Summary
- Release Year: 2006
- Genres: Adventure, Racing
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
- Developers: Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar North
- Publishers: Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
Introduction
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a 2006 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on the PlayStation Portable on October 31, 2006, and is a prequel to the 2002 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The game is set in 1984 in Vice City, a fictionalized version of Miami, and follows the story of Victor “Vic” Vance, a former paratrooper who becomes entangled in the city’s criminal underworld.
Gameplay
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a third-person action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. The player controls Vic Vance, who can explore the open world of Vice City on foot or in a variety of vehicles. The game features a variety of missions, which typically involve completing tasks for criminal organizations or other characters. In addition to the main missions, the game also features a number of side missions and activities, such as racing, gambling, and collecting hidden packages.
Setting
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is set in 1984 in Vice City, a fictionalized version of Miami. The game’s world is divided into two main islands, which are connected by a series of bridges. The game’s world is based on the real-life Miami of the 1980s, and features a variety of landmarks and locations, such as the Ocean View Hotel, the Malibu Club, and the Vice Point Mall.
Characters
The main protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is Victor “Vic” Vance, a former paratrooper who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld of Vice City. Vic is a skilled fighter and driver, and he is determined to make a name for himself in the city.
Other characters in the game include:
- Lance Vance: Vic’s younger brother, who is also involved in the criminal underworld.
- Phil Cassidy: A gunrunner and explosives expert who helps Vic on his missions.
- Umberto Robina: A Cuban drug lord who is one of Vic’s main rivals.
- Ricardo Diaz: A Colombian drug lord who is another one of Vic’s main rivals.
Story
The story of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories begins in 1984, when Vic Vance is discharged from the army after serving in the Vietnam War. Vic returns to Vice City and reunites with his younger brother, Lance. Lance is involved in the criminal underworld, and he quickly gets Vic involved in his activities.
Vic and Lance start working for a local drug lord named Umberto Robina. However, they soon come into conflict with another drug lord, Ricardo Diaz. Diaz is a powerful and ruthless criminal, and he is determined to eliminate Vic and Lance.
Vic and Lance must fight for their lives as they try to take down Diaz and his organization. They must also deal with the corrupt police force and the other criminal organizations in Vice City.
Reception
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its open-world gameplay, its engaging story, and its memorable characters. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is considered to be one of the best games in the Grand Theft Auto series. The game’s open-world gameplay, its engaging story, and its memorable characters have made it a classic. The game has also been praised for its soundtrack, which features a variety of popular songs from the 1980s.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s open-world gameplay has been copied by many other games, and its story and characters have been praised by critics. The game is also considered to be one of the best examples of a prequel, as it successfully expands on the story and characters of the original Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Review Score
8.5/10