Product Description
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Join the struggle for power as you rise from a lowly cab
driver into the ranks of a 1930's mafia family. Explore over 12
square miles of an intelligently simulated city; engage in more
than 20 action-packed missions ranging from mob hits to car
chases; 60 realistically modeled cars with faithfully reproduced
physics and over 12 weapons to stop anyone who dares to cross
your path!
From the Manufacturer
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Mafia brings the 1930s underworld to life in this
third-person, 3D action game. Rise from the lowly but
well-dressed foot soldier to the envied and feared "made man" in
an era of big bands, zoot suits, and Model Ts. Take on the roles
of a hit man, enforcer, getaway driver, and more in your struggle
for respect, money, and power within the Salieri family.
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Review
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There are two kinds of games: those that stand the test of time,
and those that don't. I'm sad to report that Mafia is most
definitely in the latter category. I was eager to play this PS2
port, as I remembered having quite enjoyed the PC version two
years ago.
On one level, this is a very solid port. It certainly does a good
job of translating the PC visuals to the PS2, especially in the
cutscenes, which are rendered here is startling fidelity – an
extremely impressive technical accomplishment.
So, while the plot and Depression-era ambience still held me
rapt, the gameplay itself was, quite frankly, pretty dull at
times. Most of this is due to the dreary driving sequences.
Although they have raised the maximum speed limit to 60, tooling
around on "pizza delivery" missions in an old jalopy just isn't
that fun. There's still some good play to be had, but games
can't get by on the free-roaming city environment concept
anymore. It's not enough to just create a living, breathing
virtual world – you've got to give me something interesting to do
in it. While I can still appreciate this game for its strengths,
its flaws have become much more noticeable than they were when it
launched on PC.
Concept:
Port the old PC hit to PS2, while adding a lackluster racing mode
Graphics:
Technically, this is very sound, especially considering the
difference between the systems' power
Sound:
I love the music; it's reminiscent of Woody Allen's Sweet and
Lowdown (Now, there's a selling point!)
Playability:
Boy, this is pretty poor by today's standards
Entertainment:
A great PC game in its day, but time has not been kind
Replay:
Moderate
Rated: 7.75 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: March 2004
2nd Opinion:
For all of the skill evident in the authentic ambience and
faithfully recreated 1930s cars and firearms, Mafia fails to
deliver in the all-important gameplay department. A
headache-inducing bouncy driving camera, bad on-foot controls,
and some of the worst load times I've ever seen make this is a
title only mob enthusiasts should consider.
Rated: 7 out of 10
Editor: Adam Biessener
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- Start out as a hitman, enforcer or getaway driver -- you'll have to complete missions to earn the respect of other mobsters, plus Don Salieri himself.
- Deal with rival Morello family while controlling your rackets -- see if you can run all the gambling, extortion, smuggling and prostitution in the city of Lost Heaven.
- You'll need patience, skill and accuracy with a Tommy as you fight your way through 20 dangerous missions.
- High-speed car chases, bootlegging, assassinations, bank robberies and more -- you'll have to do it all and avoid getting caught by John Law.
- Just remember, your actions have consequences -- don't hit any innocent people unless you want heat from the cops, and don't cross Don Salieri unless you want to wear cement shoes!.