【玩游戏学英语】罪恶都市传奇评测第1期·传奇的诞生

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【玩游戏学英语】罪恶都市传奇评测 第 1 期 · 传奇的诞生
素材：IGN《Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Legacy Review》（侠盗猎车手：罪恶都市 · 传奇回顾评测）
原文约 2,260 词，全篇拆 3 期，本期为第 1 期（开篇总评与身世之谜）
难度定位：高中～六级通吃
使用提示：先读原文、先做题，答案和全文翻译在最后（⑦⑧），管住手别提前翻。
① 原文选段（约 500 词）
来源：IGN《Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – The Legacy Review》节选（开篇总评 + 诞生故事）
Over the next few months, I'm going to be taking a look back at each of the core Grand Theft Auto games and replaying them in the lead-up to the arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6. What we'll be putting together won't be traditional re-reviews, and they won't come with any new IGN score, but they will re-examine what made each GTA remarkable upon the time of its release. By the end of the project, using GTA's previously six-star wanted level, you should be able to get an idea of where each of these games roughly rank in my long-term love for this series.
Today it's time to take these broken wings and learn to fly again in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is emblematic of a long-extinct era. I'm not actually talking about its famous 1980s setting, though; I'm talking about the games industry at large. While we've had to patiently wait more than 12 years between GTA V and GTA VI, 2002's Vice City arrived first on PlayStation 2 a mere 12 months after the genre-defining GTA III. Nothing as good as Vice City happens this rapidly anymore. And make no mistake – it is very, very good.
Vice City introduces a pile of new vehicle types and weapons, and its missions are immediately more imaginative and varied than its predecessor. It also embraces a noticeably different approach to its storytelling, benching the mute protagonist concept for a fully voiced lead character, giving him the ability to have far more entertaining interactions with a considerably more memorable supporting cast of allies and antagonists. Above everything, however, it oozes unrivalled personality and style thanks to its '80s backdrop, and is elevated to untouchable heights by its sonically unmistakable soundtrack. I love this game. It grabs me by the crotch and shakes me around until I am not sure if I am a man or a woman. Then I remember I am Luke Reilly – Mister Luke Reilly – and this is Rockstar North with GTA: Vice City.
Realistically, Vice City could have been little more than another serving of the formula that had just completely revolutionised open-world games and it still would've sold truckloads. Indeed, for a brief spell, it began life as exactly that. After finalising GTA III on PC, the first thing the team behind it did was begin thinking about what vehicles, weapons, and missions could potentially go into a mission pack for their blockbuster crime sandbox. However, after realising there was too much content to squeeze into an expansion, the next chapter in the GTA saga became a fully fledged sequel instead.
I guess, strictly speaking, the decision to brush aside the present day and place Vice City's action in 1986 actually makes it a prequel. Whatever you want to call it, it was astounding – and it remains so today.
② 核心词汇表（18 个）
高考（3）
1. remarkable
音标：/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/
词性：adj.
本文义：非凡的，出色的
例句：The young player gave a remarkable performance in his first match.
例句翻译：这位年轻球员在首秀中表现非凡。
2. mere
音标：/mɪə(r)/
词性：adj.
本文义：仅仅的，只不过的
例句：She finished the whole project in a mere three days.
例句翻译：她仅用三天就完成了整个项目。
3. pile
音标：/paɪl/
词性：n.
本文义：一大堆（a pile of）
例句：There is a pile of dirty clothes waiting to be washed.
例句翻译：有一大堆脏衣服等着洗。
四级（6）
4. release
音标：/rɪˈliːs/
词性：n./v.
本文义：发行，发售（此处为名词：发布的新作）
例句：The band's latest release has topped the charts for three weeks.
例句翻译：这支乐队的最新作品已连续三周霸榜。
5. vehicle
音标：/ˈviːəkl/
词性：n.
本文义：车辆，交通工具
例句：Every vehicle must stop when the light turns red.
例句翻译：红灯亮起时，所有车辆都必须停下。
6. imaginative
音标：/ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/
词性：adj.
本文义：富有想象力的
例句：The teacher praised her imaginative solution to the problem.
例句翻译：老师称赞她解题的思路富有想象力。
7. predecessor
音标：/ˈpriːdɪsesə(r)/
词性：n.
本文义：前任，前作
例句：The new stadium is far larger than its predecessor.
例句翻译：新体育场比老体育场大得多。
8. expansion
音标：/ɪkˈspænʃn/
词性：n.
