I first reviewed a certain game by the name of Vice City in early November last year, and was rather pleased to discover that the title was something of an unsung gem. Of course, since my illuminating review that plucked it out of anonymity and into the limelight all you gamers have no doubt been enjoying its unique delights repeatedly in the months that have past. Well, now its time to share even your most treasured of toys because quite frankly those poor gamers have gone without their GTA long enough, which must be especially aggravating given the series first began there. Anyway, its here and you can buy – so on the off chance that you haven’t already, let me explain why you should.

Firstly, GTA Vice City is every bit as good on the PC as it was on the PS2, so if that’s all you came here to find out leave now – oh, just make sure your PCs at least of a reasonable specification – there’s a good lad. Still here? Well for those of you that approach this little beauty afresh (oh what a treat’s in store for you), you’ll be pleased to find yourself playing Tommy Vercetti, a young gentlemen of Italian descent whose just left prison. He (and you) arrive in the sunny-but-seedy world of Vice City, a 1980s Miami where Tommy has been sent by his mob bosses to carve ‘the family’ a slice of the pie.

PC gamers who played GTA3 on the PC will be delighted to know that the plot and it’s narrative have been honed and perfected in Vice City – with the story being told through some excellent cut-scenes, and the missions fitting-in nicely with everything that is going on around our somewhat disorientated hero. Of course, along with this much more involving plot, you’ve still got all the freedom to chose your missions or just wreak anarchy, but you’ll probably be so engrossed in the cinematic of Vice City that you’ll genuinely want to progress Master Vercetti’s story – rather than be forcibly guided by it.

Couple this fabulous plot with the highly stylised and immersive setting and we’re already off to a winner. Vice City really is a crazy town, and also, from what I can gather a rather accurate portrayal of 80s Miami, complete with all the rags and riches juxtaposition that such a place embodies. You’ve got the cars, the music, the sunshine, the architecture and the tension – in fact have got it spot-on. It really is marvellous, though I have heard it said that Vice City can be somewhat confusing and samey as a place – compared to the Liberty City of the previous game. This is of course but a minor point.

Naturally, there’s been quite a few additional changes over GTA3 – and whilst none of theme are revolutionary, developers Rockstar North have refined the original heavenly blend of genres to absolute perfection. Not only do you have the previously mentioned engrossing narrative, cut-scenes and expanding plotlines, you’ve also got an increased police presence, a whole shitload of motorbikes to drive, and a few new moves that can be pulled-off such as leaping dramatically from moving vehicles. Which is rather exciting to say the least.

The motorbikes add yet another level to the already complex options at the players disposal as you can now avoid the jam on the streets below and utilise a conveniently located fire-escape to race across the rooftops of Vice to complete your mission. You can even fire a weapon whilst driving it, should you wish to, and all in all this new element to the game has be superbly realised right down to the subtle balancing acts possible with the controls.

One slight gripe that I might level against GTA Vice City is in the graphical department. Not that the cars or scenery are in anyway a disappointment, quite the opposite, but the actual quality of the visuals can sometimes be a little ‘shabby’. Certainly, there’s a reasonable level of detail, but given the reasonably high system specifications it would have been nice for us to get a few better quality textures (which can at times be fuzzy), and a few less visual glitches. Not that we’ve come to expect massively high standards from console to PC ports, sadly, and at least the controls (particularly the mouse for aiming and shooting) work okay.

Which moves me speedily along to the music. Oh yes. Fans of 80s rejoice (I did), and relive a forgotten era long before synthesizers became a rather embarrassing irritation. You’ve got Blondie, you’ve got Michael Jackson, in fact there’s hours of the stuff here – all accessible through Vice City’s variety of local radio stations (though Radio Kent this is not), which come complete with the mandatory teeth-grindingly smug selection of DJs. It’s a real joy.

