"We was like family, homie."
Moments pages are Spoilers Off. Read ahead only at your own risk! You Have Been Warned.
- The death of Big Smoke and before finding out that the power, cash, and drugs finally corrupted him. His lines "I made it, C.J.! I'm a success!" are particularly hard-hitting, because one gets the feeling that he's not only trying to convince Carl, but himself as well.
- Big Smoke in general, really. He started off as a loyal member to the GSF, but then, before C.J.'s return, he and Ryder had no other choice but to align themselves with C.R.A.S.H. and the Ballas due to the Families' decline, and him seeing the opportunity to profit off of the drug industry. Ryder was easily convinced by Smoke, the Ballas killed Beverly, Tenpenny attemped to have Carl framed for Officer Pendelbury's murder, and the power Smoke gained had corrupted him. First he was The Mole towards the GSF, and then it culminated in him becoming a drug kingpin... for nothing. Because of Tenpenny's goal of eliminating all street gangs, even if Smoke did kill C.J., he would've had his power and his life taken away anyway. This combined with all of his pre-twist scenes, where he and to a lesser extent, Ryder, seemed genuinely friendly even with the Foreshadowing, and then his Alas, Poor Villain scene, where he finally realizes what he's become and genuinely regrets it before his death, really does make you think that Smoke, in spite of his failings, deserved better. No wonder why C.J. felt remorse...
"Oh, damn, man... what a waste..."- Carl also felt bad about the fact that he killed Ryder, his other homie, although this is ephemeral after Cesar tells Carl that Ryder tried to have sex with Kendl.
- Your mileage may vary with this one, but the fact that unlike Big Smoke, Ryder is completely forgotten after his death, as in spite of his many, MANY faults, he was still a close friend of C.J.'s. It's rather depressing that not only does one of the protagonist's friends betray him, he's completely forgotten about after his demise.
- Actually, the fact that C.J. kills his two friends in general can qualify. Also, even though C.J. made a lot of new friends, he also lost two of his childhood friends as well.
- When the ending credits roll after you complete final mission, it might not be sad (as the music is now the extended upbeat intro theme of the game) unless you realized this is the last major GTA game (not counting two gaiden games) for PlayStation 2. Also, just like Vice City's ending credits, the State of San Andreas appears to be abandoned, giving the impression that the State itself ends along with the game (aside from cars crossing on the PC version).
- A sadder moment is certainly the end of the video "The Introduction", where Tenpenny and Pulaski sent some Ballas to kill C.J.'s mother. And what makes this scene even sadder is the music. Unlike other deaths in the videogame itself, which are even Played for Laughs, this scene completely played for drama despite the viewer didn't see anything except for a car shooting at the house
, and then we see Sweet and Kendl panicking over Beverly getting shot to death by the Ballas. - The fall of Madd Dogg, who after having his rhyme book stolen and his manager (alongside an innocent woman) murdered (All done by Carl under the orders of OG Loc) sees a decline in his musical career, falls into depression, turns to alcoholism, loses his money at the Royale Casino at Las Venturas, and attempts to commit suicide by jumping off of the casino's rooftop, claiming he has nothing left to live for. The two hecklers encouraging him into killing himself for a bet do not help at all. C.J. feels tremendous guilt from this, and makes amends by saving his life and helping Madd Dogg and his career get back on their feet.
- Sweet, who spends more than half of the game in prison while recovering from his gunshot wounds, wants to return home once he's released. Despite CJ insisting that there's nothing waiting for him at the Grove, Sweet insists that he return home. Once he gets there, he's devastated to see that Grove Street is now full of crackheads loitering the streets and stealing from homes (CJ and Sweet's home especially). The Grove Street families are under the influence of crack as well. Later, Sweet gives in and nearly takes a hit of crack until CJ arrives in the nick of time to convince him otherwise. Sweet explains that he's just tired of everything falling apart no matter how much work he puts into the hood and he's also sick of seeing his own family torn apart. For such a hard ass and a hardcore gangster, and as hypocritical as this makes him, it's still pretty depressing to see him completely give up and it makes his earlier outburst to CJ about him abandoning the hood a bit more understandable.
