Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Deluxe

The events of the game unfold in the fictional city of Vice City, which bears a striking resemblance to Miami, Florida. The action takes place in 1986 — the visual style of the game, especially the clothing, music, and vehicles, reflects this, sometimes with elements of elegant parody.

Unlike the overtly urban Liberty City from Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City presents itself primarily as a clean and prosperous city with attractive beaches, swaying palm trees, and bright sunshine. Of course, there are shabby neighborhoods, abandoned mansions, and a military base, but this only adds to the game's sense of realism.

Vice City can be considered a prequel to the previous game in the series (GTA III), which takes place 'in modern times' (that is, in 2001, when the game was released). However, it can only be considered a prequel in terms of years, as the plot is entirely different and only occasionally echoes the storyline of GTA III.

The main character of the game is Tommy Vercetti, who is released from prison in Liberty City after 15 years. To regain the family's trust, Tommy is sent to Vice City by local boss Sonny Forelli to make an important deal with drug dealers, but in reality, it is to provide Forelli the opportunity to 'take over' the city. At the airport, Tommy meets Ken Rosenberg, and they, along with two assistants, head to the docks where the deal is supposed to take place. Suddenly, the plans are disrupted: during the deal, armed men in masks, hired by Diaz, kill the assistants (Harry and Lee) and Victor Vance (the protagonist of GTA Vice City Stories), while Tommy dodges bullets and jumps into Ken's car; Victor's brother, Lance, who remained in the helicopter, escapes unharmed. The gangsters flee, taking with them the drugs and money that Tommy was responsible for. Vercetti miraculously survives, and he tells Sonny everything. Sonny demands that Tommy return the 'goods' and the money.

The subsequent events of the game describe the rise of Vercetti's criminal empire: drug trafficking, contract killings, counterfeiting, racketeering, and so on. The player progresses through the storyline by completing various missions, most of which involve illegal activities. Gradually, Vercetti transforms from a pawn in an unfamiliar city into the main criminal figure of Vice City; but Sonny's patience is not infinite — eventually, he personally comes to collect what belongs to him. In the final mission of the game, it is necessary to defend the protagonist's mansion, which is attacked by Sonny and his gang. If successful, Tommy Vercetti becomes the most influential mafia boss in Vice City and remains in the city of sea and sun.