Mafia II

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2462 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,897 out of 2462
  2. Mixed: 447 out of 2462
  3. Negative: 118 out of 2462
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  1. riker
    Jun 28, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good graphics and sounds, great optimization... If you`ve liked first part of mafia story, you must play the second... It is very easy to spot a bad sides of the game and did not spot the really good ones. This game is not a "sandbox" type, and clearly it is different from overrated "GTA IV" game (when we`re talking about game play), - it is not game for kids, it`s good action game with very good story... Because of few bigger "bugs", and because it is way to short, to completely feel all true spirit of the game, I`ll give it "strong" 8 out of 10.… Expand
  2. Melas
    May 9, 2011
    9
    Good game. One of a kind. Unfortunately, no such effect on the passage of both the first part. But it's the only game of the mafia that can be played.
  3. Magnanimous_j
    May 6, 2011
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Long story short: Its a B- game that is very disappointing to anyone who loved the original. The first Mafia was a love letter to really old cars. You had a huge garage (which somehow made sense) where you collected them, start to finish. Mafia II, cars, even though a good chunk of your time is spent behind the wheel, you could drive the first car you get through the whole game and not miss much. Most of the cars handle the same. The story in Mafia II is a MESS. It starts out really promising, establishing characters, motives, etc, then falls apart. It feels like the game was originally twice as long and they edited out major scenes to save length or something. By the climax, you have no real idea why your shooting it out with the guy your fighting. Speaking of combat, the same problems in the first one crop up in the sequel. Combat in Mafia II is really fun, I won't take that away from it. But in such a story driven game, its problematic. Accidentally killing a minor character in one part of the game spawns a whole mission where you have to sneakily dispose of the body and smooth things over with the powers that be. Fine, that's Mob Movie 101: The old guard doesn't approve what the reckless cowboy young gangsters are doing. The problem is that one mission earlier, you wasted 30 guys in broad daylight and never heard about it again. The biggest complaint: No free ride, WTF?… Expand
  4. HasselHoff
    May 6, 2011
    10
    I loved this game. The story alone is awesome. Not sure what people are expecting but if you want to be submersed in a different time period and really get a sense of what it is like, this is the game for you. If you don't want to be annoyed by repetitive non story oriented missions, this is the game for you. I love gaming and and can't really short the game because of the length asI loved this game. The story alone is awesome. Not sure what people are expecting but if you want to be submersed in a different time period and really get a sense of what it is like, this is the game for you. If you don't want to be annoyed by repetitive non story oriented missions, this is the game for you. I love gaming and and can't really short the game because of the length as others have. I am a casual gamer and it took me 18 hours to finish. It was like a good book I didn't want to end. Some peeps compare it to GTA... GTA meh.. still haven't finished that game.. painful... Anyways I hope there is a part 3 !

