When Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas shipped for the PlayStation 2 and it landed in my hot little hands (much to the envy of my co-workers, some of whom couldn't get it for another day), I was overjoyed, as well as a bit curious. After all, this was a monumental shift for the series, even though the gameplay would still be focused on the "life of crime" kind of attitude. There were new environments, a new main character, and what could have been intimidating RPG elements. However, the game is excellent, and I bestowed upon it a perfect five star rating.

A few days ago I picked up Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the Xbox, months after it had enjoyed its run as an exclusive PS2 title, and it made me think about the Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack for the Xbox that was released a while back, including Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, along with a few touches to make it feel extra special on Microsoft's machine.

Did I enjoy those games? Yes, thoroughly. In fact, I still own them. But I still found myself looking back to the PS2 versions, to the innovation that the games provided immediately upon their arrival. There was a feeling of wonder with the original releases, and what the Xbox games feel like are director's cuts. To some, that's a great thing to have, and by all means they should have it. But to me, I dunno. It's like when you ride down the street to your new home for the first time and see all of the wonderful surroundings and excitement sets in, but then, months later, it's just the same old neighborhood. The sense of wonder is put off a little bit.

That's not to say that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a failure on the Xbox. By all means, it isn't. This is still a wonderful version of the game, once again putting you in the shoes of Carl Johnson as he slowly begins to rebuild his reputation as a master criminal, dealing with corrupt police officers, his fellow homies, rival gangs, and a number of characters that intertwine into the story. The game takes place across three sprawling cities, ranging from the lower end of the hood to the deeper part of downtown, where large buildings loom into the smog-filled skies. The fact that the game is open-ended and lets you literally go anywhere (or follow pre-set tasks to make yourself a stronger gangster) really ups its replay value.

The game is not family-friendly by any means since it wears its Mature rating like a badge of honor. The game features many violent activities, ranging from taking out enemies in a restaurant with a few shotgun blasts to taking control of an actual drive-by to leading some brutal police chases. It doesn't paint a pretty picture, but then again, it's not supposed to. Rockstar North set out to capture the tone of the criminal life in Los Angeles (renamed here, obviously) and they have done so extremely well, right down to the not-so-pretty sight of people having their lives driven by crack. It's a rough theme, but it's been redone rather well. So well, in fact, there's already wave after wave of knock-offs on the way, like Midway's Fear and Respect and Ubisoft's 187: Ride Or Die, among others.

It's not all violence, however. Another excellent aspect of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the ability to customize your character. Not only can you get them some bangin' threads to show off your true gang colors (which is good in your neighborhood, but bad in others), but you can also get yourself any kind of haircut that your heart desires, complete with afros and a mini-beard. So if you want to look like a bad-ass freak, the choice is yours. Another cool option is being able to have weight come into the picture. Eat too much and you become a Fat Albert-like character who chugs along when he needs to run. Don't eat enough and you start to lose energy, like any anorexic would. Muscle also comes into play, as you can bulk up with workouts at the area gyms. It's an awesome addition that really affects your character.

So we've talked about the gameplay a little bit, and universally it's the same with both versions. But what does the Xbox version have to offer over its PS2 cousin? Well, the most notable feature is the ability to make custom soundtracks. San Andreas features a wide assortment of radio stations already, complete with talented DJ's and a fine selection of songs ranging from gangsta tunes to rock songs (including AFI's take on Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like a Hole"). But you can add your own soundtrack and you even have the option of either including a DJ or not, and it's a fine addition. It's a little bothersome when you climb into a new car and have to change the station over and over again, but it just takes a few seconds of adjusting.

Also noteworthy in terms of audio is the game's voice acting, believable and truthful to the tone of the game. Chris Bellard does great work as the troubled Carl, while the "best of" honors have to go to Samuel L. Jackson, vicious and unforgiving as one of the corrupt officers. You'll run into his character early in the game and get the idea that he's not a man to mess around with. Also included in the mix are James Woods, Ice T, and Charlie Murphy (or as some of our staff like to call him from his Chappelle's Show character, Charlie Murphyyyyyyyyyyy!). Lastly, kudos to the scriptwriters for "keeping it real" and not loading the game with cheesy dialogue.

Now I come to the most crucial aspect of this review: the graphics. With a game like this being on the Xbox, one would expect only the most dramatic of improvements with this version, right? After all, that was one of the big things holding back the PS2 edition, the way that environments were all drawn out. A bit gritty for some tastes, but I really thought it fit the tone of the game. Unfortunately, the Xbox version looks mostly about the same. I mean, I can see some of the touch-ups such as the improved draw distance and a little less fog than in the PS2 edition. The animation is also pretty good, for the most part, especially when you're partaking in an activity like basketball, but I still think the game's got too many wear signs. Some of the lighting doesn't look good, although it's better than in previous chapters. Also, from time to time, some characters "bug out" and suddenly change movement. Otherwise, though, the game looks outstanding.

So why didn't I award this game with a 5.0 perfect score like the PS2 version? Number one, although the graphics still hold up tremendously well, some more could've been done with them. Slightly more, but you see the point. Lastly, I'm just not as impressed with the gameplay because the game has a been there/done that feel to it. Maybe it's the fact that I've traveled so much in the PS2 edition that I've worn out my memory card with the constant saves, or the concept of being a gang banger has become a little tired because of the plethora of "me too" titles coming out.

Whatever the case, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the Xbox still gets a solid 4.5 out of 5, and folks, that isn't bad. The experience that this game provides still speaks volumes, and being able to still get around as you please, right down to doing some wheelies on your bike or bashing in a coke dealer's head, is a joy to behold. The audio presentation is top notch, and the addition of custom soundtracks is a smart one. Also, the graphics, although not perfect, still get the job done. The gangster's paradise may be becoming a bit familiar, but that doesn't mean you should pass this game by.