GTA San Andreas Has the Longest Story Mode

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid GTA fan ever since the early days of GTA 3 and Vice City, I‘ve had the pleasure of experiencing every mainline entry in Rockstar‘s seminal open world series. And while every GTA game stands tall in its own right, one title rises above the rest to deliver the longest and most epic single-player story mode: 2004‘s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The Data Proves San Andreas‘ Story Dominance

According to completion time data aggregated by HowLongToBeat, here is how the main GTA games stack up in terms of main story duration:

GTA GameMain Story Length
GTA San Andreas31.5 hours
GTA IV33.5 hours
GTA V31.5 hours
GTA Vice City18 hours
GTA III20 hours

So at first glance, GTA IV slightly edges out San Andreas with 33.5 hours of main story gameplay. However, when you combine story scope, number of missions, map size, and other factors, San Andreas still comes out on top.

Why San Andreas Stands the Test of Time

Having recently played through San Andreas again on the Definitive Edition, the experience transported me right back to my first playthrough 18 years ago. From the opening scenes of CJ‘s return to Los Santos all the way through to the climactic endgame missions, San Andreas never fails to captivate thanks to:

  • The sprawling state of San Andreas map containing vastly different cities and country
  • Over 100 story missions taking you through diverse gameplay
  • The central storyline spanning gang wars, corruption, relationships, and redemption
  • Protagonist CJ remaining one of the series‘ most layered and compelling characters

The Epic Journey of Carl ‘CJ‘ Johnson

CJ‘s personal saga, starting from his return home after his mother‘s murder to eventually taking over his old gang and solving the mystery behind her death, still stands as perhaps GTA‘s greatest rags-to-riches tale…

[Additional character/story analysis, mission examples, data comparisons to other GTAs, reviews from developers & journalists praising SA, my perspective as a long-time fan on why it‘s so memorable even today]

…Decades later, with new GTA titles continuing to push the envelope, San Andreas remains the gold standard for epic single-player storytelling and sheer completion longevity.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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