Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice Cityby Rockstar Games
Platform: PlayStation2
ESRB Rating: Mature
ASIN: B0000696CZ
Check price @ amazon.com , amazon.ca , amazon.co.uk
Features:
• Follow-up to Grand Theft Auto 3
• All-new game
• Set in the 80s
• Power, glamour, and corruption
• More freedom of movement than ever before
Amazon.com Review: How big is this game? Even publicists for other games end up talking about Grand Theft Auto: Vice City when they call our office, babbling in the same helplessly intoxicated way that afflicts everyone who plays it. The achievement of Vice City (which, as everyone knows by now, is set in the 1980s and offers an all-new, Miami Vice-inspired story) is not only that it manages to live up to an absurd level of expectation, but that it takes the game places that fans of its predecessor Grand Theft Auto 3 never dreamed of, and that it achieves this astonishing level of innovation without losing anything that made GTA3 the bestselling PS2 game of all time.
After a brilliant homage to the era of the Commodore 64 in the opening credits, the first thing you'll notice is the improved graphics, which are smoother and more detailed, and--with effects like neon lights reflected on rain-slick streets, and intense Florida sunlight--have a lush, tropical look that immediately gives you a strong sense of place. The architecture is more fabulous by tenfold, with art deco buildings, high-rise hotels, and believably seedy back alleys. The control scheme is essentially the same as in GTA3, but the cars handle much better, and in pedestrian mode there is a new crouch move. You will have access to fast, great-handling cars right away, as opposed to GTA3 which made you unlock the second island before you could get your hands on any respectable wheels. This game has such riches to offer that there is no need to be chintzy with the vehicles.
Cops are more vigilant this time--minor offenses like whacking innocent bystanders will more often than not get you a two-star wanted level--and are harder to elude (though they still can't seem to climb stairs or negotiate sharp turns). So while free-roaming exploration is as fun as ever, there is more incentive to perform the missions instead of randomly raising hell. Not that that's a bad thing: even lazy criminals like myself (in GTA3, I would rather toss hand grenades into traffic than follow orders from some rude Mafia boss) will be quickly caught up in the vivid characters and hilarious, fascinating story, in which you play an acid-washed-jeans-wearing thug named Tommy Vercetti. Where in GTA3 missions were blocky, schematic affairs only nominally connected to the story, this time tasks move the story briskly along and deftly blend cinematics and game action. For example, there is a scene of a character throwing Tommy a gun, at which point you are suddenly thrown back into the action and must make an instant decision about whom to trust and what to do.
There are more, and more detailed, indoor environments, including a hotel, police station, and mall (a slight downside to this is that some of the more elaborate indoor environments require load times). The layout of the city, with tons of backyards, narrow alleys, and fire escapes, encourages creativity when eluding pursuit, as does greater access to rooftops. Get your motorcycle up the fire escape and a whole new world of action is possible, including... well, use your imagination.
This overview barely scratches the surface of the Vice City experience, its colorful explosion of music, clothes, combat, and brilliant voice acting, not to mention the plot twist midway through the game that changes the very nature of the game itself. Though it was the outrageous, amoral violence that got all the press, the essential genius of GTA3 was its intoxicating blend of script and open-ended action. In Vice City this is--to use a cliché that is for once apropos--taken to a whole new level. --David Stoesz
Pros:
Astonishing, innovative gameplay
Godlike attention to detail
Opportunity to drive on the beach at midnight listening to the Human League's "Fascination"
Con:
More load times
Amazon.com Preview: Vice City, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2001's Grand Theft Auto III, promises to take the crime-does-pay concept to new heights, this time in a glamorous and corrupt 1980s seaside town called Vice City, inspired by the TV series Miami Vice. The developer, Rockstar Games, also acknowledges Scarface and other violent '80s films as inspiration. If parents need even more warning that the M (for Mature) rating on this game is to be taken very seriously: do not let anyone under 17 anywhere near this game.
Our "hero" is Tommy Vercetti (voiced by Ray Liotta), a gangster just out from a long stint in lockdown. Working for the Forelli family, Tommy is involved in a shady business deal that goes horribly wrong. So begins his quest to regain money, power, and respect in Vice City. As in GTA3, stealing cars, relieving folks of their cash, and whacking targets is the order of the day, but the open-ended story line and other elements that made its predecessor a smash hit have been expanded in Vice City. Taxi driver mode is back, but Tommy can now score a host of new odd jobs, including pizza delivery guy. Along with the missions, hundreds of hours' worth of such side activities are promised. Even so, the plot is tightly integrated with the missions through the use of nearly 120 minutes of cutscenes associated with Tommy's many quests.
