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Great way to live out one's EVIL Miami Vice Fantasies!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 11
Date: July 13, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Be Forewarned: This game is NOT recommended for younger gamers due to the excessive violence, sex (R-rated), and crime related storyline.

I recently got this game via online auction for $10; just curious what all the hype was about. Let's get straight to the point:

The GOOD: Entertaining voice acting by Ray Liotta (Tommy Vercetti the main character), Dennis Hopper (Steve Scott, the porn king), Burt Reynolds (Avery Carrington, real estate mobster), Philip Michael Thomas (Lance Vance, Tommy's buddy), Deborah Harry (Taxi controller), Jenna Jameson (porn star), etc. Facinating storyline with funny plot twists. Open game format allows playing missions in any order you want, do what you want. LOTS of cars, motorcycles, planes, trucks, ambulances, helos, speedboats, RC airplanes, etc. to commandeer and wreak havoc. LOTS of weapons ranging from butcher knife to RPGs. LOTS of 80s music (Blondie, Rick James, A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Michael Jackson, etc) and chat parody on radio stations whenever inside a vehicle. Well plotted out city streets and ability to buy real estate and business properties as the game progresses. Some missions are tough and need careful planning and weapons selection. Add your own MP3s to listen to! You can even pick up hookers if you're driving a nice car. Just too much goodies!!!

The BAD: Awkward 3rd person view of main character (views can only be changed in vehicles) which means sometimes a structure or the back of Tommy's head can be blocking your view of the enemies. Background graphics can become ungainly and bulky close up (Kind of reminds me of old Tomb Raider games). Vehicle dynamics are purely video game style/not realistic simulations. Games can't be saved during missions and can only be done at "save" houses/properties. Vehicles always exploded when turned over even when there's minimal damage.

The UGLY: Game sometimes lock up (at the car dealership) even with video setting at my desktop 1280x1024x32 native resolution. The newest patch didn't help. Last but NOT least: TOMMY CAN'T SWIM!!!

Bottom Line: FUN and entertaining game at parties. NOT for younger kids or the politically correct. The 80's music collection ALONE is worth getting this game!

Best Computer Game Ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: June 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing games for 20 years (and for rather too much of the time too) and this is the best I've ever played.

The amazing thing about this game is that it's more than a game, it's a cultral experience. The game aspects are great, graphics, physics and so one. However the retro 80s setting with every detail is amazing, the hours and hours of music fit perfectly, the freedom within the world is very complete and the way you're guided in the story is subtle, you don't feel like you lose control of what's happening. What sticks out is a sense of style and sophicated humor that are ever present. Like a truely great book or film, I was sad when I finished it.

Lastly, obviously it's violent etc, it's not even worth mentioning really. If that's going to offend you then don't play it, but don't play it and then whine here. Or maybe I should say buy it and never play it, because I hope the guys at Rockstar mint it on this one, they deserve it and they need the funds for the next installment because it's gonna be an almighty task to try and beat this.

Highly recommended.

We're taking over this town!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 13, 2005
Author: Amazon User

After playing Grand Theft Auto III, I thought there was no way Rockstar could top themselves. In fact, when the advance word for this game got out, I actually thought this was nothing more than an ADD-ON for GTA3. Stupid thought, I know; on the whole, GTA:VC is bigger, badder, and more audacious than GTA3 ever was.

So, here's the story:

In 1986, Tommy Vercetti -- a hitter for the Forelli crime family in Liberty City -- is finally released from prison. Sonny Forelli, his boss, immediately sends him down to Vice City to close a major drug deal being handled by Ken Rosenberg, a shyster lawyer and the Forellis' contact. No sooner is the deal closed than gunmen break it all up, kill everyone but Tommy and Ken, and take both the drugs and the cash. Now, Tommy has to recover the money for Sonny...but before long, he decides to make a name for himself in this town.

