Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is another game in the series, but along with Liberty City Stories it was released in support of the then popular PSP console (the game was soon released on PSP).
In terms of plot, the toy is a prequel to Vice City, and they are thematically similar. Both main characters find themselves alone in an unknown city, both begin a criminal path, and both achieve real heights. True, if with Tommy Vercetti everything was at the very least smooth, then here it’s the other way around. The main character is former fighter Victor Vance, who by chance found himself alone in Vice City, a city where you either become a gray mouse or associate yourself with crime. Victor chose the second. His path was no different from those he had to remove: drugs, racketeering, prostitution, etc. But the higher Victor rose to the top, the more he attracted the attention of the main drug lords - the Mendez brothers, and they do not tolerate competition...
The most remarkable thing about VCS is that the features of irony and self-parody are present here in much smaller quantities than in other games. This is why the game is not particularly liked and few people remember it. On the other hand, there is the most natural drama here that can make you sadly stare at the console screen. Moreover, it is of very high quality. It is she who determines the ending of this story, not so bright, but in its own way very memorable.
For a portable console, the game is made in a very decent manner. The graphics became clearer, blur effects appeared, and the characters now have fingers (!). It's a small thing, but it makes me happy. Plus, unlike VCS, most of the videos are made in a cinematic manner, just like in San Andreas. True, you will have to pay for such beauty - often the FPS will drop exponentially, especially in certain parts of the city or while flying in a helicopter.
There are a lot of missions, but the game is far from the level of San Andreas. But what kind! What other GTA allows us to control... A robot? The real thing (and even with a dildo!). Or protecting a gay singer from persistent bandits. Or take part in the filming of a horror movie about zombies? Otherwise, many chases await us, and the helicopters have also returned. I will say right away that due to the tightness of control from the console, it is quite difficult to control them. In addition, most of the levels amaze with their extreme complexity. Yes, we can safely say that VCS is one of the most difficult parts in the series. True, if the game were on PC, it would be more or less tolerable.
As for the city, if you remember every corner of VS, then here you will have something to see. Namely, new buildings, new places and locations. I would never have thought that VS had an amusement park. The radio is of its time, but unfortunately not as bright as before. Although, this is a matter of taste.
As a result, the game is undeservedly forgotten. Yes, it is not as bright as the other parts, but it allows you to take a fresh look at your old favorite city, meet famous characters, enjoy a high-quality gangster drama and try yourself in the role of a robot. It’s not worth buying a console for it, but you can definitely play it when the opportunity arises.