Parental Warning: Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories is not a game for children. The rating is MA which is meant for adults over the age of 18. The review for this game is loaded with language and suggestive words and also not meant for those under age 18. The reality is many children under the age of 18 do in fact play this game and are probably reading this review right now. That is between them and their parents. I cannot supervise children who read this review nor can I be in your living room to stop them. That is your job.
If you are a parent, at least be aware if your children are playing this game and set down boundaries for them. If you choose to let them play, make sure they know the difference between fantasy and reality, most children do understand the difference and would never do these things in real life. A handful of disturbed individuals, regardless of age, may be unduly influenced by this game. If you are responsible for such a person, please make sure they are not playing it.
Grand Theft Auto is a game that glorifies killing and general bad behavior including drugs and illicit sex. It is a game for sick degenerates who think it is funny, myself included. All of the Rockstar series of the Grand Theft Auto Games are rated MA.
This is the guide for Vice City Stories for the Play Station 2, not the PSP. This does not contains spoilers, but tips on how to get through the game. If you don't want to know spoilers, don't look past this first page. This page is mostly to help you get started. The spoiler missions come later.
1984 Vice City. Vic Vance is a soldier because his family depends on him, but trust in the wrong person makes his life hell. His brother is sick with asthma and another brother is sick in other ways, his mother is on crack and his father is gone. This game is the prequel to GTA: Vice City. Vince and a few other characters are still alive. This will sort of explain the set up for the way things ended up in Vice City.
The Controls
The controls are pretty much the same for all the Rockstar Games, but here is a general run down. Start button will always pause the game and bring up your menu where you can do various things like check the map, check your stats, set your controls to your liking, load or start a new game, and change stations. The Select button is your camera mode where you can change your view perspective both on foot and in a vehicle.
You also have four buttons on the backside of the control - R1, R2, L1 and L2. You have an analog stick referred to as R3 and L3. Then you have the Directional Pad (D-Pad) with four directions - up, down, left and right. And then the trademark Play Station buttons, X, Circle, Triangle and Square. Becoming familiar with the location of these buttons so they are second nature makes these games easier to play.
On Foot
One feature I really liked about GTA: San Andreas was the fact that he could actually climb. In this one, like the rest of the GTA games, he can't. There is one mission, The Mugshot Longshot, where he will have access to the camera.
- Move Around: D-Pad or Left Analog Stick
- Look Around: Right Analog Stick
- Run: X Button
- Jump: Square Button
- Enter Vehicle: Triangle Button
- Look Forward: L1 Button
- Look Behind: R3 Button
- Zoom In: Square Button
- Zoom Out: X Button
- Take Picture: Circle Button
Swimming
Tommy Vercetti could not swim. The moment you got him in a deep body of water, he was a goner. Vic Vance can swim, but unlike CJ in San Andreas, can't swim as well. He has limitations. He cannot dive and swim under water, unlike CJ who just needs practice to hold his breath under water and can increase his stamina to swim farther. Vic can lose stamina while swimming and drown. To make sure he has enough stamina to stand the water, he would have to complete the Beach Patrol missions.
Vic cannot swim to the other side of the island before it opens up because he does not have enough stamina to make it and there is a wave generator that will knock him back.
- Swim Direction: Left Analog Stick
- Look Around: Right Analog Stick
- Sprint: Hold X Button
- Climb Up: Square Button
- Enter Boat: Triangle Button
Combat Mode
This is one of the improvements over the previous games, he can not only grab the victim (like in Bully), but he can also break their necks. To attack with your fist, always target your victim to make it accurate (R1) and use the following depending on what you want to accomplish:
- 2-Move Power Combo: Tap X Button
- 4-Move Standard Combo: Tap Circle Button
- Grab (From front or back): Triangle Button
- Block: Square Button
- Massive Punch (facing front): Hold X Button
- 2-Move Standard Combo (facing front): Tap Circle Button
- Throw (facing front): Triangle Button
- Knee in the Back (from behind): X Button
- Jab in the Neck (from behind): Circle Button
- Neckbreak (from behind): Triangle Button
- Stomp/Kick (victim on ground): X Button
- Punch (victim on ground): Circle Button
- Pull Up (victim on ground): Triangle Button
- Stomp/Kick dead person: X or Circle Buttons
With Weapons
Granted you can create a lot of havoc just with your fists, weapons are really always fun. In this particular game, you will need to find 99 red balloons (just like the song) and the only way to get them is with a gun because they are all way up high. Unfortunately, this is not like San Andreas and you can not increase your weapon power, but with practice it makes it easier for you.
