Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition Review Summary

Remastered Version is Enjoyable: Players widely agree that the game, especially after numerous updates and fixes, is now a great and enjoyable experience. Many appreciate the opportunity to revisit a beloved classic with improved visuals and stability, often citing a strong sense of nostalgia.

San Andreas is a Masterpiece: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is consistently hailed as a timeless classic and one of the best GTA games, if not one of the greatest games of all time. Players love its iconic story, characters, massive open world, and the sheer freedom it offers, often preferring it over other GTA titles.

Vast Open World and Content: The game's massive and diverse open world, featuring three distinct cities and various terrains, is a major highlight. Players appreciate the immense amount of content, varied missions, and the freedom to explore, which contributes to countless hours of entertainment.

Engaging Story and Characters: The game's story is consistently praised as incredible, captivating, and well-written, with memorable characters. Players particularly resonate with CJ's journey and the dynamic cast, finding the narrative immersive and emotionally impactful.

High Price for Low Quality: Many players feel the game is significantly overpriced, especially given its numerous technical issues, lack of substantial improvements over the original, and overall poor quality. The price is seen as unjustified for a 20-year-old game that feels like a rushed, low-effort remaster.

Persistent Bugs and Poor Optimization: Players consistently report a wide array of bugs, glitches, and crashes, many of which are carried over from the original game or are new to the remaster. The game also suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to poor performance even on high-end systems, frequent frame drops, and an overall unpolished experience.

Unsatisfactory Character Models and Graphics: The character models, especially for CJ and other NPCs, are frequently described as ugly, strange, plastic-like, or cartoonish, often looking worse than in the original. Graphical inconsistencies, blurry textures, and poor LODs also contribute to a visually unappealing experience that falls short of modern standards.

Poor AI and NPC Behavior: The AI for both NPCs and enemies is criticized for being broken, leading to illogical behavior, pathfinding issues, and unfair situations. This includes NPCs crashing into players, spawning incorrectly, and police acting erratically, which can disrupt missions and immersion.

Inferior to Original Version: A significant portion of feedback indicates that the remastered 'Definitive Edition' is inferior to the original game. Players cite a loss of charm, atmosphere, and core mechanics, along with simplified gameplay, reduced difficulty, and a general feeling that the remaster is a downgrade rather than an improvement.

Diverse Vehicle & Activity Mechanics: The game offers a wide range of vehicle mechanics, including flying planes, helicopters, and even jetpacks, alongside various driving options. Players can engage in numerous activities like gambling, basketball, dancing, and street racing, contributing to varied gameplay.

Gang Warfare & Criminal Activities: A core aspect of the game involves gang conflicts, territory disputes, and various criminal activities. Players can engage in gang wars, take over hoods, and participate in daring robberies, immersing them in the game's criminal underworld.

Flexible Game Modes & Features: The game includes a free mode, mini-games, and an online mode, offering diverse ways to play. It also features a GPS system for navigation and allows for frame rate adjustments, though some missions may require specific FPS settings.

Classic & New Lighting Options: The Definitive Edition offers players the choice between classic PS2-era lighting and new Unreal Engine lighting. This allows players to experience the game with either a nostalgic aesthetic or a more modern, realistic visual style.

Specific Hardware Performance: Some players provided detailed system specifications and reported excellent performance, achieving high framerates on powerful modern hardware, indicating that top-tier systems can run the game very smoothly.

Steam Deck Compatibility Issues: The game generally runs on Steam Deck, but some users report issues specifically related to the game's launcher, indicating a less-than-seamless experience on the handheld device.

Display Configuration Issues: One user reported a specific, unusual workaround needed to play the game, involving disabling and re-enabling a display, suggesting a rare but frustrating technical glitch for some setups.

Buy on Sale, Not Full Price: A significant number of players strongly recommend purchasing the game only when it is on sale, often suggesting discounts of 50% or more. The consensus is that the game's full price is not justified, but it offers good value at a reduced cost.

Nostalgia is a Key Factor: Many players purchase or recommend the Definitive Edition primarily for nostalgia, seeking to relive childhood memories. The game's ability to evoke these feelings is a significant driver for its recommendation, despite its flaws.

Rockstar Needs to Improve: Players express disappointment with Rockstar's initial release of the Definitive Edition, citing various issues and a lack of polish. There's a strong sentiment that Rockstar should have done better and should continue to fix remaining errors, with some even wishing for the original games to be re-released on platforms like Steam.

Rockstar's Role & Future: Players express mixed feelings about Rockstar Games' handling of the Definitive Edition, noting the initial poor quality and the involvement of other development teams. There's a desire for continued fixes and remasters of other classic titles, alongside concerns about the future direction of GTA games.

Platinum Trophy & Completion: A significant number of players are motivated to achieve 100% completion and earn the platinum trophy in the Definitive Edition. They report spending considerable hours (40-60+) to fully complete the game, often for the first time.

Playable on Modern Platforms: Players have successfully played the Definitive Edition on various modern platforms, including Steam Deck, and have experimented with mods and reshade programs to customize their experience. The game is generally considered playable despite its age and initial issues.

CJ's Iconic Character: Carl 'CJ' Johnson is highlighted as an iconic and relatable protagonist, with players appreciating his story and character development. His journey from the ghetto and interactions with other characters are considered a strong point of the game.