Editor Reviews

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas doesn’t waste time easing you in. You’re CJ—Carl Johnson—returning home after years away. The second you land in Los Santos, things go sideways. Dirty cops, gang turf wars, and a broken family pull you back into a life you thought you’d left behind. It’s fast, chaotic, and unpredictable from the start.

The map is enormous. Not just Los Santos, but rural areas, mountains, deserts, and cities inspired by real-world places. You might be in a quiet beach town one minute and flying a stolen helicopter over a military base the next. The transitions are seamless, and the world rarely feels empty.

Visually, it shows its age. Blocky models and old-school effects are part of the package. But the charm is still strong. The atmosphere feels real—especially when you're driving at night with a classic track playing on the in-game radio. Each station has its own flavor, complete with commentary and fake commercials.

It’s not just missions and mayhem. You can live CJ’s life however you want. Go to the gym and bulk up, or eat nonstop fast food and let him get out of shape. You can dress up, work odd jobs, and customize his look. There’s no single right way to play, and that’s the appeal.

The writing holds up. Characters have strong voices, and even minor missions feel like part of a bigger world. There’s a sense of scale—like what you’re doing matters, whether it’s robbing a house or chasing someone through back alleys.

San Andreas is loud, raw, and unapologetic. It's made for older players and doesn't pretend otherwise. For anyone into open-world games where freedom comes first, it still stands as one of the most entertaining rides out there.

How to Play?

Step 1: Start the game. The first cutscene introduces CJ and the basic backstory. After that, you're immediately thrown into a short mission—ride a bike back home. This lets you get a feel for movement and camera controls.

Step 2: Look at your map. Each main mission is marked with a letter tied to a character (like "S" for Sweet). Go to the marker and walk into the circle to start. Some missions are simple errands, others turn wild quickly.

Step 3: Controls vary slightly depending on the platform. On PC, use the WASD keys to move, the mouse to look around and aim, and standard keys for jumping, running, and interacting. Driving and flying take practice, but you'll get better fast.

Step 4: Check CJ’s stats in the pause menu. His skills improve the more you do things. Run more, and his stamina increases. Use weapons often, and accuracy improves. Spend time at gyms for better hand-to-hand combat.

Step 5: Save often. Safe houses are marked on your map and come with a floppy disk icon inside. Always save after long missions or big purchases so you don’t lose progress.

Step 6: Explore beyond missions. Drive a taxi, take part in races, go skydiving, or try burglary missions at night. These activities offer extra cash and keep things interesting between major story missions.