I took my time (a full week) before getting my hands on a copy of San Andreas for the Xbox—after all, I'd been there
before on PS2. And to be quite honest, I think I prefer the original version. No, not because it's a repeat experience,
but because <gasp> it was easier on the eyes. If you're an Xbox owner you should know that to really
take advantage of the hulking black box, you need a widescreen TV/monitor with HD capabilities (and a good surround
sound system)—needless to say, I saved my pennies and made the upgrade. And with this in mind, I'd set my hopes high
for what would happen in the visuals department for the San Andreas port on the Xbox.
But something has gone horribly wrong… and to make a long rant short, basically, the pop-up environment loading is inexcusably flawed. I'm running, running, running for my life, tearing through a series of backyards and BAM! I smack into an invisible wall. Huh? I shift the angle of the camera and slowly a fence loads. Or this… rollin' down the street, go to make a sharp left across the corner of the sidewalk and SMASH! I'm halted by a where-the-f'-did-that-come-from telephone pole. Even more bizarre is the new LSD effect, where, during cut-scenes (or not) houses and other structures continuously texture-morph. I can't even play this game, I can't… I don't care how creative the gameplay/backdrop/story is, it's not playable.
There, I'm done. Thanks, but no thanks!
