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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories''}}[[File:SpeakerSymbolLogo.png|center]]
<center>[[File:Quotation.png]] '''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories''' [[File:QuotationReverse.png]]
[[File:GTA Vice City Stories - Theme Song.ogg]]</center>

{{quote|Not only is this the greatest game on PSP, it also leaves a large percentage of the PS2 back catalogue looking ordinary. Buy it right now.|''Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK''.}}
{{/infobox}}
{{Chronology}}
'''''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories''''' is the sixth and final game (but first chronologically) in the [[3D Universe]] of the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series. Originally released as an exclusive game for the [[PlayStation Portable]], it was later released on the [[PlayStation 2]] console because of its success. It is the second ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' game to appear on the PSP system (the first being ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]''). The game was developed by [[Rockstar Leeds]], and published and released by [[Rockstar Games]].

[[Take-Two Interactive]] originally announced the title was to be released in North America on October 17, 2006 and in [[Europe]] on October 20, but early in September, there was an announcement stating the game had been delayed for release until October 31 in North America and November 3 in Europe. It had also announced that the game will be released on November 10, 2006 in [[Australia]].

On February 7, 2007 Rockstar Games announced plans for a [[PlayStation 2]] release. The release dates were March 6, 2007 for North America and March 9, 2007 for Europe.

It was released on [[PlayStation 3]] via the {{WP|PlayStation Network|PlayStation Network}} on April 2, 2013, but has since been made unavailable.

The PS2 port version of the game has a number of improvements over the original PSP version of the game, including enhanced graphics, new activities and a new [[Easter Egg]].

==Story==
*[[Missions in GTA Vice City Stories|Missions]]
[[File:VictorVance-GTAVCS.png|thumb|left|The [[protagonist]], [[Victor Vance]]]]
''"Vice City, 1984. Opportunity abounds in a city emerging from the swamps, its growth fueled by a violent power struggle in a lucrative drug trade. Construction is everywhere as a shining metropolis rises from foundations of crime and betrayal.''

<p class="MsoNormal">''As a soldier, Vic Vance has always protected his dysfunctional family, his country, himself.''</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">''One bad decision later and that job is about to get much harder. Kicked out onto the streets between glamour and gluttony, Vic is faced with a stark choice...build an empire or be crushed."'' - Game's Description</p>

''Vice City Stories'' marks the series return to [[Vice City (3D Universe)|Vice City]], with the game taking place in [[1984]], roughly two years before the events of ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]''. The game focuses around [[Victor Vance]], the brother of [[Lance Vance]] who goes on to [[Keep Your Friends Close|betray]] [[Tommy Vercetti]] in [[1986]]. Victor briefly appears in ''GTA Vice City'' during the [[In the Beginning|opening cutscene]], in which he is killed during a drug deal gone wrong.

Victor "Vic" Vance, the protagonist, is a U.S. Army soldier whose sergeant, [[Jerry Martinez]], gets him involved in drug trafficking, which is strictly against Vic's morals. Soon Vic is dishonorably discharged for the drugs found in his room and bringing a prostitute to the barracks, both of which were intended for Martinez. Vic works for [[Phil Cassidy]], who is also featured in ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'', ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]''. Phil's brother-in-law, Marty Williams, abuses his wife Louise and their baby Mary-Beth. After Marty kidnaps Louise, Vic kills him and begins a relationship with her, then shortly after, Victor takes over Marty's Empire.

Soon after, Vic's brother, Lance Vance comes into town to join him on his quest to take over Vice City to get the money required to pay for their brother's asthma medications. Together they steal Martinez's cocaine, but tensions arise between the brothers after Vic finds out that Lance and Louise used it for themselves. A short time later, Victor discovers that Martinez was only transporting the drugs for the Mendez Brothers, leaving Lance and Vic with no option but to work with the Mendez Brothers, only to be betrayed after doing a few jobs for them. The Mendez Brothers then kidnap Louise sometime after Vic protects and saves Phil Collins' concert from the Forelli Family, and he and Lance rush to the rescue. Lance gets captured by Armando Mendez and Vic fights his way to the underground room of the Mendez Mansion, where a deranged Armando is waiting for him wielding a Flamethrower, but Armando is quickly killed by Victor during the intense fire-fight that ensues. Although Lance manages to survive, Vic is too late to save Louise. Afterwards, with help from Phil Cassidy and Ricardo Diaz, Vic manages to steal an army helicopter (The Hunter), and proceeds to gun down some of Diego Mendez's Goons, eventually bringing him to land on the roof of the Mendez Building where he enters inside and continues his killing spree. Upon Victor's return to the rooftop, there is one final confrontation, which ends when Vic kills Diego and Martinez, who had arrived in a helicopter when Vic was halfway from reaching Diego. Lance arrives to help Vic, but turns up late, and together they agree never to touch drugs again. The Vance Brothers then get in Lance's Helicopter and leave Vice City to send Pete the money for his asthma medications.

