Product ReviewsGrand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Sony PSP, 2006)

Big 80's fun!

Vice City Stories improves upon some of the flaws found in the first game, not the least of which is improved length and direction, as well as a great deal more personality. The story's still pretty subpar, though, and as much as this is very much Grand Theft Auto, certain conventions of the series are starting to feel a bit antiquated. Vice City Stories returns to the pastel- and neon-colored excesses of the 1980s and Vice City. Modeled after '80s-era Miami, GTA: Vice City told a Scarface-inspired tale of Tommy Vercetti. Vice City Stories is, again, a prequel, taking place a couple of years prior to the original game. Running around causing mayhem and blasting away at the masses is just as enjoyable as it's ever been, and there's a good variety of guns and other instruments of destruction to play with. Vice City is a sizable open-world environment and driving around it can be a bit overwhelming at first. But even though it'll take a while to figure out all the roads and side streets, there's plenty of familiar scenery and landmarks that appear just about where you remember them. You'll run into plenty of multitiered missions, with several objectives that appear over time. Yes, you're still killing rival gang members, stealing contraband, chasing down crooks in cars, and the like, but these missions are much more satisfying than anything found in LCS, and it'll take you a decent bit longer to complete the main story. One aspect that Vice City did better than anything before it (including Grand Theft Auto III) was atmosphere, and Vice City Stories is just about as good in this regard. Everything about the cheeseball decade of the 1980s is on display here. Neon lights, slick sports cars, awful fashion, and fantastic music all permeate the experience. This game nails the same look that Vice City had, and the basic graphics engine looks a good bit better than it did in Liberty City Stories, especially regarding the frame rate, which stays fairly consistent throughout the game. The game's audio is easily the high point. Vic, annoying as he is, is voiced well, as are the other characters voiced by celebrities and unfamiliar actors alike. The writing is still sharp, even if the overall storyline isn't. Of course, no GTA game is worth much without great radio stations, and much the way that Vice City set the standard for how music in games ought to be handled, Vice City Stories delivers another fantastic soundtrack. The same selection of radio stations from the original Vice City is on hand here, letting you enjoy the best of '80s rock, pop, dance, and hip-hop, among other genres. The storytelling is some of the weakest of any GTA game, and the game engine isn't nearly as impressive as it once was. Still, for $20, those who just want to experience the gaudy delights of Vice City one more time won't be doing themselves wrong by checking this one out.Read full review...

One of the top five best game you can get on the PSP!

Grand Theft Auto Vice City takes place in 1984 two years before Vice City. Although Vic Vance may not be as a compelling character as Tommy Vercetti comma the game proves to be a excellent storyline with the soundtrack on radio stations being half the games amazing Style. You won't be disappointed with this one.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: sann14

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories - Mayhem on the go!

Another chapter in the infamous Grand Theft Auto series, Vice City Stories puts you in the boots of Victor Vance as he gets thrown unto the streets of Vice City circa 1983. Missions are varied and over-the-top, and you get the exact same scale as in the original Vice City game.

However, there is absolutely nothing new in the Rockstar sandbox game, and controls can get frustratingly clunky at times. Combine a small screen with difficult missions and crappy controls, and you get a recipe for disaster when you reach the endgame missions.

No matter the irritating aspects of the game, there is no denying that GTA Vice City Stories is a fun, expansive and well-polished game. A great game to bring on the go to release some steam!Read full review...

GTA Vice City Stories

The game is pretty cool. The graphics could be a tad bit better and the game's radio stations repeat alot but other than that the game is a lot of fun and I enjoy playing it on a regular basis to get away from lifes daily challenges. I wouldn't recommend this game to children because it has some vulgarity (graphical vulgarity, and language) in it that I wouldn't want my child to hear or see(if I had one :-P). This is definitely a game aimed at adults for their leisure time. If you want a game for kids this wouldn't be it...I'd probably recommend a racing game (such as Gran Turismo or something of that genre)Read full review...

