Some days, it’s just good to be evil.
Rockstar Games’ newest release in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA: Vice City, is just as violent as its controversial predecessor, with the main character Tommy Vercetti hacking and burning his way up the Mafia hierarchy. Players complete missions, such as drive-by shootings and instigating a gang war, by carjacking vehicles from street rods to tour buses. This installment in the GTA series improves the vehicle selection with new choices like the speedboat and scooter.
However, the best improvement is the expansive soundtrack and impressive voice acting. From Flock of Seagulls to Grandmaster Flash, the music featured is unmistakably ’80s. Combine the countless Hawaiian shirts and palm trees lining the streets, and this game bears an amusing similarity to Miami Vice reruns.
Also intriguing is the unexpected amount of social commentary present in this game. From radio DJs that are just as annoying as in real life to random mindless conversations you can eavesdrop, this game shows the shallowness of the culture the protagonist aims to exploit.
Ultimately, it boils down to the fact that there’s just something satisfying about hacking at random people with a katana or immolating innocent bystanders with a flamethrower. This game tempts the dark parts of the psyche and rewards the player for giving in.