The Grand Theft Auto series began on the original PlayStation, but achieved great success and popularity only after the release of Grand Theft Auto 3, in 2001, for the PS2. Now, six years later, the series is as popular as ever. The PSP has received two original GTA titles, with the first, Liberty City Stories, receiving a PS2 port last year. Now, the newest handheld crime epic, Vice City Stories, is available for the home system.

Just as Liberty City Stories took a minor character from GTA3 and told his story, Vice City Stories follows the life of Vic Vance. Vice City fans will remember Vic as the character who got killed five minutes into that game, providing his brother, Lance, with a reason to join forces with main character Tommy Vercetti. Two years before, however, we meet Vic as a young soldier, serving in the army at a base in Vice City. Due to some bad choices and the betrayal of his commanding officer, Vic finds himself jobless; with his other brother’s hospital bills piling up, Vic has no choice but to take whatever work he can find. Thus ignites a chain of events that will see Vic to the top of Vice City’s crime empire.

The story is well constructed, as we have come to expect from the series. However, it has an interesting moral angle that’s unique in GTA; namely, the main character is not a career criminal. Vic begins the game as an upstanding citizen and soldier, and is forced into crime by necessity. This makes him all the more complex of a main character, as we get to see his descent into organized crime. I’m able to identify much more readily with a nice guy who’s doing all the wrong things for all the right reasons than I am with some made man that’s on the wrong side of the law from the minute we meet him. As with all the GTAs, the story visits most of the dark areas of modern life, yet still manages to retain the lighthearted, jokey feel that characterizes this series tone.

Most of the gameplay here is going to be familiar to fans of the series; recruiting gang members and building a criminal empire feels remarkably similar to San Andreas. Other series standards appear here, too - the ambulance, taxi, and police missions, present since GTA3, are as fun as always. Vice City Stories doesn’t do much to improve the GTA formula, but it doesn’t really have to.

Another traditional series element that returns in strong form is the radio. The DJ material and commercials are as well-written and acted as ever, with some of the funniest bits I’ve heard in the series to date. Some might complain that the music lists contain fewer recognizable hits than we’ve seen in the past, but what’s here is all great, if sometimes obscure, period music, that adds a layer of realism and immersion to the world. Plus, you’ve got “Rock You Like A Hurricane” by The Scorpions and “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. Really, what more could you ask for?

Alas, as good as the music is, the same cannot be said for the game’s graphics. Vice City looked decent when it released in 2002, but the same engine doesn’t hold up as well today. In addition, consider that this is a port (upgraded port, true, but a port nonetheless) of a PSP title. Factor that with the age of the graphics engine and you’ve got one dated looking game. The game’s look doesn’t actively detract from one’s ability to enjoy playing, but it’s definitely a low point for the title.

Ironically, the two groups who will enjoy this the most are the GTA die-hard fans and those who are relatively unfamiliar with the series. The hardcore fans will devour every side mission and find every secret. (A terrific 80’s joke is that the hidden packages take the form of red balloons you must find and shoot down. How many are there? 99, of course.) Series newcomers will be entranced with the wealth of options available, the sheer fun of making the game your own. Casual fans might find it a little too similar to the rest of the series, but since it retails at a budget price, it’s hard not to recommend this one. Vice City might not have changed much, but it’s still a fun place to spend some time and get into some trouble.

Gameplay: 8.7
GTA started out fun and has only refined the formula since then. There’s so much variety of gameplay here that it’s very difficult to get bored with anything.

Graphics: 6.5
The game’s look is serviceable, but it won’t be knocking anyone’s socks off. Ugly characters and blocky environments work well enough, but make us long for next-gen GTA that much more. 

Sound: 8.8
Great 80’s music plus hilarious DJ and commercial banter makes for good listening. I found the constant DJ cursing strange, though. I thought you couldn’t say those seven words on the radio? Apparently you can in Vice City.

Difficulty: Medium
The difficulty curve is gentle for the most part, but there are those missions that will stop you in your tracks and make you go find some body armor and some better guns. Maybe a tank, too.

Concept: 8.3
A welcomed return to a beloved city, and a new morality spin on the crime epic. This is everything a Vice City fan could hope for in a follow-up.

Overall: 8.4
While dated graphics and an overall air of familiarity may turn off some, the sheer amount of fun activities coupled with the budget price make for a heartily recommended adventure.