DESIGN CHOICE: Vice City

For weeks, I've lived a double life. In the day I do my job. I ride the bus. But at night, I prowl the streets of 1980s Vice City. Roll up the sleeves of my Miami Vice suit and I mug the innocent. I ransack every jewellery store, shakedown the local strip joints and clubs and sell powder from the back of an old ice cream van. I drive around in a stolen Lamborghini.

by | 02/07/2003

I run errands for the local bosses, then I stab them in the back with a machete and steal their turf. FOR I AM TOMMY VERCETTI.

Ahem. Sorry. Beyond being a highly involving distraction, Grand Theft Auto Vice City on the PS2, has all the hallmarks of a great piece of design.

It understands its user and his needs - 20-something generation Xers with a mild penchant for violence, the ladies and Spandau Ballet. It is intuitive and simple. It is masterfully crafted. From the in-game menus ('80s neon script type against grey stipple backgrounds), to the no-expense-spared inclusion of over a 100 classic '80s tracks and voice-overs from the likes of Ray Liotta, Dennis Hopper and Burt Reynolds. Most importantly of all, it breaks the mould. The game's unique structure means no more being bored/frustrated/stuck on level 2. In Vice City, you do what the hell you like, when the hell you like. PS: I realise bashing on about video-games, drugs and the 1980s won't make me many friends, but what the hell? At least I can say I've lived.