Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Game Info

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Developer: Rockstar North

Platform:  PS2

Genre(s): Action, Racing

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: October 28, 2002

Intro: 

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City begins with a Miami Vice-style video montage of girls in bathing suits, cars, and neon lights, while the credits appear on-screen.  There are no gameplay scenes in the opening credits, but the game effectively brings the player back into the 80's using nostalgic images.  Prior to taking control, the player sits through a cinemagraphic in which the mob decides it is time to get into the action in Vice City. 

Getting Going:

There is a minimal tutorial for gameplay in which the player is simply told to press triangle to enter the car.  Later, the save point will be marked and taught, as will the action items.  Otherwise, the player is really on his own.  Pressing Start pauses the game and brings up the menu which includes the map and a controller layout. Missions are well-marked and easy to follow. 

Fun:

To be honest, the 80's style is a bit cheesy and the missions sophmoric. The game is easy to follow and players have the freedom to roam.  Later in the game, they will gain more control, but, in the beginning, there isn't a lot to draw you in and keep you there. 

Visuals:

Everything in GTA is themed in the 80's theme, so attention has been given to fashion and cars.  The map markers and mission markers are pink.  The save points are rotating cassettes in a soft pink ball-shaped light.  The movement physics are terrible.  NPC women walk by in an overly-exaggerated swagger; it doesn't matter who they are.  The 80's theme seems more tongue-in-cheek than nostalgic.  There are many vehicles to choose from here, however.  Sports cars and luxury cars offer exciting thefts while power boats, motorcycles and other vehicles offer fun rides.  Crashing into things creates damage to the car, which is comedic, but unrealistic since some of the damage would clearly stop the vehicle from moving.

Sound:

Radio stations can be changed on the fly and vary from car to car.  The radio drowns out the engine sounds and crash sounds.  There is voice acting for NPC's and PC's alike.  Every cinemagraphic is completely voice-acted.  

Intelligence:

You can crash in front of a police officer or run a light and the police don't seem to notice.  If, however, you interact with the police directly, they will pursue you relentlessly.  Parking your car anywhere on the street doesn't result in protests or blocked traffic.  At one point, I parked directly on top of a person, killing them, and no one even noticed!  At any stoplight, I was able to pull a person out of their vehicle without repercussion.  Just once, I would have liked to have reached in a pulled out a 6'4", 350# man who would rather beat me to a pulp than let me steal his fancy car.

Immersion:

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a sandbox game, but the story portion of it is mission-based.  There is nothing empowering here.  The player is lead around by a lawyer and other strangers who tell the PC to "go here and do this".  To complete the mission, the player has no choice but to follow the instructions.  Other things can be done in the game, but the list scrolls by at a rapid rate making it difficult to read.  

Win/Lose State; Rewards and Punishments:

When you complete a mission, money is earned which can be used to buy weapons, clothes, vehicle repairs, etc.  Any vehicle can be stolen and driven, but this is core gameplay, rather than a reward.  Enemies are tenacious and difficult to escape.  When you die, you are said to be "Wasted" and must repeat the mission from the beginning, after you respawn at the hospital.  You will lose weapons, money and the clothes you are wearing.  If the police catch you, you will respawn at the police station. 

Controls:

The vehicles, and even the player character, are difficult to control.  Cars don't move down the road as expected and do not stop easily to park.  The same button is used for brake and reverse so, if you are not careful with the controls, you'll quickly find yourself backing down the road.  Enemies can be shot several times without dying or slowing down. 

Ideas:

Players seem to enjoy the sandbox quality of the Grand Theft Auto games without much thought to actual gameplay.  Grand Theft Auto remains a highly popular franchise despite poor mechanics and sophmoric missions.  The only reason I can find for this is the overwhelming number of options available to players outside of the mission-based play.  Players can buy and control areas of the city adding a Sims-quality to gameplay while a host of vehicle options, including boats and helicopters, offers unlimited play options throughout play. 

Memory:

Obviously, the GTA franchise isn't my favorite.  However, I've learned from playing that interesting play options can overcome bad mechanics and mediocre graphics on the way to popularity.