==Characters==
:''See [[Characters in GTA Vice City Stories]]''
''Vice City Stories'' contains many of the characters (and voice actors) from ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'', including Phil (Gary Busey), Ricardo Diaz (Luis Guzman), Lance Vance (Philip Michael Thomas) and Umberto Robina (Danny Trejo)  
In addition to the gangs previously featured in Vice City, new gangs make a debut in this game: the Trailer Park Mafia, the Cholos, the Mendez Brothers Gang, and the Stallionz

==Vice City in 1984==
Similar to [[Liberty City (3D Universe)|Liberty City]] in [[1998]] compared to [[2001]], Vice City has many differences including a fairground in the location where [[Avery Carrington]]'s construction site is. There is also a warehouse that doesn't exist in ''GTA VC'' though the fate is explained in the game. The [[Mendez Building]] and [[Empire Building]]s don't exist. [[Vercetti Estate|Diaz's Mansion]] (later the [[Vercetti Estate]]) is only partially finished. The [[Mendez Mansion]] is newer and still resided in, although the fate of the mansion is explained in the game. [[Phil Cassidy]] runs a business in [[Viceport]] instead of [[Downtown Vice City]]. [[InterGlobal Studios]] is owned by future [[Flashback FM]] DJ [[Reni Wassulmaier]] instead of [[Steve Scott]], but the reason why this is explained later in the game. A Trailer Park is present, that is absent in ''GTA VC'' and is replaced by a bigger [[Sunshine Autos]] near [[Escobar International Airport]].

Compared to its [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|chronological sequel]], Vice City seems to be much more chaotic and crime-riddled.

==Gameplay==
''GTA Vice City Stories'' is structured similarly to other releases from the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series. The core gameplay consists of elements of a third-person shooter and a driving game, affording the player a large, open environment to move around in. On foot, the player's character is capable of walking, running, swimming (an ability last available in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''), and jumping, as well as utilizing weapons and basic hand to hand combat. Players can steal and drive a variety of vehicles, including automobiles, boats, airplanes, helicopters, and motorcycles.

The open, non-linear environment allows players to explore and choose how they wish to play the game. Although storyline missions are necessary to progress through the game and unlock certain areas and content, they are not required, as players can complete them at their own leisure. When not taking on a storyline mission, players can free-roam and create havoc (e.g. [[Drive-By Shooting]], robberies, etc.). However, doing so can attract unwanted and potentially fatal attention from the authorities. The more chaos caused, the stronger the response: police will handle minor infractions, whereas [[SWAT]] teams, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], and the Vice City national guard respond to higher wanted levels.

The player can also partake in a variety of optional side missions. The traditional side missions of the past games are included, such as dropping off taxi cab passengers, putting out fires, driving injured people to the hospital, and fighting crime as a vigilante. A new addition to the game is "Beach Patrol", in which Victor plays lifeguard on Vice City's beach, saving citizen's lives or dispatching local gangs. One improvement to the PS2 controls with regards to many of these side missions is that exiting a vehicle (accidentally or intentionally) usually does not fail a sub-mission anymore, allowing easier replacement of damaged vehicles, or re-entering a vehicle if the exit was due to hitting the wrong button.

One of the key gameplay elements in ''Vice City Stories'' is "empire building". New to the GTA series, it borrows a few ideas from ''GTA Vice City''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "properties" and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> "gang wars" systems. In order to make money, the player must open and operate various businesses on property taken over from enemy gangs.

