Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
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  1. GameSpot
    72
    Like Liberty City Stories before it, Vice City Stories isn't nearly as appealing as a PS2 game, but it's still got worthwhile qualities.
  2. Eurogamer
    60
    It might be cheap, and it might have more content than Liberty City Stories, and it has gaming audio to die for, but, on balance, Rockstar has milked the flaccid teat of its cash cow to the limit.
  3. GamesRadar+
    70
    If you missed it on the PSP (or just hated the controls), then it's absolutely worth grabbing, but don't expect anything revolutionary.
  5. GamerNode
    70
    If you're dying for a new GTA game, then VCS is worth picking up for a mere $20. But be aware that this is just more of the same GTA that we've played for years, with nothing much new in the way of gameplay elements.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    74
    Although the game feels like GTA Lite in many respects, it still is a GTA game, with GTA humor and gameplay infused into it and it's hard to beat the $20 price tag. Just don't pick up Vice City Stories expecting anything new.
  7. GameDaily
    70
    The graphics show clear signs of being rushed and Rockstar removed the multiplayer modes.
  8. TotalPlayStation
    70
    A crap port of a great game is still a crap port. The good game part helps, yes, but when everything about the way the game plays on the PS2 feels like a rush job, it doesn't really instill a feeling of satisfaction -- if if the game is only $20.
  9. Gamestyle
    50
    The odd moments of joy don’t warrant sitting through the rest of the tedium and broken mechanics for. This cash cow has been well and truly milked.
  10. DarkStation
    70
    Rockstar continues to milk the GTA franchise with this PS2 port off the handheld original. Decent choice for those who want to complete their GTA gaming library.
  11. DailyGame
    70
    What was once so amazing barely conjures excitement on PlayStation 2.
  12. GamePro
    70
    Vice City Stories is a fun game that lets you jump into right into the action, but don't expect anything special or new from this game.
  13. G4 TV
    60
    This is clearly a port in the wrong direction. The PSP visuals that looked great on the small screen now look terrible, and visual glitches and shortcomings flood the screen.
  14. Gamer 2.0
    73
    The lack of multiplayer that was so proudly distributed on the PSP is long gone on the PS2 version and players who already played the previous version will see no reason to pick up this title as well, as it offers nothing new in terms of actual gameplay.
  15. Pure Magazine UK
    60
    One conversion too far, a game that is much more at home on the PSP than its bigger brother. [May 2007, p.71]
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  16. Gaming Age
    58
    But it's also got all the quirky baggage of the other GTA games – control issues, mediocre graphics and, this time, a story that falls short of the bar set by others in the series. It also doesn't include the multiplayer modes found on the PSP version, but there are helicopters. Life as a drug dealer is full of tradeoffs.
  17. Armchair Empire
    55
    Just pop in one of the old games – or any one of their numerous clones from the past few years – and it’ll probably be more worthwhile.
  18. NTSC-uk
    60
    As lacklustre as Vice City Stories is, there’s no denying that it effectively replicates the core genius of the GTA series in a way no other sandbox action title can. Presumably the last GTA on the PS2, you’ll leave it thinking that it was a missed opportunity rather than a poor experience.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PS2 Game of 2007
5
#5 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2007
5
#5 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 184
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 184
  3. Negative: 20 out of 184
  1. DavidHoltzer
    Jul 19, 2019
    9
    For me this is the third best Rockstar game i have ever played behind San Andreas and GTA 5.It had good missions, the story also was good andFor me this is the third best Rockstar game i have ever played behind San Andreas and GTA 5.It had good missions, the story also was good and i loved build those various buildings and it had all the best fun you can get from the GTA franchise.Some missions were not very good though so i'll go with 9 outta 10.… Full Review »
  2. TomTim
    Feb 17, 2019
    10
    As I already wrote about this game (only about PSP), PS2 graphics and other elements are better, but again not the level of the game at theAs I already wrote about this game (only about PSP), PS2 graphics and other elements are better, but again not the level of the game at the time of release (considering which games were released in the release year of Gta VCS for PS2) and yes, I'm talking about graphics, but so be it.
    I would like to add a few more words to my review. Gameplay and difficulty in games is better than in GTA VC, but the plot and the hero himself (more or less) are worse, but not by much.
    The new antagonists are different, but it’s a pity that Mendesam had so little time for the game (especially Diego), but the same Westerman is very good. In general, the secondary characters came out very good.
    Probably the biggest minus in the game, it's bugs, lags and similar unpleasant things in games (think about the controls on the PSP ...).
    But yes.    … Full Review »
  3. highlifewest
    Apr 5, 2012
    9
    better on psp but still amazing fun not as good as previous instalments but still great controlls. traditional gta madness. fun as ever greatbetter on psp but still amazing fun not as good as previous instalments but still great controlls. traditional gta madness. fun as ever great cast and fun story… Full Review »
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