Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (GTA: VC) is renowned as one of the greatest games created for the PlayStation 2. The game has sold over 17.5 million units worldwide, over 3 platforms, as of March, 2008.

Plot & Influences

One and the same?

The game is set in the late 1980's in Vice City, Florida, which draws heavily from Miami circa 1980. The game draws from the influences of the time, from Miami Vice to Carlito's Way.

The main plot of the game is almost a tit for tat retelling of the infamous Scarface story, with the main protagonist of the game, Tommy Vercetti drawing heavily from the Tony Montana character. Having recently been released from jail, the game follows his story as he rises through the criminal ranks, becoming the most powerful crime kingpin in the city. The only difference between the two stories is the ending of GTA: VC leaves Tommy in charge, while Tony Montana's fatal flaw of being too confident (and admittedly pumped full of drugs) ends up with him being killed. Perhaps Tommy meets the same fate after the game finishes and the next wave of gangsters hit the Vice City streets. Who knows?

What is fun about this game?

• The way that the game doesnt take itself too seriously was in our opinion one of the games greatest aspects. The game could have taken a very serious point of view (a lá Scarface) and only focused on the violence, drugs and revenge, but thankfully this was not the case. The fact that the characters in the game can have a more casual style of dialogue, often talking about things totally unrelated to the plot, adds comic relief to the game, using humour in a way not seen before in a game (GTA III was used as a testing ground for the type of in-game cut scenes that used humour but only in GTA: VC did they really start to shine as a work of writing genius).

• The fact that the game used humour kept the game fun, which kept you playing and enjoying it. There is nothing worse than a game which you end up slaving your way through, but having no real fun by the end. GTA: VC was fun until, and beyond, the last piece of storyline was over.

• They say "life is what you make of it". Well this game definately follows the same philosophy. The immense amount of freedom given to the player encourages them to choose the game they want to play. If they want to follow the storyline they can but there is also the option of many "subquests", such as collecting all the hidden packages or finding all the unique stunts, (ramps that basically make you do crazy massive jumps) or just go for a bit of casual blow shit up/thuggery action. It never at any point forces the player to do something they don't want to do to progress in the game.

• The way the game is divided into two different islands is a good way of keep the player immersed in the game. Allowing them to concentrate on the first "easier" island lets players get a feel for targetting systems, driving and general controls, before launching them into the second island which contains faster cars, bigger guns and other great additions (helicopters!) only available on the second island once players have a grasp of the game.

• The fact that real world laws don't apply allows players to immerse in thier sickest fantasies. You can kill people and get away with it. You can steal a car and get away with it. The game lets players escape from real life, yet, still feel connected enough, through in-game rules similar to real life, that you know you are in the "forbidden fruit" zone. Everyone knows it is wrong, but when you taste it, it was totally worth it.

• The range of characters involved in the story and how extreme they can be is very funny. The characters range from jewish lawyers to one armed alcoholic Vietnam veterans, voodoo practicing Haitians to a Scottish Glam Rock band (check out the video tab at the top to see these Scottish rockers in action). All of the characters are also voiced by well known actors/actresses which was a major first for games (on this scale anyway) and took the in-game cutscenes to a level never seen before. The cast includes Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Danny Dyer and Tom Sizemore alongside cult 80's heroes such as Lee Majors and Philip Michael Thomas.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Intro

Trailer

Love Fist

A bit of local humour in this video.