Rockstar
Games' cornerstone Grand Theft Auto series returns for a third run
through the 128-bit generation, with this violent, mature-themed
third-person shooter and mission-based driving game. Set in the
early-'90s gang culture of "San Andreas," a fictional U.S. region
modeled after California, the adventure plays out across the entire
virtual state, with action centered in its three main cities: Los Santos
(based on Los Angeles), San Fiero (San Francisco), and Las Venturas
(Las Vegas).<br><br>Like its immediate predecessor, Vice
City, San Andreas strives to provide a wide, deep foundation for its
free-form criminal gameplay by setting the story in a slightly
exaggerated representation of a familiar (if not glorified) American
subculture. As Vice City seemed inspired by Miami Vice, and the
pastel-decked, "me generation" ideals of the early '80s, San Andreas is
set in a time and place suggested by films like Boyz 'N the Hood, Menace
II Society, or Colors, where riots eventually brought a whole city to a
halt and awakened new consciousness across the
country.<br><br>Players take the role of a young man named
Carl "C.J." Johnson, who thought he had escaped the gangland lifestyle
by moving away from his Los Santos home. When his mother is murdered, he
returns to the neighborhood of his childhood, only to become embroiled
with threats and danger from all sides. Because of his family and
friends who remained in Los Santos, he's considered an enemy-on-sight to
rival gang members. Even worse, perhaps, the corrupt local law
enforcement frames him for a crime he did not
commit.<br><br>To clear his name and save his family, C.J.
sets out on a long journey that will lead him all across the state. More
than any earlier GTA game, San Andreas features strong elements of
role-playing and character development, encouraging players to customize
their version of C.J. as they play through his adventure on their own
terms. Unlike the protagonist of GTA 3, or Vice City's Tommy Vercetti,
C.J. isn't really working for some underworld organization or crime boss
mastermind -- he's out to take care of himself and his own family. He
is not driven by the immediate promise of wealth or promotion; his goals
are far more personal. He must steer the direction of his exploits, to
follow them to a satisfactory end.<br><br>Also in the theme
of giving more control of over the lead character's development, players
will take care of C.J.'s day-to-day needs. Food presents the easiest
way to replenish lost health, so when he is hungry, he'll need to eat --
perhaps at one of San Andreas' fast food chains, like "Cluckin' Bell,"
or "Burger Shot." If he doesn't eat enough, C.J. will become thin and
weak, but too much fast food without any exercise will cause him to grow
fat and slow. Players can also choose the clothes that C.J. wears, and
have him get customized tattoos.<br><br>C.J. has to come up
with any money he needs for these things on his own, however, since
there won't always be some boss character waiting to pay him off as he
completes his missions. One way to scratch up some quick cash is by
robbing homes at night. When he jacks the right kind of van and puts on
his ski mask, C.J. enters a stealth mode, and is more likely to be able
to sneak into a house, nab some valuables, and head off to the local
fence before the residents even wake up.<br><br>Overall, San
Andreas is in the same format and style that won millions of fans for
GTA 3 and Vice City, but it features a number gameplay adjustments and
improvements. In addition to C.J.'s stealth mode, he can also swim; a
wrong turn off the pier will no longer result in an instant trip to the
emergency ward, and if all else fails, the protagonist may even be able
to evade pursuers by taking a quick dip. The game's targeting system has
also been adjusted. Using triggers and both analog sticks (à la
Manhunt), players take more complete control of C.J., and can have him
run and strafe, change targets, and sh