For ''Vice City Stories'', the combat system was overhauled to feature more depth than ever before. The targeting mechanic has been tweaked to "intelligently target"; enemies posing a threat or attacking the player will be targeted over pedestrians. The biggest changes concern the hand-to-hand combat system, as players can now perform grappling moves and throws, and stand on top of enemies laying on the ground.

For the first time in a ''Grand Theft Auto'' game, players are able to bribe policemen or hospital staff when "Wasted" or "Busted" in order to keep weapons that ordinarily would have been lost. Also new to the series are icons scattered around the city that allow Vic to purchase vehicles. For example, a bulletproof [[Sanchez]] is available at the first safehouse (only in the PS2 version).

The standard hidden package system returns in the form of 99 [[red balloons]] scattered around the city. This is a reference to Nena's 1980s hit, "99 Luftballons". Also, extras that have been discovered (Red Balloons, [[Rampages]] and the [[Unique Stunt Jumps]]) appear on the in-game map. Trip skips also return. However, functions such as eating and exercise and skill-level increases, last seen in ''GTA: San Andreas'', remain absent. The game also reintroduces strip club interiors (absent in Liberty City Stories), albeit in a non-interactive form and depending on what Empire Building options the player chooses.

Improvements to the graphics since the release of ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]'' include new animations, faster load times (although a load screen is still displayed when travelling between the two major islands), a further draw distance, reductions in clumping of pedestrians and vehicles, more complex and realistic explosions, and increases in the density of objects, vehicles, and [[NPC]]s.

One new feature of ''Vice City Stories'' is that the player can receive a small cash bonus for being a good Samaritan and rescuing pedestrians being attacked by enemy gang members.

==Multiplayer==
Like the game's predecessor, ''Vice City Stories'' features a multiplayer mode that can be played via WiFi. Ten different modes of play are offered, and these multiplayer games will incorporate use of automobiles, aircraft, and water-based vehicles

==Influence==
Much like the original ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'' game, the look and feel of ''Vice City Stories'' is heavily influenced by the television series ''{{WP|Miami Vice}}''. More specific references include the corrupt [[Vice City Police Department (3D Universe)|VCPD]] detective [[Bryan Forbes]], who dresses in a white suit, loafers and a pastel pink t-shirt, mimicking one of the signature looks of Sonny Crockett, one of the primary characters in the show. [[Philip Michael Thomas]], who portrayed Rico Tubbs, Crockett's partner and the other main character in ''Miami Vice'', also returns to provide the voice of Lance Vance in the game.

Much like ''GTA: Vice City'', the game's soundtrack includes several songs that featured in the show, including "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner and "In the Air Tonight" by [[Phil Collins]], the latter in particular having a very strong association with the show after its iconic appearance in the pilot episode "Brother's Keeper". Collins additionally appears in ''Vice City Stories'' as himself, "performing" a live rendition of "In the Air Tonight" (in fact taken from his ''No Ticket Required'' video) during the [[In the Air Tonight|mission of the same name]]. This parallels how Collins likewise appeared in an acting role in ''Miami Vice'', playing a con-artist in the episode "Phil the Shill".

==Soundtrack==
:''See: [[Radio Stations in GTA Vice City Stories]]''

Like all other games in the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series, the soundtrack plays an integral role in setting the game's atmosphere. The game features nine different radio stations which play over 100 licensed songs from the 1970s and 1980s. Most of the stations remain the same as in the settings of ''GTA: Vice City'' (1986), though Fever 105 and Wildstyle are replaced with Fresh 105 and Paradise FM, and the talk radio station K-Chat does not broadcast.

