GTA San Andreas is one of the most popular titles in the Grand Theft Auto series, and fans never miss the opportunity to compare it to the latest game in the franchise, GTA 5. While the latter was released nearly nine years after San Andreas, there are still a few things missing. Players have been critical of these missing features and have hoped that Rockstar Games would add them to the game.
Although that hasn’t happened, it has become a subject of discussion within the gaming community. Fans of the older game always mention these features and gameplay mechanisms when criticizing Grand Theft Auto 5, especially because there were things that San Andreas did better than its successor.
1) Ability to Change the Body
One of the many interesting features of GTA San Andreas was the ability to change CJ’s body shape. Players would start with a normal physique and could then build muscle mass by working out at the gym or gain weight by consuming a lot of junk food.
This was fascinating because if CJ was too heavy, he would struggle to perform certain tasks, such as chasing targets. GTA 5 lacks this feature, and fans felt its absence in the game. This feature would have given them more freedom in shaping their character and introduced RPG elements.
2) Unarmed Combat
Grand Theft Auto is primarily known for firearms and explosives, but it occasionally offers players the opportunity to engage in unarmed combat. This not only adds variety to the gameplay but also makes it more engaging, as shooting bullets can become monotonous at times. San Andreas excelled in this aspect, surpassing GTA 5.
The older game had a fantastic unarmed combat system, where players could learn different fighting styles and execute combinations to defeat enemies. Although GTA 5 features three main characters, unarmed combat is quite dull for each of them and does not add anything unique to the game.
3) Variety of Side Missions
GTA San Andreas was also superior to GTA 5 in terms of the diverse range of side missions. Players could take on the role of a firefighter or ambulance personnel, help civilians, and earn extra money. The varied difficulty level of these side missions made them even more interesting.
Unfortunately, GTA 5 lacks such side missions, which makes the game somewhat dull after completing the main story. Rockstar Games also canceled eight single-player DLCs that were leaked in the game’s source code, which infuriated fans as it took away a significant part of the gaming experience.
4) Diversity in Map Designs
GTA San Andreas received much praise for its diverse map designs, featuring three cities with different climates and atmospheres – Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. Additionally, the map included forest and desert areas, which kept players interested and refreshed.
In contrast, GTA 5 has only one large city, Los Santos, and a relatively bare countryside. There are also not many missions or side tasks that draw players to these areas. This renders the overall map design relatively tedious and unexciting for most players.
5) Story and Characters
The Grand Theft Auto community generally considers the story of San Andreas to be better than that of GTA 5. The main reason for this is that the latter’s story is divided among three main characters. Although that is fine, it still detracts from immersion in the game.
On the contrary, San Andreas had only one main character, CJ, and focused on him and his character development. The supporting characters in the game were much more memorable, and the antagonist was truly despicable. Experiencing his downfall was highly satisfying. This is one of the reasons why GTA San Andreas is considered one of the best games of all time.
Despite these aspects, GTA 5 is still a great game that was revolutionary in its own way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What features set GTA San Andreas apart from other games in the Grand Theft Auto series?
GTA San Andreas stands out, particularly due to its ability to change the main character’s body shape, its unarmed combat feature, and the variety of side missions available. Additionally, it offers diverse map designs and an intriguing story with memorable characters.
2) What is the purpose of the ability to change the body in GTA San Andreas?
The ability to change the body allows players to customize the appearance of the main character, CJ. Players can increase his muscle mass by working out at the gym or gain weight by consuming junk food. There are limitations associated with these changes, such as being too heavy and not being able to perform certain tasks.
3) How does the unarmed combat feature in GTA San Andreas differ from that in GTA 5?
GTA San Andreas offers an incredible unarmed combat system, allowing players to learn different fighting styles and execute combinations to defeat enemies. In contrast, unarmed combat in GTA 5 is more monotonous and lacks unique gameplay elements.
4) What are the differences in the variety of side missions between GTA San Andreas and GTA 5?
GTA San Andreas provides a more diverse range of side missions compared to GTA 5. Players can take on the roles of a firefighter or ambulance personnel, help others, and earn extra money. The difficulty level of these side missions also varies. Unfortunately, GTA 5 lacks such side missions, which can make the game less interesting after completing the main story.
5) What are the benefits of diverse map designs in GTA San Andreas?
GTA San Andreas features diverse maps, including three cities with different climates and atmospheres – Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. It also includes forest and desert areas that keep the gameplay engaging and refreshing for players. In contrast, GTA 5 only has one large city, Los Santos, and a relatively plain countryside.
6) Why are the story and characters in GTA San Andreas considered better than those in GTA 5?
The story of GTA San Andreas focuses on the main character, CJ, and his development. The supporting characters in the game are more memorable, and the antagonist is truly despicable. Experiencing his downfall provides great satisfaction. These factors contribute to GTA San Andreas being regarded as one of the best games of all time.
The source of the article is from the blog trebujena.net