Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - The Improved Classic

Here you find a complete set of modifications that will fix most problems, recover many features and improve your GTA: Vice City with just a simple download and installation.

Goal

After playing the game in various other versions, I noticed how problematic the PC port is. Because of that, I decided to create this compilation of modifications to transform the game into what it should have been from the start. This modpack brings numerous fixes and improvements to textures, models, characters, lighting, and more. Additionally, it includes optional modifications to further enhance your experience. Enjoy!

What's Changing?

1st: Restored many lost PS2 textures, models and features;
2nd: Added better vehicle models from the Xbox version with fixes;
3rd: Fixed many particle details, including more details from the Xbox version;
4th: Enhanced the in-game UI for better view on modern monitors and TV's;
5th: Fixed many broken NPC textures and models;
6th: Improved many characters during cutscenes with better hand models;
7th: Added many fixes and improvements to the map;
8th: Fixed many graphics, lighting and reflection errors;
9th: Restored many high quality audio files from the PS2 version;
10th: Added controller support with proper button icons and vibration.

And a lot more...

Warnings

• By installing these modifications you are denying the Rockstar Games EULA. Any errors or problems in the game the contact should be made with the guide's creator or the author of the modification. To avoid problems, if possible, backup the original files.
  
  
• Make sure you have a clean version of the game. If you add this modpack with other modifications (scripts, textures, models, etc) the game will crash or have some bugs. If you don't know how to make a clean reinstall check the tutorial I made in the Notes section.
  
  
• If you find any errors or crashes, please, make sure to add a comment. If the problems are found in the modpack a fix will be released as soon as possible.

Modpack & Changes

The installation process is very simple. First download the modpack in the link below, then follow the steps:

Open your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Browse...> Extract the files that are inside the Main Files folder in the modpack into there, replacing what is needed> Play!

• Modpack Download Link: GTA VC - The Improved Classic Modpack (1.84GB)[drive.google.com]
  
  
• Vice City Save Converter[gtaforums.com]: If you have a Steam save game and want to play with this modpack, you will need to downgrade your save file to the 1.0 version. For this I'll be leaving this link to Silent's save converter, so you can convert yours.
  
  
  

  Changes & Improvements (11/08/2024)

  
  
  • Added the latest version of the Silent Patch mod;
    
  • Made some adjustments to the HUD to work better with the new Silent Patch version;
    
  • Changed the shaders option from the PS2 version to the Xbox version (the classic shader option is available in the optionals folder);
    
  • Added some 10th Anniversry textures around the map;
    
  • Added high definition vegetation around the map;
    
  • Fixed some map models;
    
  • Fixed Tommy's idle animation when holding a heavy weapon;
    
  • Included the new GTA: VC executable with Large Address to improve the access to memory;
    
  • [11/09/24] - Added MipMaps to the new vegetation to reduce the flickering;
    
  • [11/09/24] - Fixed the Taxi radio speechs, suggested by @SuN;
    
  • [11/09/24] - Changed the Outro texture, suggested by @SuN;
    
  • [11/10/24] - Added the Xbox Hands for GTA VC modification (suggested by @Joygraze), improving the hand models to work just like the original Xbox version.

Modifications Used & Notes

These are just the Modifications that I've included in the modpack (You don't need to install them). The credits go to all the amazing modders that helped to fix and improve this game. Make sure to check the original posts from the authors for more details about each modification.

• GInput[www.gtagarage.com] - Created by Silent
  
• Vice City - The Leftovers Fix[gtaforums.com] - Created by Igor Bogdanoff and Various Modders
  
• SkyGFX[gtaforums.com] - Created by The Hero
  
• Sharptrails[gtaforums.com] - Created by The Hero
  
• Grand Theft Auto Vice City Widescreen Fix[github.com] - Created by ThirteenAG
  
• SilentPatch[gtaforums.com] - Created by Silent
  
• NoDEP[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Fabio
  
• Fixed Xbox Vehicles[gtaforums.com] - Created by MrFinger
  
• Mod Loader[www.gtagarage.com] - Created by Link2012
  
• No Clothes Reset[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Surya926
  
• Framerate Vigilante[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Junior_Djjr
  
