xbox 360 | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 03, 201412 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 05, 201511 years ago |
| PlayStation 3 | Worldwide | Full release | Dec 12, 201511 years ago |