Release Date: January 19, 2023
Genre: Action, Open World, Adventure, Third-Person Shooter
Developer and Publisher: Rockstar Games (adapted by Grove Street Games)
Platform: PC (Windows)
Interface and Subtitle Languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified / Traditional)
Voiceover Language: English
Multiplayer: none
Version: 1.113.49697469 (February 17, 2026)
About this game
Neon streets, palm trees, radio music, and endless turf wars for money. Vice City in The Definitive Edition remaster feels like an open-world, third-person crime action game. You take a mission, get into a car, and decide for yourself how to get there and who to bypass. You can play in short bursts, one task per session, without a long wind-up.
The main protagonist, Tommy Vercetti, gets drawn into a gang war and starts building his own empire. There are plenty of shootouts and chases, along with timed missions. You can buy real estate: it generates income and sometimes unlocks new assignments. There are 100 hidden packages scattered around the city, and plenty of side jobs between story missions.
In the Definitive Edition, textures, models, and lighting have been upgraded, and the controls have been made closer to the modern installments of the series. The interface is easier to read, making map navigation more convenient, even in heavy traffic. If you want to return to this city, you can simply download GTA: Vice City – The Definitive Edition and start from the first missions.
- The map consists of 2 main parts connected by bridges and highways. It’s easy to switch vehicles between locations: cars, motorcycles, boats, and helicopters, plus garages for storage.
- The story unfolds in 1986 and is driven by fully-voiced cutscenes. Tommy Vercetti receives tasks from various characters and gradually takes control of neighborhoods and businesses.
- The radio acts as a separate layer of atmosphere: several stations with different genres, commercials, and on-air talk. Switching is now done via a radio wheel, so the music changes on the fly without pausing in the menu.
- The visual changes in the Definitive Edition are most noticeable at night: different lighting, shadows, and reflections on wet asphalt, with neon popping more vibrantly. The draw distance has been increased, so you can see the city from further away, especially on the waterfronts and highways.
- The controls have been modernized: it’s easier to aim with a mouse and shoot from a car. There’s a weapon wheel for quick selection, gamepad support, and sensitivity settings if you prefer precise control.
Trailer (fan-made):
Essentially, it’s the same Vice City, just with cleaner visuals and convenient quality-of-life improvements. The enjoyment here rests on the missions, the driving, and the atmosphere.
Before installing, check the system requirements to understand how the game will run on your hardware. If everything fits, you can download GTA: Vice City – The Definitive Edition on PC from this page.
Minimum:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD FX-6300
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 (2 GB) / AMD Radeon R9 280 (3 GB)
- Storage: 45 GB
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-2700K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 570 (4 GB)
- Storage: 45 GB
Additional Notes: A Rockstar account and internet connection are required for installation/activation; the game installs/uses components such as the Rockstar Games platform, DirectX, Visual C++, and others.
Download GTA: Vice City – The Definitive Edition
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Reviews
As a zoomer this is my first time playing Vice City (and the rest of the original trilogy for that matter), and I really don’t have much at all to complain about with this remaster. The visuals have clearly been improved since launch (especially with the classic lighting option), performance is great, M&KB controls work flawlessly for the most part, and the QOL updates have made this game much more accessible.
The character models are easily one of the weakest parts of this remaster, contrasting significantly with the rest of the game’s decent looking assets. It’s far from being a major flaw, but I wish we were given the option to switch between the original and updated visuals, something which other remasters have done very well (Halo 2 MCC comes to mind).
As far as the gameplay and story is concerned, so far I’ve had a lot of fun. Unlike newer rockstar titles there is no attempt to strive for realism, it’s simple, arcade-like and enjoyable. The missions are pretty short but varied, the characters are unique and also voiced by arguably the greatest cast in any rockstar game, Ray Liotta in particular was a perfect choice for Tommy.
Pure nostalgia trip. Loved Vice City as a teenager, coming back to it now is still genuinely fun.
The game definitely feels easier than I remember (looking at you, RC helicopter mission). It also feels a lot shorter than back then. Might just be childhood memories doing their thing, though.
Visually, is’t a big upgrade overall. Heard people mention missing songs from the original soundtrack, but personally I haven’t really noticed. Either they don’t affect me much, or I just don’t remember exactly what is missing.
The biggest downside is Rockstar’s launcher and the fact that you can only buy it as part of a bundle. That said, when it’s on sale it comes out to around €10 per game, which is fair for what you’re getting.
GTA: Vice City Remastered is a fantastic return to one of the most iconic games ever. The story is excellent, with a strong rise-to-power narrative and unforgettable characters, made even more special knowing this was a huge part of my childhood – I played it a lot when I was young.
The remaster is well done, with improved visuals and smoother gameplay that keep the original charm and incredible 80s vibe fully intact. The atmosphere, music, and setting are still unmatched. The only real downside is the Take the Cannoli achievement, which is a complete pain in the ass to finish. Still, this game remains a classic. RIP Ray Liotta, who gave Tommy Vercetti so much personality.
