Mafia 2 Review (all platforms)

Review Score:

Mafia 2 was always going to have a hard task at hand – the original was easily one of the finest games ever released with a compelling storyline and immersive 3rd person gameplay. Sadly we have ended up disappointed with 2k Czech’s latest sequel, it lacks heart and soul instead relying on a glossy overcoat in the attempt to sell itself.

The game is quick to impress with a stunning panoramic view of Empire Bay, literally loaded with detail. The bustling population and characterisations are vibrant, pulsating renditions of a world we were too young to grow up in, but yet are longing to relive.

As we had hoped, the graphical style is both attractive and appealing with set period music pieces forming the foundation of a virtual world. Sadly, the initial impact fades into memory as we begin to realise that this virtual world is not thriving and alive, but lacks any form of life or realistic representation of a world at pains with itself. The game is basically empty. The shock hit me hard and I don’t think ive gotten over it yet.

Similarities will always be against Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto games, and while they were successful in diversifying this game genre into a wild west environment with Red Dead Redemption, 2K have failed to inject life into this world. There are no side missions and very little means of exploration outside the main game quests.

This is why it is such an abject failure for me, you cannot stray far from the linear path – you can’t wander into shops, shoot civilians and take yourself on a plethora of side missions. There is no content padding, in fact there is very little content at all. I really hate to break this to you all in such a negative way.

Sure, sometimes you can ignore the mission you are given and drive around outside the confines of the games requests, but as there is little to see and do, there is absolutely no point at all. Vito Scaletta is a hero who could have had a connection with the gamer, but instead we are given a sheep who fulfills every request given to him, without even blinking an eye or dealing with the consequences. He beats anyone up he is asked, he deals drugs, switches loyalty. We would imagine under that skin is a shiny robotic exterior, without a heart.

This is the greatest failing of the game, the characterisations. If like me you remember the original Mafia with the character rich personas, all battling their own inner demons, then be prepared for considerable disappointment. All the characters in Mafia 2 are stereotypical goons with depth of personality normally associated with cardboard cutouts. Joe is the best of a bad bunch as he shows initiative and a little drive to take control.

Such a shame we couldn’t play the game from his unique viewpoint. His only problem is that he utters the most meaningless dialogue at the stupidiest of times, when it often bears no relation to the current situation. “Im going in, cover me!!!” he screams – just as you prepare to pop a few shots to cover his back you realise he is sitting beside you staring into a wall. Yes, the artificial intelligence also sucks.

Mafia 2 features a fairly solid combat system, even if it is limited and often messed up by the rogue camera system. You can fight with guns or by hand and if you choose melee then it is a simple process to win every battle. Throw a punch, dodge when one comes your way. The timing is simple …. rinse and repeat … ad infinitum.

Combat issues are further compounded by problems using the mini map system. GTA map systems work well as the distance is always correctly scaled, but in Mafia 2 it is hard to tell if someone is a few feet away, or in a different room. If you manage to get killed then be prepared for a long jaunt back from where you are now. There is no manual saving in the game, its all auto save checkpoint related and if you die then quite often the game feels its necessary to send you back a couple of miles to force you to replay everything you have done for the last 30 minutes. Annoying is an understatement.

The game is also not suitable for younger kids – the charm of Mafia is long gone, with 2K Czech insistent on ramming explicit imagery and vile language down your throat at every turn. We didn’t really need to see a stripper giving a guy a blow job, nor did we need to be presented with attempted anal rape.

Mafia 2 is an unpleasant game and strays too far from the charming and seductive original title to be appealing. The characters are robotic, predictable and boring. The missions wouldn’t make the B grade in a Rockstar game, and the world is bland and devoid of any personality. The game plays exactly in the manner it was scripted, immensely crude and easily forgettable.

Edit: We have refrained from discussing the graphics as our hardware site will be analysing the engine and performance at a later date.