Miami in the 1980s: gangs, cocaine, and hookers rule the scene, and a Cuban named Tony Montana climbs to become the most powerful drug dealer in the city, controlling the entire town. This is the plot of the 1983 film Scarface, in which Tony Montana dies at the end of a rival gang attack on his mansion. The game now places the player in Tony’s shoes just before the gang arrives at his office.
His empire is in shambles after he successfully protects his mansion. But Tony Montana wouldn’t be Tony Montana if he just gave up. Therefore, the player’s ambition is to retake Miami and gain money and respect. In Miami, dealing with narcotics is the only way to make money. Initially, small amounts of merchandise are purchased and individually sold to dealers. However, Tony can eventually build up so-called “Fronts,” legal shops (like car dealers) where drugs are sold in enormous quantities. Tony gains control of the present Miami district by taking over “Fronts.” To take over one section of town, all enemy gangs distributed around in tiny groupings must be destroyed.
Following an agreement, Tony must launder the funds at a local bank and have them transferred to his account. He can then purchase “exotics” for his mansion, such as an exquisite vase or a new car with a chauffeur.
When speaking with a dealer or attempting to reduce cop heat, the player must play a mini-game that determines if Tony is booming and, if so, how much money he receives for the drugs or how much heat he loses.
Tony gains respect by expanding his area, purchasing exotics, and earning “balls” in fights and while driving. The foes have multiple target zones, each giving a different number of balls when hit. This also adds to Tony’s “ball meter.” When this is depleted, he can enter a sort of god mode in which he is invulnerable and has infinite ammo. When Tony kills someone in this phase, he gains health. When driving a car, he obtains balls by performing stunts like driving on the opposite side of the road or evading an oncoming vehicle.
Like in Grand Theft Auto: Vice Streets, the player is free to traverse the streets of Miami, and there are several side quests featuring racing events.