- Move Around: D-Pad or Left Analog Stick
- Look Around: Right Analog Stick
- Look Forward: L1 Button
- Run: X Button
- Jump: Square Button
- Enter Vehicle: Triangle Button
- Target Someone: (Hold) R1 Button
- Free Aim: R1 + L3 Buttons
- Aim rocket launcher and snipers: Left Analog Stick
- Attack: Circle Button
- Zoom In: Square Button
- Zoom Out: X Button
- Next Weapon: R2 Button
- Previous Weapon: L2 Button
By Bike
This is something new to Vice City and a good thing about San Andreas. He can ride a bike. There is even a checkpoint mission using a bike called Mashin' Up the Mall. Again, like with the weapons skills in San Andreas, you cannot increase your bike (or any vehicle) skills. However, if you pass the ambulance mission it will make it so you don't tire out so fast on bike. You can bunnyhop your bike in this one. To make it higher, just hold the L1 button longer.
- Pedal: Hold X Button
- Pedal Faster: Tap X Button
- Brake: R1 Button
- Reverse: Square Button
- Bunnyhop: L1 Button
- Look Left: L2 Button
- Look Right: R2 Button
- Look Behind: L2 + R2 Buttons
- Drive-By Mode: Circle Button + L2 or R2 Buttons
- Shoot Ahead: Circle Button
- Exit Bike: Triangle Button
By Vehicle
A feature in this one that I don't like is while driving any vehicle, even the bulletproof ones, Vic can get hurt if being shot at while inside. A new good addition is the jet ski. As the Rhino is a vehicle of special status, it will have a section of its own below.
- Turn Vehicle: Left Analog Stick or Directional Pad (D-Pad)
- Wheelie (bikes and motorcycles): Pull Left Analog Stick Back + X
- Stoppie (bikes and motorcycles): Push Left Analog Stick Up + R1
- Accelerate: .X Button
- Brake R1 Button
- Reverse: Square Button
- Look Left: L2 Button
- Look Right: R2 Button
- Look Behind: L2 + R2 Buttons
- Drive-By: Circle Button + L2 or R2 Button
- Exit Vehicle: Triangle Button
- Activate Horn/Siren: L3 Button
- Change Radio Stations: L1 Button
- Activate Vehicle Missions: R3 Button
By Helicopter
Little Willie and Sea Sparrow have weapons, all the other helicopters do not. As the Hunter is a vehicle of special status, it will have its own section below. New to this game is the air rescue missions where you fight fires and do an ambulance mission via helicopter.
- Move Forward: Left Analog Stick Up
- Move Backward: Left Analog Stick Down
- Lean Left: Left Analog Stick Left
- Lean Right: Left Analog Stick Right
- Turn Clockwise: R2 Button
- Turn Counterclockwise: L2 Button
- Ascend: X Button
- Descend: Square Button
- Hover: L3 Button
- Fire Guns: Circle Button
- Exit Vehicle: Triangle Button
- Change Radio Stations: L1 Button
- Activate Vehicle Mission: R3 Button
By Plane
The Skimmer and Biplane are all you have to work with. Not very good on the choices. You can use a plane in the checkpoint missions.