• Neons & Shadows Fix[gtaforums.com] - Created by KDST
  
• RunDLL32 Fix[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Swoorup
  
• HQ Vice City Radar[www.gtagarage.com] - Created by Yojo2
  
• HQ Weapon Icons For VC[www.gtagarage.com] - Created by -Quantum-
  
• Classic AXIS[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by _AG
  
• MixSets VC[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created by Junior_Djjr and Various modders
  
• Project 2DFX[thirteenag.github.io] - Created by ThirteenAG
  
• VC Map Fixes[gtaforums.com] - Created by Rocky24pl
  
• Beta Leftovers Fix: VC[gtaforums.com] - Created By MrFinger
  
• EAX Alchemy Fix[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Verokster
  
• ORG Patch VC[libertycity.net] - Created By DimZet
  
• ParticleEx[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Fire_Head
  
• VBDec[www.mixmods.com.br] - Created By Silent, Sergeanur & Ash
  
• Xbox Hands for GTA VC[github.com] - Created by gennariarmando
  
  

  Notes

  
  - To make a clean reinstall, follow these steps:
  
  Open your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Browse...> In a new window the game folder should appear> Delete all the files in the folder> Return to your Steam library> Right click on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City> Select Properties> Navigate into Installed Files> Select Verify Integrity Of Game Files> Steam should start to download the original files again.
  
  
  - If sometimes the game won't start or crashes in the menu. Try to set compatibility mode Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
  
  - If you are having problems when changing the resolution or the game is not launching, open the GTAVC.WidescreenFix.ini file (You can open with Notepad), and change the ResX to the value of your X resolution (Ex: 1920) and the ResY to the value of your Y resolution (Ex: 1080).
  
  - Some micro-stutterings may be present due to many modifications that are rendering at the same time.
  
  - Some missions can have errors because of the higher FPS. For that, I recommend you to check the Frame Limiters folder at the Optionals in the modpack.
  
  - If you want to play with the original gameplay style, just go to your scripts folder and delete the ClassicAxisVC.asi and ClassicAxisVC.ini files.
  
  - If you want to use any Dualshock/Dualsense controller with this game, make sure to use a Xbox controller emulator and change the controller icons (The Dualshock icons can be found in the Optionals in the modpack).
  
  - If you find problems after installing the modpack, pleasy, try a clean reinstall and follow the steps again. If the problems continues, drop a comment, I'll check if the problem is present in the current version of the modpack. If found, a new version will be released to fix that.
  
  Thank You.

Screenshots

My Other Guides

If you liked this guide, make sure to see my other guides:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1962760372
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1956640711
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1965324282

[JJKlines]

When I try to save, it tells me "successful save" but I can't find my save files when I go to load game. I tried a clean install

[Gameboygamer64]

Game gets stuck in the "please wait, game loading" screen forever.

[Shadowalex]

Tip for those having problems with the download: click on the 3 dots in the top right corner "add to starred", go to your google drive homepage, click on the "starred" and download it from there.

[Zereul]

I seem to be having some problems saving my game

[lebowski]

game doesnt open

[startower]

tried to download for the past to weeks, google drive says try later. pleas add other download options

[Muro]

In a recent [11/10/24] update you added Xbox Hands. Is a version of this modpack prior to this addition available? Or is there an easy idiotproof way to remove it from the modpack without causing any issues with everything else?

I'm asking because I'd like to give Improved Classic a chance, but after downloading and unpacking the modpack, XboxHandsVC.asi is being detected by the antivirus as malware/trojan, and I'd rather not take my chances.

[DelighT]

Vehicles are transparent on linux for some reason

[LumpElicious]

@GranAlan-84 any way to get the default explosions? They seem bigger than I remember

[Mysterious X]

This is not working on the steam deck, can anyone care to chime in?