With fans eagerly awaiting Grand Theft Auto VI, it’s time we looked at its potential new location. While we have only received leaks regarding the GTA VI environment in the past, it appears that Vice City will be a location. Vice City first debuted in the original GTA but was most notably the primary location in GTA: Vice City. Since we can’t say whether other locations or islands will be available to players, we can break down Vice City.
Location
Vice City is based on the actual city of Miami, Florida. In the same way, Liberty City and Los Santos are based on New York and L.A., Vice City takes inspiration from its surrounding areas. The city comprises two islands, Vice Beach and Mainland, with Ocean Bay separating the two locations. Each island has its districts and facilities that give it its own identity. The city is rampant with crime, drugs, and a vibrant neon beach life.
Vice City Beach
The Vice City Beach area is made up of three districts: Vice Point, Ocean Beach, and Washington Beach. Vice Point is at the island’s north end and is a residential area home to middle-class families. Players can find the North Point Mall, a dirtbike track, the Malibu Club, and El Swanko Casa safehouse there. Along with a hospital, there are several police departments scattered around the neighborhood.
Ocean Beach is the most memorable area as it’s the shopping district. Players can drive alongside its long, winding road with the ocean to one side and shops on the other. While exploring, just about every shop players could need is located here, providing some neon lighting to set the mood. Finally, Washington Beach is a small district between the other two. It’s home to the Washington Mall and several office buildings.
While we don’t know the extent or role that Vice City will potentially play in GTA VI, fans can only hope they capture the beach life perfectly. The atmosphere of Vice Beach is unlike any other location in the GTA franchise and can be significantly expanded in the upcoming title. With modern graphics, purchasable property, and loads of shops, Vice Beach will likely be the best location in GTA VI.
Vice City Mainland
Vice City Mainland is bigger than its counterpart since a sandy beach doesn’t take up half the landmass. The mainland is made up of four districts: Little Havana, Little Haiti, Viceport, and Downtown. Little Havana is based on the neighborhood of the same name in Miami. The in-game area is filled with crime and gang activity, controlled by a Mexican gang before being taken over by Cubans.
Little Haiti is notably poorer and more run-down than Little Havana. The most memorable buildings in the area are Phil Cassidy’s home, Kaufman Cabs, and a junkyard. These areas are similar to South Los Santos and have potential in GTA VI for portraying lower-income areas.
Viceport is an industrial area that includes many workers and commercial vehicles. While the area features a boatyard and some shops and plays a part in the story, it’s not a common area for players. In contrast, Downtown is a wealthy district that overshadows the other three. It contains skyscrapers and is home to the V-Rock radio station. The area used to be controlled by the Bikers gang, but during the events of Vice City, no gang controls it.
The mainland area is reminiscent of Downtown Los Santos. However, fans expect that, unlike Los Santos, the area is filled with buildings and shops to explore. With GTA VI being a bigger, next-generation game, filling the city with activities instead of empty buildings will be necessary.
Conclusion
Rockstar has not clarified what the map will look like in the upcoming title. Given the diverse areas and feel that Vice City has, we can only hope they capture that magic. While playing, the map feels larger than it is, but Rockstar has the tools now to make their visions a reality.
There are rumors that Vice City will only be a part of the overall map, with another area taking on more Cuban environments. This would make sense, given the proximity of Florida and Cuba. For now, fans will continue to anticipate the release and trust that Rockstar learns from their past games to make it the best title it can be.