I only have GTA3 on the PS2 so I wouldn't know.
As for the landscaping, VC is probably the worst on the PS2, indeed, but it's still my favorite of the three. Probably because of the whole 80s feel, the music, the story and the characters. And I generally thought I had the most fun with that game. San Andreas is a close second. I also like GTA3, but after playing VC and SA, it just seems inferior to the other two (no motorcycles, the main character is a mute etc.)