Welcome to Vice City AGAIN!!

In 2002 we were all introduced to a game that many of us will know to as one of the greatest GTAs ever. We were taken to the beautiful Vice City (fictionalized Miami) set in 1986 we were introduced to Tommy Vercetti who during a money/drug trade off were ambushed losing all the money. This puts him into the hot seat to do various jobs and to repay the lost money and build an empire.

Welcome to 1984 and you play as Vic Vance (Lance Vance's older brother) who some of you remember made an appearance in Vice City only to be killed moments later. Similar to the other GTAs you are thrown into the streets with nothing and you have to work your way back up to the top and build a vast empire.

Audio

GTA when you think about that alot of the time people remember the lovable radio stations, with there satirical humor and whitty attitude it was a laugh to listen to while driving around shooting up the town. The radio stations return with new material and with the same humor, many of the DJs from Vice City return including the unforgetable Lazlo who is now an intern working for V-Rock. The Voice over cast is another amazing one with many notable actors as Lee Majors, Philip Michael Thomas (reprising his role as Lance Vance) and many others. The GTA series was always known for its cast and this game is no different. All the vehicles and weapons all sound the same as they did in VC so no change there.

Audio Score 10/10

Graphics:

Ok it's GTA were not expecting that much in graphics, but VCS delivers the graphics are solid and are probably the best to date for any GTA series. The characters are nicely animated in the cutscenes and ingame with not slow downs or lag. The vibrant city is nicely detailed with Neon lights on every building at night capturing the 80's vibe on a tiny UMD disc.

Graphics Score 9/10

Gameplay

This game still plays the same as the other GTA's steal cars, do random missions, gain money. But this time around there's a new "business" feature where you can occupy empty lots and turn them into businesses making you more money. This concept plays out similar to GTA:SA gang turf system where you go around town trying to occupy as much turf as possible but this times its businesses. Also this time around you can swim... Yes you heard me "SWIM" that means no more falling into the water and drowning, but the swimming has a limit but better than nothing right?

Gameplay score 8/10

Overall

This games great for the GTA fan in everyone though it may take us back to beautiful city of Vice. It introduces Vic Vance in a more open and caring manner rather that the 10 seconds of screen time he had in Vice City. The gameplay hasn't changed all that much but then think about it what GTA has? All in all a great game one of the rare games that comes along once in a while... Well I guess all we have to do is wait for "GTA: San Andreas Stories"

Overall Score 10/10Read full review...

Great pastime

Great game toplay anywhere,exciting and challenging. Great to pass the time with your favorite friends.recomended.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: videosportscard...

Psp Vice City Stories

If you're a PSP fan the GTA games are a must own,and this is one if the best.
Don't miss out on a classic that never grows old!!

Awesome games, but you've got to wait for it.

GTA is an institution. You all know the concept, now play the game. The Vice City Stories takes place in the same city as GTA Vice City, so if you know how to take the corners and short cuts, you'll do fine. The game play is great, as usual. The problem is you have to wait for it. There are often times that you wait more than the video is long. A little graphic shows up in the corner saying it's loading, but it's still REALLY slow.

But, if you can get around the wait, it's a fun game to play.Read full review...

Awesome

For that price!! a complete game manual and map perfect working conditions I love you man!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: silveragecollec...

GTA Vice city stories

This game makes me sleepless! its a very interesting game and the price is very low!! i received the OEM UMD in original packaging a nice poster and a map of the game was included in the package. i love this game, but i don't like some features of the games which cannot be changed by a setting. The cops always try to arrest me and they start shooting me even if steal a car. They even arrest me while on a mission! This is the most irritating part! well so far i have explored only 11% of the game i hope i like everything else until the end... this game is not for children!!!!BEWARE do not buy it for kids under age of 18.. extreme filth is used on the game enjoy GRAND THEFT AUTORead full review...