History VideoGame / GrandTheftAutoViceCity

** The SawedOffShotgun seems like it could be quite potent and it may be in certain situations, but its range is shorter [[hottip:*:(meaning that it is likely to not hit across a street)]] than the SPAS-12 and the spread is so wide that it is tricky to find the perfect situation to use it. It deals the most damage per shotgun shell [[hottip:*:(all shotguns use the same shotgun shells in this game)]] but the SPAS-12 tends to be better all-around due to its 7-shot-magazine and fast-for-shotguns automatic fire.

* TrunkShot: As a ShoutOut to ''PulpFiction'', in the opening cutscene [[spoiler: to the mission wherein Tommy betrays and kills [[BadBoss Ricardo Diaz]] then takes over his empire]], Lance surprises Tommy with something in the trunk of his car: Tommy's first [[MoreDakka Colt M733 Carbine]], with which to shoot all the goons up.

A year after ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'' tore up the gaming world, Rockstar Games topped it with the sequel, '''''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'''''.

* PsychoForHire: Heavily implied in Tommy Vercetti, mainly in the mission "Missing With The Man". Although, this is more of an AlternativeCharacterInterpretation.

* OneHundredPercentCompletion: It gets you +50 on your armor and health, a new shirt, cash, and unlimited ammo.

* ContinuityNod: Nothing brings down real estate like an old fashioned gang war. --[[GrandTheftAutoIII Are you getting this down]], Donald?

** We could specify that even the game's physics is lighter and softer, considering that they are brightly colors, summer weather and a cleaner city, in contrast with ''GrandTheftAutoIII'', that has a winter weather and a more serious plot.

** This is the only ''GTA'' game outside the original ''[[GrandTheftAutoClassic Grand Theft Auto]]'' and ''GrandTheftAutoII'' wherein the AK-47 is absent, with the Ruger Mini-14 serving as replacement. This may as well be a reference to ''Series/TheATeam'', wherein the Ruger was the team's signature weapon. It could also be seen as a nod to the Miami FBI bank heist shoot out, set in 1986 just like Vice City, wherein one of the two robbers used that rifle to kill two FBI agents.

* VanInBlack: Starting with this game, once you reach five wanted stars, the FBI no longer chase you with flimsy, poorly-handling sedans, but with supercharged all-black Chevy Suburbans, [[LightningBruiser which are as fast as they are durable]] and will easily rip you to shreds if you're cruising the streets in anything less than [[TankGoodness a tank]]. They have since only made a return in ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas San Andreas]]'' and ''[[GrandTheftAutoChinatownWars Chinatown Wars]]''.

* WordOfGod: Yes, that was Vic Vance, Lance's older brother and protagonist of ''GrandTheftAutoViceCityStories'' that got gunned down in the opening cut scene.

* DarkerAndEdgier: Was added more sexual content and violence in this sequel.

* CoolestClubEver: The Malibu, the most expensive property on the map.
* CrapSaccharineWorld: Vice City apparently seems to be a clean, with summer and bright colors, just that the environment is not really what it seems, is a city filled with criminals, mobsters, drug lords and gang-bangers.

* Running Gag: Whenever he is offered food or alcohol, Tommy always refuses. During the Cuban gang missions, he'll often try to get a cup of coffee only to be dragged off on a mission by Umberto.

* BigBadFriend: [[spoiler: Sonny Forelli and Lance Vance]] at the end.

* AndYourRewardIsClothes: You get outfits as a reward for numerous missions. That and money, but the money usually isn't very good.

* TheCameo: Donald Love, the media-kingpin from ''III'' appears in Vice City as a toadying businessman for Texas real estate baron Avery Carrington. He has no actual speaking lines. As a CallForward, Avery uses several lines that Love uses in ''III''. Guess that's where he learned them.

* CoolBike : The very first ''GTA III''-era game to feature them.

* EtTuBrute: [[spoiler:Lance Vance]] in the last mission, [[spoiler:betrays and tries to kill Tommy]].

* HairTriggerTemper: Tommy.

* NoHonorAmongThieves: Unfortunately for Tommy he believes the family to firmly adhere to the principle of HonorAmongThieves. This makes him somewhat naive in his dealings with fellow Mafia members. When Sonny proves this is not the case, it seems Tommy is equally upset over the betrayal of this principle (if not more so) than the personal slights against him.

* ScrewedByTheLawyers: [[http://www.destructoid.com/gta-vice-city-pulled-digitally-from-steam-other-outlets-238752.phtml The game has been pulled from Steam]] and other outlets, as apparently ''Wanna Be Starting Something'' is all of a sudden [[JustForPun starting something]].
** [[SubvertedTrope Everything was worked out and the game's back on Steam]] [[spoiler: [[SubvertedTrope song in tact]]]].
** Played straight on the Playstation 3 re-release. Both Michael Jackson songs got removed from the soundtrack. In the new game the player will now hear Self Control by Laura Branigan instead of Bille Jean when they enter a vehicle for the first time.

** Or maybe Tommy just thinks there are sharks.

* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: So, you've taken down that sleazeball Ricardo Diaz, avenged Lance's brother, gotten Tommy's money back, and taken over Diaz's coke empire? Great! Now you're ready for the second half of ''Vice City''.

-->'''Steve Scott:''' In the old days, we used to have gala events : stars, limos, the night sky crisscrossed with searchlights...

* PsychoForHire: Heavily implied in Tommy Vercetti, mainly in the mission "Missing With The Man''. Althought this is more of an AlternativeCharacterInterpretation.

Since ''Vice City'' takes place in 1986, Rockstar did its best to capture the look and feel of that time -- or, at least, [[HollywoodHistory how it looked in]] ''MiamiVice''. (it helps that the game had [[AwesomeMusic a killer '80s soundtrack]] to go with it).

Since ''Vice City'' takes place in 1986, Rockstar did its best to capture the look and feel of that time -- or, at least, [[HollywoodHistory how it looked in]] ''MiamiVice''.= (it helps that the game had [[AwesomeMusic a killer '80s soundtrack]] to go with it).

* {{Jerkass}}: Lance Vance, Sonny Forelli, Maude Hanson and Ricardo Diaz.