More than two decades after its release, GTA Vice City continues to captivate players with its engaging gameplay and intricate details. While seasoned fans may be well-acquainted with many of these elements, newcomers often miss out on various nuances due to inexperience. Most of these intricacies are subtle, reflecting Rockstar Games’ commitment to creating a rich and immersive experience.
This article highlights five lesser-known details in GTA Vice City that might surprise even the most avid players.
Five Fascinating Details You Might Have Missed in GTA Vice City
1) A Star-Studded Cast
The characters within Vice City are iconic, yet many players overlook the talented individuals who brought them to life. While Ray Liotta as Tommy Vercetti and Tom Sizemore as Sonny Forelli are widely recognized, several other notable actors contributed to the game:
- Danny Trejo as Umberto Robina
- William Fichtner as Ken Rosenberg
- Luis Guzmán as Ricardo Diaz
This impressive voice cast adds significantly to the memorable experience of GTA Vice City.
2) Presence of Sharks in Vice City Waters
One well-known aspect of the game is that Tommy Vercetti cannot swim. However, many players may not be aware that the primary reason for this is linked to the presence of sharks in the water. Citizens of Vice City are advised to avoid swimming due to the shark population lurking nearby.
You can occasionally spot these sharks close to the shores. It’s worth noting that they are non-threatening props, as attempting to fight them will result in Tommy drowning almost instantly.
3) Hidden Politician Imagery
Among the multitude of Easter eggs in GTA Vice City, one of the most obscure is a peculiar image depicting Ronald Reagan pointing a weapon at an illustration of Mikhail Gorbachev. Details like this enhance the game’s satirical edge and play a role in making it more memorable than its predecessor, GTA III.
Interestingly, in the 3D universe of Grand Theft Auto, Ronald Reagan is represented as a former President of the United States. However, this hidden image was unfortunately omitted in the Vice City Definitive Edition.
4) Unlock Fire Immunity for Tommy
Players can equip Tommy Vercetti with immunity to fire, enabling him to walk through flames unharmed. This special ability is unlocked by completing the Firefighter side mission, which consists of 12 challenging levels.
If you manage to complete all levels in succession (without failing or quitting), you will be rewarded with fire immunity, allowing Tommy to stand in fire without losing health.
5) Enhance Tommy’s Sprinting Skills
In numerous scenarios throughout GTA Vice City, players need to run quickly. Initially, Tommy tires after sprinting for a few moments. However, by successfully completing all 12 levels of the Paramedic side missions, you can increase Tommy’s endurance and enable him to sprint indefinitely.
Again, it’s essential to finish all the missions consecutively to gain this benefit, similar to the requirements for the Firefighter mission.