- Dive: Left Analog Stick Up
- Rise: Left Analog Stick Down
- Angle Left: Left Analog Stick Left
- Angle Right: Left Analog Stick Right
- Turn Left (Biplane): L2 Button
- Turn Right (Biplane): R2 Button
- Accelerate: X Button
- Decelerate: Square Button
- Exit Vehicle: Triangle Button
- Change Radio Stations: L1 Button
- Deactivate Vehicle Mission: R3 Button
The Rhino
I really love the havoc this one creates. Run over people, cars, scare the cops, shoot at everything coming at you...or just do a vigilante mission. If you can manage to survive a 6 star wanted level long enough to steal one and save it in a garage big enough, you can have some fun. Or wait until the last mission where it is unlocked at the Air Base.
- Turn Vehicle: Left Analog Stick
- Accelerate: X Button
- Reverse: Square Button
- Brake: R1 Button
- Look Left: L2 Button
- Look Right: R2 Button
- Look Behind: L2 + R2 Buttons
- Turret Control: Right Analog Stick
- Main Gun: Circle Button
- Exit Rhino: Triangle Button
- Use Horn: L3 Button
- Activate Vigilante Mission: R3 Button
The Hunter
A helicopter that kicks the butt of every other flight machine in this game. Sure you can use it for vigilante missions, but you can also have loads of fun create havoc by shooting everything in sight. It is unlocked in the last mission at the Air Base and can be found in the checkpoint race called Skywolf (cancel the mission with R3 and save it somewhere or use immediately or use a heavy vehicle to push it out of the zone to activate the mission.) Not as durable as the other versions of GTA, but still a good helicopter.
- Move Forward: Left Analog Stick Up
- Move Backward: Left Analog Stick Down
- Sidestep Left: Left Analog Stick Left
- Sidestep Right: Left Analog Stick Right
- Turn Clockwise: R2 Button
- Turn Counterclockwise: L2 Button
- Ascend: X Button
- Descend: Square Button
- Hover: L3 Button
- Fire Machine Gun: R1 Button
- Fire Rockets: Circle Button
- Exit Hunter: Triangle Button
- Activate Vigilante Mission: R3 Button
The Weapons
There are 10 available types of weapons to fill Vic's slots. Most can be found in various locations around town. The more exotic the weapon, the more likely it is hidden way up high or in a dangerous area. The more common ones can be bought at Ammu-Nation or at Stonewall J's after the mission, O, Brothel, Where Art Thou? You can only have one type of weapon in each slot. To replace that weapon with another one for that slot, press L1.
- Side Items: Camera, Binocular
- Fist Items: Fist, Brass Knuckles
- Melee Weapons: Baseball Bat, Night Stick, Golf Club, Hatchet, Hook Bar, Knife, Butterfly Knife, Machete, Katana, Chainsaw
- Projectile Weapons: Grenades, Moltov Cocktail, Remote Grenade
- Handguns: Pistol, Equalizer
- Shotguns: Shotgun, Stubby Shotgun, Spaz 12
- Submachine Guns: Mac 10, Scorpion, Micro SMG, SMG
- Assault Rifles: AK-47, Assault Rifle
- Heavy Weapons: M249, Flamethrower, Minigun, Rocket Launcher
- Sniper Rifles: Sniper Rifle, Laser Sniper Rifle
Helpful Maps
The Radio Stations
Certain key missions will lead to a special announcement on the radio stations about what your character has done. Want to annoy people around you? Just before the announcement is finished, pause or get out and in the car and the announcement will repeat. Keep doing it for maximum benefit.
- ROCK - 80s hard rock hair bands find their home at this radio station.
- FLASH FM - What one generally thinks of in the cheesy 80s music genre.
- Emotion - The love and romantic songs of the 80s.
- FRESH - The hip-hop station from the 80s where it had its mainstream beginnings.
- Paradise - Mix of R&B and hidden classics from the 80s.
- VCFL - The R&B station with classics from The Commodores, Rick James and others.
- WAVE 103 - More of a cutting edge 80s alternative station featuring Blondie, The Cure and others.
- espilntoso - The Spanish radio station.
- VCPR - The talk radio station similar to NPR. When the station is under-funded, they bring back politically incorrect radio shows from days gone by.
