login sign up feeds about

Grand Theft Auto Vice City

The biggest game of the year is here - but can it deliver?

Let’s not beat around the proverbial bush, a lot of people have been wanting this game for quite some time now. Allegedly, the game has already sold something like a million copies without even arriving on store shelves, so it’s a pretty safe bet that the Take 2 hype machine has done its job admirably. But how have Rockstar faired in following in the footsteps of one of the PS2’s biggest hits to date? Well, they’ve certainly lost none of their edge and inspiration, Vice City adding to the already excellent formula honed in the original with some finesse, and creating what is sure to be a game of equal, or perhaps greater success: both commercially and critically.

• images (8)

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • all 8 images

• game info

  • 

  • Publisher:

    Developer:

    Release Date:

  • more

• related stories

  • Grand Theft Auto canned for GBA
  • Vice City Soundtrack Info
  • Vice City complete
  • Vice City Soundtrack CDs revealed
  • Gallery: GTA3 Vice City
  • more

• ps2

  • Need For Speed Undercover
  • Sonic Unleashed
  • Yakuza 2
  • PES 2009
  • Quantum of Solace: The Game
  • more

• grand theft auto

  • 
  • GTA IV DLC hinted for November
  • GTA IV DLC content still coming
  • GTA IV set for Japan
  • Rockstar chief likes being hated
  • 17% of GTA IV purchasers underage
  • more

The first thing I noted in playing Vice City is how polished the game is, the comparatively short development period and inevitable pressures upon the designers, seemingly having had little recognisable impact on the games excellent production values. GTA3 hasn’t succumbed to the controversy of the first in its second iteration either, Vice City more than earning it’s ‘18’ certificate, thanks to the sheer ruthless possibilities presented to the player, and the graphic nature of the violence depicted. Don’t worry, I’m not going all Mary Whitehouse on you, suffice to say that the Daily Mail are sure to have a field day when they eventually spot this game in a few months time.

So does GTA: Vice City fulfil the expectations ladled upon it by the gaming masses? In a word: yes. Not only does the game improve much of what has gone before, it adds a whole new layer of freedom and choices on what was already a daring experiment in autonomy.

The gameplay effortlessly manages to blend the free-form nature of this genre-straddling game, with a successful and highly immersive plot. You name it, and Rockstar have taken inspiration from it; you’ve got driving, role-playing, fighting, shooting, flying, and lovely cinematic sequences – all enveloped and combined within the rich ambience of ‘Vice City’, a fictional Miami of the mid-80s, humming with criminal activity.

As well as the usual array of lovely and not-so-lovely automobiles, buses, trucks and other such vehicles, a new line of bikes, from Scooters to Harley’s also joins the mix for the ‘borrowing’. You’ll be able to fly helicopters and the like too, as well as several other diverse modes of transport that will prove crucial to many a shady assignment. A few new weapons will also feature, and as with the original GTA3, you’ll be able to proffer new guns, vehicles and cash -as you progress through the games missions, earning lolly as you go.

New areas of the city, and new criminals to offend or seek employment with, also become available as you move through the game, and its pleasing on this front to note that Vice City offers some of the most fun and imaginative missions to date; a certain exploding remotely-controlled helicopter springing to mind as a good example.

The police of the fictional metropolis have also grown a little more agitated from the original, with a greater police presence in general leading to some frenetic movie-style car chases, which can, and often do, lead to amusing water-jumping antics, in true Blues Brothers style.

Next

1. THE GAME IS #1 OF THE YEAR IN MY OPINION AN IT KICKS MAJOR A##.

   ERICK Wednesday, 11 September 2002, 00:04:57

2. you say w/ ultimate cheats, What are they. I cant seem to figure them out, please answere me. I love 3 and vice just need cheats. thanks

   anybodyknow?? Saturday, 9 November 2002, 13:12:41

3. what are codes

   coolio Saturday, 9 November 2002, 14:27:49

4. Umm...............I bought the game and im looken for some cheats for more money any help?

   john Saturday, 9 November 2002, 15:21:15

5. Yeah i agree with everyone else.....so where are the frikin' cheats!!!

   matt Saturday, 9 November 2002, 17:12:28

6. i need all weapons cheet

   shelby Saturday, 9 November 2002, 21:09:7

7. Anybody want real codes for GTA: Vice city well Ill give the scoop they work because I use them.

   www.ps2replay.com

   Bart Saturday, 9 November 2002, 22:17:55

8. This game is the game of the year. But i thought it was too easy i beat it in six days come on make it harder

   Josh Smith Saturday, 9 November 2002, 22:53:43

9. I think the game rocks, but i think that they should make tommy swim because it sux when you fall in the water and die.

   Andy B Friday, 11 October 2002, 08:10:38

10. can i have your codes?

