GTA: San Andreas - 10 Reasons It's Still The Best In The Series

2. The Plot Twist

San Andreas' story might not be the best the series has seen but it does feature a mind-blowing plot twist that turns the entire game upside down. The first section of the game, based in Los Santos, sees CJ reintegrating himself with the Grove Street gang, especially the leaders Sweet, Ryder and Big Smoke. References are made to the death of CJ's mother before the game but it doesn't really seem to be a key detail until the final mission of the first Los Santos segment. CJ's mother was shot by the driver of a green Sabre in a drive-by and this is mentioned in passing early on. Intriguingly then, one mission is titled "The Green Sabre" and in it, you learn that Smoke and Ryder had a helping hand in the events prior to the game's beginning and that Smoke has been part of the syndicate flooding the streets with drugs. It's a pretty shocking revelation, given how tight the Grove Street leaders appear to be initially and it changes the entire game dramatically. The game shifts away from Los Santos after these events and though Smoke and Ryder's betrayal is not forgotten, other events take precedent for a time. Still, when CJ returns to Los Santos, everything comes full circle and the player is desperate to dish out some justice on Smoke; all because of how exceptionally well executed this plot twist is. It sets Smoke up to be an ideal villain, and considering the game already has a pretty top notch one beforehand, it's a genuinely surprising moment.