(AfroGamers.com) Much like Pokemon and the Pokeclones it spawned, Grand Theft Auto spawned a number of clones during the 2000s. One of the greatest was 2004’s Scarface: The World Is Yours by the developer-publisher team of Radical Entertainment and Vivendi Games. While it was an alternate sequel to Scarface, it had all the style of Vice City and beefiness of San Andreas. Not only that but it delivered in a few areas where neither title did.
Scarface: The World Is Yours
The story is a tell of redemption and revenge. Picking up just before the original ending to the 1983 classic, Tony Montana manages to escape Sosa’s attack on his mansion and goes into the hiding. The Colombians don’t know he’s alive, allowing for Tony to make his comeback after a few months. Unlike in GTA where most of the characters are thrown into situations based on a number of 
relationships and connections, Tony has a single goal in mind. He wants all of his stuff back and to get back at everyone who wronged him.
Just like GTA, new allies are made and allies you thought were allies tend to betray you. Its nothing personal, its just business. Knowing Tony is still alive and kicking is bad for business and this Tony is much more dangerous than he was when he was on blow. That’s another thing, he got clean and he’s way more focused now. Sure enough, Tony sets about reclaiming his mansion, he gets back into trafficking, and he begins to take up more and more of Miami.
Scarface: The World Is Yours has a few star actors such as Wilmer Valderamma, Cheech Marin, Steven Bauer James Woods, Robert Davi, and Lemmy from Motorhead. There are also your star voice actors like Andre Sogliuzzo and the amazing Cree Summer. Its really an incredible cast with some strong writing. It helps that the overall story is concrete and keeps you wanting to continue it while also exploring 1984 Miami.
Gameplay
One thing missing is how hyper violent Miami was during this Cocaine Cowboys period in the city’s history. While things can escalate and there’s no shortage of gunfights and police chases, there should’ve been more going on when it came to vice in the city. That aside, the businesses you took over and how money could be spent and made gave you a lot to do in a map smaller than San Andreas but bigger than Vice City.
Speaking of making money in the game, the trafficking side mission was pulled off perfectly. The only game to do it better was GTA: Chinatown Wars. Also, the driving in Scarface: The World Is Yours was tight. These are old school big body cars we’re talking about. Sure there were some smaller builds there but it was the big cars that got the job done. Think about the cars in Mafia III and how they handled placed in San Andreas. While GTA has you chasing those faster exotic cars and tricking them out—only to destroy them not long after because traffic is so bad in the games—the driving can be off the wall. Of course, this is down to there being no traffic laws in GTA. People just drive. Thanks, Mafia.
Visuals and Sound
The music is period appropriate which is great but there isn’t a big selection like you have in the Mafia games, GTA, and to an extent Saints Row. On the visual appeal front, again period appropriate both aesthetically and for the consoles at the time. There’s weather changes, palm trees, everything is bright during the day and beautiful at night. Civilian NPCs tend to go about their business and aren’t really as living breathing as in GTA and Saints Row. If anything, they’re more like the NPCs in Sleeping Dogs and Mafia. They’re there and they’re in a respectable abundance but don’t add to the feeling of being out and about in Miami.
Overall, Scarface: The World Is Yours is a fun experience. It really should’ve been brought back for PSN or Xbox Live or even expanded upon. If it was announced that New Jack City was going to get a game I’d say hand it to Radical, they did great work here and are generally great at open world games (see Prototype). If you can find it for a good price, give Scarface a play.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.