本文义：扩展，扩充（游戏语境：资料片）
例句：The company announced the expansion of its business into Europe.
例句翻译：公司宣布将业务扩展到欧洲。
9. embrace
音标：/ɪmˈbreɪs/
词性：v.
本文义：欣然接受，拥抱
例句：More and more schools are embracing digital teaching methods.
例句翻译：越来越多的学校正在拥抱数字化教学方式。
六级（6）
10. emblematic
音标：/ˌembləˈmætɪk/
词性：adj.
本文义：标志性的，是……的缩影（be emblematic of）
例句：The wall is emblematic of the city's divided history.
例句翻译：这堵墙是这座城市分裂历史的缩影。
11. unrivalled
音标：/ʌnˈraɪvld/
词性：adj.
本文义：无与伦比的
例句：The chef is known for his unrivalled skill with seafood.
例句翻译：这位主厨处理海鲜的技艺无与伦比，无人能及。
12. revolutionise
音标：/ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/
词性：v.
本文义：彻底变革，颠覆
例句：Smartphones have revolutionised the way people communicate.
例句翻译：智能手机彻底改变了人们的沟通方式。
13. saga
音标：/ˈsɑːɡə/
词性：n.
本文义：传奇故事，长篇连续的故事
例句：The family saga spans three generations.
例句翻译：这部家族传奇横跨三代人。
14. astounding
音标：/əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
词性：adj.
本文义：令人震惊的，惊人的
例句：The team made astounding progress within a single year.
例句翻译：这支队伍在一年之内取得了惊人的进步。
15. elevate
音标：/ˈelɪveɪt/
词性：v.
本文义：提升，抬高（鬼武者评测第 1 期学过，二次出现——本文为被动"被抬升到无可企及的高度"）
例句：Winning the award elevated her status in the film industry.
例句翻译：获奖提升了她在电影界的地位。
超纲（3，新闻与游戏高频，混个脸熟即可）
16. protagonist
音标：/prəˈtæɡənɪst/
词性：n.
本文义：主角，主人公（影评、游戏评测高频词）
例句：The protagonist finally defeats the villain in the last chapter.
例句翻译：主角在最后一章终于打败了反派。
17. prequel
音标：/ˈpriːkwəl/
词性：n.
本文义：前传（与 sequel「续集」相对）
例句：The new film is a prequel set twenty years before the original.
例句翻译：这部新片是一部前传，故事设定在原作二十年前。
18. fully fledged
音标：/ˌfʊli ˈfledʒd/
词性：adj.
本文义：完全成形的，正式的（fully fledged sequel 正传续作）
例句：After two years of practice, he became a fully fledged pilot.
例句翻译：经过两年训练，他成了一名正式飞行员。
③ 短语与搭配（8 个）
1. take a look back at 含义：回顾，回望
原文出处：I'm going to be taking a look back at each of the core Grand Theft Auto games
写作拓展：At the year's end, it is worth taking a look back at what we have achieved.
2. in the lead-up to 含义：在……的前夕，在……到来之前
原文出处：replaying them in the lead-up to the arrival of Grand Theft Auto 6
写作拓展：Shops get extremely busy in the lead-up to Christmas.
3. make no mistake 含义：别搞错，（强调）毫无疑问
原文出处：And make no mistake – it is very, very good.
写作拓展：Make no mistake: this decision will affect every student in the school.
4. bench sb/sth 含义：把……按在替补席上，弃用（体育比喻，熟词僻义）
原文出处：benching the mute protagonist concept for a fully voiced lead character
写作拓展：The coach benched two key players for the second half.
5. ooze sth 含义：浑身散发着，（品质）从……中渗出（熟词僻义）
原文出处：it oozes unrivalled personality and style
写作拓展：The old professor oozes confidence in every lecture.
6. brush aside 含义：撇到一边，无视
原文出处：the decision to brush aside the present day and place Vice City's action in 1986
写作拓展：He brushed aside all the doubts and carried on with his plan.
7. sell truckloads 含义：大卖特卖，销量爆表
原文出处：it still would've sold truckloads
写作拓展：The novel was nothing special, but it sold truckloads anyway.
8. strictly speaking 含义：严格来说
原文出处：I guess, strictly speaking, the decision... makes it a prequel.
写作拓展：Strictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.
④ 长难句拆解（3 句）
S1
While we've had to patiently wait more than 12 years between GTA V and GTA VI, 2002's Vice City arrived first on PlayStation 2 a mere 12 months after the genre-defining GTA III.
