Vice City Stories is a great game that isn't very different from the last Grand Theft Auto, and is very frustrating...
Bad: The game feels significantly more difficult than the last one; missions sometimes get repetitive; graphics don't really improve from the last one; auto-aim is still riddled with problems; some serious graphical glitches.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is the second installment of the series on the Psp. However, this time around it doesn't feel as strong as the previous game. In this one, its in the 80's, in a Miami themed area. You play as a black gentleman who is in the military. This time, you actually play as a character that is has good judgment and isn't a criminal. As you play, you will do missions for numerous people varying from your commanding officer, to hick trailer trash. Just like the previous, the entire world is open, do anything you want anytime to anyone. One of the major problems is that it is pretty difficult at times. Cars handle worse, cars damage easier and faster, you die extremely fast, money is hard to come by in the beginning steps, and the enemy AI is often over-powering and overall idiotic. Your health drops very fast with each shot and health is pretty scarce. The AI is as usual very stupid, to the point where it can be quite entertaining, but doesn't ruin the experience. A major downfall is that the overall map design is horrible. There are so many alleys and dead ends, its quite frustrating to maneuver throughout the city. If you look at the map, you will notice how complex the layout is. As you play through the story, you'll become the boss of a business. Once this happens, it lets you purchase businesses or take them over throughout the city. You can make your own business, from prostitution to loan sharking. You can even make the size of the building, but don't get too excited, the customization is shallow, so don't expect a complex business creation. For combat, you can pretty much guess its the same GTA style. The only problem is that its the EXACT same game play as the previous Grand Theft Auto. Same controls, physics, and almost the same graphics. Like the last one, the graphics are the same, and with it are the graphic glitches, like when the area ahead of you doesn't fully load up and everything is invisible. And when the environments all around you aren't detailed at all, and everything looks ugly for about 7 seconds. The only problem with these other than being annoying is that you can crash into things while driving, since they haven't loaded up yet you cant see them and it can get very frustrating. Especially in bikes, because in this GTA you can fall off a motorcycle by merely bumping into a pole at low speeds. But overall the graphics are the same as Liberty City Stories, which is still amazing for Psp, but its not the best.
The sound is pretty good. The sound track is great with classic 80's music. The car engines sound amazing as well as the guns do. The only part its lacking in is the voices. In cut scenes the voice acting is great... But when your actually playing, the voices sound like there emitting from an old Sony Walkman. Other than the small complaints, the sound is fairly good.
If your looking for a fun, long game for psp filled with action, then look no further. Its a great game but carries some rather large blemishes. Its worth the price, and is definitely worth checking out.