Out Of Commission
Like other heroes of GTA games, Vic can get busted or wasted. If he is taken down by the cops, he will end up at the nearest police station. If he drowns or is killed off, he will end up at the nearest hospital.
Avoid it as long as possible. Always get familiar with the layout of the land. Know where the Pay N' Sprays and police bribes are located so you can get help when in trouble with the law. If not on a mission, you can always save your game to get rid of the wanted level. Know where the hospital and health icons are located as well as the armor so you can extend your life.
Unlike San Andreas, Vic (like all the rest of the GTA heroes) cannot just go to a restaurant and eat. It has an advantage that you don't have to stop to give him more energy before he wastes away, but it has a disadvantage that when he needs more health it is not an option.
Changing clothes can also get rid of the wanted level, but you have to change into a different outfit, not the same one he is currently wearing. New clothes unlock after certain mission. Vic starts off with military clothing, but loses it after Conduct Unbecoming and gets his first set of casual clothes. There are a total of 14 outfits available, including the military outfit which he can get at the mission, Over the Top.
Special Missions To Help You In The Game
These are the side missions which are not only required for 100%, but have benefits to help you play a better game. You are not required to do them to complete the storyline, but they are ever so helpful in getting you out of tight situations.
Vehicle Missions
You may notice that the past Grand Theft Auto games required 12 levels for the ambulance, fire, and vigilante and then 50 for the taxi. In this game you have 15 levels for the ambulance, fire, and vigilante and 50 OR $5000 in fares for the cab.
Like the other games, you do not have to do all fares for the taxi in one sitting, but for each 5 you get a bonus. So it would make more sense to stick with it for at least 25 fares in a row to reach the $5000 mark quicker.
Ambulance, fire, and vigilante may have more levels to deal with, but they now have checkpoints. If you make it to the 5th or the 10th level and fail, you can start over at the checkpoint. Let's say your vehicle exploded or you got arrested during level 8, if you completed level 5, you can start over at the beginning of level 6.
The other missions now include air rescue and beach patrol. Air rescue and beach patrol also have 15 levels and the checkpoint feature.
Why bother with these side missions? It won't stop you from completing the storyline, so you could go without doing any of them if you feel they are too difficult or boring. However, if you want to get 100%, you need to do them. Also, if you want an easier time getting through some of the more difficult missions, completion of these will help a lot in the form of maximum health, maximum armor, unlimited sprint, unlimited swimming power, and fireproof on foot. Having these strengths can make a huge difference on how long you can last when being chased by bad guys who are shooting at you or if you are in the path of fire or need to swim to get away. It just gives you options you wouldn't have if you didn't do the missions.
Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound
Another new side mission which helps towards getting 100% and is useful in the game play is Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound as an asset. By collecting all the cars (and boats) on the lists (much like Import/Export in San Andreas) you can earn money. When you have all four lists completed all trips to the Pay N' Spray are free.
If you happen to step into a vehicle that is wanted, a message will flash that it is on the list and you can take it over. Here is what is needed:
List One (all boats)
- Dinghy - $300
- Jet Ski - $500
- Marquis - $900
- Rio - $700
- Reefer - $600
- Violator - $700
- Squallo - $800
- Tropic - $700
List Two
- Streetfighter - $300
- Sanchez - $200
- Oceanic - $500
- Cuban Hermes - $400
- Polaris V8 - $700
- Stallion - $600
- Pony - $400
- Boxville - $500
List Three
- WinterGreen - $300
- Freeway - $400
- Banshee - $600
- Cheetah - $700
- Comet - $500
- Phoenix - $600
- Sentinel XS - $500
- Mule - $600
List Four
- PCJ-600 - $500
- Deluxo - $700
- Infernus - $900
- Sabre - $600
- Stretch - $700
- Stinger - $600
- Maverick - $900
- Sparrow - $800
100%
For the printout to check off as you go along, click here.
