Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, referred to also as GTA: Vice City, GTA:VC or simply Vice City is a 2002 open-world action adventure game in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, launching as the second installment of the 3D Universe.

Developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, GTA: Vice City is the fourth mainline title in the series.

Description

GTA: Vice City takes place in the fictional Vice City, Florida inspired by the real world city of Miami. Players take control of protagonist Tommy Vercetti and complete missions throughout the city. The open world game launched with the gameplay and features familiar from the previous game in the series, Grand Theft Auto III.

Story

Set in 1986, the story of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City centers on Tommy Vercetti, following his rise to prominence and power of the criminal underworld in one of the biggest global drug trafficking hot spots.

After being released from prison in Liberty City, Forelli Crime Family member Tommy Vercetti is sent by the boss of the organization, Sonny Forelli, to Vice City. Upon arrival, the deal Tommy is supposed to secure goes south and turns out to be a setup that causes him difficulty with various elements of the organized criminal underworld. Tommy is forced to systematically take control of Vice City, culminating in a showdown with Sonny.

Cheats, Codes, and Play Styles

The cheat codes in GTA Vice City that let cars take flight, improve vehicle handling, or spark immediate citywide chaos push players to see urban environments as flexible systems they can reshape. These codes transform Vice City from a realistic simulation into a personal sandbox where normal rules don't apply.

Geography of Vice City

Vice City recreates Miami's coastal layout through a stylized lens that serves gameplay rather than pure authenticity. The game places beaches, downtown areas, and industrial districts in ways that create natural risk-reward scenarios for players. Moving between neighborhoods shifts the danger level as police patrols thin out or multiply, gang territories overlap, and traffic becomes more or less congested. This geographical design turns exploration into a strategic choice about what hazards players want to face for potential rewards.

3D vs HD Universe

The earlier 2D and 3D game versions placed Vice City directly in Florida, borrowing Miami's actual geography and political landscape. Rockstar's HD Universe takes a different approach by creating Leonida as the fictional state housing Vice City. This change gives developers freedom to reimagine institutions, place names, and cultural details without contradicting what came before.

This creative decision allows GTA 6 to introduce new iconic locations like the Vice Sign positioned at the international airport. Rather than being locked into Miami's exact layout, Rockstar can build a world that captures the essence of South Florida while serving the game's specific narrative and gameplay needs.

Platforms

  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • PlayStation 2
  • PlayStation 3
  • PlayStation 4 (Backwards Compatible)
  • PlayStation 5 (Backwards Compatible)
  • PC
  • iOS
  • Android