    Andy B Friday, 11 October 2002, 08:13:17

11. so do i

    Andy B Friday, 11 October 2002, 08:14:10

12. Do none of you people know how to use Google?

    Jason Friday, 11 October 2002, 08:16:22

13. googles, thanks jason!

    anybodyknow? Friday, 11 October 2002, 10:51:48

14. they should make a grand theft auto4 that is like way in the future with hover cars

    joshlarson Friday, 11 October 2002, 11:47:54

16. this is the best game ever im i love this game and the other game whats it called dead to right's

    carlos mangual Friday, 11 October 2002, 00:22:5

17. you can get codes for this great game at game-revolution.com

    squirrel Friday, 11 October 2002, 00:35:37

18. He can swim. U have to enter the cheat code. R2, R2, L1, Circle, Left, Right, Up, R2 So for all yuo cheaters out there, there you are.

    Jaymz Sunday, 10 November 2002, 17:42:4

19. this game sounds cool, looks cool, the graphics are just amazing

    mike Sunday, 10 November 2002, 21:04:43

20. Josh - GTA: VC id Grand Theft Auto 4.

    By the way if it is cheats you are after Rockstar are releasing a box set of 7 Cd' contatining the music of the game. Put these in your PC and they will automatically give you the cheats :)

    Vapour Monday, 11 November 2002, 03:07:52

21. Emulaters? Do you mean 'emulators'? If so, then which ones?

    Jason Monday, 11 November 2002, 08:04:55

22. i think chete codes should b esier to find. i no only 1 chete for wepons it is r1,r2,l1,r2,right,down,left,up

    ricky Monday, 11 November 2002, 08:49:51

23. Do I have to spell it out to you people?

    http://www.google.com/search?q=Grand+Theft+Auto+Vice+City+cheats

    Jason Monday, 11 November 2002, 09:31:43

24. L1, L1, R2, R2, Left, Left, Right, Right, O, O, O

    CHEATER Monday, 11 November 2002, 11:37:20

25. I think this forum shows why internet forums are an inherantly bad idea.

    Nick Monday, 11 November 2002, 11:41:14

26. If your looking for cheats to mess around go to www.cheatplanet.com!

    wild50002002 Monday, 11 November 2002, 00:07:30

27. Indeed - we'll be spicing it up with some new features soon though. Root out some of the dross

    Jason Monday, 11 November 2002, 00:50:46

28. No way man, this comments systemn is amazing! So much funh to be had in the wild variety of the postings.

    Sam Monday, 11 November 2002, 13:57:59

29. This game is so cool I love the bikes more than anything. And I think that this is the number one game of the year even though it is almost over.

    David Monday, 11 November 2002, 14:46:12

30. the code for more money is

    R2, L1,Left,Right, Square, Circle(x4)than press start and you should be at 99999999 with money

    Tommy Verceti Monday, 11 November 2002, 19:01:51

32. go to www.cheatplanet.com they have all the best cheats for every game

    unknown Monday, 11 November 2002, 19:11:30

33. this is a great game, there's been a rumor that the feds are gonna take it off the shelves because of the sniper in D.C....what they dont understand is that every conflict game has sniper rifles... this is bull plop if they take it away! Viva la revolution!

    jake Monday, 11 November 2002, 20:34:27

34. 110% brilliant. GTA Vice City lives up to all expectations Well done

    David Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 03:45:21

35. i think that grand theft auto vice city is such aa pucker game, the things that you can do is unbelievable. The sparks coming of the popped tyres, are well realistic.

    jamie cross Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 05:09:52

36. this is cool this is amazing game

    jake Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 10:12:32

37. vice city is so cold i some time take,off from work just to play this cold ass game.mylady says i don.t pay her any attention when it come to me playing this game vice city

    eugene Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 10:26:36

38. ur pritty sad eugne

    jaje Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 11:32:31

39. The Dogs Dangleys!

    loz Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 11:45:42

40. Im not allowed to get vice city And ive been askin for ages, but my parents say its two grusome, but i want to know is it, i mean i know GTA III had hookers and that ginda a stuff but does vice city, i mean it cant be that bad, can it????

    Unhappy Will Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 13:45:44

41. This game is my boyfriends other baby. He plays it all the damn time. It's a bad ass game. I am actually online looking for cheats for him to use while he plays.

    Kimberly E. Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 15:08:13

42. I LOVE LEO

    sarah Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 16:10:34

43. I would like to know if there is a code for more money, since I ran out?

    anthony Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 16:54:51

44. wut is the code for more money and if there are any really hard to find codes

    scott Tuesday, 12 November 2002, 17:47:2

45. THIS GAME IS VERY GOOD BUT NEEDS MORE REALITY OBJECTS

    CHIPPY Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 01:48:52

46. i need the money cheat for vice city,when you can get more money send bak

    mohammed tyson Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 02:34:46

48. health: r1,r2,l1,o , left, down , right ,up, left, down, right , up

    bob Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 04:09:59

49. anyone know the money

    one that works+

    tom Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 08:46:51

50. its up down up square circle up down left right

    kurt cobain Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 10:10:50

51. This game rocks! there is a wicked cheat were your car can drive on water its right r2 circler1 l2 square r1 r2. This actually works!!! just dont get out of the car in the sea!!!

    Indy Wednesday, 13 November 2002, 13:35:16

52. cheaters r lame. real gamers own you

    BoB Thursday, 14 November 2002, 02:28:1

53. I like cheese

    Squid 76 Thursday, 14 November 2002, 03:21:33

Next