Vice City Stories

The Vance family before 1986

Victor Vance is the central playable character in a story set two years before Vice City. His relationship with his brother Lance links the game to familiar people without simply repeating Tommy’s rise. Victor’s efforts to support his family become entangled with the city’s criminal businesses.

Returning streets and landmarks establish continuity while the earlier date allows the city to appear at a different stage of development. This is a prequel within the 3D universe, not a GTA VI backstory and not an expansion requiring the 2002 game.

Business as a gameplay system

Empire-building expands beyond simply purchasing an asset. Criminal businesses can be attacked, defended and developed, creating a more direct relationship between activity in the world and control of a commercial operation. A property is a strategic commitment as well as a marker on the map.

Swimming and other mechanical changes distinguish Victor’s movement through the city from Tommy’s. Older route advice should not be transferred without checking the game. The PSP release is the original version; the subsequent PlayStation 2 edition is a port rather than a separate story.

Reading the two Vice City stories together

Playing Vice City first preserves the original reveal order. Playing Vice City Stories first follows the fictional chronology. Neither arrangement makes the games identical accounts of the same events: each follows a different protagonist with different priorities, allies and vulnerabilities.