Submit to the seedy streets of Vice City in this portable prequel to the top-selling PlayStation 2 game of 2002. British developer Rockstar Leeds revisits a familiar open-ended world while creating an original storyline with new missions and design elements. Lance Vance's brother Vic is the game's lead protagonist, and players will follow the ex-soldier in his bid for power and respect in 1984's corrupt, Miami-inspired metropolis.
The mission structure, controls, and perspective are similar to those introduced in 2005's Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, albeit with several notable enhancements. The draw distance has increased, allowing players to see more of their surroundings, the missions are more intricate, and the variety of vehicles has expanded. Players will zip through the narrow streets in various sports cars and motorcycles, take to the air in helicopters or jets, and bob along the water in speedboats or on jet skis.
One of the Grand Theft Auto franchise's distinguishing features is its high production values, and Vice City Stories showcases professional voice acting, cinematic cut-scenes, and radio stations rife with licensed music, satirical commercials, and quirky personalities. More than a dozen '80s era songs include such hits as :Dio's "&Holy Diver," :Ratt's "&Round and Round," and :Pat Benatar's "&We Belong." Multiplayer options offer a mix of cooperative and competitive games playable over an Ad-hoc wireless connection.
Controls
HELICOPTER / PLANE
X Button = increase altitude, increase speed
Square Button = decrease altitude, decrease speed
Triangle Button = exit vehicle
Circle Button = attack, fire weapon
X + Square Button = hunter machine gun
Analog Stick = steer, tilt
L Button = rotate rudder left
R Button = rotate rudder right
R + L Button = look back
D-Pad Left or Right = cycle radio
D-Pad Up = special mission
D-Pad Down = center camera
Select Button = cycle camera modes
Start Button = pause menu
IN WATER
L Button + Analog Stick = look around
R + L Button = look back
Analog Stick = swim, change direction
Triangle Button = board boat, enter plane
X Button = swim fast
Square Button = grab, pull up
Select Button = cycle camera modes
Start Button = pause menu
COMBAT
WHILE TARGETING SOMEONE
R Button (hold) + X Button = heavy hit, stomach punch, front kick
R Button (hold) + Square Button = block
R Button (hold) + Triangle Button = grabe
R Button (hold) + Circle Button = light hit, left jab, right cross, left hook, front kick
WHILE HOLDING AN OPPONENT FROM THE FRONT
X Button = heavy move
Triangle Button = throw
Circle Button = light hit, jab stomach, punch
WHILE HOLDING AN OPPONENT FROM THE REAR
X Button = knee in the back
Triangle Button = neckbreak
Circle Button = jab
WHILE TARGETING A PRONE OPPONENT
X Button = stomp, ground kick
Triangle Button = pull up
Circle Button = floor punches
WHILE TARGETING A DEAD OPPONENT
Circle Button = stomp ground kick ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
