Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is such a huge leap over its predecessor, Vice City. The differences in gameplay are immediately evident, but let us not forget how much more involved the narrative is. There are dozens of characters and numerous twists to make San Andreas truly feel like an epic crime story.
Few games had this many developed personalities populating their plots, which is just another reason why the 2004 open-world game was so special. This list ranks the best of them. Remember, just because they are good characters does not make them good people. In fact, some of them are completely vile.
10 OG Loc
OG Loc is not a likable character in the slightest, but that's why he is on this list. We love to hate him. He is a poser trying to convince the world he is the real deal.
In reality, he is quite cowardly and it does not take a lot to reveal this side of him. On top of all this, he is also a terrible rapper and only makes a name for himself after CJ steals a better rapper's rhyme book.
9 Big Smoke
It is interesting to see how Big Smoke falls from grace by the end of San Andreas. You almost feel bad for him during his death speech. All the same, you cannot forgive the way he betrayed you and Grove Street during the narrative's first big twist in the Green Sabre mission.
It hurts even more because he is a source of good comedic relief during the opening hours. We can never forget his legendary food order at the drive-through window.
8 Kendl
Kendl is the rational mind of the Johnson siblings. She is not involved in gang life and does not let affiliations get in the way of relationships, as evidenced by her courtship with Cesar.
It is just about the first time in the entire series a major character hasn't been a hardened criminal of some sort. The family dynamic of San Andreas helps differentiate it from the other titles in the trilogy.
7 The Truth
The Truth is a hippie who is first introduced to CJ by Tenpenny. He is the first hint of the story and missions going bigger than just gang warfare and police corruption. CJ is skeptical of his wild personality at first, but soon realizes he can trust the Truth with no issue.
The character is played by Peter Fonda, famous for counter-culture films like Easy Rider. It makes sense for him to play the burned-out hippie fueled by conspiracy theories.
6 Cesar
Cesar is Kendl's boyfriend and a part of a different gang. Sweet is completely against the idea, but CJ is a little more open, though still has his own apprehension.
Over the course of the game, CJ slowly sees that he can trust Cesar and he grows into one of the most reliable companions. He is also a part of a pretty funny mission where he is forced to jump from a bike to a truck, and he is terrified during the whole ordeal.
5 Wu Zi Mu
Wu Zi Mu is the head of the triad gang and quickly grows a fondness for CJ. Even though he is the head of a criminal empire, Wu Zi Mu is positive and never shows a moment of anger, even when he is in danger.
Out of the entirety of the cast, it can be solidly argued that he helps out CJ the most during the events of the game. He also gives out some of the best, most bombastic missions.
4 Sweet
CJ has a slightly contentious relationship with his brother when he returns to Los Santos at the start of the story. Their bond is healed by the end of the Los Santos chapter, however.
Unfortunately, he then spends most of the game in prison, only giving CJ a call or two during this chunk. It is interesting to see him again once he is released. CJ has been through so much, but Sweet's mind and goals are still with Grove Street.
3 Catalina
Catalina returns from GTA 3 and is a source of comedy. Of course, it would not be funny if we knew her in real life as we'd probably end up getting killed.
After her small arc and relationship with CJ, it is easy to see how she could have so easily betrayed GTA 3's protagonist and left him for dead at the beginning of the 2001 game.
2 CJ
The player character is also a significant step up from Tommy Vercetti in Vice City. He is not just a criminal in search of power.
CJ starts San Andreas having run away from home and is brought back after his mother dies. He does not show the same type of development as later Rockstar protagonists like Arthur Morgan, but he is still a standout personality for 2004.
1 Frank Tenpenny
Tenpenny is an irredeemable monster and the main villain exploiting CJ from the first five minutes he is in Los Santos until the credits roll. The writing and the performance of Samuel L. Jackson come together to make him one of the most iconic villains of the era.
No matter what CJ is doing over the course of the game, Tenpenny always shows up to try and use the main character for his own ends. In a game full of criminals, it is the greedy liar and backstabber who comes in as the true villain of the story.