This GTA San Andreas video essay is focused on what makes CJ an iconic GTA protagonist. Is CJ’s enduring appeal simply a product of San Andreas’ status as the most iconic and free-spirited game in the GTA series, or is he truly a great character in his own right?
To answer this, I decided to revisit GTA: San Andreas and break down what exactly sets CJ apart.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:08 - Background
06:43 - Family, Loyalty, and the Changing Dynamics
13:46 - Identity and Power
16:40 - Betrayal and Trust
23:39 - Corruption of Power
29:43 - Conclusion
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Attributions:
2004 Spiketv Game Awards Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkD_OBBAX3E
C.R.A.S.H. footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfnMkcpL5GQ
LAPD Rampart Scandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZwYdiR2yi0
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Note: I had to cut out multiple moments that showcase the backstory of Big Smoke and Tenpenny as Rockstar doesn’t allow using them, but I highly recommend watching the original 20-minute prologue video that highlights the action in the days before the story in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas begins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daw8xhaGj2s