The setting is pure '80s excess, through and through. If you take the bottomless amoral corruption of Scarface, the day-glo polyester fashion of Miami Vice, and the innate cheesy greed of Ronald Reagan's 1980s American culture, you'll have Vice City. You'll see it in the fashion sense of the citizens, the local architecture, and the cars tooling around on the road. You'll even hear it in the radio stations, which boast an array of heavy metal, dance, Latino, and bubblegum pop music the like of which you haven't even thought of since the '80s. I swear; try listening to one of the radio stations and see if the memories don't come flooding back.

The voice acting is, as usual, superb. Ray Liotta did an outstanding job bringing Tommy Vercetti to life, and in making an otherwise loathsome sociopath into a strangely likable character. And there are others as well; Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Gary Busey, Lee Majors, Fairuza Balk, and Robert Davi all turn in great performances. But Philip Michael Thomas, who played Don Johnson's partner Tubbs on Miami Vice, gets special mention; in more ways than one, his character -- Lance Vance -- is the one to keep an eye on.

While the main story missions only take up a third of the game itself, it's the addition of a new feature that not only rounds things out, it also adds length to the game, and really makes you feel like you're establishing a criminal empire. They're called asset properties. At a certain point in the game, you have the option of buying certain businesses. Once you buy one of these asset properties, and you complete its mission strand, that business will start generating a daily amount of money for you to pick up. Some of them are perfectly legitimate, such as the taxi company or the nightclub. Others are a little sketchy, like the boatyard or the strip club, but others are absolutely illegal, like the protection rackets, the "ice cream" company, or the car showroom. They add a great amount of depth, and they let you establish contacts across town. Needless to say, once Sonny Forelli comes to town to "check up" on you, make no mistake...he's now in YOUR town.

So, if you feel the need to get away from it all and indulge your inner Tony Montana, book a trip to Vice City. Like San Andreas, it's a great place to visit and unwind...and also like San Andreas, you'll be glad YOU don't live there.

Grounbreaking

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: April 24, 2003
Author: Amazon User

GTA 3 and Vive City are incredible, grounbreaking games.
There are some pretty active imaginations that review these games for both good and bad. I have not figured out how to have sex yet in the game (you can get a hooker to ride in your car and watch your money slowly drop but that's as exciting as it gets), and you can't really "hack someone into pieces" (you can cut an arm off but that's about it). In fact the cartoony violence of this game pales in comparison to other games (ie. Soldier of Fortune II etc...)

Rockstar's attention to the little things and the amazing amount of detail put into their enormous game worlds is what make these games stand out and so much fun to play. Almost every vehicle can be operated - from motorcycles to Apache helicopters. You can fly and land anywhere in the city. You can steal a scooter and pop wheelies and do nose rides while running from the FBI. Cops throw spike strips at your tires. You can jump out of moving cars. You can do almost anything. And that's not even the scripted game! The missions are creative and well put together. The voices are done by real actors. Tons of fun.

When my little brother got Vice City for his playstation we made my father (a public school principal) play it and he could barely see through his tears of laughter. This game is the most comical, creative, and easily playable game ever created. You owe it to yourself to experience Vice City.

More Entertaining Than its Predecessor Grand Theft Auto 3

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Let me start by saying if you haven't purchased the other recent game in the GTA series (Grand Theft Auto 3) then what are you waiting for? As a matter of fact, I'd recommend you play GTA3 first because both games use the same engine and have similar mechanics but Vice City is an improvement over GTA3. While still a fun game no matter what, you may enjoy GTA3 cold more so than someone who has played Vice City first. Some of the improvements to the GTA series include new vehicles such as motorcycles, a payment system that allows you to own illegal businesses in Vice City and earn profits, and a vastly improved soundtrack that contains several hits from the 80's. If you remember the old television series "Miami Vice" then you already know the story for Vice City. Only this game allows you to play as the bad guy rather than Don Johnson. If you're a Playstation owner and considering buying the PC version, just know that it's the same game only with better graphics and the ability to record your own MP3's for your in-game car radio. GTA Vice City is good ol' fashioned entertainment at its best and a highly recommended for any gamer.

