Wow! About one year has gone by since Grand Theft Auto 3, a game considered by many to be the game of the year, was released. Well, call me a skeptic but i didnt think Rockstar could have revolutionized the game to the extent they did before. I was wrong, very wrong. Let me start out by listing what is wrong with it to get that out of the way. Nothing. At least can’t see one thing wrong with this game except it ends, and we all wish it would go on forever.

The game’s perfection is rooted in its amazing story. GTA:III had its problems, but the one glaring one was that you didn’t really get to know the lead character, he never talked. Giving the lead, Tommy Vercetti, a voice was the best thing Rockstar could have done. On top of that, the story this time makes a lot more sense and is all linked. You are Tommy Vercetti, just got out of jail after spending 15 years becuase of a job he did for the New York Mafia. As soon as he got out he is sent to start working on Vice City. After this job is botched, he has to get his money back. Throughout the game some twists take place, some predictable, some not. As the story progresses, you really begin to feel for Tommy, and you love listening to his comments you take on and take down everyone who opposes you.

Another thing that makes this game perfect, but is not new to the series, is the gameplay. We are all familiar with the chaotic, fast gameplay of the Grand Theft Auto series since the first one. For those of you who aren’t familiar, for the most part, the gameplay can be summarized in 3 words, blow s%$# up! There are times when finesse is needed however, and thinking will save you a lot of time and trouble, each mission can be handled using your own style. An example is one mission, the game suggests a spot for you to do the deed, but if you use a helicopter creatively, it will save you the trouble of having to deal with 4 stars and a horde of police chasing you.

Although this has never mattered in a Grand Theft Auto game, they have improved the graphics an amazing amount from Grand Theft Auto 3. The most improvement has come from the cars, which now look much more lifelike than before. There is even glare off the windshield, but only at certain times of the day. Not only the cars, but the people are much more lifelike, now they all have different styles of walking, and they will occasionally rest on benches if there is one available. Motorcyclists(including Tommy) will have their shirts ripple in the wind as the motorcycle takes off. This time around you can see in cars, and can even see Tommy moving his hands when turning. No watching him and the hookers though.

The final key to this perfection is the sound. The radio completely immerses you in the 80’s, bringing back many favorite songs, the ones even the younguns’ have heard of. Along with the great selection of music, this time around there are two talk radio stations. The other games sounds are great. Ray Liotta does a great job as the voiceover for Tommy, and many other famous stars make cameo voiceover appearances. The guns also make very realistic sounds and the choppers(both motorcycles and helicopters) sound as real as any game I have ever played.

Overall this is probably going to get my vote for Game of The Year unless the most amazing game ever comes along. This would even be considered one of the greatest game ever, if not the greatest game. I highly recommend this game to everyone old enough to get it, and if you aren’t old enough, get a parent or person over 17 to get it for you, you will be the better for it.

10/10

-Rory