GTA: Vice City Stories Review

Four months after making an appearance on the PSP, the Vance brothers are back in a budget-priced package for the PlayStation2. Unlikely to be the last time we see the franchise on the ageing format (surely some sort of GTA: San Andreas Stories is too hard to resist), GTA: Vice City Stories ticks the boxes we have come to expect from the series, but at the same time, could possibly be one GTA too many for some.

With the unquestionable improvements to its PSP predecessor, Vice City Stories was (and still is) an impressive achievement on Sony's handheld format. Nonetheless, the game is still largely based around the same formula that has governed the franchise since the trailblazing release of GTA3 way back in 2001. Five games in six gradual years of evolution marked by the pinnacle of GTA: San Andreas, arguably the only other franchise that could lay claim to such proliferation would be Nintendo's Pokemon series. Perhaps that's slightly cynical. Rockstar North hit the mark with the release of GTA3, its monumental success across the globe would inevitably lead to more, in an effort to satisfy the insatiable demand for free-roaming, gang-banging action. However, with Rockstar teasing towards the unveiling of GTA4 later in the month, the release and hopeful revolution of the genre cannot come soon enough it seems.

Pointing towards the millions of PS2 owners that do not own a PSP, Vice City Stories, like its predecessor, is the exception to the general rule, a PSP-PS2 port that will satisfy the many GTA fanatics lust for more action. The numerous improvements made to the PSP original ensures Vice City Stories suits the PS2 better then its predecessor, particular the ability to swim, the longer mission structures and the inclusion of aerial vehicles. There is an overriding feeling, however, that the formula is beginning to feel a little old, whilst missing features such as hauling yourself across obstacles still seem conspicuous in their absence. Despite the different scenarios, many of the missions feel like re-hashes of the same 'drive-run-shoot' dynamic that fit the current GTA mould. Working within these boundaries, Rockstar Leeds have managed to create a handful of creative ideas, such as the stunt challenges that Vic has to complete and the extra variety and emphasis on the side missions.

At the very least, Vice City Stories is yet another reminder of just how effortlessly Rockstar achieve style and direction with a sharp sense of wit. With an 80s soundtrack that will revive the same nostalgia as the original Vice City, Vice City Stories embroils you in the traditional tale of drug deals, rivalries, and deceit, wrapped up with copious amounts of cocaine and a gender-reassignment addict - if the 80's theme wasn't already enforced enough, there's also a cameo from Phil Collins along the way. GTA fans will appreciate the little details that crossover to Vice City, discovering the reasons behind Ricardo Diaz' drug-fuelled paranoia; the back-story behind Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez and Gonzales rivalry and the continued appearance of long-term ally Phil Cassidy. Much like Liberty City Stories before it, Vice City Stories also provides a look at the Miami influenced city before the 80's glitz took over. A slightly seedier, run down, landscape then depicted in the original Vice City, discovering what Vice City was like before the yuppies moved in generates a lot of the appeal behind the game.

A major introduction to the PSP version, Empire Building merges elements of Vice City's property acquisition with the gang-war structure of GTA: San Andreas. Taking over a building firstly requires an attack on a parked vehicle outside, before stepping inside to wipe out the opposition and cause enough damage. After scaring the inhabitants away with a few well-timed baseball bats to the head, Vic has the opportunity to invest in a range of "business" activities including racketeering, loan shark, prostitution, drugs, smuggling and robbery. Beyond ensuring the business is set up in the correct location in town (smuggling near the docks) and choosing the size of the operation, Empire Building feels largely identical to the gang-wars element of GTA: San Andreas. An additional distraction from the side and main missions, there is an overriding feeling that the feature could have been developed a little further, such as unlocking missions designed around specific businesses or perhaps Tycoon styled supply and demand dynamics.

Like Liberty City Stories before it, Vice City Stories lacks the multiplayer modes that remain a unique feature of the PSP spin-off series. The lack of online options isn't too much of a surprise, particularly as other developers seem set to scale back such support in future titles for a still lucrative PS2 audience; whilst it seems that the extra burden of introducing a splitscreen feature doesn't suit the budget priced nature of the game.

A game for fans of the series and one that's worthwhile for the sake of having a complete set at the very least. For a bargain price, Vice City Stories does meet the requirements of a GTA title, with an engaging plotline; an outlandish cast of characters; an atmosphere that reeks of the 80s; plenty of free-roaming action and a substantially long game to finish as well.