拆解：主干是 Vice City arrived on PlayStation 2。句首 While 引导让步/对比状语从句（我们苦等 12 年），与主句形成强烈反差；主句里 a mere 12 months after the genre-defining GTA III 是时间状语后置， mere（仅仅的）强调间隔之短；genre-defining 是"名词 + 现在分词"构成的复合形容词，修饰 GTA III。
考点：① While 表对比而非"当……时"；② have to 完成式 have had to（一直不得不）；③ a mere + 数量的强调用法；④ 复合形容词 genre-defining（定义类型的）构词法。
译文：我们在 GTA V 与 GTA VI 之间耐心等了 12 年，而 2002 年的《罪恶都市》在划时代的《GTA III》之后仅仅 12 个月就登上了 PS2。
S2
It also embraces a noticeably different approach to its storytelling, benching the mute protagonist concept for a fully voiced lead character, giving him the ability to have far more entertaining interactions with a considerably more memorable supporting cast of allies and antagonists.
拆解：主干是 It embraces a noticeably different approach to its storytelling。后面跟着两个现在分词短语作伴随状语：benching...（把哑巴主角按在板凳上）和 giving him the ability to...（赋予他能力），层层递进；interactions 后接 with 引导的对象，其中 supporting cast of allies and antagonists 是"配角阵容"——盟友与反派；两个比较级 far more entertaining 和 considerably more memorable 分别修饰 interactions 和 supporting cast。
考点：① 现在分词作伴随状语（两层并列递进）；② bench 的体育比喻用法；③ 比较级前加 far / considerably 等程度副词；④ approach to 中 to 为介词。
译文：它在叙事上也拥抱了明显不同的思路：把"哑巴主角"的概念按在板凳上，换上一个全程有配音的主角，让他能和一众远更令人难忘的盟友与反派展开远更有趣的互动。
S3
Above everything, however, it oozes unrivalled personality and style thanks to its '80s backdrop, and is elevated to untouchable heights by its sonically unmistakable soundtrack.
拆解：主干由 and 连接两个并列谓语：it oozes...（它散发出……，主动）和 is elevated to...（被抬升到……，被动）——一主一被的并列是本句考点核心。thanks to its '80s backdrop 是原因状语（多亏了 80 年代背景）；however 作插入语；Above everything 置于句首表强调。
考点：① and 并列的主动与被动谓语混搭；② thanks to 表原因（≠ thanks to you 玩梗义）；③ be elevated to... by... 被动结构；④ 插入语 however 的位置。