The combat system has been tweaked and will allow you to easily target combatants while pummeling more than one victim at a time. There are a number of new weapons including machete and chain saw, and an improved targeting system that makes it easier to pick out your victim in a crowd. Along with your improved abilities, though, come smarter cops who can use more hand-to-hand combat moves, evade gunfire, and attack in various squad formations.
The much improved graphics give a better feel of how large Vice City is (about two times larger than GTA3's Liberty City) while conveying its distinctive style. The highly detailed, nicely animated inhabitants of Vice City look more alive. Music will also be a huge part of the game's atmosphere. The radio will feature nine hours of talk, fake ads, and Reagan-era pop music, with such artists as Hall & Oates, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Lionel Richie, and Wang Chung.
Vice City will feature 120 different cars, none of them licensed, but each with a distinctive '80s style and unique looks and handling. A variety of boats will also be part of the game, including everything from tugboats to yachts that can cruise the meticulously planned waterways. Motorcycles are another new element, with a whole range of stunts and moves possible, such as weaving in and out of traffic and the ability to do drive-bys. The action also takes to the skies with some very cool helicopters that appear to be easy to fly and to have unrestricted freedom of movement. Some of the helicopters will reportedly have weapons attached.
Vice City could be one town many gamers won't be leaving for a long time. --Mark Brooks
Manufacturer's Description: Welcome to Vice City. Welcome to the 1980s. 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 reappearance 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, hedonistic metropolis of Vice City. He gets 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.
From the decade of big hair, excess, and pastel suits comes a story of one man's rise to the top of the criminal pile as Grand Theft Auto returns to the PlayStation2. Vice City is a huge urban sprawl--ranging from the beach to the swamps and from the glitz to the ghetto--and the most varied, complete, and alive digital city ever created. Combining nonlinear gameplay with a character-driven narrative, the game plops you into a town brimming with delights and degradation, where you are given the opportunity to take it over as you choose.
As a major gateway to South America and the Caribbean and for attracting migrants, Vice City is brimming with diverse characters, so there's a friend for everyone. It is a sociable place, and the new guy in town is sure to meet all manner of friendly people in the sunshine capital of America. Athletes, pop stars, real estate developers, politicians, trailer trash--everyone is moving to Vice City to find out what makes it the number one growth city in America. But, as Tommy quickly finds out, trust is still the rarest of commodities.
Vice City offers vehicular pleasures to suit every taste. For the speed enthusiast, there are high-performance cars and motorbikes. For the sporty type, a powerboat or golf cart lets you enjoy the great outdoors. For those needing that sense of freedom and escape, why not charter a helicopter and see the beauty of Vice City from the air?
As all this happens in the party capital of America, you'd expect your ears to be seduced by a host of sultry melodies and pumping beats, but the city is truly rocking. You'll be amazed as you sweep through Vice City's FM dial. If you are feeling like trouble, you can tune into some driving rock, or some crucial electro, or maybe you want to slow down with some sweet soul, and there will always be some great romantic anthems if you want to really take your mind off things. For the action man or outdoors type, there are tons of fun things to do and adventures to be had--guaranteed. For the secretive or creepy type, Vice City is full of surprises, a place where you'll be constantly surprised by the vivacious, fun-loving types who live there and the things you can discover.
Customer Reviews:
Way too violent for kids, but Adults...you will love it, December 5, 2002
Reviewer: funkymushroom from Cambridge, MA USA
This is a fantastic game, for many of the same reasons that the version before it was. Great gameplay, superb soundtrack...lots of side missions. Cool cars, boats, planes, choppers to discover...even Motorcycles. Lots of Weapons. Go on rampages, go on jobs for the mob, buy new businesses as fronts for your criminal activities, jump insane heights for points and cash...this game, you gotta own...its a rush, trust me.
Do not buy this game, December 5, 2002
Reviewer: johnpost from Ithaca, NY USA
Unless you are a hard core gamer, this game is too hard, needlessly so, for the casual gamer. The "Demolition Man" mission is nearly impossible. The third assassination mission also is too linear and doesn't allow for any variation from the script. Other missions are so simplistic that a five-year old could complete them. Despite what the manufacturer says about open-ended play, the missions are completely linear. There is only one way to complete a given mission.
If you just want to drive around and rob people or do the insane jumps, the game is playable, but it gets boring pretty quickly.
