Grand Theft Aut: Vice City: Play by Play *Completed*

I needed some wacky chaos in my life, so this time, I went with 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.


I don't remember this one all that well, although I know I have played a bit of it. Unlike GTA III, where I actually had memories of many of the missions, with this one, I'm pretty sure I just goofed around in my cousin's game. I remember some of the locations but nothing about the story.

So, here are a few things I've noted during my first few missions.

-They really glossed over how the main character entered the story. I had to look it up. Also, he is not really very likable.

-The game takes place in 1986, the year I was born.

-I like that they added motorcycles and more types of weapons.

-There seems to be many more cops in Vice City when compared to Liberty City, both in cars and on foot.

-Who names a city "Vice City?" Honestly.

-This game still has the GTA III problem of approaching cars vanishing if you stop looking at them for a moment.

-They added a map. I'm so happy they added a map.

Stay tuned.

I'm 8 hours into the game now. All areas of the city are now open to me, which seemed to have happened very quickly compared to other GTA games. I think this might be because the story seems to be headed in a direction where the player character, Tommy Vercetti, will become the head honcho in town, rather than just the best enforcer. It'll be interesting to see what happens when I start buying property and businesses.

Regarding property, I need to buy a safehouse with a garage. Parking spots outside apartments do not save vehicles, it turns out. Some will spawn a vehicle outside, but if a cop sees you get in, he will pursue.

I currently have something like seven different places to get missions, which is great. It keeps the game interesting, but since most of them aren't connected to the main story, it also avoids being overwhelming.

I feel like I'm probably nearing the end of the game. Mostly because so many of the available missions end with me having to run escape from 4-5 stars-worth of cops, feds, and military. Sometimes it can be fun, but it can also get frustrating when it takes too many tries to beat the mission.

It seems I have run out of story missions. Everything currently available seems to involve building my very own criminal empire; i.e. Buying businesses and doing a handful of missions for each until they start independently generating revenue. I wonder how many business assets I'm supposed to have before the story continues...

Another difference I've noticed between GTA III and this game is that they removed the aspect of gradually pissing off every gang in the game until you can barely go anywhere without getting shot at (and self defense attempts being met with cops joining in the attack on you). In Vice City, the various factions only seem to attack if they catch you doing something specific, but it is otherwise safe to walk through their territory.

EDIT: Actually, the Haitians definitely don't like me.

So, I beat the game. The final mission took a few tries but was ultimately not very difficult (as in I just had to fight a bunch of guys, not do that and then also run from the authorities). The main character, Tommy Vercetti, was never very likable or relatable, but the ending cinematic really showed him to be to total psycho that he really is. Somehow, despite all the chaotic goofing I did in the game, I still hoped for a somewhat sympathetic character. I suppose GTA III pulled it off by having a silent character, and GTA IV pulled it off with really great writing. Vice City just made him a total bastard.

Overall, the game was decent. I think I preferred the story from GTA III, although I did like the addition of building a "business" empire. It helped provide a wealth of side missions, some of which were more engaging than the main story.

I do still have a handful of missions left, which I will probably complete as long as they don't get too frustrating. I refuse to let my entertainment stress me out more than real life, and for the most part, GTA games fit that bill well.