This game throws vast content at you, and is a good update, though isn't exactly revolutionary. Good value.
Graphics -- 6/10
The graphics are dull when it comes to character detail, and feel really 8-bit. The game's colours are pretty plain and haven't improved at all. The only good looking thing you will see in this game is the sky, which isn't actually bad at all. For Gamespot giving an 8 for graphics is a laugh, the graphics in this game are average.
Sound -- 5/10
The sound cast is OK but the quality of the sound is poor. Sounds like mono sound gone bad, nowadays 5.1 is supposed to be the average in games. Sounds pretty blurry. In terms of gun sound effects, this game offers the worst gun shot sounds you'll ever hear. The guns you use in the game sound like a stapler, the only difference between the sounds is the rate of fire. The main character in this game is annoying as hell, and the most fake sounding gangster wannabe I've ever heard.
Controls are pretty annoying. You do not aim at the person shooting you, instead your character will happily aim at some random pedestrian while you're being taken out by a thug with an UZI.
Cops are nearly impossible to lose. At the start, the only thing you'll do is stab your local black folks till the cops come appearing out of nowhere, and thats when you run in your house and come out again to stab more black folks, and so on.
When you've collected your fat weapons arsenal, its usually taken by the crazy hospital staff or the cops.
One of the things I still love in this game is the AI. Its hilarious watching a local tramp kick a gangster out of his car, then blown up before getting a chance to drive away.
The game offers a lot of good RnB songs to listen to while cruising around, which is a pretty good point if you like that kinda music.
The game still has its old jobs like the fireman, ambulance and taxi driver missions that increase in difficulty as well as the cash rewards as you progress.
This game's biggest success are the vehicles as well as the variety of environments. This gets a 9 from me in terms of amount of content. Nearly limitless, as you can now fly. The vast areas that you can visit in terms of variety is amazing, as always.
Gameplay 7/10
Gameplay is OK, though obviously nothing revolutionary. Sometimes a little annoyiong, but nothing bad.
Variety of vehicles is just awesome. Training in the game isn't much fun but its a pretty good option. The whole "stats" thing is absolutely nothing special though. It seems as though as Rockstar try to throw as much quantity of vehicles and the bonus things you wouldn't get in previous titles such as GTA Vice City such as shops, minigames etc, but dont offer that much more than Vice City or GTA 3. They offered a character thats cool, not annoying as hell like the guy you play in this game. If I had a penny for every time the main character in this game said a-hole, I'd probably be a millionaire. I always loved a shootout in the dark city, or a golf club massacre as well as the story and the few missions which the kept me playing the other GTA games. This, however is a good attempt which slightly lacks a feel. Spending £9.99 on this game was a good deal. I suggest you save your money and stick to the GTA Double Pack though. If you can get your hands on a Triple Pack, then sure, San Andreas is a good bonus, though don't worry at all if you haven't had a chance to buy or try this game -- you wouldn't be missing much. Stick to the previous GTA titles if you already have them, if not, try this game.