Why GTA San Andreas isn't better than GTA 5
The Grand Theft Auto community is affectionately divided between GTA San Andreas (2004) and GTA 5 (2013) regarding which one is better. While both games are based on the same fictional city, Rockstar Games added certain characteristics to each of them. As of now, both these games are two of the most ambitious projects from their respective universes. However, since the HD Universe is more advanced than the 3D Universe, Grand Theft Auto 5 beats San Andreas in many aspects.
This article briefly explains why GTA San Andreas cannot be compared to the prodigy of Grand Theft Auto 5.
Note: This article is purely subjective and only reflects the writer’s opinions.
How does GTA San Andreas fall behind in comparison to the legacy of GTA 5?
Before debating, Grand Theft Auto series fans should realize that GTA 5 was built on the ambition Rockstar Games had for GTA San Andreas. Many standard features in the 2013 title were initially planned for the 2004 title. However, the San Andreas gameplay was limited by the technology of its time.
The most significant example is the multiple protagonist feature. Rockstar Games initially planned to include multiple playable characters in GTA San Andreas. However, since video game platforms were not as advanced as of 2013, GTA 5 got the upper hand in this case.
Secondly, the map of San Andres is much smaller compared to Grand Theft Auto 5. Many fans argue that the open world of the 2004 title feels bigger than Grand Theft Auto 5. While the feeling is subjective, the figures denote the total opposite. The following are the total area measures of both the games:
- Grand Theft Auto San Andreas: 38.2 square kilometers
- Grand Theft Auto 5: 75.84 square kilometers
Even the beta map of GTA 5 was bigger than GTA San Andreas and many other games.
Thirdly, the graphics of the games clearly tell which game is better to play. Both San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto 5 received their fair share of graphical improvements since their original releases. While the San Andreas Remastered version still looks cartoonish, the GTA 5 Expanded and Enhanced version can give tough competition to many modern-age video games released after it.
Last but not least, Grand Theft Auto 5 offers a more realistic experience compared to GTA San Andreas. Rockstar Games added some crazy little details in GTA 5 that still wow the fans after a decade. San Andreas also has a notable amount of realism. But, as far as modern gaming goes, Grand Theft Auto 5 beats San Andreas in various aspects.
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