Lucia & Jason on Ocean Drive — Vice City Reimagined
The iconic Ocean Drive returns with stunning detail. We break down every building, NPC, and hidden reference in this shot.
Overview
This screenshot from Trailer 2 gives us our best look yet at the reimagined Ocean Drive in Leonida's Vice City — and it's immediately clear that Rockstar has studied Miami Beach's iconic Art Deco Historic District with obsessive precision. The buildings lining this strip reference real South Beach landmarks: the Colony Hotel's blue tower, the Breakwater's streamline moderne curves, and the Carlyle's triple arches are all recognizable in modified form.
The RAGE engine upgrade is doing extraordinary work here. Real-time global illumination creates neon reflections on wet pavement that shift dynamically as the camera moves. The time appears to be golden hour — that 6-7 PM window when Miami's east-facing art deco facades catch the last warm light while neon signs begin to glow. Rockstar has clearly studied how real Ocean Drive transforms at dusk.
Lucia and Jason walk side by side in what appears to be a free-roam moment rather than a scripted mission. Their character models show unprecedented detail at this distance — individual clothing textures, accurate real-time shadows, and body language that suggests relaxed confidence. Lucia wears a fitted top and jeans; Jason sports a casual button-down with rolled sleeves. Their outfits fit the Vice City aesthetic without being costume-like.
The NPC density tells a bigger story: this is a living city. Groups chat at café tables, couples stroll the sidewalk, a street performer draws a crowd, tourists photograph buildings. Each NPC appears to have contextually appropriate behavior rather than random wandering patterns. This is what Rockstar learned from RDR2's NPC systems, scaled up for a modern urban environment.
The buildings along this stretch closely mirror real-world Ocean Drive in Miami's South Beach. We can identify at least 6 distinct art deco facades, each with unique window patterns, balcony railings, and neon signage. The Colony Hotel equivalent is visible on the left — its signature blue neon replaced with a pink-and-teal variant that screams Vice City.
We count approximately 30+ visible NPCs in this frame alone. They're not just standing around — we can see groups in conversation, individuals on phones, couples walking, and what appears to be a street performer near the right edge. This is a massive leap from GTA V's pedestrian AI.
At least 8 unique vehicle models visible: a classic convertible (Stinger GT?), two modern SUVs, a delivery van with 'Leonida Fresh' branding, sports bikes, and what looks like an electric scooter rental station — confirming modern-day setting details.
A billboard partially visible in the background advertises 'Maze Bank Leonida' — confirming the bank's presence in the new map. A store sign reads 'Vice Beans Coffee' which could be this game's equivalent of Bean Machine. The license plates use the format 'LEO-XXXX', consistent with the Leonida state naming.
