Now that Rockstar has given gamers their first glance at the updated version of Vice City inGrand Theft Auto 6, many fans of the franchise are already speculating about whether the city’s most famous face, Tommy Vercetti, will make a cameo appearance. While theGrand Theft Auto 6trailerintroduced the game’s pair of protagonists, many franchise fans were disappointed thatGrand Theft Auto: Vice City’s Tommy was nowhere to be seen. Though the game’s modern-day setting and the death of actor Ray Liotta make it unlikely that Tommy will play a major role inGrand Theft Auto 6, there are still ways for Rockstar to bring the iconic character back for one last appearance.
While the trailer forGrand Theft Auto 6reveals how much Vice City has changedin the decades since its first appearance, it also shows the titular town’s criminal underworld continuing to flourish. With Tommy Vercetti having taken his place as the city’s undisputed crime boss at the end ofGTA: Vice City, it’s likely his influence would continue to be felt in the modern day. Exploring how Tommy’s old-school gangster ways come into conflict with today’s criminals would be a great premise for aGrand Theft Auto 6mission and let Rockstar pay homage to the character even if he doesn’t directly appear in the game.
An Elderly Tommy Vercetti Could be an Antagonist in GTA 6
One way thatGrand Theft Auto 6could bring Tommy Vercetti back is by having players meet the now-elderly character as part of a mission chain. Just as Tommy fought his way to the top of the criminal food chain throughoutGTA: Vice City, eliminating anyone who stood in his way, the protagonists ofGTA 6could find themselves on a similar trajectory. If Tommy is still in control ofVice City’s criminal underworld duringGTA 6, this could set players on a collision course with the criminal kingpin.
Coming face-to-face with Tommy Vercetti would be a treat for long-time fans of theGrand Theft Autoseries, but it could prove difficult given thedeath of actor Ray Liotta in 2022. The voice of Tommy Vercetti, Liotta’s history of playing gangsters in films likeGoodfellashelped him infuse the role with a sense of realism that could be hard to replicate. Although it’s possible a new actor could take over the role, Rockstar may be better off having players encounter Tommy’s legacy rather than the man himself.
Tommy Vercetti’s Legacy Should Loom Large Over GTA 6’s Vice City
Rather than having players encounterTommy Vercettiin the flesh,GTA 6could explore his lasting legacy in Vice City. Having Tommy die shortly before the start ofGTA 6would open the door to a narrative where players find themselves fighting for control of his now-leaderless criminal empire. Even though players wouldn’t get to meet Tommy personally, the legacy of his time as Vice City’s kingpin would be impossible to ignore.
Exploring how Tommy’s old-school criminal empire adapts to the modern world without him at the helm would be a great setup for the sort of violent, twisting narrativetheGTAfranchisehas become known for. If this premise was central to the game’s story, rather than just serving as a side mission, players could even find themselves being forced to choose between working with the remnants of Tommy’s gang or the young thugs looking to replace them.
WithGTA 6returning to Vice City, it only seems right for Tommy Vercetti to play some part in the story. Whether that’s by giving players a chance to meet the man or simply grappling with his lasting impact on the city, Tommy deserves one last chance to shine.
Grand Theft Auto 6
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