Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is an action-adventure game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was released for PlayStation 2 in 2002, then reached Windows and Xbox in 2003. Set in 1986, it places player character Tommy Vercetti in Vice City, a fictional Florida-inspired metropolis whose districts include Ocean Beach, Downtown, Little Havana, Little Haiti, and Viceport. The game’s radio stations, advertisements, vehicles, clothing, and soundtrack deliberately evoke that period. Its world is built around two main islands, with access expanding as missions are completed, and Tommy can use cars, motorcycles, boats, helicopters, and other vehicles.

The story begins after Sonny Forelli sends Tommy, recently released after serving fifteen years in prison, from Liberty City to oversee a drug deal. At the Ocean Beach docks, unidentified gunmen ambush the meeting; the money and drugs disappear, while Tommy survives. Sonny demands that he recover the losses. Ken Rosenberg, the anxious lawyer who arranged the deal, becomes Tommy’s early contact. Tommy works with Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez, whose daughter Mercedes introduces him to other figures. He also meets Lance Vance, whose brother Victor was killed during the failed deal. Their pursuit eventually leads to drug lord Ricardo Diaz.

Tommy and Lance first appear to work for Diaz, carrying out missions involving gang warfare, a stolen tank, and Diaz’s business interests. They then attack Diaz’s mansion in the mission “Rub Out,” killing him and taking control of his estate. Tommy turns the mansion into his headquarters and expands through purchasable properties. These assets include the Malibu Club, Kaufman Cabs, Cherry Popper Ice Cream Factory, Sunshine Autos, Pole Position Club, and the Boatyard. Several properties provide mission chains that generate income or unlock progress. The Print Works, for example, becomes central to Tommy’s plan to produce counterfeit currency for Sonny.

Vice City’s campaign ultimately turns on Tommy’s worsening relationship with Lance and Sonny. After the Print Works operation, Sonny arrives to collect what he believes is his share. Lance betrays Tommy, but Tommy fights through the mansion, kills Lance and Sonny, ending Forelli control. Gameplay combines on-foot shooting, driving, mission objectives, property management, and a police wanted system represented by stars. It features an extensive licensed soundtrack across stations including V-Rock, Wave 103, Emotion 98.3, and Flash FM. Its cast includes Ray Liotta as Tommy, William Fichtner as Rosenberg, Dennis Hopper as Cortez, and Burt Reynolds as Diaz.