Gamers live the 'fast life' in 'Vice City'
By Josh Zelman
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- The much-anticipated release from the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise hits shelves this week, and based on our own expert's reaction, fans of the series should have plenty of fun after loading "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" into their Sony PlayStation 2.
"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" is not a sequel to "Grand Theft Auto III." However, it "turns out on almost every level [to be] a big improvement over GTA III," according to Dan "Shoe" Hsu, editor in chief of "Electronic Gaming Monthly."
Set in the 1980's, "Vice City" is a colorful place that's similar in style to Miami, where scantly clad women, fast cars, and catchy tunes flow like wine. The main character, Tommy Vercetti, lands in this adult atmosphere and makes it his mission to run the show. Cross him, and you could get whacked with a chain saw, hammer, or revolver.
Fans of living life in the fast lane will love racing around Vice City in motorcycles, helicopters, and powerboats. In addition, the game's streets are littered with four-wheel activity. Shoe told "Big Video Game Hunting" that "you can drive around in ambulances, and you can even steal a pizza delivery car and drive around and deliver pizzas if you want."
With all this whirling activity, it's no surprise that, as "Shoe" explains, "You can keep yourself busy for like dozens and dozens of hours without actually playing the main storyline of the game."
That is, of course, assuming you can get your hands on a copy.
"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" received an "M" rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, and Shoe agreed that only members of the older crowd should get their mitts on this one.
Comparing "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" to the films "Goodfellas" and "Scarface," Shoe told "Big Video Game Hunting" that this game is definitely "not meant for children."
