Ha Ha Ha Ha it's like a jungle sometimes

Although admittedly not as immersive as the original GTA3 (for reasons I will detail later in this review), Vice City is still, for the most part, 'everything you loved about GTA3 and more'. It's the same chaotic gameplay, large environments, the same dearth of secrets, etc. - only there's more of it, and in many cases it's been improved upon. Take for instance the radio, which in the original featured some of the best music PS2 had seen to date. With Vice City, Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design) gives you hours more of some of the best 80's music, not to mention the infamous call-in show, which there are 2 of now. And the gameplay has been improved upon as well, now featuring much more to do and many new weapons to use. Of course, there are new cars as well (because this is still Grand Theft Auto). Basically, it's an expansion pack on crack, and the closest thing to a true sequel anybody could have asked for only 12 months later.

Vice City puts you in the shoes of Tommy Vercetti, a gun-for-hire just released from a 15 year prison term, who's given an assignment in Vice City. But what seemed like a 'simple trade' was in fact a setup, and Vercetti is stuck in Vice City trying to find his boss' money, and this is where you start.

The gameplay is pretty much the same as in GTA3. The goal is to complete the story missions, although you're not limited to that. There's a variety of other options in Vice City - not just other missions, but Rampages and stunts as well. The rampages give you a gun (usually a very powerful one) and ask you to kill a certain number of gang members in 2 minutes. The stunts aren't really missions per se, but are mandatory if you want to get anywhere near full completion. There are countless unique stunts in Vice City, most involving ramps. And lest we not forget the ability to go on a random killing spree with any of the weapons or vehicles at your disposal. Some missions even ask you to wreak as much havoc as you can.

The story missions are more multi-tiered and difficult than in the previous game. One might ask you to infiltrate a junkyard filled with the enemies that pack heat, while another will involve pulling off a bank heist then driving the getaway car. Outside of that, there are missions for a number of different gangs or people and as well, the random payphone assignments.

But because of the story's shorter length, the game has fewer story-related missions and more that pertain to a random boss or group, sometimes unknown. Depending on how much of a story you expected out of this game, this can be a good or bad thing. I would have prefered more story, but truthfully, the plot's not all that important in a game heavily centered around violence and exploitation.

And yes, the violence is still here. This time it's definitely not something you want a 10 year old playing - the chainsaw itself is almost too brutal for me to watch (that's saying something). The other new weapons are pretty useful though. Along with two new shotguns, a missile launcher, and a new, more powerful Uzi, you get Gas grenades , Remote Mines and a gun heavily reminiscent of Mac Elliot's from Predator. With these, you can destroy anything, even the police helicopters that like to shoot small rounds of fire after the 4 star warning point.

There is also the prospect of 'taking over the city' that is mentioned more than once throughout the game. You can, somewhat, take over Vice City, but only through owning major property and businesses. If you go on a killing spree, the police will still persecute you, and there is no royal treatment here as the missions still have to be done by the player.

But Vice City does have it's... vices. The pseudo-sequel isn't nearly as addictive anymore due it's non-linear mission structure. Although GTA3 wasn't really linear either, the flow from mission to mission was at the least, apparent. You knew what to do and where to go to progress the story. That isn't always the case in VC.

It can still pull you in of course, just not as well as the previous game. Does that make it an unworthy purchase? Of course not - it's still the same excellent gameplay, and that alone is worth the price tag.

Graphics have been improved a good deal. Pedestrians are no longer awful blocky models, there are fewer instances of slowdown, and more detail overall. The sun has a nasty habit of obscuring your view at certain points of the day, but outside of that the graphics are a step-up for the series.

And then there's the sound. Much like GTA3, the music rules. Everything from The Cult and INXS to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I'd give a perfect sound score for the inclusion of the latter alone - "The Message" is one of the best songs of the eighties. Lazlow and the call in shows are back as well, only now there are two, one for public affairs and another for aimless chatting. Lazlow runs a rock station now, but still does some call-in sessions. It's too bad there are so many duds, otherwise this game would have some of the best music in a game, ever.

While I might prefer the original, I still give Vice City a high recommendation. It's one of the few excellent PS2 games; like a jewel in a mine of mediocre repeats and stupid concepts. Definitely pick this up if you're a fan of the original.