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The Definitive Guide to GTA San Andreas Missions: How Many Are There?

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas remains a towering achievement in open-world gaming, beloved for its sprawling map, compelling narrative, and sheer volume of content. A question frequently asked by both veterans and newcomers alike is: How many missions are in GTA San Andreas? The answer is a definitive 100 main story missions, though some count the introductory sequence, pushing the number to 101. This impressive count cements San Andreas as one of the GTA games with the highest number of missions.

This article serves as a complete guide, not just detailing the number of missions but also exploring related aspects like mission difficulty, completion requirements, and the rewards awaiting those who conquer San Andreas. We’ll also delve into some common questions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the game’s mission structure.

Understanding the Mission Structure of GTA San Andreas

The 100 (or 101) missions in GTA San Andreas are the backbone of the game’s narrative. These missions are intricately woven together, telling the story of Carl “CJ” Johnson’s return to Los Santos and his subsequent journey through San Andreas. Missions are varied, ranging from simple drive-bys to complex heists, airplane piloting, and even underwater exploration. They’re also critical for unlocking new areas, vehicles, and abilities.

Unlike some modern open-world games with numerous side quests blurring the main story, San Andreas’ missions feel vital and deeply connected to the overarching plot. Each mission progresses CJ’s relationships with key characters like Sweet, Ryder, Big Smoke, and later, figures in San Fierro and Las Venturas.

Achieving 100% Completion: More Than Just Missions

While completing all 100 (or 101) missions is a significant step towards 100% completion, it’s far from the only requirement. True completionists must also:

Purchase all 24 properties: These range from safehouses to businesses, each providing income and strategic advantages.
Acquire all 5 Hotel Suites in Las Venturas: Another crucial aspect of property ownership and income generation.
Complete all Vehicle School challenges: This includes challenges at the Driving School, Pilot School, Boat School, and Motorcycle School.
Finish all Asset Missions: These are side missions related to acquired properties, such as delivering goods or managing businesses.
Win all Stadium Events: Beat the competition in 8-Track, Bloodring Banger, and Kickstart events.
Complete all Courier Missions: Deliver packages across the map.
Finish all Import/Export vehicle lists: Find and deliver specific vehicles to the docks.
Complete all Taxi, Vigilante, Firefighter, and Paramedic missions to Level 12: Fulfill emergency service duties for continuous periods.
Collect all collectibles: This includes 50 Horseshoes in Las Venturas, 50 Snapshots in San Fierro, and 50 Oysters scattered across the map.
Spray all 100 Tags: Located throughout Los Santos, these tags must be sprayed over with Grove Street’s colors.
Reach maximum respect: Increase CJ’s respect level by completing missions, controlling territories, and other actions.

The Rewards of Dedication

Reaching 100% completion in GTA San Andreas is a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. Not only does it provide a sense of accomplishment, but it also unlocks some unique benefits:

Hydra spawns at CJ’s house: The iconic fighter jet becomes readily available.
Rhino tank spawns at CJ’s house: A powerful military tank joins your arsenal.
Increased weapon spawns: Even more firepower becomes available at CJ’s safehouse.
The sense of pride: Knowing you’ve conquered every challenge the game has to offer.

FAQs: Deep Diving into GTA San Andreas Missions

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about missions and related aspects of GTA San Andreas.

1. Which are considered the hardest missions in GTA San Andreas?

Several missions are notorious for their difficulty, often due to frustrating mechanics or lack of checkpoints. Some of the most commonly cited include:

“Supply Lines…”: Flying a remote-controlled plane to deliver packages with limited fuel.
“Wrong Side of the Tracks”: Keeping up with a train on a motorcycle while Big Smoke tries to shoot the Vagos.
“Saint Mark’s Bistro”: Returning to Liberty City and taking out Forelli Family members.
“End of the Line”: The final mission, involving a long and challenging pursuit of Tenpenny.