译文：然而高于一切的，是它凭借 80 年代的背景散发出的无与伦比的个性与风格，并凭借那无法错认的原声被抬到了无可企及的高度。
⑤ 背景文化注释
● GTA III：2001 年发售，第一个把 GTA 带入 3D 开放世界视角的作品，"genre-defining"（定义类型）说的就是它。
● Tommy Vercetti / 汤米·维赛提：罪恶都市主角，GTA 系列第一个有完整配音的主角——前作 GTA III 的主角是个哑巴。
● Ray Liotta / 雷·利奥塔：经典黑帮片《好家伙》（Goodfellas）主演，为汤米配音，是"电影明星进游戏"时代的代表。
● Rockstar North：位于爱丁堡的开发组，前身为 DMA Design，GTA 系列的缔造者。
● prequel 梗：罪恶都市故事设定在 1986 年，比 GTA III 的 2001 年剧情更早——所以严格来说是前传。
● Luke Reilly：IGN 资深编辑，以文风放飞著称，本系列"传奇回顾"企划的作者。
⑥ 题目区
先做题，答案在 ⑧。
Reading Comprehension（阅读 4 题）
1. According to the opening paragraph, what will the author's GTA replay project NOT include?
A. Replaying each of the core GTA games.
B. Giving each game a new IGN score.
C. Re-examining what made each game remarkable.
D. Ranking the games roughly by how much he loves them.
2. What does the author mean by "Nothing as good as Vice City happens this rapidly anymore"?
A. All modern games are of poor quality.
B. Vice City came out unusually soon after GTA III.
C. Games today always take more than 12 years to make.
D. Vice City is better than GTA VI.
3. What was the team's original plan for Vice City?
A. A mission pack expansion for GTA III.
B. A fully fledged sequel.
C. A remake of GTA III on PC.
D. A prequel set in 1986.
4. Why does the author say that, strictly speaking, Vice City is a prequel?
A. Because it was released before GTA III.
B. Because its story is set in 1986, earlier than GTA III's storyline.
C. Because the team originally planned it as a mission pack.
D. Because it has no new vehicles or weapons.
Translation（中译英）
5. 《罪恶都市》散发着无与伦比的个性与风格，这一切都要归功于它的 80 年代背景。（提示词：ooze, unrivalled, thanks to, backdrop）
⑦ 全文翻译
在未来几个月里，我将回顾每一部 GTA 正传作品，在《GTA6》到来之前把它们重新玩一遍。我们要做的不是传统意义上的重新评测，也不会给出新的 IGN 评分，但会重新审视每一部 GTA 在发售当年何以伟大。等到这个项目收尾时，借用 GTA 那套曾经的六星通缉系统，你应该能大致看出这些游戏在我本人对系列的长期热爱中排在什么位置。
今天，轮到《侠盗猎车手：罪恶都市》了——折断的翅膀，重新学会飞翔。
《侠盗猎车手：罪恶都市》是一个早已消逝的时代的缩影。我说的并不是它那著名的 80 年代背景——我说的是整个游戏行业。我们在 GTA V 与 GTA VI 之间耐心等了 12 年，而 2002 年的《罪恶都市》在划时代的《GTA III》之后仅仅 12 个月就登上了 PS2。再也不会有像《罪恶都市》这样迅速诞生的杰作了。别搞错——它非常、非常出色。
《罪恶都市》引入了一大批新载具和新武器，任务也比前作立刻变得更有想象力、更多样。它在叙事上也拥抱了明显不同的思路：把"哑巴主角"的概念按在板凳上，换上一个全程有配音的主角，让他能和一众远更令人难忘的盟友与反派展开远更有趣的互动。然而高于一切的，是它凭借 80 年代的背景散发出的无与伦比的个性与风格，并凭借那无法错认的原声被抬到了无可企及的高度。我爱这款游戏。它抓住我的裤裆把我抡起来，抡到我都分不清自己是男是女。然后我想起来了：我是卢克·赖利——赖利先生——这是 Rockstar North 的《罪恶都市》。（这段是 IGN 编辑 Luke Reilly 的放飞自我名场面，原文如此，不是我翻疯了。）
实际上，《罪恶都市》哪怕只是把刚刚彻底革新了开放世界游戏的那套配方再端上来一遍，也照样能大卖特卖。事实上，在很短的一段时间里，它一开始也确实是这么规划的。在 PC 版《GTA III》收尾之后，制作团队想的第一件事，就是给这款犯罪沙盒大作出一个任务包，盘算哪些载具、武器和任务可以塞进去。然而，当他们意识到内容太多、一个扩展包根本装不下时，GTA 传奇的下一章就变成了一部彻头彻尾的正传续作。
严格来说，把"当下"撇到一边、把故事放在 1986 年的决定，其实让《罪恶都市》成了一部前传。但随你怎么叫它——它当年令人惊叹，今天依然如此。
⑧ 参考答案与解析
阅读
1. B。原文：they won't come with any new IGN score——明确说不给新评分，选 B。
2. B。原文：arrived first on PlayStation 2 a mere 12 months after the genre-defining GTA III——"mere 12 months"强调间隔之短，选 B。
3. A。原文：could potentially go into a mission pack for their blockbuster crime sandbox——原本计划做任务包，选 A。
4. B。原文：place Vice City's action in 1986——故事时间早于 GTA III 剧情，所以算前传，选 B。
中译英
5. 参考译文：Vice City oozes unrivalled personality and style, and all of this is thanks to its '80s backdrop.
踩分点：①ooze（散发）；②unrivalled（无与伦比的）；③thanks to（归功于）；④backdrop（背景）
⑨ 本期一句话
Nothing as good as Vice City happens this rapidly anymore.
再也不会有像《罪恶都市》这样迅速诞生的杰作了。
这句话的妙处在于用 "Nothing as good as X happens this rapidly anymore" 这个否定句式表达强烈的赞美——比直白的 "Vice City is amazing" 高级得多。写作中想表达"再也不会有……了""这已成绝响"时，这个句式直接抄走就能用。
● Nothing as touching as this film has come out of the studio in years.
● Nothing as thrilling as that final match has happened since.
● Nothing as groundbreaking as the smartphone has appeared this century.
下期预告：摩托车重出江湖、水上飞机上天，还有一个"开挂"的主角——第 2 期《有声主角与全明星卡司》，看罪恶都市如何把好莱坞影星一网打尽。