Every one who has played a game will have heard or played this game in one form or another. Originally released as a 2d top down driving/shooting game, it was original and fun. Playstation 2 took it to another level. The next level was a total 3d city with great graphics, sound and playability. This game was the envy of all x-boxers, until now….

Game play:

What do you want to do? Drive fast cars, run drugs, kill gang members, fly helicopters/planes, the list is endless. You take control of a small time criminal who has aspirations of becoming big time. There are tons of missions to take up, ranging from a simple hit on a drugs lord, to destroying a building and lowering the value of real estate in that area. The missions are well thought out, and varied. As you walk around town, you soon realize that it is very interactive; feel like driving a bus? Steal it. Feel like earning some extra money? Take a cab, and go get some passengers. The controls are very good, and are defaulted pretty much how one would want them to be. Once you start earning some money, (by hard work of course), go spend it. There are many things to spend it on, real estate, clubs, weapons, food, and even prostitutes?. If you don’t feel like doing any of the missions, then don’t, just go for a drive, maybe a bit of street robbery may take your fancy. In all he game is as unlineier as they come, and you won’t feel at all hurried.

Graphics:

The graphics are outstanding; it is hard to understand how Rockstar put so much detail in this game. It is one of those games where you can spend ages just admiring the scenery, very absorbing. Every car is unique in its look and feel; the pedestrians will interact with you, (especially when you mug them). Most games the graphics are just a tool used by the developers as a medium for expression, however in GTA the city you are in is alive, and you feel like thing are going on around you, and would do even if you were not there. The colours are fantastic; finally we are starting to see what the box is made of. This can be evidenced whilst watching a beautiful sunset and a police car that you have just nicked and smashed up burning on the horizon. Most of all the graphics are better than the excellent PS2 version.

Sound:

Fantastic, so good it even spawned its own cd back catalogue. Both games have great sound, but Vice City is out of this world. Every time you steal a vehicle, you are treated to the radio, with loads of stations, from hard rock, to disco and rap; there is even a chat radio station that is actually quite funny. In Vice City which is based in the 80’s, you can drive around to nostalgic sounds, much like Miami Vice. Best of all, if you are still not satisfied with the hundred or so tracks already there, then get out your favourite cd’s and load them onto the x-box, then play them as you drive, try doing that on a PS2! The fx are top draw too, crashes and screams abound. Then there is the voice cast; Ray liotta, Dennis Hopper, Burt Reynolds and even Jenna Jameson. Most movie producers would be wetting themselves at having GTA’s cast.

Longevity:

This game will last until x-box 2 is released. There is so much to see and do, believe me when I say you will spend hours just driving/walking around doing absolutely nothing, but having a great time doing it. No x-box live or 2 player here, but it is not missed. Maybe on the x-box 2 we could have this live, but it would be too much to ask for now. There are days of your life to be lost on this one, so be warned. This game should come with a divorce warning attached.

Round up:

There are two games here for the price of one, fantastic value for money. They are very similar in game play, so could be treated as one very big game. This game sets the standard for any other game that comes along from now on. I can’t see why any one would not like this game. Would have given this a 10/10, but that would leave no room for the next GTA. Thank you RockStar.

Pros:

• A complete blast; fun, fun, fun
  
• A good port of a good game.
  
• Two games for the price of 1