All in all the game, as you’ve probably already guessed, is amazing - and whilst the complex and convoluted freedom the game offers may be somewhat confusing and daunting to those who’ve yet to experience the GTA phenomenon, this is one game that all PC gamers should come to know and love. Even if you do find yourself dieing a few times, this is quite some game and one that other titles will be trying to mimic for years to come. You can even buy property in Vice City as your wealth grows - in some games this would be the whole point – but in Vice City it’s just something you can do for fun and it is this freedom to explore, experience and explode that will surely make Rockstar a few more million fans (and quid) with this conversion.

90%

By Luke Guttridge

Comments

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  1. Jim B Unregistered 6 years ago

    This Is really my kind of game. I love games where your free do go around anywhere you want, and doing anything you want. all in all I would give this game a 10 out of 10 rating!

  2. Bobby Unregistered 6 years ago

    You have never told us what the price is.

  3. Jason Unregistered 6 years ago

    Depends what country your in...

  4. Dan Unregistered 6 years ago

    [i]I don't know what car is that Baggage...someone can mail me and to send me a picture or to say me where i can take it.....or any inf about itm

  5. vice city Unregistered 6 years ago

    vice city looks great

  6. Nick 6 years ago Staff

    Testing

  7. charles Unregistered 6 years ago

    gran dtheft auto vice city is the best game

  8. gran theft auto vice city Unregistered 6 years ago

    the car the weapons is the best game in the whole wide world

  9. dabomb Unregistered 6 years ago

    i hope they never make this game for xbox NEVER becasue like i said i never like xbox. but i have to face he fact that xbox just might take down ps2 becasue all the cool games there making like half life 2 and halo 2.
    and all ps2 have is medal gear solid 3 lets just hope

  10. David Unregistered 6 years ago

    Does anyone have a demo? The game costs so much but I just wanna try it for now, anyone got a demo?

  11. Q Arachchi Unregistered 6 years ago

    I love this game to the max. for the bad guy i am its perfect .

    my only problem and question is that how come theres no throttle control option for those who have advanced game pads and joysticks, that has a throttle control lever. cause sometimes the go forwad button becomes a problem for smooth action

  12. Adrian Unregistered 6 years ago

    i like this game

  13. Sam Unregistered 6 years ago

    Quality game this. Gotta be the closest thing yet to an interactive moive, especialy with all that real music and those holywood voices. And it's a hell of a lot of fun to boot.

    But I agree with ya Luke, the graphics could have been polished up the little bit more, not like anyone involved is short of money.

  14. liamx_2003 Unregistered 5 years ago

    what is the nest gta for ps2

  15. mario Unregistered 5 years ago

    u should make a god mode code for pc

  16. ViceGuy Unregistered 5 years ago

    Graphics are much better on PC than on PS2 if you have a good system.

  17. City Slick Unregistered 5 years ago

    how do i fly the helicopters forward? on a laptop with limeted keys i cant find out how to?

  18. max Unregistered 5 years ago

    is there a way i can get a demo online?

  19. Erick Unregistered 5 years ago

    this is interesting

  20. Peter Baca Trey Unregistered 5 years ago

    Hey when you find out where to download the demo e-mail me. I've been looking for it also

  21. armando Unregistered 5 years ago

    show where the missions are and then send me a picture

  22. John shonting Unregistered 5 years ago

    thanx it better work

  23. harry met loyde Unregistered 5 years ago

    yo anyone have a demo that works tell me the website ive tried everything on google

  24. Paul Unregistered 5 years ago

    I want an gta vicecity demo.

  25. Francois Unregistered 5 years ago

    Vice City is greater than great!!!

  26. sohaib Unregistered 5 years ago

    it's cool

  27. oogly Unregistered 5 years ago

    gadgsdsag

  28. spain Unregistered 5 years ago

    sois unos pedorretes

  29. $ExY gIrL Unregistered 5 years ago

    ITS A VERY GOOD GAME AND ITS ENJOYEBLE

    I LOVE THIS GAMES ITS A GOOD GAME TO PLAY

  30. kemo klaw Unregistered 5 years ago

    i think the next video game of grand theft auto should
    have real gangs like crips, bloods,and folk

  31. stefano Unregistered 5 years ago

    vorrei dei nuovi trucchi

  32. sam b Unregistered 5 years ago

    i think this game is so good its life like.