2. Is there a way to skip missions in GTA San Andreas?

Officially, no. The game doesn’t offer an in-built cheat code or function to skip missions. However, on the PC version, players sometimes use mods or trainers that allow mission skipping, but these aren’t part of the base game.

3. How long does it take to complete the main storyline of GTA San Andreas?

On average, completing the main story of GTA San Andreas takes around 31.5 hours. However, this can vary significantly depending on your skill level and play style.

4. How many missions are required to unlock each city?

You unlock San Fierro and Las Venturas by progressing through the story missions. There isn’t a specific number of missions to complete, but you must advance the storyline enough to trigger the events that lead CJ to these new locations.

5. What happens after you finish all the missions in GTA San Andreas?

After completing the final mission, “End of the Line,” you can continue to explore the open world, complete side activities, and strive for 100% completion. The game world remains fully accessible.

6. What are the rewards for spraying all 100 tags?

Spraying all 100 tags in Los Santos earns you several rewards:

Molotov Cocktails, AK-47, Sawn-Off Shotgun, and Tec-9 spawn at the Johnson House.
Grove Street gang members are upgraded with better weapons.

7. What are the rewards for collecting all 50 Oysters?

Collecting all 50 Oysters scattered throughout San Andreas grants you:

$100,000 total ($1000 per Oyster and a $50,000 bonus)
Increased Lung Capacity
CJ’s Sex Appeal stat increases

8. What year does GTA San Andreas take place?

GTA San Andreas is set in 1992.

9. Can you complete GTA San Andreas without using cheats?

Yes, absolutely. While using cheats can be fun, many players find it more rewarding to complete the game legitimately. The game is designed to be beatable without cheats, and doing so provides a great sense of accomplishment.

10. What makes GTA San Andreas so difficult for some players?

Several factors contribute to the perceived difficulty of GTA San Andreas:

Challenging mission design: Some missions require precise timing and skillful execution.
Lack of checkpoints: Failing a mission often means restarting from the beginning, leading to frustration.
Unforgiving AI: Enemy AI can be unpredictable and aggressive.
Vehicle handling: Early in the game, vehicle handling can feel clunky and difficult to master.

11. Which GTA game has the most missions overall?

GTA San Andreas holds the title for having the most missions in the series with 100 (or 101).

12. Is there a difference between story missions and side missions?

Yes, story missions are required to advance the game’s narrative and unlock new areas. Side missions, such as vehicle missions (Taxi, Vigilante, etc.) and asset missions, are optional and contribute to 100% completion but don’t directly affect the main storyline.

13. How does completing missions affect CJ’s stats?

Completing certain missions can improve CJ’s stats, such as driving skill, flying skill, stamina, and muscle. These stat increases are crucial for successfully completing later missions and excelling in various activities.

14. What is the best approach to tackle difficult missions in GTA San Andreas?

Here are some tips for tackling difficult missions:

Plan ahead: Familiarize yourself with the mission objectives and map layout.
Stock up on weapons and armor: Ensure you have the best possible equipment.
Practice your skills: Improve your driving, shooting, and flying skills.
Use cover effectively: Take advantage of cover to avoid enemy fire.
Don’t give up: Persistence is key, keep trying different strategies until you succeed.

15. What is the significance of GTA San Andreas in the gaming world?

GTA San Andreas is significant for several reasons:

Revolutionary open-world design: Its vast and detailed open world set a new standard for the genre.
Compelling storyline: The game’s narrative is engaging, complex, and filled with memorable characters.
Groundbreaking gameplay: San Andreas introduced many new gameplay features, such as character customization, stat progression, and gang warfare.
Cultural impact: The game had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing music, fashion, and other forms of media.

GTA San Andreas remains a benchmark for open-world gaming, a testament to the power of immersive storytelling, diverse gameplay, and expansive worlds. Understanding the mission structure is key to appreciating the game’s depth and achieving that elusive 100% completion. Learning more about games is beneficial for everyone, and organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org work to educate and innovate in this area. Happy gaming!