Review: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006, Rockstar. PSP)

Of all the console sandbox titles out there, Grand Theft Auto is undoubtedly the daddy. It is the game that has inspired more imitators than any other, from True Crime to Saint’s Row to Total Overdose, Mercenaries, Just Cause…the list goes on and on. None of them have managed to surpass or even equal the original and best, yet who would have thought that the 3D iterations of the world famous series would remain so fresh after five instalments in as many years.
Although essentially more of the same, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories adds a twist to the usual proceedings. Clearly Rockstar have had a peek at the competition, notably Scarface: TWIY as VCS is all about building your own empire (see Scarface: TWIY review below) and ultimately taking over Vice City. Protection rackets, loan sharking and prostitution leads to drugs, smuggling and robbery, quickly yielding enormously profitable results. For the first time in a GTA game, the money comes in large quantities, fast and relatively simply.
This time round you plays as ex-marine Vic Vance, brother of Vice City supporting star Lance Vance. As a marine you have some extra moves to be used in close combat, conveniently lifted from Canis Canem Edit. So now you can grab enemies, chuck them to the ground, pummel them a bit or why not just snap their neck? It’s a nice touch to now have a few extra options at your fingertips in a close-combat scuffle. However, when things start to get chaotic, slowdown can be a constant bugbear. In the heat of a busy scrap it can often contribute to your being wasted where normally it could be avoided.
Previous game Liberty City Stories demonstrated that GTA could work well on PSP despite annoying little irritations like the aforementioned instances of slowdown as well as ghosting during rapid movement and vaguely twitchy character models accompanied by an eerie, perpetual ‘heat haze.’ Unfortunately both of these problems persist with VCS, but these minor visual issues never marr the overall experience.
Everything you could do in the PS2 version of Vice City is expanded upon, so you can still fly helicopters and ride motorcycles but the addition of BMXs, quads and jet skis add a little variety to the usual vehicles on offer.
As always, missions are interesting and varied and the usual selection of rampages, unique jumps and other collectibles complement the central narrative and are there to be completed should you have the perseverance to garner that elusive 100%.
Still, there’s a nagging feeling that without the empire building facet of GTA: VCS, this would just be another conventional GTA game, which is no bad thing. It merely raises the question of where the series can go on next-generation consoles. It’s time the series was given a bit of a shake-up as Rockstar could easily churn these out forever and they’d still remain popular and lucrative. The Shed loves the GTA series and knows that Rockstar are bound to pull something special out of the bag for GTA IV. Until then, we’re happy with the latest chapter of GTA on PSP, as it does everything you’d expect and more. Executed with the customary deft style and panache, GTA: VCS is a triumph and stands as the most essential title yet for PSP. Even the presence of Phil Collins doesn’t spoil it. It nearly makes him seem cool…what other game can boast such a unique accolade?

Verdict: 9/10