Grand Theft Auto: Vice City


 

🎮 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Review

Release Year: 2002
Platforms: Initially on PS2, later on PC, Xbox, and remastered versions

🌆 Setting & Story

Vice City is Rockstar’s tribute to the flashy neon era of the 1980s, heavily inspired by Miami Vice and Scarface. You play as Tommy Vercetti, a mobster fresh out of prison, who gets caught up in drug deals gone wrong and sets out to build his criminal empire.

The story blends crime, betrayal, and power struggles, with strong cinematic cutscenes and memorable dialogue.

🎨 Graphics & Atmosphere

For its time, Vice City was visually stunning—bright neon lights, palm trees, beaches, and skyscrapers perfectly captured the 80s Miami vibe. Today, it looks dated, but the atmosphere and nostalgia still shine through.

The remastered Definitive Edition improved textures and lighting but received criticism for bugs and stylistic changes.

🎶 Sound & Music

One of Vice City’s strongest points is its soundtrack. The in-game radio stations play classic 80s hits from artists like Michael Jackson, Blondie, and Iron Maiden. The music, combined with hilarious radio ads and DJs, makes driving around the city unforgettable.

🎮 Gameplay

  • Open World Freedom: You can steal cars, fight gangs, buy properties, and build your empire.

  • Missions: Ranging from drug deals and assassinations to helicopter chases and gang wars.

  • Vehicles & Weapons: Motorbikes made their GTA debut here, along with a wide variety of guns.

  • Empire-Building: Buying safehouses and businesses gives you income and progression.

The controls can feel clunky by today’s standards, especially in shooting and driving, but the variety of activities kept it fun and engaging.

✅ Pros

  • Iconic 80s atmosphere and soundtrack

  • Engaging story with unforgettable characters

  • Freedom to explore and create chaos

  • Introduced motorcycles, helicopters, and empire-building

❌ Cons

  • Outdated graphics and controls (in original version)

  • Some missions are notoriously frustrating (e.g., RC helicopter bomb mission)

  • Remastered Definitive Edition received backlash for bugs and art style changes

⭐ Verdict

GTA: Vice City is a classic masterpiece that defined open-world gaming. While it shows its age, the music, atmosphere, and story still make it one of the most beloved entries in the GTA series.

Rating: 9/10 (Original), 7/10 (Definitive Edition)

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