IT'S not often that a near perfect game is produced, Metal Gear Solid, Goldeneye, and Halo have all been remarkably outstanding, but Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is simply the finest game to grace any console.

To list everything that can be done in San Andreas would take a lifetime and, rather than being just another GTA, San Andreas is more a life simulation than a crime simulation.

Gone are the days when GTA merely involved picking up a phone and carrying out a mission. Now gamers literally live the life of a true criminal. The first priority is to eat and exercise. Gamers can pick up food from various outlets littered across the three cities (as opposed to Vice City's solitary city).

The chicken burger restaurant sees workers wearing comedy chicken outfits. True to life, the workers ask what you would like to eat with as much enthusiasm as a dead whale! However, one should be cautious while eating because if you consume too much and exercise too little then your character may start to resemble a chubby, middle-aged man rather than a tough-talking gangster.

Exercise can take many forms, thankfully, whether it's a trip to the gym, a few laps around the ghetto or a bicycle ride.

The possibilities for criminal activity and complete anarchy are at an all-time high.

Want to steal a car while blasting out a bit of Welcome to the Jungle by Guns & Roses? No problem. How about a drive by on homies that are not from your part of the hood? Sure thing.

Now, however, gamers can do much more than steal cars, sleep with hookers and gun down innocent civilians.

Gamers can now commit burglaries at night. They can sneak into houses, stealthily tiptoe around quietly and slowly load up their van with goods before gallivanting off into the night, never to be seen again!

It really is amazing that gamers have time for missions, for there is so much to be done while not on a mission. The barbers, clothes shop and tattoo parlour can all be visited in terms of altering aesthetics.

When you're a tough gangster representing Grove Street it's important to look the part.

Haircuts include a pink Mohican, afro and a haircut that resembles the king of rock and roll himself - Elvis. If cash is a problem then gamers can simply take part in taxi missions.

After all finance is important because, without money, gamers can't put wagers on a game of pool they participate in, visit a strip club or buy property!

Once you have your property, your ladies and your image sorted it might be about time you formed your own gang. Once a gang has been formed, gamers can claim their own territory and even spray over other gang's logos with their own.

The only fault that can possibly be found with San Andreas is that the same graphics engine present in GTA3 and Vice City is used but then this was hardly a bad thing.

If you're still not convinced then the message is simple - GTA: San Andreas is a masterpiece. Provided you are old enough it is your duty to buy this game and say goodbye to a few months of your life.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £39.99

PLAYERS: 1-2

AGE RATING: 18+

GENRE: Crime

FORMAT: PS2

GRAPHICS: 18/20

SOUND: 20/20

GAMEPLAY: 25/25

LIFESPAN: 24/25

ORIGINALITY: 9/10

OVERALL: 96%

TOP 10

1 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

2 Need For Speed: Underground 2

3 Half-Life 2

4 Halo 2

5 WWE Smackdown! VS Raw

6 Fifa 2005

7 The Getaway: Black Monday

8 Pro Evolution Soccer 4

9 The Urbz: Sims In The City

10 Football Manager 2005

UPCOMING

Armies of Exigo; Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls; Godzilla: Save the Earth; The Lord Of The Rings, The Battle For Middle-Earth