Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)

As the game starts you take control of Tommy Vercetti (voiced by Goodfellas star Ray Liotta) who gets involved in a bungled drug deal and must set himself up from scratch as a crime boss. Unlike in GTA III, you're not restricted to being a small-time hood any more; the game now allows you to purchase property (porn studios, strip clubs, cab companies and so on) and run extortion rackets, which cleverly widens the scope of the game while keeping the controls and gameplay pretty much the same. Which means that you still spend the majority of your time driving cars very dangerously and shooting and maiming anyone that happens to get in your way. Indeed, in most respects the game is very similar to its predecessor--the graphics, for example, are improved but hardly groundbreaking--though there are numerous minor additions, most notably the chance to ride motorbikes--which is particularly satisfying--and fly proper aircraft.

Vice City can't be recommended unreservedly though: if you're intending to buy this game for someone under 18, you really should think again, as it's violent, filled with sex and swearing, and is totally and utterly immoral. Which is why it's guaranteed to sell and sell. --David Jenkins

Based around Miami Vice, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has some of the most colourful scenary to date. It also introduced Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) to a younger generation as the voice for main character Tommy Vercetti. But the main thing it did was it took the original concept of GTAIII and expanded into a gigantic city complete with drug addicts, criminals, gang warfare and all other kinds of creeps.

Rather than the basic mission after mission like its predecessor, Vice City requires you to buy property in order to access later missions. Buying property means access to jobs like The Taxi Firm, The Ice Cream Factory or collecting specific motors for your garage. But for the very early stages, you do the basic 'hit and run' jobs for Vice City's big people.

Apart from the atmosphere and graphics being built up a notch, the music and sound was superbly chosen for the 80's theme of the game. With classic 80's stars like Human League, Bryan Adams and Blondie, it gave the game a whole new dimension. Also when Ray Liotta speaks, he does it with a masterstroke, and who better to play a wiseguy?

I have not mentioned the plot of the game since a lot of people may already know about it, but however the end of the game is well worth getting to. Never had a game been so gigantic in its exploration, so beautiful in its looks and the freedom to do whatever you wanted (to certain extent since the cops are still around) made this a game well worth buying.

When classic games are made, they're cemented in history, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City broke the mould.


Absolute perfection   November 13, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

After the huge success of GTA III, you'd think there would be little else to follow up on.. well you'd be wrong. Vice City is gaming perfection in every sense, complete freedom, improved visuals, a kickass authentic 80'soundtrack and a huge number of tasks to complete.
The story line is also much more involving than that of its predecessor, with the central character, Tommy Vercetti actually speaking, and not only that, but he is voice by Ray Liotta (Goodfellas, Blow). There are a few other nice cameos in the game, such as porn actress Candy Suxxx being voiced by Jenna Jameson, and real estate tycoon Avery Carrington voiced by Burt Reynolds (Boogie Nights). A rather obsure cameo is that of the lead singer of the fictional rock group Love Fist, who is voiced by Kevin McKidd, who some may remember as Tommy in Trainspotting.

The influences from 80's films and other media are very strong indeed, one of the more memorable ones for me being Diaz's mansion looking like that of Tony Montana's in Scarface.. right down to his office.

This game has everything you'd expect from GTA and more, there's the usual killing, drug dealing and running errands for big players but also a lot more "obscure" missions, including the purchasing of property and setting up it's assets.

One of the best things about this game is the inclusion of motorbikes, planes and helicopters, all fully functional and loads of fun.

All in all, Rockstar have really pushed the boat out here, smashing all video game conceptions to create a game that places you in a real living, breathing city.. and unlike GTA III, you can enter many of it's buildings. If you loved GTA III or even if you've never played it, this is a must have for the PS2, a true classic.


Fantastic!   October 29, 2003
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Well where do i start? This game is the best game i have ever played on any games machine. What pure genius! This has eclipsed the title GTA3 and is clearly NOT a polished version of its predecessor. Gamers wanted something new added to GTA no matter how good number 3 was. This has everything i wanted in the new one except for swimming. ok its a bit pointless but its pretty silly drowning in water thats up to your waist. Helicopters and bikes is something i think was a brilliant introduction. The bikes are my most common form of transport now. The added bonus of bying buildings and companies adds to the brilliance of the game. I also liked the street gangs and welcomed them with open arms. No more driving through streets without trouble.
The difficulty hasnt changed but some missions were a little frustrating to say the least. You know the ones you keep trying over and over.
And its good to see tommy talk, i thought he was mute in the last game i thought it was his character. Its nice to see tommy take charge!
Thsi game as outstanding and will be from yearto come, just roll on San Andreas you legend!


