Is Vice City Still Worth Playing in 2025?

Sure, here it goes:

So, Grand Theft Auto. Probably doesn’t need an intro, right? But I’m gonna give it one anyway. Over these nearly three decades, more than seven mainline titles have popped up. Critics love ’em, gamers love ’em. One big name in the crowd? GTA Vice City. Yeah, it came out in 2002! Feeling old yet? I know I am. Anyway, why are we chatting about it in 2025? Because it’s got ties to GTA 6, supposedly dropping later this year. Got some of you thinking about whether it’s worth diving back into the chaos of Vice City. Or maybe checking it out for the first time. Who knows?

Okay, so quick rundown. Vice City is this fourth big game in the series, and it’s Miami in the ’80s but not. You wander as Tommy Vercetti, voiced by Ray Liotta. Man just got outta a 15-year prison stint and jumps right back into the mob life. Fun times, right? The whole thing unfolds in Leonida, a not-so-subtle nod to Florida. And for those exploring the world of GTA 6, there might be some recognizable places to stumble upon.

Speaking of Vice City, ever heard of developers cooking up unofficial ports? Yeah, this team’s bringing it to some unlikely platform. Unofficial, of course, because fans do what fans do best.

Why is Vice City still worth it in 2025? Let’s see:

Timeless storylines or something like that. GTA’s known for its wild, open worlds but don’t sleep on the storytelling. Vice City’s plot? It’s like wandering through your favorite 80s and 90s mobster flicks. Think Carlito’s Way and Scarface vibes. Tommy feels like he could be swapping stories with Carlito Brigante or Tony Montana (with the risk of, you know, getting shot mid-convo).

And that chemistry with Lance? Miami Vice, anyone? Those who say video games can’t have character depth haven’t met Tommy, Lance, or Ken Rosenberg. Yeah, I’m looking at you, Ken, with your oily lawyer charm. Betrayals, shady deals, revenge – all the fun stuff. Story’s got twists, but they won’t have you Googling “Vice City plot explained.”

Classic GTA gameplay — and you won’t zone out, I swear. Over 20 story missions and side quests. Not just driving and blasting, either. Think rescues, boat races, and blowing up buildings with RC helicopters. Delightful chaos. The map may not match giants of today, but it’s buzzing with energy. Missing today’s emptier open worlds? You won’t in Vice City.

Retro vibes that pull you back — no time machine needed. Yeah, its graphics show its age, but its 80s aesthetic refuses to die. Neon signs, roller-skating pedestrians, and enough party attire to make a costume store jealous. Tommy’s Hawaiian shirts and Ken’s roomy suits? Miami Vice called, they said it’s a fit.

Throw in a soundtrack that’s pure nostalgia. Kate Bush, Toto, Lionel Richie… the list goes on. It’s a virtual mixtape that could make a boombox blush. While GTA these days feels eerily like the world outside your window, Vice City lets you take a trip through time. Dust off your disc — or download or whatever — and remember why it rocked the early 2000s.

And there we have it, folks. Vice City in a nutshell, shoving its way back into hearts in 2025. Am I feeling persuaded to revisit? Maybe. Maybe not. Again, who knows?