What initially spurred me to write a review on this game was one of the previously, laughably sad reviews (the one that gave it a perplexingly low 3.0) that was obviously written by someone who either hasn't played the game, an old republican (considering how offended he was by the supposedly gratuitous sexual aspects), an idiot, concerned parent, or someone who is extremely bored. Shame really. Hopefully my review will not be a "total-letdown". Gameplay: Nothing to say here that hasn't been stated a million times already. It is nothing short of pure excellence. The game is filled with an innumerable amount of things to do, even without factoring the excellent mission based campaign. Carl can go to the gym to lose weight or gain muscle, and can even learn a new fighting style (after laying the smack down on the instructor in hand-to-hand combat), which he can use to better defeat his opponents. You can go to the numerous driving schools (each catered to a specific vehicle) to better his abilities in controlling each vehicle better (it's not mandatory to go to the schools to develops skills, but it is much efficient). He can go to shooting ranges at particular ammunation shops in order to better his skills at using fire-arms. All this helps to create a small rpg effect that helps increase the quality of the game. Instead of chasing after ridiculous hearts to heal as in it's predecessors, healing is almost completely restricted to eating at fast food restaurants. If carl eats too much of the wrong food he gets fat, if he eats too light he'll get hungry quicker, which (if not acted upon quickly) results in lose of muscle, fat, and (extreme scenario) health. Carl can purchase a large of variety of cloths and haircuts to satisfy almost anyone's taste. The aiming and fighting controls have been dramatically improved and are much more accessible, not to mention less aggravating. Carl can now grab on to ledges and pull himself up, and now possesses the much needed ability to swim, thus no more drowning in five feet water!!!! Yay!!! He can still drown though if left under water too long. But, like almost everying else that requires skill, Carls breathing skills can be improved by practice; One mission isn't even playable until you've reached a certain skill level in swimming. When you reach Las Venturas you can gamble at the casinos. The game world is unbelievably large, and it's almost impossible not to be impressed with it's size and scope. There's simply too much to do. You can still purchase structures. People even make comments amount Carl's appeareance and Cars. Basically, the game can only be fully realized by playing it (which you are hopefully doing!!). You now even rercuit members of your gang to follow you around, something I've been wanting ever since their inclusion in Vice City. The storyline revolves around Carl Johnson in 1992, who returns home to Los Santos, after spending five years in Libery City, to see his murdered mothers funeral, but is unable to attend when he waylaid by the corrupt officer Tenpenny and his lacky Pulanski and framed for the murder of another officer, which Tenpenny had killed. He then returns home to find his turf overrun by a gang called The Ballers, and his gang, Grove Street, in serious decline (later in the game you will fight to reclaim the lost turf, which will pay a handsome fee every few hours, the more land, the higher the fee), the game then turns Carl from an lowly thug, into a strong, intelligent gangster. The games story is very diverse, with the hood aspects playing side role to many others. The game is nothing short of perfect. Graphics: Nothing special here. It won't dethrown HL 2, F.E.A.R., or Doom 3 anytime soon, but it's not bad when you realize how detailed the world is. Sound: The the number of the radio stations is diverse. There is Play Back Fm (old school rap), K-Rose (country), K-DST (rock), Bounce FM (disco?), Sf-UR (house music) Radios Los Santos (gangsta rap), Radio-x (uniques rock?), CSR 103.2 (RnB/ New Jack), K-Jah West (reggae), Mater Sounds (classic soul), and WCTR (Talk radio). The soundtrack (IMHO) is not on par with that of of Vice City, but this may be a result of this period in music, or simply my taste. But that doesn't mean it doesn't sound excllent, just that VC's soundtrack was consistent throughout. The game world sounds are excellent of course, nothing sounded out of place. The people's comments, particularly the insulting one's directed at Carl, are enjoyable to hear. Overall, this game is ridiculously addictive and worth every penny. If you don't enjoy it, then something's seriously wrong. I'm sure a Barbie game is a more equitable purchase for your gaming time.
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