Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - PS2

If ever a game of recent times was notable for generating quite considerable hype and anticipation, then Grand Theft Auto 3 was it. The move into 3D for the already popular 'crime simulator' was bound to cause a stir amongst its fanbase. More importantly, so was the fact that this was its first port onto Sony's PS2. Surprisingly for a game released amidst such a buzz, it didn't disappoint. It had its flaws, granted, but on the whole the game's recreation of a virtual city in which one could live out one's devilish alter-ego took the games industry by storm.

One year on and the game's sequel is causing just as big a stir amongst gamers, if not more. This time around the premise remains the same, but we find ourselves in the decade of big hair, excess and pastel suits. As the blurb reads: Welcome to Vice City, Welcome to the 1980's.

Returning to the streets of Liberty City after a long stretch in the nick, Tommy Vercetti is sent to Vice City by his old boss, Sonny Forelli, so he can keep a low profile. All does not run quite so smoothly in the glamorous, hedonistic metropolis of Vice City, however, and soon Tommy finds himself set up and left with no money and no merchandise. Sonny wants his money back, but the biker gangs, Cuban gangsters, and corrupt politicians stand in his way. Most of Vice City seems to want Tommy dead. His only answer is to fight back and take over the city himself.

Vice City itself is a huge urban sprawl, ranging from the beach to the swamps and from the glitz to the ghetto. A friendly place, it's populated by a diverse cast of characters, including athletes, pop stars, real estate agents, politicians and trailer trash. It seems everyone is moving to Vice City.

As usual, an immense amount of commandeer-able vehicles give our anti-hero freedom of the city. Performance cars and bikes can be 'borrowed', as can more novel vehicles like golf carts and powerboats. Better still, you can even nick a helicopter and take in the scenery from the air.

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