It's about atmosphere, not violence!   November 13, 2002
Jim Smallman (Leicester, UK)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful

Everybody loved "Grand Theft Auto 3", right? Except maybe the Daily Mail. GTA3 was the ultimate in stress relief after a hard day at the office... simply boot it up, steal a car or break out the sniper rifle, and have fun. Vice City is a worthy sequel, make no mistake.

But I take issue with the notion that this game is bigger than GTA3: It really doesn't seem it. It has taken me just under a week to complete the entire game, and whereas GTA3 seemed to go on forever, Vice City sort of... stops.

Of course, thats if you're following the basic storyline. Small enhancements like being able to buy businesses (Ranging from a Porno Studio to an Ice Cream truck) and the extra missions that they give to you is a welcome addition, as is the extra police-dodging tactic of changing clothes when you're on the run. Then add the extra vehicles into the mix - especially the Bikes - and the challenge of getting 100% complete on this game, and you have a winner.

If that was all, this game would be very good. What makes it great is the whole feel of the game, aided greatly by easily the best soundtrack to a game, ever.

The 80's themed music is awesome, to say the least. Nearly all original songs spread across numerous radio stations... the first song that I heard upon stealing my first car in the game was "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. There's nothing better than driving to a showdown with Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" blaring out through your speakers, or taking part in a drive-by as Spandau Ballet's "Gold" plays on.

Then add in the voice talent for the games well-defined characters: Ray Liotta, Luis Guzman, Dennis Hopper, Burt Reynolds, Lawrence Taylor, Tom Sizemore... to name a few.

I can't stress this enough: This game is the most fun you will have in a video game all year.


Amazing...   November 23, 2002
Kris (England)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful

What an amazing follow on to GTA3, it's amazing that all this can be done in less than a year. There's many new features, for example being able to go inside buildings, rob stores, buy assets and actually having to work for money. In GTA3, you could just blow up a car and you would get money for it, whereas in Vice City it's a lot harder to come by. For example, without giving anything away, in Vice City breaking someone out of jail, gaining a four star wanted level and taking him right to the other side of the city will earn you a measly $1000, however as some of you may well remember from GTA3, picking someone up from a location, and driving them a few hundred yards to their house, without a wanted level, would earn you as much, if not more money.

This time money serves a purpose. Unless you can kill someone ( like a gang member )and get their weapon, and no doubt the rest of the gang will come after you, you'll have to go and buy a weapon. A chainsaw will set you back $500.

Another excellent aspect of the game is the missions. It isn't as simple any more, as dropping someone off and getting paid, you may have to dispose of the car or lose you're wanted level. Certain vehicles are also needed for certain missions, which can make them a lot more difficult. For example, you may have to ride a bike to catch up with someone as there is no car available.

Weapons are most likely the best feature of the game, as well as helicopters and planes. You have such a vast choice to choose from, however there are limitations as of how many you can carry. Another great improvement is the ability to burst tyres, however do expect police to throw stingers into the road should you gain a high enough wanted level.

However, there is a downside. This may not apply to everyone, but it does to me. For example, enter Sunshine Autos. Go up to the top and shatter a window. Do whatever you need to do, to get a 6 star wanted level. This will include police with guns, the FBI, the army and more. You may even get a couple of helicopters. Now notice that no-one will come up after you. Instead they will shoot the ceiling below. Stupid, hey?

When something new enters the game, something else has to go. For example, the addition of motobikes saw the car crusher ( what use was it anyway ? ) go as well as the trains.

However, you cannot expect anything to be perfect. Yes it is very similar in some aspects to GTA3, like the noise of cars, how you get the people who are driving out of the car and the weather, but who knows what the next will bring?

Personally, I can't see that there's much more to be added, apart from a few things, like damaging weather ( tornados etc ), bicycles, and new characters, but no doubt there will be many more things that I haven't thought of.

With GTA3 never leaving the top ten, what can we expect from this.

A must have for anyone, even if you don't think you'll like it, a few minutes and you'll become a total addict.