    L8r,
    HF    … Expand
  5. Zongo
    Apr 23, 2011
    6
    A bit disappointed by this game.
    A wonderful 50's whole town, with nice graphics and details... great cars and music.
    A great world building this quite immersive 50's ambiance, but to finally just do a very linear and fully scripted game :( the scenery is good at the beginning, with nice scenes and ideas (i like the war prelude, the jail episodes,..etc....) but is going less and less    A bit disappointed by this game.
    A wonderful 50's whole town, with nice graphics and details... great cars and music.
    A great world building this quite immersive 50's ambiance, but to finally just do a very linear and fully scripted game :(
    the scenery is good at the beginning, with nice scenes and ideas (i like the war prelude, the jail episodes,..etc....) but is going less and less original and interesting during all the game, to finish with usual "fight against 50 enemies + boss" scenes :/
    As a resume : good background (graphics music, ambiance...ect...), but a very classic gameplay that miss variety and freedom (not a sandbox game :/)    … Expand
  6. kentMOsabe
    Apr 14, 2011
    10
    First of all I would like to say that I played the whole thing from start to finish (so this is not an uninformed review). Second of all I would like to mention that I never got a chance to play the first one, still haven't played it and probably will not play it (so my review is based only on Mafia II). Ok, so I will begin by commenting on the story, it is great. If it was a movie, itFirst of all I would like to say that I played the whole thing from start to finish (so this is not an uninformed review). Second of all I would like to mention that I never got a chance to play the first one, still haven't played it and probably will not play it (so my review is based only on Mafia II). Ok, so I will begin by commenting on the story, it is great. If it was a movie, it would have probably fared well, you know with all those gun fights and Mafia meetings and going to prison and such. It is not so much a sandbox game, it is more of a shooter game, I know because when I played, all of the difficulty of the game rests on the gunfights and covering system, and even some stealth. The "sandbox" aspect of the game is where you have to drive to every objective, they are long drives, and sometimes when you miss an exit, you have to circle all the way back again and drive for another 2-3minutes, you can buy clothes and guns, and that's about it, oh and take care not to speed or else the cops will be at your tail fast. Also there are plenty of fist fights, where you push the right buttons and you win. The graphics though are really novel and crisp. Even at low res, this game looks amazing and sharp and performs extremely well. This is in fact your standard third person shooter, and if your good at shooters, than this game is for you. As far as "freedom" and "sandbox" go, there is not very much to it, I might compare it to Just Cause 2 without all the optional side missions. Anyway story is good, gun and fist fights are good, just needed a little bit more development in the "sandbox" aspect of it.… Expand
  7. gmboy902
    Apr 5, 2011
    9
    This game cuts no corners in immersing you. Everything about the city - the music, the advertisements, the cars, and more - are all historically precise. The voice acting is incredible, the storyline is addicting, and the music combines familiar themes with a new modern twist to make this game play more like a Godfather movie than a simple third-person shooter. You will fall in love withThis game cuts no corners in immersing you. Everything about the city - the music, the advertisements, the cars, and more - are all historically precise. The voice acting is incredible, the storyline is addicting, and the music combines familiar themes with a new modern twist to make this game play more like a Godfather movie than a simple third-person shooter. You will fall in love with the characters from the moment you meet them. Almost every aspect of this game makes you feel like a true 50s mobster.
    That being said, there are some downsides to it. The combat is somewhat exciting, but it could use a little work - not to mention there could be more of it, and earlier on as well. The game boasts less than 10 hours of gameplay, a good chunk of which is spent doing mundane tasks like driving to your house or to a bar on the other side of the city. The story itself, thrilling as it is, has a letdown of an ending that makes you feel that the game can't possibly be done. The DLC for the game consists mostly of clothes and cars, which aren't very useful as there is practically nothing to do in free roam mode. Of course, there are a couple of campaigns out to extend the value of the game - if you can dish another 20 bucks out.
    All in all, it's got a great storyline, an AMAZING musical score, great characters and voiceacting, and great gameplay. On the flip side, it's short, incomplete, and there's really not much to do outside of the campaign. Any fan of the iconic 50's mafia should give this game a shot. Worth 30 bucks on Steam? I'd say, unless you're starving for cash. Of course, if you're lucky like me, you'll catch it on sale for 10 bucks.

    Oh and one more note: There is a glitch on one of the chapters that may cause you to become stuck and have to replay a significant chunk of the game to (possibly) fix it. Hopefully they'll patch it soon.    … Expand
  8. Eternal
    Mar 29, 2011
    10
    Mafia 2 is solid gangster game with excelent graphic and animation. Personally i like it more than first mafia. If you play all the DLCs, the game gets even better.
  9. Tomwelcome
    Mar 25, 2011
    10
    Gameplay - 75 , Graphics - 85 , Story - 90 , Playing time - 15~20 hours. If you like games with good story, this is for you. However, the ending is a bit disappointing.
  10. Rongxin
    Mar 24, 2011
    10
    As someone who acknowledges that quality will forever triumph over quantity, I really appreciate it when a game developer employs the same attitude while designing video games. For that, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of Mafia 2 as soon as possible. Set in the fictional city of Empire Bay, you're Vito Scalett, an Italian war-veteran trying to make a name for himself along withAs someone who acknowledges that quality will forever triumph over quantity, I really appreciate it when a game developer employs the same attitude while designing video games. For that, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of Mafia 2 as soon as possible. Set in the fictional city of Empire Bay, you're Vito Scalett, an Italian war-veteran trying to make a name for himself along with his childhood friend, Joe. Together, you explore the ins and outs of the Mafia.

    I personally haven't seen any of the Godfather films. I know what you're thinking, blasphemous, right? Just never got around to see them but I know it's a good trilogy so cut me a break! The closest thing I've exposure to organized crime is Martin Scorsese's The Departed. Eh, wasn't that film about the Mob? I assume the Mafia and the Mob are totally different? Whatever the case may be, Mafia 2 has got me engaged into the story so far. Captivating even, if I may add. I just purchased a copy yesterday so I'm far from completion. Roughly about 25% into the game. Expressing how much I'm loving every bit of it will be an understatement. If you're familiar with the Grand Theft Auto franchise (who the hell isn't?), Mafia 2 will come to you relatively easy. The basic mechanics are present. The entire city is sandbox so you can free-roam as and where you like, food & beverage/clothing stores to add a hint of role-playing elements, customize the cars you stole at the various garages in the city. Just to name a few.