==Vehicles==
:
{| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align: top;"
!Sports and Muscle Cars
!Two-Door and Hatchbacks
!Four-Door Sedans and Saloons
!SUVs, Pickups, and Vans
!Commercial/Industrial
!Gang
|-
|
:* [[Banshee]]
:* [[Cheetah]]
:* [[Cholo Sabre]]
:* [[Comet]]
:* [[Deluxo]]
:* [[Infernus]]
:* [[Phoenix]]
:* [[Polaris V8]]
:* [[Sabre]]
:* [[Sabre Turbo]]
:* [[Stinger]]
|
:* [[Blista Compact]]
:* [[Cuban Hermes]]
:* [[Hermes]]
:* [[Idaho]]
:* [[Manana]]
:* [[Stallion]]
:* [[Virgo]]
:* [[Voodoo]]
|
:* [[Admiral]]
:* [[Esperanto]]
:* [[Glendale]]
:* [[Greenwood]]
:* [[Oceanic]]
:* [[Perennial]]
:* [[Regina]]
:* [[Sentinel]]
:* [[Sentinel XS]]
:* [[Stretch]]
:* [[Washington]]
|
:* [[Bobcat]]
:* [[Burrito]]
:* [[Gang Rancher]]
:* [[Landstalker]]
:* [[Mesa Grande]]
:* [[Moonbeam]]
:* [[Patriot]]
:* [[Sandking]]
:* [[Walton]]
|
:* [[Benson]]
:* [[Boxville]]
:* [[Bulldozer]]
:* [[Flatbed]]
:* [[Forklift]]
:* [[Linerunner]]
:* [[Mr. Whoopee]]
:* [[Mule]]
:* [[Pony]]
:* [[Rumpo]]
:* [[Yankee]]
|
:* [[Angel (motorcycle)|Biker Angel]]
:* [[Cholo Sabre]]
:* [[Cuban Hermes]]
:* [[Gang Rancher]]
:
|-
!Government/Emergency
!Public Service
!Bikes
!Boats
!Aircraft
!Misc./Fun
|-
|
:* [[Ambulance]]
:* [[Barracks OL]]
:* [[Enforcer]]
:* [[FBI Rancher]]
:* [[FBI Washington]]
:* [[Fire Truck]]
:* [[Hunter]]
:* [[Patriot]]
:* [[Rhino]]
:* [[Police Car|VCPD Cruiser]]
:* [[VCPD Cheetah]]
:* [[Police Maverick|VCPD Maverick]]
:* [[VCPD Wintergreen]]
|
:* [[Cabbie]]
:* [[Coach]]
:* [[Securicar]]
:* [[Taxi]]
:* [[Trashmaster]]
|
:* [[Angel (motorcycle)|Biker Angel]]
:* [[BMX]]
:* [[Faggio]]
:* [[Freeway]]
:* [[PCJ-600]]
:* [[Quad]]
:* [[Sanchez]]
:* [[Streetfighter]]
:* [[VCPD Wintergreen]]
:* [[Ventoso]]
:* [[Wintergreen]]
|
:* [[Bovver '64]]
:* [[Coast Guard]]
:* [[Dinghy]]
:* [[Jet Ski]]
:* [[Jetmax]]
:* [[Marquis]]
:* [[Predator]]
:* [[Reefer]]
:* [[Rio]]
:* [[Speeder (boat)|Speeder]]
:* [[Squalo]]
:* [[Tropic]]
:* [[Violator]]
:* [[Yola]]
|
:* [[Air Ambulance]]
:* [[Armadillo]]
:* [[Biplane]]
:* [[Hunter]]
:* [[Little Willie]]
:* [[Maverick]]
:* [[Sea Sparrow]]
:* [[Skimmer]]
:* [[Sparrow]]
:* [[Police Maverick|VCPD Maverick]]
|
:* [[Baggage Handler]]
:* [[BF Injection]]
:* [[Bovver '64]]
:* [[Caddy]]
:* [[Domestobot]]
:* [[Splitz-6 ATV]]
|}

==Gangs==
*[[Cholos]] <small>(wiped out) </small>
*[[Trailer Park Mafia]] <small>(wiped out) </small>
*[[Cubans]]
*[[Forelli Family]]
*[[Vice City Bikers|Bikers]]
*[[Sharks]]
*[[Mendez Cartel]] <small>(wiped out) </small>
*[[Diaz's gang]]
*[[White Stallionz]] <small>(wiped out)</small>
*[[Vance Crime Family]]
*[[Gonzales Syndicate]]

==Weapons==
:''See [[Weapons in GTA Vice City Stories]]''
The weapons in ''Vice City Stories'' are set to fit the time the game is set on. For instance, the [[Tec-9]] is replaced with a [[Scorpion]] and the rocket launcher has the look of an M72 LAW. The [[AR-15|M4]] is switched to the look of a [[M16]] as there were no M4's during 1984. The main pistol in the game was changed to the Beretta 92. Most of the other weapons are the same as the ones from ''GTA: Vice City'', ''GTA: San Andreas'' and ''Liberty City Stories'', while the [[Python]] now has a scope, though it's not functional. It is unusual that ''GTA Vice City Stories'' has the [[AK-47]] whereas ''GTA Vice City'' has the [[Ruger]]. Note that the AK-47 was designed and manufactured in 1946. The machine gun in the game was a [[M249]], where as in ''GTA: Vice City'' the [[M-60]] was used. The [[Sniper Rifle]] now has the look of a Springfield M12 while the [[Laser Sniper]] is based on a Dragunov.

