Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Preview

We've also heard from various gaming mags that GTA: San Andreas includes several other visual improvements. It was said that the game features 30%-50% more polys than the previous game and that cars will gradually accumulate dirt depending on how long you've used the vehicle. Lighting and shadow effects have seen improvements as well. For instance, when you're in a car chased by a police helicopter, a searchlight will be pointed in your direction and when that happens, players will be able to see the reflections on their vehicles. The light also projects shadows accordingly to any object in the nearby area. The graphics engine has been revamped as well, allowing for an increased number of details in building interiors and greater draw distance outdoors. Hm, beefing up the visuals for a PS2 game seems like a tough task. Let's hope things work out okay, especially when they push the graphics even further on the PC and Xbox.

You know you're going places in life when your only ride is a BMX bike.

San Andreas during rush hour...

Amongst other aspects the emphasis is, as always, kept on audio design. For the time being we can only contemplate what type of mood Rockstar plans to set with the game's soundtrack. Naturally, it won't be GTA without a car-radio feature, so expect that one as well. In any case, we assume some popular bands and music stars will contribute to the audio in San Andreas. We also have to wait for the game's cast to be revealed, but knowing Rockstar, only top-notch actors will be in the line-up.

Multiplayer fans, unfortunately, won't get a chance to try out San Andreas online. Rockstar confirmed that the hugeness and complexity of San Andreas simply leaves very little room for online support. Hey, look on the bright side. Implementing multiplayer support would probably delay the game for another year, so I guess things are better this way.

It appears that GTA: San Andreas is already well on its way to flood the market similarly to Vice City. Although most of the info you've read concerns the game's PS2 incarnation, expectations for the PC version are just as high. With increased draw distance and the inevitable support for high resolution, PC gamers should be in for another fabulous addition to the GTA series.

We were also extremely pleased to learn that for the time being Rockstar is expressly committed to finishing this game which probably means they mean to unleash it on the PS2 this October as planned. For the record, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is expected to hit the store shelves on October 19, 2004 in the US and October 22, 2004 throughout Europe. Specifics on the PC port remain undisclosed at this time, but God knows how we PC gamers are looking forward to it. Yeah, so I'm excited about a console port, so sue me!