Response to David L. Simmons Review (The one with 1 star)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: July 23, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Id like to respond to David L. Simmons review. Obviosly this guy has no sense for graphics. Playstation 1 could not touch Vice City's graphics. To start with many of the shaders couldnt be rendered in playstation 1's hardware. The sheer amount of texture required for said game would be impossible due to lack of ram and we arent even talking polygon counts. If one where to render 3 or 4 of those cars they would probably contain more polygons then a whole level in a ps1 game. Please all be aware that David L. Simmons statements are probably out of anger and spite for the game whatever his reasons be.
Also to say it is just like the first game with a new city is B.S. There are SOOO many new additions that it creates an almost completly different game. Just the main money raising possibilities including jobs and real estate purchesing throw a new realm into the game. Of course we could go into the new flying possibilities like helicopters and airplanes. These 2 in particular throw a whole new dimension into the game. Also the new addition of motorcycles adds a much to the driving aspect of the game. There are a league of more additions i could go into but will refrain from because i believe my point has been made.
David L. Simmons review shows complete ignorence of the game and probably represents the incompetent mind of a 12 year old.

Possible the most entertaining game ever made!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: July 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game after it was out for like 3 months. Unbelieveable! In living 25 years, I've never played a game that was more fun! Whether you like the challenge of completing missions, seeing the sights of the amazing 3D city, or just walking around killing people and fighting with the police, this game has it all. The graphics are breathtaking.

Some major improvements over Grand Theft Auto 3. You don't need a 5,000 dollar video card to play this. I have a Radeon 7000, and the framerate it great. It may drop slightly during explosions, but that's OK.

You can fly planes, ride bikes and boats, and, of course, choose from a wide, and I do mean WIDE assortment of vehicles you can jack from citizens. The game is customizable, with many mods available.

If you like shooters, driving games, or just having fun, you have to own this game!

Addictive and fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: May 14, 2004
Author: Amazon User

After playing GTA2 and GTA3, I decided to buy GTA: Vice City. The gameplay feels the same as GTA3, but there are a few minor improvements. Many of the things I didn't like in GTA3 are still in Vice City (such as ability to start running after shooting a gun: you must wait a second or two, which is enough time to get slugged by a cop and get busted). Tommy still can't swim (actually, nobody in town can swim), so avoid water. You can ride motorcycles and fly helicopters (can be hard to control, but fun to jump out of in mid-air), but I wish there were more minor improvements, especially real physics like Half-Life 2. Some bushes are 2D and almost non-existant, while other bushes are harder than concrete.

Like Paul McGrath stated in his review, Vice City is a "first-person shooter, racing, real-time strategy, arcade, and to a smaller degree, even role-playing." This game has almost everything and can please most people. It has fast cars, chics in bikinis and strip clubs, disgruntled cops, taxi and ambulance driving/missions, bombs, motorcyle and boat racing, helicopters, prostitution, disguising as a cop, pyro, sniping, high-speed chasing, protecting friends, running down stairs in your mansion, yelling at people, hijacking cars, being two-faced between gangs, fist fights, and more!

The town is much bigger and fun to cruise. The AI is a bit stupid at times and act like zombies, but no biggie. Cars tend to disappear when you turn your back on them (if you see a car you love driving away from you, and you turn 360-degrees, it most likely will disappear). Game play is quite smooth (I'm using 1 GHz Athlon XP, 768 MB RAM, 64 MB GeForce4). You can go inside many buildings (and even buy some of them to generate revenue).

If you fail a mission, you must go back to the guy that gives you the mission, then drive where he tells you to drive. It takes a long time to do this, and it gets tedious if you're on a hard mission. To save, you must drive to a specific building, walk inside, and save; there is no QuickSave feature. If you die or get arrested, you lose a little bit of money, and you must re-buy all of your weapons. Realistic, but it takes a long time to do. The missions are very fun, nonetheless. The storyplot is great!

The voilence is excellent, although Soldier of Fortune: Double Helix is much more realistic. Lots of blood, bone crunching, screaming, etc. The rating is Mature (ages 17+, although many people 35+ don't appreciate it). The radio/music is great. I remember many of these songs, too (like Sunglasses At Night). If you have MP3 files, you can use them as a radio station. It doesn't come with built-in multiplayer, but you can download unofficial add-ons that work. I played multiplayer with my friend on our LAN/network, and it worked smoothly. There's also no mod tools included.

