Rockstar debuted GTA 3, its first open-world game for the series, in 2001. This release revolutionized the genre as gamers knew it, and only a year later, the studio released GTA Vice City, another highly innovative open-world title.
This game was a major hit, becoming more famous than its predecessor after taking the series to even greater heights. GTA Vice City was released in 2002, and the game turns 21 today.
Why it matters: This entry is considered one of the best Grand Theft Auto titles, standing tall alongside the likes of GTA 5 and San Andreas.
Set in a 1986 fictional setting inspired by Miami, Vice City was easily the star of the show.
This location had everything fans could ask for. Vice City was dripping with atmosphere, establishing its own identity through varied architecture drenched in neon lights throughout the open world.
Following up on GTA 3, Rockstar had set a high bar for itself. However, GTA Vice City exceeded expectations, introducing a voiced protagonist for the first time in the series.
Through the incredible voice of Ray Liotta, Tommy Vercetti became a memorable character, with his story of rising through the criminal underworld being fondly remembered two decades later.
Such strong characteristics meant that GTA Vice City was always destined to be a commercial success. The game has sold over 17.5 million units, earning a score of 95/100 on Metacritic.
This entry encouraged Rockstar to make bold decisions for the IP, culminating in the release of GTA San Andreas just two years later, a game that has always been in the race for the greatest Grand Theft Auto title.
We believe that GTA Vice City is easily one of the greatest releases in the industry. When thinking about this game, it is hard not to feel nostalgic since the open-world experience of this title was unlike anything else at the time.
Rockstar also brought the game back through the GTA Trilogy recently. However, this collection of games was widely dismissed as a quick cash grab due to the numerous bugs and glitches.
Whenever we think back to our childhood, we can’t help but remember GTA Vice City.
This game is special in so many ways, and Rockstar appears to be gearing up for another rendition of this location with GTA 6. Last year’s leaks confirmed Vice City will be returning soon, and we can’t wait to see it beautifully realized through the power of current-gen hardware.
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[News Reporter]
Bawal is an MBBS student by day and a gaming journalist by night. He has been gaming since childhood, growing fond of the creativity and innovation of the industry. His career as a gaming journalist started one year ago, and his journey has allowed him to write reviews, previews, and features for various sites. Bawal has also been cited in reputed websites such as Screenrant, PCGamesN, WCCFTech, GamesRadar, and more.
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