    If you would have me describe Empire City to you in one word, stunning comes to mind. The 1940's esque is astonishingly detailed to a point where it actually feels true-to-life. Even the fashion and the various vehicles have obviously been spared no expense. The game takes place over a span of years so you can basically see the city change. From the snowy, gloom that winter brings to a city to the lush, vibrant effects of spring. To simply put it, the atmosphere the game brings is no more than fantastic. I will always like to declare that Mafia 2 is very much optimized for the PC. It's not what some of us call a "console port" where graphical hiccups causes a hit in framerate or frustrating controls. The gun fights are pretty nifty too. There's a cover system in which you will use most extensively. There aren't many assortment of weapons in the game. Probably at most five? I can't remember. But trust me, that's the most a game like this will ever need.

    Of course when you're doing all the nasty criminal work, you've to be wary of the law. The police will come after you for grand theft auto, running around with a firearm and even hit-and-run. There's a wanted system where you'll need to change your clothes or vehicle to elude capture. If you do get caught, you can bribe them and they'll look the other way. Depends on what your wanted level is though. Too high and they'll shoot on sight. If it's low enough, you'll get away with a fine. Also, I'm having difficulty naming another game that allows you to collect vintage Playboy magazines. I've collected one at the moment so I'm no Hugh Hefner. I guess going around the city hunting for pictures of bare-naked women can be seen as an incentive for some people.

    Just not me.    … Expand
  11. lHashl
    Mar 20, 2011
    8
    Great engrossing game, keeps you captivated, only con's are the game was too short, not enough side missions to keep you intrigued, freedom of movement limited, gameplay a little too linear for my liking.
  12. osterac
    Mar 17, 2011
    3
    This game, even though it it has only said to be "good not great," is far overrated. I found that the beginning was too easy, the middle was boring, repetitive and overly-linear with gunfights starting and ending from one piece of cover; and the end was die-a-thousand-deaths frustrating. The AI can almost always shoot you first.

    Throughout the game, you don't get to make a single    This game, even though it it has only said to be "good not great," is far overrated. I found that the beginning was too easy, the middle was boring, repetitive and overly-linear with gunfights starting and ending from one piece of cover; and the end was die-a-thousand-deaths frustrating. The AI can almost always shoot you first.

    Throughout the game, you don't get to make a single decision. You just watch while your character ruins his life and the lives of those around him. Yes, this is mob life but I would feel a little better about it if I had some say. On top of that, the game basically requires no thought on behalf of the player. The game is always telling you exactly what to do and where to go. It even gives you an NPC buddy on all the missions to guide you through the level. Just follow him through the levels and you'll never get lost. Oh, and he can't be killed. Use him as a bullet sponge.

    Then there's the driving. Who wants to play a video game where you can get speeding tickets? Seriously? And hit and run fines? And whenever whassname is in the car and I run a red light he says "what do you have an aversion to red lights?" I don't play video games to wait in traffic!! I also came into this game hoping it would be a sandbox game. Just so you know, it is not. You do a mission, and you can either 1. drive around and, well, there's not really anything to do because there are no minigames, or 2. sleep and go to the next chapter. Which almost always starts with the phone ringing.

    And another thing. There are times in the game where you lose all your money. More than one. So you save up all this cash, maybe you're looking to buy that special something, and boom. Gone. Yeah.

