If people wondered exactly where video games would draw the line, then Grand Theft Auto: Vice City walks all over it. Steal cars, shoot adult films and make large amounts of cash in this new game.
Based on Rockstar Games’ already popular game series Grand Theft Auto, the new game, released Oct. 29 on the Playstation 2, combines the play of previous release, Grand Theft Auto III, but has a sex-driven theme to it.
Just as the title suggests, most of the game deals with stealing cars or other vehicles to complete missions to make money and become a big shot in organized crime. Players then use this money to buy new weapons or hire “working girls.”
The game revolves around destruction. Whether driving a tank through downtown or hacking someone to pieces with a chain saw, the game provides an outlet for any aggressive behavior.
“As someone that has always fantasized about killing drug dealers and hookers, I find that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is the perfect game for me,” said Brad McKenna, a general studies sophomore.
The game takes place in Vice City, a parody on Miami circa 1986. Players take on the role of Tommy Vercetti, an ex-con recently released from prison. He travels to Vice City to set up new operations for the Mob. His first drug deal goes wrong and he is left without money and thirsts for revenge.
Players not only have to fight other gangs and crime lords in the city, but also deal with the police. Minor traffic violations are generally ignored but murders and massive destruction attract police. When players do something destructive enough, the FBI flies in helicopters or the army rolls tanks in to kill them.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has no real linear plotline. Players complete missions as they see fit or destroy things for no reason. However, as players complete missions and more missions, more weapons and vehicles become available.
“It’s tough to beat a game where you can deal drugs out of an ice cream truck,” said Todd Musso, a photography junior. “There are few things that I enjoy more than that.”
The most unexpected feature of the Grand Theft Auto series is the radio stations. Vice City hosts multiple radio stations that play the classic hits of the ’80s including Michael Jackson and Quiet Riot.
“The old school hip-hop station, Wild Style, on the game is really cool,” McKenna said.
The game actually gives players more wealth after sleeping with a prostitute. She does cost money but afterward players can run her over and take their money back.
“I pray for the souls of the people that gave birth to this horrific parody of today’s post-Marxist society,” said Francis O’Connor, a psychology senior. “It is an electronic cancer on the impressionable youths of today.”
The game continues the Grand Theft Auto tradition, but makes some improvements. There are now many more vehicles to choose from, including motorcycles and helicopters. The game also offers more weapons, including a screw driver and a chainsaw, but it still offers the fan favorites, tanks and rocket launchers.