==Safehouses==
*see [[Safehouses in GTA Vice City Stories]]

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;" width="100%"
! width="50" class="sortable" |Date
! width="50" |Award
! width="50" |Category
! width="50" |Recipient(s) and Nominee(s)
! width="50" |Result
|-
|2006
|{{WP|IGN}}'s History of Awesome 2006
|Best Licensed Soundtrack on {{WP|PlayStation Portable}}
|''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories''
|Won
|-
|26 October 2007
|{{WP|Golden Joystick Awards}}
|Best Handheld Game
|''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories''
|Won
|}

==Sound effect differences==
There are some sound effect differences between the PSP and PS2 version. The PSP version recycle the same sounds from ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]'', whereas the PS2 version has some differences:
*Several vehicles have their engine sounds in a higher pitch. In addition, vehicles that share the same sound as the [[Perennial]] will emit the [[Sentinel]]'s engine sound while idling and revving.
*The explosion of [[grenades]] and the [[rocket launcher]] shares the same sound as a vehicle explosion, similar to that of ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]''.
*The [[Stubby Shotgun]] emits the same firing sound as the [[Combat Shotgun]].
*All firearms have louder and stronger reverberation after firing.
*The footstep sounds when running and jumping is slightly different.
*The [[Hunter]]'s helicopter blades sound different.
==Glitches==
*see [[Glitches in GTA Vice City Stories]]
The "disappearing vehicle" glitch - in which a car driven to a mission trigger point disappears after the cutscene - is at its worst in this title. Not only do vehicles almost always vanish after the mission cutscenes, but they also vanish if the player saves their game in a safehouse with a vehicle parked outside, even if Victor immediately goes back outside (in previous games the last vehicle driven by the player remains parked outside the safehouse after a save as long as the console isn't reset or a game reloaded).

==Trivia==
*In ''GTA: Vice City Stories'', [[Victor Vance]]'s voice is one of an average American, but in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|GTA Vice City]]'', Victor speaks with a thick Colombian accent.
*Singer [[Phil Collins]] appears as himself in the game, making him the first real-life celebrity to appear physically in a ''Grand Theft Auto'' game.
*This is the only [[3D Universe]] game to feature checkpoints. ''[[Episodes from Liberty City]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'' (from the [[HD Universe]]) would continue this idea.
**However, the final mission of ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' ([[A Revenger's Tragedy]]/[[Out of Commission]]) features a single checkpoint where the player can start from if they fail the mission.
**The same mechanic was also featured in the mobile versions of 3D Universe games.
*Unlike its predecessor, this game was not ported for mobile.

==Further Reading==
*[[Beta Releases in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]
*[[Glitches in GTA Vice City Stories]]

==Trailers==
{{Under Construction}}
{{Stub|sectstub=y}}
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" position="center">
GTA Vice City Stories Official Trailer 1
GTA Vice City Stories Official Trailer 2
GTA Vice City Stories Official Trailer 3
GTA Vice City Stories Official Trailer (PS2)
</gallery>

==Videos==
{{Under Construction}}
{{Stub|sectstub=y}}
<gallery widths="300" position="center" hideaddbutton="true" spacing="small" bordersize="medium" captionalign="center">
GTA Vice City Stories - Main Theme
GTA: Vice City Stories - Full soundtrack (Rev. 1) | Part 2 - YouTube
GTA Vice City Stories - Full soundtrack Part 2
</gallery>

==External Links==
<!-- DO NOT ADD SITES TO THIS LIST WITHOUT DISCUSSING FIRST -->

{{wikipedia}}
*[http://www.rockstargames.com/vicecitystories/ Official Website]
*[https://www.rockstargames.com/games/vicecitystories Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on the Rockstar Games website]

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