    It's a good thing I only paid $7.50 for this game. Gotta love midweek madness on Steam.    … Expand
  13. CBZ
    Mar 8, 2011
    7
    The graphics are good, the physics are ok (not as impressive as they advertise it) and the gameplay is not innovative. There is nothing impressive about this game, since the nice graphics are almost a given for new games. The story can be fun sometimes and boring other times, but nothing outstanding. In my opinion its too similar to GTA and Godfather games, its not worth the money becauseThe graphics are good, the physics are ok (not as impressive as they advertise it) and the gameplay is not innovative. There is nothing impressive about this game, since the nice graphics are almost a given for new games. The story can be fun sometimes and boring other times, but nothing outstanding. In my opinion its too similar to GTA and Godfather games, its not worth the money because the replay value is almost 0.… Expand
  14. huevosbenedicto
    Feb 21, 2011
    7
    'm a big fan of what Mafia 2 does. I really am. The game provides an excellent story with solid graphics and gameplay, but it doesn't provide a bang for your buck at all, in fact it feels unfinished, and for this I wouldn't recommend a full purchase. Let's start with the good points, of which there are many of. The main draw of the game is the plot, which, while being the standard'm a big fan of what Mafia 2 does. I really am. The game provides an excellent story with solid graphics and gameplay, but it doesn't provide a bang for your buck at all, in fact it feels unfinished, and for this I wouldn't recommend a full purchase. Let's start with the good points, of which there are many of. The main draw of the game is the plot, which, while being the standard 8-10 hours, is one of the better of 2010. You play as Vito Scaletta, who came to America with his family when he was a child, and soon fell into small time crime with school buddy Joe. Until, that is, when Mafia 2 takes an unexpected twist, before you've performed any actual gameplay. They show you being arrested and, as the year was 1943, put into the army, to fight with the army in Italy. It's here where you have the tutorial level, in what's a surreal experience, a third-person World War 2 level. After you finish, Vito explains that he got shot a couple of years later, and comes home to Empire Bay for a month's leave, where he meets with Joe and his mother and sister. Joe throws you a solid and orders a forged doctor's note explaining you can't fight anymore, through his connections with the mafia. It's here you begin doing a few errands for the family he's with. After a few levels doing this, Mafia 2 throws unexpected twist number two: you get thrown in the big house. A federal big house, to that. And you actually play some of this time, to which I laughed and made a joke about a mission involving you trying to not drop the soap, something which almost came terrifyingly true. Anyway, you get out 6 years later, meet up with Joe again, and work from there, not giving anything away. Safe to say, the ride you do take is a great one. As mentioned in the intro, both gameplay and graphics are stellar. The shooting controls are mainly Grand Theft Auto style, except with no auto aim, which isn't all too bad. However, sprinting is performed by L1/LT, which has no stamina limit. For actions such as opening a door or jacking a car, there are two options; a quiet option where you either open or pick the lock (a cool new feature) and don't gain attention easily, or a fast, loud option, where you smash everything, which will gain attention. Driving is also GTA-esque, with heavy mid-century cars handling pretty well (and reach impressive 125 mph+ speeds) , although there is no option to perform a drive-by, which is sorely missed. The graphics are very good, with faces looking realistic, but there isn't much chance to appreciate it in the open world. There is, however, one draw back, which drags it down severely: the lack of extra things to do and re- playability. The game is a linear game, i.e. not open world like GTA, which isn't bad by any means, but limits your wondering around. Also, there isn't a "free-roam" option at the end of the game. This makes it quite hard to gauge when to do things in Empire Bay. There are 2 collectibles during the game; wanted posters, which you don't know when to go finding, and there is no incentive to do so. There also isn't a gameplay incentive to collect the Playboy magazines, but you will. You can also buy various clothes, which add to the feel of the game, and some of the suits are pretty sweet. To gain money to do this you can crush or sell cars, apart from completing missions. And that's about it. No multiplayer, which is fine, in fact I prefer single player-orientated games. But there aren't any side missions either, which isn't fine. Why? Because this is an unfinished game. Two contacts appear early in the game; Mike and Derek, and they appear in Level 2. After this, their icons appear on the map, and you can go talk to them, to which they say something on the lines of "Sorry kid, there's nothing for you today." There never is. Ever. Why would they put this in if there aren't any? Because they planned on having some, but then took them out, probably because they ran out of time, for a game they spent a long time working on. And on the internet, I've watched an entire, working level, which didn't appear in the game. Why? Because of creative purposes, I hear you say Take 2? Of course not, because you ran out of time to integrate it , or you couldn't be bothered. And that's what's annoying. Overall, rating wise:
    Gameplay: 8.5
    Graphics: 8.5
    Story: 9
    Lasting Appeal: 5    … Expand
  15. Sarge376
    Feb 4, 2011
    7
    Mafia 2 isnt a stand out game, but its by no means a game people should pass down. It truly feels like you are playing as one of the 'made men' from movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather. The games strongest point is its ability to immerse and its story telling is top notch. Graphics wise, there are better looking games but it is a great looking game by anyones standards, especially theMafia 2 isnt a stand out game, but its by no means a game people should pass down. It truly feels like you are playing as one of the 'made men' from movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather. The games strongest point is its ability to immerse and its story telling is top notch. Graphics wise, there are better looking games but it is a great looking game by anyones standards, especially the cars which stand out as one of the real gems of the game. Unfortunately the plot line is rather short and the ending is very frustrating, but it shows the extent the player feels or the characters and what happens to them. Going into this game expecting Grand Theft Auto style sandboxing and replayability will definitely disappoint but all in all, it is a decent game and worth a look for any "crim sim" enthusiast.… Expand
  16. smiffy
    Feb 1, 2011
    4
    For me this is the biggest gaming let down of 2010. The game's story and missions are easy and largly forgettable, the characters are all unlikable which means you don't really care what happens to them. But what really grates is that when you do complete the game, which won't take long at all, thats it, nothing else to do. There is no unlocks, no free ride mode, nothing. TheFor me this is the biggest gaming let down of 2010. The game's story and missions are easy and largly forgettable, the characters are all unlikable which means you don't really care what happens to them. But what really grates is that when you do complete the game, which won't take long at all, thats it, nothing else to do. There is no unlocks, no free ride mode, nothing. The developers spent years creating a nice city then give you no reason or chance to explore it. This game has absolulty no replay value whatsoever. If you do want to expand the game you have to pay for the "privilige" by buying the DLC which I won't do out of principle (that goes for all games). The original Mafia is one of my all time favorite games and it was way better than GTA3 (which was its closest comparison at the time) in every department. I'm not a GTA fanboy at all, believing 3 to San Andreas to be overrated in the extreme, but GTA 4 which if you like it or not, is comparable, beats Mafia2 hands down.

