If you loved the original, this remaster is a genuinely good way to experience Tommy Vercetti’s rise to power all over again. While GTA 3 felt a bit rough around the edges in its remastered state, Vice City transitions incredibly well to the Definitive Edition. The vibrant 1980s neon aesthetic benefits massively from the updated lighting engine, making Ocean Beach look absolutely gorgeous at night.
The atmosphere is just as intoxicating as it was in 2002. Cruising down Ocean Drive while listening to Flash FM under the new, brilliant neon pink and teal reflections is worth the price of admission alone. The upgraded GPS minimap and weapon wheel modernize the gameplay loop, taking away the clunky frustration of the original controls. Driving, shooting, and managing your businesses feel far more intuitive. Tommy himself actually looks quite good compared to some of the other character models in the trilogy, and his legendary Hawaiian shirt has never looked sharper.
It is not entirely flawless, as some of the minor side characters look a bit too cartoonish and lost their original grit in the transition to Unreal Engine. You will still encounter the occasional odd physics glitch or slightly goofy animation during cutscenes. It is also a shame that a few iconic songs had to be cut due to licensing issues, though the vast majority of the legendary soundtrack remains intact to carry the mood.
This is a fantastic trip down memory lane. It retains everything that made the original game a masterpiece the stellar voice acting, the unbeatable soundtrack, and the Scarface-inspired story while wrapping it in a package that is comfortable to play on modern setups. If you want to rule Vice City again, this edition does the classic justice.
