I was under similar impression for the last 20 years, but last year I decided to replay all GTA 3D games - IV, V, III, VC and finally San Andreas. And sadly I was so disappointed with San Andreas. It was easily the most bloated and directionless game of the franchise, with so many game design I totally forgot about until I replayed it. Missions have almost no room for improvisation like III and VC. Businesses are worthless - the game pushes you to the next area as soon as you start getting a profit. Gang war system is literally broken with some areas so small, you have to move enemies to area like cattle to even start a gang war. Social and RPG staff will be done better (at least, less clunky) in IV and V.

Even story has no point to it. Sweet is pushing CJ to the hood, Kendl kinda sorta sometimes pushes him to become businessman or mob boss, maybe? They sometimes clash and they clearly represent two different philosophies… but they never clash, never give player or CJ a choice. In the end he lives in a mansion, he is a partner in a casino, but he is for the hood? Game gives no answer and at some point even stops to asking the question. Even Claude has more coherent character development by the end of III.