Mafia II
2k Czech really put themselves in the spotlight with their latest release. Mafia II was a freaking amazing game, and the developers’ inclusion of even the smallest details really made this game stand out as one my top favorites.
From proper weather physics to rats crawling in the alleys, the developers added minute details which other game developers tend to leave out. The world in which Mafia II takes place, Empire Bay, has the feel of a complete city. Driving around the city reveals much more complexity and substance than is typical of other virtual worlds, which mainly consist of poorly textured buildings and easily squashed pedestrians.
You play as Vito Scaletta, a hard up Italian who came to this country early in life and quickly realized that 1930’s America was a hell hole his family never could have expected. Growing up in the Italian Ghetto exposed Vito to Joe Barbaro, who shoved him into a life of crime, girls, and fast cars.
The developers of Mafia II added extra layers of realism which other games lack. Cars need gas refills, so you can’t drive aimlessly for hours without consequence. In most other games, the main character has a superhuman ability to absorb blows and wounds. With Mafia II, two well-placed bullets from an enemy Mafioso or policeman will litter the floor with your grey matter. Flying into a sidewall while ogling one of the in-game playboy magazines at Mach speed will result in a rather embarrassing death, as the police will discover your body next to a collectable playboy magazine (even though in reality Playboy wasn’t published until 1953).
The police can be real hard-asses in Mafia II. If you hear the sirens, it’s best to pull over since, in this game, you can bribe your way to clean status. That’s usually better alternative than attempting to evade the police, who may decide, if you run, to ram your car into a guard rail. In addition to following your car, the police can record your license plate number, so you’ll want to change the plates to keep your wanted level from increasing each time you drive past an officer. The police can also remember your appearance. Changing your clothes when you’re wanted can allow you to pass unnoticed.
The game developers included a pretty amazing collection of cars realistic to that era. Some of them are even pretty fast! Listen to the radio in one of these cars. The soundtrack is realistic and full of addictive songs from the 40’s and 50’s. I find myself still listening to these songs even though I’ve beaten the game. If you haven’t checked out the radio playlists, you can check them out over at Kotaku! Unfortunately, metal heads will be disappointed… Mafia II Soundtrack
You will need a decent card to experience Mafia II at its fullest. You should fine if you own at least Radeon 4850 or Nvidia 9800 GT.
The game is $50 for the Standard Edition and $60 for the Deluxe Edition, which features additional maps, cars, clothes, and even the original soundtrack. I recommend the Deluxe Edition, it’s really worth the extra 10 bucks.
A video will be coming very soon!
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13 Nov 2010, 7:01 am
Way too linear if you ask me. You get bored after 1-2 hours of playing
13 Nov 2010, 1:07 pm
I was going to play it… but how is it after the first couple of hours? does it get less linear?
13 Nov 2010, 1:38 pm
Nope, not at all.
the world IS open, but there is no reason for you to roam it, as there simply is nothing to do other than rob shops and style cars, which you grow tired of pretty quickly.
13 Nov 2010, 2:10 pm
Yeah, it’s a pseudo open world game. The story is very linear and you don’t really make any choices at all or anything as such.
With that in mind, it’s still a very solid game, and very much worth playing through.
13 Nov 2010, 6:56 pm
True, but there are TONS of things to do when you look around, not just rob stores…first, you have Derick, who always has work if you go to him, along with Mike Bruski, and all the other people I seem to be forgetting. I will probably reword much of the review to include little things like that. This was written a long time ago, and it’s nice to get other peoples opinions.
13 Nov 2010, 6:58 pm
Logan the game is linear in story, but there are tons of things to do around the city, you do get some choices in the game as to how to approach a certain mission, but I dont think it really ever got boring…
14 Nov 2010, 12:50 pm
I agree about it being linear. For some reason you’re in this huge city with no free roaming ability -.-
It’s still a fantastic story, but definitely not worth $50. Nvidia freebie for me
30 Jan 2011, 7:09 am
i liked this game, it had a great feel to it, no too GTA haha..
however the 40′s, 50′s mob thing can only go so far. after like 3 hours im alittle bored with the “ima guna wack ya mutha!” -talk  good game but in moderation pls
02 Feb 2011, 5:32 pm
I think Mafia II was an OK. Not $49 worthy. Luckly I got it for free *COUGH nvidia COUGH*
26 Feb 2011, 9:29 pm
03 Mar 2011, 2:07 pm
i liked the linear-ness of it compared to GTA where i just fucked around with the cops instead of playing the game.
The “jobs” were all unique too