One-And-Only GTA Vice City Impressions and Review Thread
 

Well, the waiting is finally over. Some lucky sods will be picking this game up tonight (I'm not one of them, though :( ). I thought it was time to close up the news thread and start with the reviews. Please post here once you pick up the game and give it a spin.

Have fun! :D

Word on the IGN GTA boards is that IGN gave it a 9.7, and Gamespot a 9.6.

Wow. I didn't know it had constant DTS capability. My home theater is going to get an Eighties workout tomorrow night.

Picked up my copy an hour ago. I had a copy pre-ordered at Babbage's, but got mine from EB. I went there tonight to get some DC games, and they knew I had pre-ordered VC at Babbage's. The guys said to me "We just got our shipment in, first place to get it. If you want, go get your money back from Babbage's, and we'll sell you one of our copies right now, and you'll be the first person in the city with the game." Sho nuff I did, and I started up a little rivalry between the two stores(both in the mall). Anyway, I'm about to start it up now, then I'll post my impressions later.

DTS capabilites?? I thought the PS2 could only do 5.1 and even that was limited?

The PS2 cannot do Dolby Digital 5.1 sound in-game, only in cutscenes. Example: Metal Gear Solid 2.

However the PS2 can do in-game DTS 5.1. Example: SSX Tricky

I'm going to bestbuy in the morning. I know the ad says wednesday, but my Bestbuy guy says they might be out tomorrow morning. I just want to be sure i get a copy before the rush.

So far the game is hella fun. It looks better than GTAIII, and runs a whole lot faster/smoother. Finally, your character does a lot of talking. The game so far is a lot like Scarface and Carlito's Way.
I've had a lot of cool things happen already:
- Ran up to a chick on a moped, punched her in the face, knocked her off, and drove off.
- Stole a Vette, was flying around, whipped a U into oncoming traffic. A guy on a motorcycle went "OH SH*T!" and slammed on the brakes, and slid right into the side of the Vette and went flying.
- Was flying down the road in a car, hit the switch vehicle button, and the guy jumped out. The car flew down the road and t-boned a Jeep Wrangler. Finally, jumping from fast-moving cars.
- Lots of cool commercials on the radio stations, as well as the music. End clip of one was "..."Go back to your homes, Florida does not want you. Please, die somewhere else".
- Came across a motorcycle, but passed it up for the Vette. Have driven around on a few mopeds though, pretty cool swerving through traffic and tight places on one.
This game rocks, hopefully you have it pre-ordered.

Thanks for the clarification... Without starting a war about DD 5.1 vs DTS, since both allow for 5.1 sound - why would they use DD 5.1 for cutscenes only and not just do the whole thing in DTS?

Also, are there any other PS2 games that are presented in DTS?

Oh Man!!! The game sounds so SWEEEEEEEEET!!!! Too bad I have to wait until sometime next week to get my copy since I ordered it through the Amazon/Toys R Us, Buy 2 get 1 free deal. But it definately sounds like it is worth waiting for.....and then some.

Can't wait to pick up my PS2 and Vice City. I will be getting it from Best Buy, who won't have it until Wed. :( However, a tiny voice in my head is telling me to check there tomorrow just in case.


Oh yea, by the way... does anyone know if EB will price match Best Buy on Vice City?

NHL 2003 has DTS sound.

Wow, I may have to get a PS2.

This coming from someone 3 doors away from a roomate with one.

It's coming out tomorrow someplaces, Wednesday for some...

Who knows?

I've had mine for a week, I think it's badass.

I can't stand it when people complain that it's 'just an upgraded GTA3'. WTF do you think Madden 2003 is? It's an upgrade of Madden 2002, but that doesn't mean that it's any less fun/good.

GTA Vice is rad.

Actually I think the annual sports game 'updates' are mostly ridiculous, but I agree that GTA:VC is more than that.

the game is fun. i had some issues at first but turned the trails off and that seemed to make things better. the motorcycles are really fun to ride and jacking them is cool.

it's gonna take quite some time to learn just the first island, there are tons and tons of alleys and back streets.

the cop cars are green, and the police wear a tan uniform, at times it was difficult to spot them before killing people.

money is rare, such that when passing a mission to get 100 bucks. i think i got 200 for the second mission.

there are alot of houses/building and stores that you can buy, they have a marker on them, unfortunately at a quick glance they really look like health.

hidden packages are green and look like some kind of tikki gawn.

if the police are chasing someone and you intervene and attack the bad guy you'll get 50 for being a good citizen, was pretty funny when i decided to help the police out and actually got something for it.

in the one club, on stage is the village people lol. dancing is the construction worker, cop, army guy, etc.

cops do throw spike stips, pretty cool. i think i was up to 3 or 4 stars for that.

for the people that didn't like GTA3 i really don't think this one will change their opinions of the series. it is a cool game and it will only get better playing it but that true sense of amazement is dull since we had GTA3. i had tons more fun playing for five mintues in GTA3 then i did playing VC. But that was to be expected some what. Despite it being good, i'm debating to finish hit man 2 before really getting into VC.

oh....

my.........

god.............

This game is amazing!

Looks like I'm not getting any sleep tonite!

-k
###

Without fueling the debate,

IIRC, Sony has a deal with DTS for the sound for the games. I wasn't even aware that MGS2 was DD in the cut scenes, I thought it was DTS.

This will be my first game that plays in 5.1. I can't wait.

SPY

This game is GTA3 and more.......we picked this up last night!!! The motorcycles are hilarious ranging from a Harley to a dirt bike. Cruising around in a golf cart is pretty funny also along with diving out of your car at lunatic speed only to watch your car careen off into the distance and crash. :D

Graphics are much better!!! If you dust a cop, not only do you get his weapon but you also get his night stick.

I still have three games that I need to finish (and three that I haven't even opened!), but I must have this game! I hope KB has it in stock today...

I had just as much fun playing this game for the first time as I did when I first played GTA3 back in December, when I rented a PS2 and the game from Blockbuster. I haven't played GTA3 in over four months, but playing this game brought back all the good memories.
Too bad I'm hooked on it now, considering I just bought 7 games for my new Dreamcast yesterday(including Shenmue, which I've read is awesome). I'll fit them in sometime between work, school, and Vice.....

I ordered this game through the Amazon deal as well, but I can't wait. I'm making a special trip today to see if the local Best Buy has it in.

I preordered at BestBuy.com and used the standard shipping. I probably won't get it until Friday or Saturday. My friend used the two day shipping and will get it before I do. I am so mad. But, I save ten dollars. I should have upgraded for $3. I hope everyone has fun!

The fedex guy brought this game at 8:50 this morning.

All I can say is YOWSA! I don't have time to post complete impressions, but I will later today.

The DTS sound is actually 4 channel, but the seperation is excellent. The voice acting is incredible. Ray Liotta has me cracking up ever chance he gets.

I reccomend turning the "trails" option off. The graphics look prettier with it on, but it sharpens up the image for easier gameplay with it off.

In any case, if you don't have this game, go get it now. Take a sick day and pick up a copy. If you don't have a PS2, sell a kidney.

I was still asleep when the fedex man arrived here (9:08) so I have to wait till tomorrow. I would go pick it up at the FedEx station but I have to be at work at 5pm and I can't pick it up at FedEx until 4:30 and its at least a 30 minute drive in rush hour traffic.