Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Sniper)
Genre: Action
Developer: Rockstar
Publisher: Rockstar

Graphics
Like Liberty City Stories, this title features impressive technological traits for a handheld title. The colorful cast of characters is expressed perfectly, especially the demonstrative Lance Vance. The pinks, greens, and blues of the Miami-like Vice City provide an open, airy playground for the game's occasionally grave and always harebrained antics.

Sound
There is a lot of star power behind the positively popping voice acting in Vice City Stories, including the talented Gary Busey, who really brings his character to life. The licensed soundtrack mostly hits the mark, although it doesn't have enough entertaining, obscure hits, like the unintentionally hilarious "Neeve Nanna" from Liberty City Stories.

Gameplay
The twist to this title is the ability to attack pre-determined properties throughout the city, taking them for your own. At regular intervals, the player makes money off of each owned property, providing a regular income stream. The city layout is less complex and yet more memorable than Liberty City's, and the game really benefits overall because of it.

Overall
The Grand Theft Auto formula is always a winning one, and Vice City Stories' fun recipe of humor, satire, dramatic locale, tragedy, phenomenal production values, and multi-dimensional play mechanics make for one of the PSP's grandest adventures.

Sniper's verdict: