If you're looking for a game that combines action/adventure and racing, rolled in with replayability, look no further.

User Rating: 9.7 | Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PS2
“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” is an incredible game. Rockstar Games really went above and beyond on this one. Everything about this game came together so well: the storyline, quality of gameplay, and vast numbers of primary missions and side missions. The ability to steal cars (hence the game’s name) and drive across huge expanses, all the while interacting with other drivers who exhibited unpredictable AI only added to the fun.

Playing as Tommy Vercetti, the player controls an up and coming mobster who must literally obliterate the competition in his bid to rule the underworld of Vice City. The city itself is modeled after Miami, and the play area is absolutely huge.

Since the game was set in the 1980s, it was complete with references from the decade of decadence: pastel colors are everywhere and 1980s tunes were ever present on the radios of the vehicles appropriated by Tommy.

One icon of the 1980s, which had a large impact on the decade, made an appearance as well. Of course I’m talking about the television series “Miami Vice.” If Tommy garnered too much interest from the police due to his rampant lawbreaking, Crockett and Tubbs would roll up in their Ferrari Testarossa to aid the locals in their attempt to bring Tommy to justice.

The only downfall to “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” is that the levels aren’t replayable once the game has been completed. On the plus side, there are a plethora of mods and patches available from GameSpot for the PC release which served to increase the fun factor through all the new options available.

Probably my favorite aspect of the game (aside from the free reign the player has to roam at will) were the Vigilante missions. Tearing through the streets smashing into cars was a sure recipe for enjoyment.

This game featured a high maturity level due to the incredible violence, cursing, and general adult content.