Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Launch

The first of this year's AAA titles has launched, and the first reviews are in. Gamespot, IGN, and OPM all have looks at the game, and it sounds great. If you want to keep track of the pool-shooting race track driving everything-under-one-roof extravaganza, the GameRankings page is available as well. When you play the game this week make sure and tune in to WCTR News to catch Anchorman Richard Burns, TV's Wil Wheaton. More seriously, reviews aren't the only thing the developers are looking for. Commentary regarding Take Two Interactive's slipping stock is available on CNN Money's Game Over.

Comments

Not just more of the same

[thesandtiger]

I've played it, and at first expected it to be just more beating the crap out of random passerby and screaming "Git' out tha car, byotch!" at the screen.

Fortunately, it isn't - I found the main game much more interesting than the previous two, so it'll probably have a longer play-life for me.

I have to admit being surprised that they've managed to keep it mostly fresh - it seems like people can't make a sequel without fucking up the mojo these days.

Re:GTA Source

[okayplayer]

And while many are saying that the engine in SA is the same as the one in VC and III, this isn't quite true. The engine has been modified greatly to allow for the much larger, fully streamed (no loading no matter where you travel) huge map.

For example now a "tree" like system is used for drawing in the various levels of details rather than the linear system that was used in the previous games. Yes, the look of the game is similar, but it is certainly a greatly improved engine to handle the new game's massive size. I mean you wouldn't say that an AMG V8 is the same engine as that honda 4 cyl would you?