  33. joshdamighty Unregistered 5 years ago

    luke if u wrote all that u rock on. i luved vice city and im still playin it. but i cant find the last hidden package.

  34. mikkel Unregistered 5 years ago

    bjkwbdk

  35. er juan Unregistered 5 years ago

    aqui yo no entiendo na

  36. cesar Unregistered 5 years ago

    this game is so cool

  37. cesar Unregistered 5 years ago

    Thanx Dan!

  38. Kash Unregistered 5 years ago

    plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz tell me where 2 download gta vice city

  39. vice mayer guy Unregistered 5 years ago

    i think grand theft auto vice city is the best out of 10 out of 800000000000000000000,00000000 from $exy guy

  40. 504 boy Unregistered 5 years ago

    this game is cool

  41. Doom Master Unregistered 5 years ago

    THIS GAME SUX

  42. Rollener Unregistered 5 years ago

    I like this game but so hard their mission

  43. tom.d Unregistered 5 years ago

    i think the cars should run out of petrol so you have to fill it up at a petrol station

  44. levar Unregistered 5 years ago

    it gangsta

  45. sammy sosa Unregistered 5 years ago

    where do i find the espantido car for sunshine auto list # 1

  46. kieran law Unregistered 5 years ago

    up up right

  47. kimo Unregistered 5 years ago

    is there a demo of the game?? i would love to try it :-D

  48. Valts Unregistered 4 years ago

    Wheres a grenades? in gta vice city. grenades my pc game gta vice city grenades is police parking please. atsuti man kur ir tear gas uz e-mail valtsr9@inbox.lv

  49. pintu Unregistered 4 years ago

    goooooooood

  50. M dogg Unregistered 4 years ago

    can you make vice-city multiplayer????

  51. mhe-ann Unregistered 4 years ago

    why i cant find the vice city video game end i want to play that game

  52. Marcus Unregistered 4 years ago

    Please, the game GTA vicy site!

  53. scott smith Unregistered 4 years ago

    i cant download it

  54. david aitken Unregistered 4 years ago

    is there a demo online

  55. serkan Unregistered 4 years ago

    gta vice city

  56. serkan Unregistered 4 years ago

    gta vice city

  57. AngelBaby Unregistered 4 years ago

    how do u honk the car horn for pc version

  58. alan Unregistered 4 years ago

    the game is cool. i beat the game on ps2 . the favorite part i liked was the film studio.

  59. GTA VICE CITY Unregistered 3 years ago

    GTA VICE CITY IS A GOOD GAME BUT HIS MISSION IS VERY HARD.PCG 600 SOUND IS VERY BAD LIKE A BEES

  60. Corey Turner Unregistered 3 years ago

    it was helpful and easy to find

  61. snowcom Unregistered 3 years ago

    dankje

  62. fafafa Unregistered 3 years ago

    olha q porcaria olha q poracaria
    (ritmado)+ 4000 vezes olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria olha q porcaria

  63. Corey Gray Unregistered 3 years ago

    its the best game in the world

  64. meagan Unregistered 3 years ago

    on the mission "the shoot list" were u try to get phile to work for u. how do u pass it? i know u have to shoot the stuff it tells u too, but, how?

  65. wendel Unregistered 3 years ago

    please dont make the play so hard and harmful....

  66. wendel Unregistered 3 years ago

    you never told us what the price is.....

  67. ash900 Unregistered 3 years ago

    this game is good but they could do a lot better on the graphice and your rite its a beter game on pc than playstation

  68. nesti Unregistered 3 years ago

    fme enganta boiial ciber a jujmfikod

  69. XBOX MAN Unregistered 3 years ago

    BEST GAME IVE EVER PLAYED =-D

  70. XBOX MAN Unregistered 3 years ago

    THNX DAN!!!!!!! =D

  71. MaRc Unregistered 3 years ago

    Ay YOu Gonna make Grand ThefT Auto With The BLOODS and the CRIPS in It

  72. MaRc Unregistered 3 years ago

    Ay YOu Gonna make Grand ThefT Auto With The BLOODS and the CRIPS in It

  73. Sonic Unregistered 3 years ago

    quote: from MaRc: Ay YOu Gonna make Grand ThefT Auto With The BLOODS and the CRIPS in It?