Overall, this is the funnest and most accictive game I have ever played. On a typical Satuday, I can play it almost 10 hours straight without becoming nautious. Because of the features that are missing and the minor, tedious bugs, I give GTA: Vice City a 9.5 out of 10!

Another Kid's Review

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: March 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I am a kid, I will NOT reveal my age, but I have been playing GTA for a few years. It has entertained me so much. I just got the PS2 version, and I am ordering the PC version. Here is my rating, in detail.

1 - Horrible
2 - Bad
3 - So-So
4 - Good
5 - Impressive

Gameplay - 4

I'm sorry. I can't say that GTA Vice City has no glitches, because it does have many glitches. Other than that, the gameplay is perfect. Kept me busy for hours.

Audio - 5

HOLY. The sound in GTA Vice City is so cool, the 80's radio, the realistic firearm sounds, the car's engine, the pitterpatter of your shoes..wow. That's all I can say.

Graphics - 3

GTA has never, I repeat NEVER took full advantage of graphics. They have always been low quality for their time, but good enough so that it's playable. It's pretty modern.

Missions - 5

The missions go in deep, and affect the storyline in ways you can't imagine. One even involves going around in an ice cream truck and selling ice cream with drugs in it. It's vulgar, but fun.

Overall - 4.1 out of a possible 5. A highly ranked game in my book. I hope you enjoy it too.

Beautifully executed game destroyed by its save system

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 11 / 21
Date: September 13, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Everything others have said about the brilliance of this game and the attention to detail is true. I won't repeat it.
This is another game where you have to unlock possibilities by completing missions, so claims about how freeform or nonlinear it is are exaggerated. This becomes a problem, given what I describe below.

Why, then, am I giving this game such a low rating?

Simply put, this game manages to squander all of its assets by a typically frustrating console save game structure.
Many of you will be familiar with the problem I describe, but I'm going to do so, in some detail, to make clear what a tedious chore this game can become.

I can't emphasize enough how this will leave everyone, but the die hard game fanatic, wanting to put their fist through the monitor and throw the keyboard across the room(and I am generally an easygoing person, not inclined to violence).

You can save, outside a mission, by entering a particular hotel or buying other buildings for save points throughout the city. So far, so good.
You can't save during a mission, however.
Typical scenario. You go to location A to get a cut scene describing the mission. This sends you to location B in preparation for the mission(to meet someone or change clothes for the mission). Then you head to C where you might have to protect someone by gunning down baddies. After a series of shootouts, and 20 minutes into the mission, you get a cut scene which prepares you for a chase. You jump a bike and prepare to give chase but mistype a key and hit an obstacle being thrown from the bike. Before you can get back on the bike the mission ends in failure, since you lost the chase. At this point you get to go back to location A and retrigger the mission.

Here's another, though this is a sub-mission and thankfully doesn't have to be completed to advance the story. You steal an ambulance and try to complete a series of 12 levels. Each level requires that you race around picking up the number of wounded corresponding to the level number and deliver them to the hospital within the time limit provided. Sound like fun?
You can't save between levels; the timer countdown continues. You could play perfectly to level 11 and accidentally hit the f key(which causes you to exit your vehicle) or you could accidentally hit one of the victims and kill them. You know what happens. Forty minutes of your time wasted and you get to start over at level ONE.

By this time you will probably be wondering if this is a game or a sadistic experiment in psychological torture. One thing it isn't, is FUN.

In short, if you are the type of person who loves the typical console save system and playing missions over and over until you get the execution down perfectly, you will likely love this game. If you are not, I have to warn you strongly to avoid this game. I regret my purchase and I regret giving money to a company that would put me through the frustration I endured. I doubt I will ever bother completing this game. My time is worth too much to me.

What a bitter disappointment. Another brilliant game turned from joy to mind numbing frustration by the supremely idiotic choice of save game system coupled with sadistic mission completion requirements.

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