5 things GTA Vice City did much better than GTA 3
GTA Vice City was a significant improvement over its predecessor GTA 3, and this was reflected in its sales. Although Grand Theft Auto 3 was revolutionary for its time and sold over 14 million copies, Vice City managed to outsell it by three and a half million copies and became the bestselling game of 2002. Even today, Vice City is remembered more fondly when compared to its immediate predecessor.
Most players agree that Vice City has more replay value, which is why there are more mods for it. Even when it came to the Definitive Edition remasters, most fans preferred San Andreas and Vice City over Grand Theft Auto 3. This was largely due to how improved Vice City was in terms of gameplay, map, story, and more.
With that in mind, here are the five biggest things that GTA Vice City did much better than GTA 3.
Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer’s opinions.
Everything GTA Vice City did better than GTA 3
1) The vehicles
The first major improvement over GTA 3 that you'll find when you start up GTA Vice City is that the latter game has a better selection of vehicles. This is made apparent by the fact that you can ride motorbikes, scooters, and even fly an aeroplane in the game.
The unflyable Dodo from Grand Theft Auto 3 has been replaced with the Skimmer, which can take off from and land on water. The 80s vehicles are definitely an added bonus, as they look much way better than the bland 2000s designs in Grand Theft Auto 3.
2) The combat
Although GTA 3 was ahead of its time, its gameplay is still considered its worst aspect. This is especially true when it comes to the combat, which feels clunky and difficult. The melee combat feels much easier in GTA Vice City, as Tommy makes use of both punches and kicks, which seem to have more of an impact than Claude's hits.
Vice City also has some exciting melee weapons like the katana and the chainsaw. The guns are a lot more fun to use and are more balanced. The Python revolver is a fan favorite, and the automatic rifles have a more realistic rate of fire.
3) The map
While this boils down to personal choice, the GTA Vice City map is often considered one of the best in the series. This may be because of how nostalgic it feels, reminding players of '80s Miami, or due to the fact that it's pretty easy to traverse. The GTA 3 map has a more dark and gritty atmosphere, which some find interesting, and others find depressing.
Although there are several distinct sections and more places to explore in the 3D Universe Liberty City, the Vice City map has many interesting secrets and places to explore.
4) The radio
It's impossible to praise GTA Vice City without mentioning its radio. This is one aspect of the game where almost everything was vastly improved over GTA 3. There are more radio stations in Vice City, which are divided according to different genres. The radio commercials are also more hilarious.
The '80s soundtrack is exceptional. Many fans still believe that Grand Theft Auto Vice City has the best soundtrack out of any game from the series.
5) The story
A major con that comes up when discussing GTA 3 is that its story feels disjointed, and the motivations of the protagonist appear confusing. The missions also seem quite repetitive, and their inclusion often makes little sense in the greater scheme of the plot.
In comparison, the GTA Vice City story has a much better flow, and the narrative direction is sustained throughout the duration of the plot. This is because the plot of the later game is heavily influenced by Hollywood movies like Scarface, and even the iconic '80s TV series Miami Vice.
Also Read:
- Activities that would be perfect for GTA 6's Vice City location
- Vice City moments we'd like GTA 6 to recreate
- Map differences between Vice City Stories and Vice City