I agree with this. I was a huge GTA fan before, but was left a little dissapointed by the new one. its fun and all, its just not the same. SA was the pinnacle of the series so far imo.
my main complaint was that they took away planes, helicopters, sick houses with garages, and generally all the shit that made you feel like you OWNED the town after you beat the game. This one has a better story and all, but in the end you still feel like a broke ass immigrant.