Review: Cars, bikes, boats and a plane to steal

The just-released Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the fourth game in the series and the second for PlayStation 2, is already the fastest selling video game in the UK, which goes to prove crime does pay (at least for video games companies).

At first glance little has changed since GTA 3, other than the time (1986) and place (Vice City).

Players can still go anywhere, steal any car that takes their fancy and kill anyone that doesn't.

The star of the game is Tommy Vercetti, who has just been released from prison after a lengthy stretch.

He is called to Vice City (Miami by another name) to do a drop-off and pick-up job but things go wrong and he is left with no money, no merchandise and a none-too-happy mafia boss to appease.

To find out who double-crossed him and earn money, he has to accept missions from various shady characters.

They include bumping off someone's wife, scaring-off key witnesses and generally doing damage to people around the city.

There are also mini missions, which can be accessed by jumping into a cab, police car, ambulance or fire engine.

There are even pizzas to be delivered.

If you prefer violence over enterprise, there are the "rampage"

missions, destroying cars or killing gang members.

The number of vehicles which can be stolen has been extended and now includes motorcycles, boats, helicopters and a plane, although the scooter should be avoided if street cred is important to you.

The range of weapons has also been expanded and made more useful.

Guns can now be used to shoot out tyres.

The graphics have some amazing details evocative of the time, such as the brick-sized mobile phones and pastel suits, while the sound effects are probably the best on any game ever.

They include the sound nine working radio stations and voice acting from Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds and Dennis Hooper. This is one gaming experience not to be missed.

Price: £39.99.

Contact: www.rockstargames.com
Feel good factor: 10 out of 10.