Storyline Missions
Sgt Jerry Martinez
- Cleaning House
- Conduct Unbecoming
Phil Cassidy
- Cholo Victory
- Boomshine Blowout
Marty J. Williams
- Shakedown
- Fear the Repo
- Waking Up The Neighbors
- O, Brothel, Where Art Thou?
- Got Protection?
Phil Cassidy
Louise Cassidy-Williams
- When Funday Comes
- Takin' Out the White Trash
- D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
- To Victor, the Spoils
Lance Vance
Louise Cassidy-Williams
- Hose the Hoes
- Robbing the Cradle
Umberto Robina
- Nice Package
- Balls
- Papi Don't Screech
- Havana Good Time
Lance Vance
Bryan Forbes
Lance Vance
Bryan Forbes
- Leap and Bound
- The Bum Deal
Lance Vance
- Snitch Hitch
- From Zero to Hero
- Brawn of the Dead
- Blitzkrieg
The Mendez Brothers
- The Mugshot Longshot
- Hostile Takeover
- Unfriendly Competition
- High Wire
Lance Vance
- Turn On, Tune In, Bug Out
Reni Wassulmaier
- Accidents Will Happen
- The Colonel's Coke
- Kill Phil
- Say Cheese
Gonzalez
- Home's on the Range
- Purple Haze
Reni Wassulmaier
Lance Vance
- Taking the Fall
- While Lies
- Where it Hurts Most
Ricardo Diaz
- Steal the Deal
- The Exchange
Gonzalez
The Mendez Brothers
Lance Vance
- Blitzkrieg Strikes Again
- Lost and Found
Reni Wassulmaier
Ricardo Diaz
Reni Wassulmaier
Lance Vance
Ricardo Diaz
Side Missions
- Pop all 99 Red Balloons
- Complete all 35 Rampages
- Complete all 36 Unique Stunt Jumps
- Complete Civil Asset Forfeiture Impound lists (32 cars)
- Complete Phil's Shooting Range (5 Levels)
- Complete Swinger's Club (500 points)
- Firetruck Mission (15 Levels - Fireproof)
- Vigilante Mission (15 Levels - Maximum Body Armor)
- Ambulance Mission (15 Levels - Infinite Run)
- Taxi Mission (50 fares or $5,000, whichever happens first - Taxis with nitro)
- Air Rescue (15 Levels - Maximum Health)
- Beach Patrol (15 Levels - Infinite Swimming Stamina)
- Fire Copter (5 Levels)
- Vice Sights (5 Levels).
- Rush! ($1,700 less car damage)
- Crash! ($2,000 less car damage)
- Playground on the Town
- Playground on the Dock
- Playground at the Point
- Playground on the Park
- Mashin' Up the Mall
- Land, Sea, and Air Ace.
- Crims On Water Wings
- Haiti Hover Race
- Caddy Daddy
- Crims On Wings
- Hyman Memorial O.D.T
- Harbor Hover Race
- Skywolf
- Watersports (eight courses available at Prawn Island)
The Dirtbike Track:
- Sanchez Time Trials (twelve courses)
- Quad Bike Time Trials (four courses)
- BMX Time Trials (eight courses)
Turismo:
- Sunshine Autos (five races)
- The Fairgrounds (four races)
Own all 30 Empire Sites
Have all six High Roller Business Types:
- Prostitution (earn a leisure suit)
- Loan Shark (earn a repo man suit)
- Protection Racket (earn a hired muscle suit)
- Drugs (earn a track suit)
- Robbery (earn a hood)
- Smuggling (earn a smuggler's outfit)
- Successfully complete all Reputation Missions for all six Business Types to earn the Smart Suit Outfit.
To make the most of this game, after you complete the first mission, take some time to get to know the area. Look around for all the weapons, armor, bribe and health icons, Pay N' Spray and key locations. Do the ambulance, fire fighter, and police mission. Get the taxi mission out of the way. By doing this you will earn money and get skills that will help you in the missions.
And now, for those who want a complete step by step, which includes spoilers, click here for the complete guide to Vice City Stories.
