Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - M

Violent, open-world, do-anything mature adventure.

Publisher: Rockstar Games Category/Genre: Video Games - Simulation Platform: Windows, Xbox Price: $49.99 Graphics: Excellent. Pushing the limits of the PlayStation 2. Playability: Difficult, but offers an open-ended, urban playground for mature gamer Reading Level: Light Release Date: 11/02/2004 ESRB Rating: M for Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this game is raunchy and violent, and portrays just about every deviant act that a criminal could think of in full, living 3D graphics. Players participate in drive-by shootings, deliver prostitutes to their johns, kill mob bosses, hijack vehicles, and learn to operate within the criminal world. The star rating given to this game is based on quality of gameplay within this adult genre of video gaming and is not an endorsement of the violence within the game.

Families playing this game can talk about the presence of adult content in video games. How do you feel when you are doing things that are clearly illegal or immoral? The game is a way to experience criminal life without societal consequences -- is it the "forbidden fruit" aspect that draws so many people to it? Why do you think this game is so popular?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Marc Saltzman

Without question, GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS isn't for kids because of its graphic violence, sex, and coarse language, but mature fans of this 32 million-unit-selling franchise who want to know if this sequel lives up to its hype, the answer is a resounding yes.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas players must run, gun, and drive through a bustling city to perform missions such as knocking off a mob boss or preventing a truckload of ammunition from reaching its destination. You can also carjack any vehicle in the game, but doing so in front of a police officer results in a cat-and-mouse chase throughout the neighborhood. Grand Theft Auto games are also known for their exceptional soundtracks; Players can toggle between many radio stations in every car, each playing a different kind of music.

While 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City took place in a Miami-like town in the 1980s, San Andreas is all about the grittier '90s, and involves three fictitious cities: Los Santos (based on Los Angeles) San Fierro (San Francisco), and Las Venturas (Las Vegas). Some missions take place in the countryside between each of these three metropolises.

If Vice City was likened to an interactive version of Scarface, consider San Andreas the closest thing to starring in Boyz N the Hood. Gamers play as Carl "CJ" Johnson, a young man who returns to the slums to avenge his mother's murder with the help of his old gang.

The dialogue between CJ and his crew is raw but convincing. DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the screenplay for the movie Friday and who has produced albums for LL Cool J and Ice Cube, co-wrote the game script. He also helped acquire voice talent for the game, including Young Maylay, an up-and-coming West Coast rapper, along with familiar celebrities Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, James Woods, and George Clinton, to name a few. The story is very well written and is packed with plot twists and other surprises.

San Andreas introduces new gameplay features to the series. For one, you must perfect certain skills over time, such as hand-to-hand combat and driving. You must also earn "respect" with each mission; the more you gain, the more likely gang members will help you on missions. CJ must also eat to maintain health and stamina -- but if he eats too much and doesn't visit the gym, he'll become overweight and less likely to succeed at more physical missions.

Other additions include the ability to climb fences, ride a bicycle, swim underwater, and parachute from a plane.

Two players can tackle a few tasks together in the optional cooperative missions.

Few video games pull off everything successfully, but San Andreas does so in spades. Indeed, this mature-rated game may be deemed offensive for its depiction of life as a "gangbanger," but if taken for what it is -- an interactive action-adventure for adult gamers -- you won't find a title that's more difficult to put down.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the most expansive game yet in the series. Rockstar Games estimates that it will take 100 hours to finish, if you include the optional side missions. With three huge cities, plus desert and countryside locations, there's a lot to explore.

Families looking for more kid-appropriate gameplay, try Okami or Guitar Hero II.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content The game contains everything from idle come-ons and sexual encounters to pimping and strip clubs. Partial/near nudity.The infamous "Hot Coffee" hidden scene has been removed by the game makers.
Violence Gang warfare, beatings, drive-by shootings, killing of innocent bystanders, bloody and grotesque deaths.
Language You're unlikely to find a video game that uses the "F" word more liberally. Consistent, repeated use of profanity in almost all scenes.
Message
	Social Behavior Gangster lifestyle is central to the storyline, so violence, misogyny, and mayhem are all rewarded.
	Commercialism Faux radio and billboard ads spoof national brands.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Drug use is prevalent and there is some alcohol consumption, as well.
	Educational Value None.