What Happens When You Start a New Game in GTA: San Andreas
Selecting "New Game" initiates the full intended experience:
Character Creation: Choose CJ's name (fixed as Carl Johnson in story), but customize appearance: hairstyle, tattoos, clothing, and starting stats (muscle, fat, stamina, weapon skill, driving, flying, bike, lung capacity).
Opening Cutscene: CJ returns to Los Santos (1992) after 5 years in Liberty City. Mother murdered, family fractured, Grove Street Families weakened, C.R.A.S.H. (Tenpenny/Pulaski) framing him.
Starting State: Spawn at Johnson House, Ganton, Los Santos. Minimal cash, basic fist/melee, no wanted level.
Open World Access: Entire map (Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas, countryside, desert) gradually unlocks via story, but you can explore early (risking 4-star wanted level in locked cities).
Progression Systems: 100+ story missions + side content (gang wars, burglary, vigilante, paramedic, firefighter, racing, gambling, gyms, restaurants, girlfriends, asset missions). Stats improve via use (run=stamina, fight=muscle, eat=fat).
World Reactivity: Pedestrian AI, gang territory colors, radio chatter, and police response change based on your actions and story chapter.
Save Anywhere: At safehouses (floppy disk icon) or via mobile phone (post-mission unlock).
It launches one of gaming's most ambitious sandboxes.
