GTA: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the second game in the GTA III era. Although it was released after Grand Theft Auto III, it was set 15 years earlier. The game was released in 2002 for the PS2 and later on the PC and Xbox version were released in 2003 and 2004.

GTA Vice City is set in Vice City, Florida in 1986, and concerns the exploits of protagonist Tommy Vercetti as he rises to Vice City's major criminal power. And this time the character talks, hooray!

Having just made it back onto the streets of Liberty City after a long stretch in maximum security, Tommy Vercetti is sent to Vice City by his old boss, Sonny Forelli. They were understandably nervous about his re-appearance in Liberty City, so a trip down south seemed like a good idea. But all does not go smoothly upon his arrival in the glamorous metropolis of Vice City. He's set up and is left with no money and no merchandise. Sonny wants his money back, but the biker gangs, Cuban gangsters, and corrupt politicians stand in his way. Most of Vice City seems to want Tommy dead. His only answer is to fight back and take over the city himself.

A significant influence on GTA Vice City is the 1983 film Scarface, starring Al Pacino. Several in-game locations, such as the mansion that becomes Vercetti Estate, are obviously styled after locations featured in the movie. Elsewhere in the city, there is a hidden apartment containing a chainsaw within a blood-stained bathroom, a nod to Scarface's infamous chainsaw torture scene; and the Mr. Vercetti outfit strongly resembles an outfit worn by Pacino's character. Even Tommy Vercetti himself takes many character and lifestyle traits from Tony Montana, specifically his short temper and heavy dealings in the cocaine trade.

When you're playing this game it really feels like you're back in the 80's again. That's mostly because of the in-game radio stations, because you'll hear lots of 80's classics when traveling in Vice City. There has been put a lot of effort in those radio stations, because they all have a playtime of at least 45 minutes and there are nine radio stations in the game. You can also add your own music to the game if you don't want to listen to the in-game music.

If you've played GTA III you'll recognize most of the cars that are driving around town, but there are also some new cars. You're also able to take a boat and a helicopter, which is new. Another new feature is that you can now buy properties where you can save your progress. There are also some companies that you can buy, such as Kaufman Cabs and Sunshine Auto's.
You can play additional side missions for Kaufman Cabs and find cars for Sunshine Auto's. When you try to find these cars you'll recognize the same phenomenon as in GTA III: It's hard to find those specific cars but after you found one it'll appear a dozen times before delivering it.

I played this game on PS2 and PC, and I have to say that the PS2 version has better graphics than the PC version. The PC version also has a short draw distance, but I'm not really sure if I have to blame my PC for that or the game itself.

I really love this game, I often find myself laughing about the same radio joke over and over again, the game never gets old. I've played this game more than any other GTA game, I like it even more than GTA IV. You've never played this game before? Just buy it, you'll see how great it is.