    This game is only worth buying if you value nice graphics above all else, or your into '50's/'60's Playboy covers. And oh yeah, you get to kill Tommy Angelo.    … Expand
  17. B3AST
    Jan 26, 2011
    0
    I literally just made an account so I could rag on this POS of a game. I have never in my life played a game yet that I felt that I have had to tell people just how pointless it is to buy!. First off, if u do not have gta4... get that over this $*^@(*#$^ game. u might as well just go buy a friggn mafia movie and watch it anyways. The main thing that I am getting on 2 tell u about it theI literally just made an account so I could rag on this POS of a game. I have never in my life played a game yet that I felt that I have had to tell people just how pointless it is to buy!. First off, if u do not have gta4... get that over this $*^@(*#$^ game. u might as well just go buy a friggn mafia movie and watch it anyways. The main thing that I am getting on 2 tell u about it the )*&%@#*($&) cops in this game. There is literally 1 every friggn block WTF!!! that isnt even realistic in real life u (*$&@*(# d bag programmers )*&#$)*@&#()* u guys ruined the game right there. Pretty much u cant do anything bad... NOT EVEN SPEED without gettting tailed. Then of course u have to lose the fuzz before u can even start the mission, and u had better not die bc u r going to end up right back at the beggining of the ()*$&@*(#&(@* chapter bc 4 some reason this game will never let u save ur ()$&@()&#$()@ progress!!!!! The handling of the cars is i guess pretty accurate bc u they sure dont handle 4 crap.... which means u r def going to run in2 crap and of course get tailed whereever u need to go. Its funny how the game puts ssooooooo much emphasis on driving across the entire )*$&@*(#& city to do missions, so it takes forever just for the driving, and yet u have to do the driving correctly or u r 100% guaranteed to get a cop on u!!! Then of course u have to pass ur destination up 2 lose the (&$@()# cops, also chances r those cops will end up killing u or making u wreck ur piss poor handling car and die.... and dont 4get since the )($&@()#$ game wouldnt let u save anything... so u just wasted 10 min and have to start from the begging again and skip evvvvvvvery cut scene.... drive alllllll over the pos city just 2 get 2 destination.... and dont 4get u have to drive slow and hit nothing so the )*$&@*)$ cop at every corner doesnt start tailing u AND then u reapeat the same )*$&@*(#&@(_#&@()୊ CYCLE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! r u ssssssseeeeeinnngggg where I am coming from..... If i knew just 1 of the developers 4 this game i would drag him in2 the )(&$@()&$() street and run his )*($&@()&#$()@&$)( d bag self over with a 1950s chev pickup... then mayb just mayb.... i would feel that i got my moneys worth out of this worthless game!!!! sad thing is I got it on the steam sale at 12 bux and I still feel like i have been ripped off!!!!!!! $)&@*)$*@()$&@*()#&@(*#()@#*&@()*#&@*(#&@) dont buy this game!!!!!! worthless!!!!!!… Expand
  18. joemama
    Jan 7, 2011
    7
    Graphics : City beautifully rendered, high attention to detail with good variation. Effects well done.
    Sound : Good with excellent voice acting. Awesome music. Story : Average - This is where the game starts to show some cracks in the armor. Imo, 2K should abandoned the strictly linear, movie-style gameplay that worked so well for Mafia. The only way to really capture an audience is with    Graphics : City beautifully rendered, high attention to detail with good variation. Effects well done.
    Sound : Good with excellent voice acting. Awesome music. Story : Average - This is where the game starts to show some cracks in the armor. Imo, 2K should abandoned the strictly linear, movie-style gameplay that worked so well for Mafia. The only way to really capture an audience is with some sort of engaging/interactive gameplay with repercussions to the story.
    Bottom line - for as much as 2K raved about how great the story was going to be, it really wasn't . The suspense/excitement was minimal. I really looked forward to this game coming out ever since they announced, but unfortunately I was left feeling a bit disappointed overall. Maybe the hypothetical Mafia 3 will make amends.    … Expand
  19. samatt
    Jan 4, 2011
    10
