Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

THE BAD:

SUMMARY:
It's 1984. Opportunity abounds in a city emerging from the swamps, it's growth fueled by the violent power struggle in a lucrative drugs trade. Construction is everywhere as a shining metropolis rises from foundations of crime and betrayal. As a soldier, Vic Vance has always protected his dysfunctional family, his country, himself. One bad decision later and that job is about to get much harder. Kicked out onto the streets of a city torn between glamor and gluttony, Vic is faced with a stark choice - build an empire or be crushed. You thought it was over. But your back in Vice City, only this time, you are in a time period 4 years prior to the events we all know unfolded in Grand Theft Auto Vice City in 1988. Things are different, much different. The city isn't like we knew it to be, many of the buildings GTA veterans familiarize themselves from Vice City 1988 haven't even been built yet, and the city of Vice City 1988 is a distant memory. Now, in Vice City Stories, you control Lance Vance's brother, Vic. (Many GTA veterans will notice that Vic was actually murdered 4 years later at the start of Vice City in a drug raid.) You have just been kicked out of the army and you have been left to fend for yourself. Fortunately for you, Phil Cassidy offers you a place to crash, it might not be much, but right now it's all you've got. The story progresses as Vic finds his feet, new contacts, and the trouble that comes with it. Step by step you must complete story missions to progress, some easier than others, some more difficult. On your way through story mode, you will unlock various outfits, vehicles, save properties, new missions, new contacts, gain access to islands, and of course earn a bit of cash. What is good this time round? New vehicles such as Jetski make this game a lot of fun, skidding along those beautiful crystal clear seas at top speed on one of these babies makes water activity more fun than ever before. Long story mode guarantees days of fun, whether those days are spent trying to get 100% completion, or trying to get past a sticking point in the game, or just plain old exploring, you are guaranteed a lot of replay value either way. Side missions such as Taxi driver, rampage, Paramedic and Firefighter return which also add to the replay value once story missions are complete. More outfits to unlock as missions go by, from Hillbilly clothes to suites. More unique jumps, making those fast paced car rides even better. New grapple feature, plus "neck breaker" grapple, ability to grab hold of pedestrian and throw them off something / into the way of something. Enhanced stamina system when swimming, don't swim too far or you might tire and drown - realistic but is it really a good thing? Jaw dropping graphics for a portable game originally out on the PSP. More vehicles than ever before, sports cars to bullet proof bikes, helicopters and small bi-planes to Jetskis, speedboats and muscle cars. And what didn't work? Dodgy AI, almost robotic like during missions. Characters sometimes even bumping into each other as they race to get into the front seat of your car make this game frustrating at the best of times. Poor character models are back, webbed hands, almost club like arms, but that's typical GTA. Missions sometimes a little too easy, "shoot that unarmed gun over there, now go beat up that other guy, get back in your car and drive home for a nice cup of tea" etc. Limited radio stations, less than ever before, I can only think of about 7, and there are only two good ones. Long loading times are back when you cross from city to city, remember those old "welcome to..." whenever you entered another part of town? Yep, they're back. Poor camera angle when flying planes or helicopters make them tedious and harder to fly than they should be. Overall? Fantastic game, neat graphics scenery wise, clear blue oceans, beautiful red sun at nights, and stunning environments make this game easy on the eye. Lots of cool weapons make their return, such as rocket launchers and mini guns, and a fist full of side missions make the game fun even after the missions are done. Rating out of 5 4.5