Grand Theft Auto: Vice Cityhas become one of the most cherished entries in theGTAseries since making its debut back in 2006. It is arguably one of the most unique and experimental Rockstarvideo games to exist, so it is a little strange that its themes didn’t overly influence later entries in the series.
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Set in afictional version of 80s Miami,Vice Cityaimed to capture the aesthetic and tone through a variety of different means. The neon colors implemented accentuated the game’s charm while the music attempted to immerse the player in the era’s culture. Countless elements ofVice Citycould easily transfer toGTA 6, but some would be more impactful than others.
8Talented Voice Actors
TheGTAseries is chock-full of exceptional voice-acting talent, but there was something special about the cast chosen to play the eccentric characters ofVice City. It features plenty ofrecognizable and skilled voice actorsthat each contributed exceptional acting to accentuate the game’s overall appeal.
The hype forGTA 6has been building continually since the release ofGTA 5. Fans are eager to learn how the story will play out, but, more importantly, who will be breathing life into the new game’s protagonists.
7The Vibrant Color Palette
A key part of what madeVice Cityso unique was its usage of bright and vivid colors, but this stylistic design choice has been absent from everyGTAgame since. The city was perpetually lit up with pink and purple neon lights, a feature that made it shine much brighter than other entries.
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ThoughVice City Storiesattempted to recapture the aesthetic of the original title, it was arguably too similar to its predecessor to be deemed a success. IfGTA 6were totake place in Miami, perhaps the appealing colors used inVice Citycould have one more moment in the spotlight.
6The 80s Soundtrack
TheVice Citysoundtrack was meticulously crafted to enhance the game’s overall themes and aesthetic. Though the world’s design was able to immerse players in the game’s setting with ease, the music that played on the radio captured exactly what the city was designed to be.
The originalVice Cityincorporated 103 unique songsacross the 9 radio stations. Each channel offered a different genre to be listened to, but the core of each song housed an iconic 80s feel. 80s music has regained immense popularity in recent years, so its return inGTA 6would likely be greeted with open arms.
5Pizza Boy Missions
TheGTAseries has developed a habit of incorporating a versatile selection of side missions to fill in the spaces between each game’s main story missions. The player can embark on a variety of different endeavors inVice Cityduring the story’s downtime, but some were more enjoyable than others.
To briefly escape his life of crime, Tommy Vercetti could hop on a Pizza Boy motorcycle andbegin his journey as a delivery man. These missions tasked Tommy with quickly transporting pizzas across the city within a certain time limit. It was a bizarre activity for a mobster to engage in, but it was the ludicrous nature that made it so memorable.
4More Melee Weapons
The evolution of theGTAfranchise has seen each entry add a selection of unusual combat utensils.GTA 5introduced a shocking amount of melee weapons for the player to add to their arsenal, but these additions would not have existed if they weren’t so welcomely received inVice City.
After progressing the story, Tommy could venture to his local hardware vendor to purchase a variety of different items toassist him in physical altercations. Though most of the tools available would be better utilized in a constructive setting, their benefit in a fight is hard to deny.GTA 6should take notes fromVice Cityand try to utilize some more farcical combat means in its story if possible.
3Iconic Movie References
It’s no secret that a great deal ofVice City’s plot was inspired by Brian De Palma’sScarface, which was released in 1984. Its story takes place in Miami and, the further Tommy progresses, the more he becomes involved in scenariosreminiscent of moments in the iconic movie.
IfGTA 6were to base itself loosely on a film of the same genre it could entice a brand-new audience into purchasing the game. There are few things more enjoyable than spotting an Easter Egg like this in a video game, so maybe the upcoming sequel will draw inspiration from another successful 80s flick to enhance its narrative.
2Employable Bodyguards
Tommy will gain the option to hire bodyguards the further he delves into the world of crime. These unlikely NPCs will aid him in shootouts and brawls whenever Tommy requires them. It was a handy feature that made certain combat situations much easier to survive, but sadly, the idea of employable backup has been mostly forgotten since this depiction.
One ofGTA’s most renowned tropes centers on a lone wolf-like character ascending the ranks of the criminal world, but there was something empowering about recruiting people to helpa little along the way. If the feature were to be implemented inGTA 6, it could allow for much more exciting action depending on how it was employed.
1Indestructible Vehicles
The “Guardian Angels” mission gives Tommy access to what is possibly the best car in the entire game. This unlikely Admiral is completely invulnerable to damage, making it a must-have for those finding themselves constantly pursued by the law.
It is rare for theGTAseries to incorporate such overpowered means of protection, but it’s nice to have access to at least one, especially for some of the game’s more challenging missions. Sometimes, the player will want to wreak havoc without being reprimanded and an indestructible mode of transport offers exactly that. Its inclusion could permit untethered chaos to be wrought throughout the world ofGTA 6while also granting a newfound sense of freedom.
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