Standing in the game shop looking for a game to buy usually takes a lot of deliberation, and if you don't follow the games scene, actually making a decision can be tricky. But this is Vice City, part of the long-standing Grand Theft Auto series - it's hard to have not heard of it. This game has it all, mostly - a great do-what-you-feel-like perspective that gives you full control over virtual-living inside Vice. It is a world of neon lights, 80s music which just makes you think "I remember that", revealing swimsuits and a hotbed of organised crime. It's LA Law, Miami Vice, Dallas and all those 80s dramas rolled into one. This is flavour country. As for the game, playing Tommy Vercetti, fresh out from the slammer. Continuing the carjacking layabout theme from the first ever GTA, you enter the world of corruption by murdering, stealing, vandalising and destroying everything that gets in your way. You have good cause - losing millions of dollars and an important drug shipment to thieves is not something your employer is going to be happy about. This isn't as straight-forward as asking for the suitcases back - it is up to you to follow leads and eliminate or ma****ulate those that can provide information to the whereabouts... and why shouldn't you make a few bucks on the way? Graphically the game is very Eighties stylised. There's nothing that detracts from the glorious views that you are able to witness, from the dramatic sunrises and sunsets; the adverse weather effects; the bright and disgusting lighting; the models of all the vehicles and buildings. There's a lot of pink, though! Sonically, everyone talks about the music. You can enjoy and relive classes from Slayer, Iron Maiden and Anthrax, Inxs, Bryan Adams, Michael Jackson... the list is endless. But it's not just the music that sets the style: the engine noises from all the different vehicles are distinct, and some are great through a subwoofer - crank up the bass! Pedestrians in the game say some really goofy things though. GTA:VC certainly has a lot going for it, with many hours of game play behind it. The simple fact of being able to run amok in the streets lets your imagination go wild - loading up the game for 15 minutes for a quick rampage can be most satisfying. The RRP of the game is £34.99, my pressing issue. Typical game price for the PC, but since Take Two (publishers of GTA) knew this was going to sell like hot cakes £29.99 may have been more appropriate. Buy this now, you won't regret it - but don't hold up the game shop with an assault rifle.
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