Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Okay, so I've gone from the decently good Grand Theft Auto 3 to now Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the second GTA game to appear in full 3D on the PS2, PC, and XBOX gaming systems. Quick backstory- the GTA series was generally overlooked until GTA3, which was so "Realistic" and unique for the time that it made many parents groups paranoid of the effect it had on kids, et al. Thus, the series is not only popular because of the game itself, but because of the reputation that it carries.

Grand Theft Auto takes place in the 80s-early-90s Las Vegas era- odd designs, odd people, remnants of leisure suits, and stuff that I never wanted to have existed in the first place. Of course, this sets the standard for the game- a GTA game that actually has a basis for it. Long story short, your character takes part in a drug deal gone bad, and the families want you to deal with business down in Las Vegas- mainly, finding the people who made it go bad. While the story is pretty standard reverse-"Law and Order" fare, the story actually moves quite well, keeping you engrossed without slowing the pace.



This time around, the game is a lot more solid in that you are not a random character from wherever. While GTA3 seemed to fall back on the "Cuban in NY" style gameplay, Vice City gives your character a personality, a job, a VOICE, and in general, some style. And of course, most importantly, some pretty decent humor. Beyond the hilarious chat radio station, comments, character actions, and generally the whole game is rather humerous. Sure, if you're looking at the game from the angry mother perspective you'll find something wrong with it, but the average gamer will get more than a few laughs at the game's sharp wit.

The graphics this edition around are updated, but still carry that generic Grand Theft Auto sense of simplicity. This is OK in this sense, because they get the message across, and any more complexity would obviously tax the PS2 system. When you have hundreds of people in the streets, huge buildings, and fast moving action, you can't really complain if the character models are a little simplistic. As well, the sound is updated, but nothing absolutely amazing. The real fun part is listening to the fake radio stations, which still do get old after a while, but are enough to keep you reasonably entertained in the 5 1/2 seconds you're in any given vehicle.

Little things in Vice City give it the edge it requires to really turn into a GTA game to play. The sheer array of weapons gives you something to do with the mass amounts of people around you. Various locations, like Yacts and Golf Courses, add more to the area than GTA3's "China Town" and "Everywhere Else". In general, the area seems much more lively and new, and I didn't feel like I was in one big repeating city (as in GTA3).



Now, let me speak about the upgrades to the vehicles a little bit. In Grand Theft Auto 3, the Vehicle engine was very nice, but all the cars eventually seemed the same, sans small changes in handling and speed. In Vice City, not only do you have the ability to drive cars, but now motorcycles and the "Fayggo" (A motorscooter) add a little bit of a twist on different modes of transport. They actually damage in different areas, handle VERY differently, and the passengers inside them don't hand you the cars anymore. This time around, I actually found myself driving the speed limit in sheer paranoia of busting up my car and having future issues. I kid you not.

If you are going to play a Grand Theft Auto, play this game or San Andreas. This game definately presents Grand Theft Auto in a way that's markedly different from the public's view of a hatemongering game. It's tounge-in-cheek, difficult, and worth it's weight in gold.

5 star(s) out of 5

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