    There not gonna do that GTA games are meant to have blood and crips...

  74. mr.t Unregistered 3 years ago

    grand theft auto is a good game

  75. mr.t Unregistered 3 years ago

    grand theft auto is a good game

  76. no 1 Unregistered 3 years ago

    funk u

  77. Alohakid Unregistered 3 years ago

    if you want to get weapons press R1,R2,L1,R2,left,down,right,up,left,down,right,up and there is R1,R2,L1,R2,left,down,right,up,left,down,down,down
    and there is R1,R2,L1,R2,left,down,right up,left,down,down,left

  78. Austin Unregistered 3 years ago

    GTA Vice City is a great game I love the games atmosphere the story line the charactes and everything els about it and the graphics were ausom and the trails effect on the display menue was cool as well.

  79. Camden Unregistered 3 years ago

    I'm playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in Xbox. I'm looking for the tear gas weapon. My guide tells me it's behind the Washington Beach police station. I went there. Unfortunately, the grenade weapon was just there instead of a tear gas. Can you help me plase and can the tear gas be found ethier at the roof of anywhere else?

  80. Camden (revived) Unregistered 3 years ago

    I'm playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in Xbox. I'm looking for the tear gas weapon. My guide tells me it's behind the Washington Beach police station. I went there. Unfortunately, the grenade weapon was just there instead of a tear gas. Can you help me please and can the tear gas be found ethier at the roof or anywhere else?

  81. moolkhar Unregistered 3 years ago

    i want to download where can i download gta vice city please tell me

  82. 50cent Unregistered 3 years ago

    i love thes game very match

  83. jacko 9856103 Unregistered 3 years ago

    Has anyone else here heard of the tear gas on vice city because there is some at washington beach somewhere

  84. fat ass Unregistered 3 years ago

    no i tried man

  85. fat ass Unregistered 3 years ago

    It is sick!!!!!!!! but san andreas is better....way better

  86. bob Unregistered 2 years ago

    pooooooooo

  87. Homie T Unregistered 2 years ago

    Cool

  88. Prasad Gavhane Unregistered 2 years ago

    Its Greattttttttttttttttttt

  89. ethan Unregistered 2 years ago

    man i love this game

  90. chloe Unregistered 2 years ago

    its da sickest game eva

  91. travis laveele crawford Unregistered 2 years ago

    please let me play grand theft auto online man yallt dont no thats the best game someone evermade so pleasegive me the name to the website

  92. ard Unregistered 2 years ago

    ja u qifsha nanen kejve

  93. boolence Unregistered 2 years ago

    bal hhsfc mssck çp gta çytd aldunkasndka

  94. gyan Unregistered 2 years ago

    i want to play now

  95. Ishaan Unregistered 2 years ago

    Wastage of time and money!

  96. punit sood 1 year ago

    plz tell me in which website can I play Grand Theft Auto Vice City.

  97. princess kittycat Unregistered 1 year ago

    huh,,,,

    pano ba maglaro ng grand theft auto vice city sa internet????

    panooo....??????
    panoooo?????

    ano website????????

    panooo baaaaa??????

    ha?????

    panoooo??????

    sabihin niyo sakin

    panooo????????

  98. princess kittycat 1 year ago

    in which website can i play grand theft auto vice city?????

    that's my favorite game!!!!!!

  99. Mridul Unregistered 1 year ago

    What A Great Game Of Ever.

  100. ehgegfdetyrs egfsgrwrgw could not think of a name Unregistered 1 year ago

    i got gta from game and the disk wont work it is to skrached

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