Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is one of those iconic games that any fan of open-world sandboxes should experience. With its signature 80s vibe, memorable characters, and exciting action, Vice City set a new bar for the genre when it launched in 2002. Now, gamers have an opportunity to download this classic for free during a special promotion on Epic Games. Read on below for a detailed guide on getting GTA Vice City on your PC at no cost through Epic.
An Introduction to One of Gaming‘s Most Influential Series
Before we get into the download process, it helps to understand the history and legacy of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. What started in 1997 as a 2D open-world game called Grand Theft Auto soon exploded into one of the most successful and controversial game series ever. The third entry, GTA III, brought the criminal action into stunning 3D for the first time in 2001 to widespread acclaim.
Riding high off that success, Rockstar Games followed up the next year with GTA Vice City, which transported players back into the neon-soaked 1980s. Building on the strengths of GTA III‘s open world freedom, Vice City added an unforgettable atmosphere, characters, and pop culture satire that many fans argue is the best of the series. Let‘s look at some stats that showcase the massive popularity and impact of this iconic game:
Over 17.5 million copies sold worldwide
At release, broke sales records as the fastest-selling video game in history
PC version earned a 95% critic average on Metacritic
Ranked as the 5th most influential video game of all time by Time Magazine
Inspired decades of future open world games from Saint‘s Row to Watch Dogs
According to long-time gaming industry expert Simon Miller, "Vice City is one of those landmark games that not only defined a genre but embedded itself in pop culture. Tommy Vercetti is as recognizable a protagonist as Mario or Master Chief. Whether you lived through the 80s or not, this is a game every gamer needs to experience firsthand."
With such pedigree and legacy, it‘s easy to see why Epic chose to offer Vice City as a free download to introduce it to new audiences. Now let‘s dive into everything that makes this game so special.
Welcome to the 80s – A Neon-Soaked Paradise
The most immediately iconic aspect of Vice City is its incredible 1986 Miami aesthetic. Everything is dripping with bright, poppy 80s flair. Pink and teal dominate the color palette from the art deco buildings to the Pastel suits of the characters. Glam metal and synthwave blast from the radio stations while you cruise down palm tree-lined streets in candy colored sports cars.
But this isn‘t just style over substance. The nostalgic atmosphere is expertly used to frame the dark criminal underworld tale. One moment you‘re laughing at an over-the-top Deliverance parody ad, the next you‘re dealing with voodoo gang bosses and Cuban drug kingpins. POP culture satire meshes seamlessly with gritty violence and action.
Bringing this contradictory world to life is one of gaming‘s most memorable casts of characters. Protagonist Tommy Vercetti is a hot-headed mobster with a short fuse, prone to going on bloody rampages. Then there‘s the eccentric Lance Vance who becomes Tommy‘s friend and partner. Ricardo Diaz is the ruthless drug lord who Tommy becomes entangled with. The characters are larger-than-life yet still nuanced thanks to excellent writing and voice acting.
Gameplay – Cruising, Shooting, and Causing Mayhem
So the presentation pops off the screen, but how does Vice City actually play? As an open-world action game, it gives you the freedom go anywhere and do anything you want in the city. Want to complete story missions to advance the plot? Or just cause chaos by attacking pedestrians or blowing up cars? Feel free to play your way.
The core gameplay revolves around driving, shooting, and melee combat. Vehicles all handle differently – from sluggish trucks to nimble motorcycles. It takes skill to handle vehicles at high speeds or in shootouts. When on foot, gunplay features an auto-aim system that locks onto targets in third-person view. Tommy can also unleash punches and kicks when foes get too close. Gameplay is easy to pick up but challenging to master.
There are a ton of vehicles and weapons to acquire as well, each with their own strengths and uses. Katanas, chainsaws, sniper rifles, Uzis – the arsenal runs the gamut. Cars range from speedy sports models to rugged 4x4s. You can even fly around in helicopters or speedboats when needed to traverse the city.
The game is packed with side content outside the main story that can keep you occupied for hours. You can purchase and upgrade safehouse properties. Unique stunt jumps challenge your driving skills. Rampages have you eliminating waves of enemies against the clock for cash rewards. Or you can just relax and listen toVCPR talk radio or Emotion 98.3 for some world-building humor.
Tips For New Players
If you‘ve never experienced Vice City before, don‘t worry – it‘s very easy to get the hang of. Here are some tips:
Stick to the main story at first to unlock new areas and assets of the city. Come back to side activities later.
Read every tutorial pop-up carefully to learn controls and mechanics.
Quick save often in new save slots in case you fail a mission.
Use melee attacks on the first island to conserve ammo. Upgrade weapons as soon as possible.
Take cover frequently to avoid taking too much damage.
Purchase the first safehouse as soon as you have $4000 to save your game anywhere.
Later on, focus on buying taxi and film studio assets to generate passive income.
Follow those tips and you‘ll be well on your way to conquering Vice City!
Step-By-Step: Downloading GTA Vice City on Epic Games
Now that you know all about this legendary game, let‘s get into how to download it on PC using the Epic Games Store.
Follow these steps:
Go to the Epic Games Store website on your web browser of choice.
In the top right, click "Sign In" if you already have an account. If not, click "Register" to create your free Epic Games account.
Once logged in, use the search bar to find "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City." Click on the listing.
On the game page, click the yellow "Get" button. A window will pop up to confirm you want to add it to your account. Click "Place Order" followed by "I Agree" to finish getting the game.
Open the Epic Games Launcher application on your computer. If you don‘t have it, download the launcher from the Epic website.
In your Library in the launcher, Vice City should now appear at the bottom of the list with an "Install" button next to it. Click to begin the install.
Select which drive you want to install Vice City to. Make sure you have at least 10 GB of free space.
Let the installation process finish. This may take a while depending on your internet speed.
Once installed, Vice City will appear in your Library ready to launch. Click the play button to boot it up and enjoy!
If you face any issues getting it downloaded or launched, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Restart both the Epic Launcher and your computer to clear any errors.
Check your internet connection and reboot your router/modem if needed.
Verify all Epic Games account and login information is correct.
Disable any VPN or firewalls temporarily during install.
Update Graphics drivers and Windows to latest versions.
Reinstall the Epic Launcher and/or game as a last resort.
As long as you follow the steps closely and carefully, you should have no issues adding this classic to your collection for free. Have fun cruising the neon-lit streets of Vice City! Let us know what you think of this iconic open-world sandbox from Rockstar.
