The Grand Theft Auto franchise has released over seven mainline titles over almost three decades, with nearly all of them receiving universal acclaim among critics and players. One of the beloved installments is GTA Vice City, which was released in 2002. The game, despite its age, is back in the conversation among fans of the franchise. This is because it has strong ties to the upcoming GTA 6, which will drop later this year. Therefore, some newer fans may be wondering if GTA Vice City is worth playing in preparation for the latest sequel in the franchise.
Vice City is the fourth mainline title of the franchise, and it's set in a fictional city based on 1980s Miami. The player roams the streets as Tommy Vercetti (voiced by the late Ray Liotta), a mob member who was just released from a 15-year stint in prison. He immediately goes back to his ways as a career criminal, working for and dealing with kingpins and tycoons to ascend the ranks of Vice City's underworld. This city is part of the Florida-inspired state of Leonida, the setting of GTA 6's massive open world, and even newer gamers can find things to appreciate about the original take on this locale.
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Why GTA Vice City is Worth Playing in 2025
Vice City's Story is Timeless
The Grand Theft Auto games are best known for being fun, open-world sandboxes that the player can just get lost in. However, the franchise is also famous for having some of the best storytelling in video games. Vice City is no exception, as it features a plot that's heavily influenced by iconic mob movies of the 80s and 90s. Tommy's story arc seems to be inspired by the fictional lives of Carlito Brigante and Tony Montana from the classic Brian De Palma movies Carlito's Way (1993) and Scarface (1983).
The writers also sought heavy inspiration from Miami Vice's protagonists when it came to the dynamic between Tommy and his partner in crime, Lance. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenberg, a lawyer and one of Tommy's trusted allies, could be based on characters like Dave Kleinfeld from Carlito's Way and Tom Hagen from The Godfather series. The game's story is filled with classic gangster fiction plot points and tropes, like botched drug deals, corrupt public officials, treacherous betrayals, and bittersweet revenge. Despite all the twists and turns, Vice City's storyline is quite easy to follow, and its ending comes with some satisfying payoffs.
Vice City Features Classic GTA Gameplay and a Lively Open World
Players won't get bored with GTA Vice City's gameplay, as it has over 20 story missions and a smattering of fun side quests. It's not just all driving from one place to another and shooting people, though. Some missions will have Tommy rescuing allies, competing in boat races, using an RC Helicopter to bomb a building, and more. While the game's map isn't as big as the AAA open-world titles of today, it's still vast and full of life. There's always something fun to do in Vice City, whether it's driving around in a Stinger or playing vigilante.
Vice City's Retro Atmosphere is Worth Coming Back To
Apart from the story, what makes fans come back to Vice City the most is probably the atmosphere. The game makes up for its antiquated graphics (by 2025 standards) with its absolute commitment to its 80s visual style. Ocean Drive is lined with establishments adorned with neon signage and filled with pedestrians on roller skates and in party attire. The character designs bleed retro cool, with Tommy in a classic Hawaiian shirt a-la Magnum, P.I. Meanwhile, Ken and Lance often don relaxed cut suits with shoulder pads and open shirt collars straight out of the wardrobe of Miami Vice.
The sound design is just the icing on the cake, with radio stations blasting throwback hits from Kate Bush, Toto, Lionel Richie, Deodato, Hall & Oates, Grandmaster Flash, Herbie Hancock, and more. The latest Grand Theft Auto games feature a world that's eerily similar to current times, which can help with immersion. However, those who want to travel to a different era should definitely consider booting up Vice City.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 54 /100 Critics Rec: 12%
- Released
- October 29, 2002
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- RenderWare
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