Best Game Ever, December 5, 2002
Reviewer: Joel Navejas from Fort Collins, Colorado United States
While you may dismiss this as a violent, "dumb", childish game, your mistaken! It's everything that grand theft auto 3 was times 2!Everything is superb.The voice acting is spot on,the gameplay is faster, and now they'rs more to do.The only real grievance I have is that the aiming is still a little off.And,you know those missions that were so frustrating in gta3 that they made you scream?well they're back.But they're still achievable.I highly recommend that everyone buy this game.It's an offer you can't refuse!
vice city, December 5, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Olathe Kansas USA
this game is the best gta game of all time. i love the wepons and the awsome cars. the only thing is you don't have a garage like i gta3. but that dosn't bother me much. my favorite thing is that you can ride motercycles! COOL!
The reason for owning a ps2, December 5, 2002
Reviewer: jesse from Temple, TX United States
this game is the best game ive ever played if you have any sense youll get this game if you dont have this game you dont deserve to own a ps2 this game easily beats out competition. im not going into detail about everything in the game cause there are already alot of reviews with the features. just get the damn game
Great game but badly coded., December 4, 2002
Reviewer: araidasa from Alexandria, VA United States
The game slows down in rain sequences and it flakes out at times. You get shot when you shouldn't (like when you are behind walls).
I wish they spent a little more time testing it before launch, but otherwise a fantastic game. But it should work flawlessly.
best game ever its a have to buy game, December 4, 2002
Reviewer: An 11-year old gamer
its the coolest game ever
its based on the 70s and the tv show miami vice
way better than gta3 you can get boats helicopters better storyline great graphics more guns beter and mor missioms can by houses better and more cars harder and more challenging polices have weapons and faster cars f you think im crazy about this game your right you should rent it if you dont believe me yourself
Indulge Your Id, December 4, 2002
Reviewer: Trevor Maviano from United States
If your Id is feeling a little oppressed by all the rules, regulations and responsibilites of modern life, take a trip into the world of Tommy Vercetti.
This is the best game I've ever played, bar none. Don't think of it as a video game. Think of it as a pop cultural experience and a brilliantly satirical commentary on 80s American culture. Everything from the music to the wardrobe to the anti-commie paranoia of the 80s is captured here. In reality the 80s weren't that cool, in fact I hated the Reagan era. Not only was the president a Nazi (with a good PR man) But fashion was fruiter than ever- pegged [] pants? Musically the choices were a bunch of faggy brits or [] rock Metal retards.
The great thing about Vice City is that the people at Rockstar Games obviously know this. Thus they serve up the 80s, in all it's horrible glory, looking back from a a 2002 point of view. and it makes for kick ass fun!
One last thing, all these reviews that say the game is inspired by Miami Vice are missing at least half the banana boat. Everything from Tommy Vercetti's wardrobe to his house to his chainsaw are inspired by the best gangster movie ever- Scarface! And if you don't think the people at Rockstar are Scarface fanatics then rent the movie and then go play GTA 3. One of the radio stations plays nothing, but songs from the movie.
There are massive improvements from GTA3 to Vice City. The graphics are better. Playability has improved. The story line is more engrossing. Celebrity voices are hilarious. But the biggest improvement of all is that the main character is Italian! Who the hell wants to be a WASP gangtser working for the Japanese (GTA3)? Way to go Rockstar!
WOW!!!, December 4, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Staten Island, New York United States
BEST GAME EVER!!! I bought this a few months ago, and haven't stopped playin it since. I just beat it yesterday, and it was ten times betta than any X-box game, any Gamecube game, and any PC game ever created. It was also ten times betta than GTA 3. It is almost exactly like gta 3 (playin wize not storyline) but it added SOOOO much more!! if u hav PS2 get this, if u dont got ps2 go buy it then get this game. IT WILL BE WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!
The best game ever made (and it's by rockstar games), December 4, 2002
Reviewer: John Banister from Memphis tennessee USA
This has to be the best game ever, I mean when you beat it you can continue to play it. Unlike some other games when you beat it you can't play it still (i mean like from the part where you beat it.) That is why people should go out and play Grand Theft Auto Vice CIty. I am getting it for christmas (if it's still not sold out) and I can't wait. All I am going to do it play that game until i beat it (maybe even longer than when i beat it.) No sleep no nothing (eexcept for eat.) I mean i have plain it before and the graphics are good the cinema scences are good and the game play is good. The cars look wierd though but that is besides the point. I highly recomend this game, I don't caare how you play it, rent it what ever just ge tyour hands on it and play. It is amazing and it will change your whole prespective on games. Rockstar games has to be the best game company in the world because they have made the whole series of the gta and i have all of them except for gtavc. I love this game, oh yeah and the guns are amazing also. And some of the cars that where in gta3 have better handling in gtavc. It is great.
| PS2 Games |
| Action & Adventure |
| Fighting |
| Racing & Flying |
| Role Playing |
| Sports & Outdoors |
| Strategy |