-Either set in Bay Area 70s or Modern Day (not just San Fierro) with East Bay, San Jose, Marin, wilderness to the North and South and area based on Santa Cruz present or a completely new city.
- 60% of buildings have interiors (some are stock, major ones are highly detailed)
Stock interiors= apartments, houses for robbery missions, convenience stores, banks, restaurants
-Detailed= airport, shopping malls, hospitals, iconic locations and buildings etc.
- 2 protagonists, one is a dirty cop, stories converge midway through the game.
- Wildlife returns, more random event types, more activities