    This game is amazing, how many hours did they put into this? I guess the gameplay could be knocked a little, but on the whole it's fun and pretty tight. The graphics are where it's at, just mindblowing. Often found myself crashing into stuff, due to looking off at the scenery, good stuff.
  20. jonnyohio
    Jan 4, 2011
    6
    The graphics are great and Empire Bay is beautiful. The storyline kept me interested for the most part, and the game mechanics are descent for this type of game. If you don't take cover, you are dead. If you run into a wall at full speed with your car, you are dead. This is more realistic then other games of its genre. The shootouts can be great, and the idea that the city changes asThe graphics are great and Empire Bay is beautiful. The storyline kept me interested for the most part, and the game mechanics are descent for this type of game. If you don't take cover, you are dead. If you run into a wall at full speed with your car, you are dead. This is more realistic then other games of its genre. The shootouts can be great, and the idea that the city changes as the story progresses, is really cool. Now lets get to the dislikes. Driving. Lots of driving. Each mission is pretty much the same in this regard: You get up, you drive, you get a mission, you drive, you complete the mission, and you drive home. Sometimes there is even more driving! And that wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that there is absolutely nothing ... er, almost nothing to do in Empire Bay. Most of the shops are just for looks, and the people are far from interactive...unless you want to get into a fist fight. In that case, you have to walk up to them and push them and see if they will get into a fight with you. If they run you can either let them go or shoot them in the back. If you shoot them, the cops will no doubt show up, and the cops are all sharpshooters so you won't last long. There are some interesting things they did by making the city look more alive, but I would have liked to have been able to go into a shop, rob it, take a taxi, take a bus, and eat at some of the inaccessible restaurants. Though the game appears to be a sandbox style game, it really is not. You pretty much have almost nothing to do other than progress the story and do missions. You can steal cars and crush them in the junk yard, but that will only leave you desiring more, and when you find new locations forget about going back and messing around, because the game developers decided that after you enter an area (like the big hotel for instance, where lots of nice cars are sitting in the parking garage), you shouldn't be aloud to go back there ever again and explore-- so you'll go back to only find the doors all closed and locked. I have no idea why they did that...why couldn't the buildings I went into before during a mission be accessible later? Would it have killed them let me go back in there and mess around some? One time I got a nice car and got out of it to do something and the car vanished before my eyes. That was annoying. Even more annoying is no in-game save feature. I racked up $6,000 stealing cars only to lose it when I accidentally lost control of my car (which will happen quite often in this game) and hit a wall. Now, sometimes if you hit a wall you will die, other times you will not. This time the game decided I was dead and I had to start back from the save point with my $680-- tough luck. I sighed and just went on to the next mission. So is it worth buying? Well, yes, if you can get it on sale like I did then go for it. It's a great game to play through solely for the storyline and shootouts. But be warned. There are missions that are mostly boring. For instance, one mission has you load crates into the back of a truck. Another mission has you handing out cigarettes. Fortunately these missions are cut shorter so that you can get to the action quicker, but, nevertheless, you will be wondering at times what the developers were thinking when they were making this game. I haven't quite finished the game yet, but I have read that the game is short. Judging by where I am in the game after only a few hours of game play spanning 3 days, it sounds like I'm almost finished. It was really disappointing to discover that I didn't even get to earn money to buy a house; there was just flash scenes of time progressing (maybe a few days or weeks, I couldn't tell) and suddenly I owned a house. When I first started playing I thought I was going to have to earn that house somehow. One more thing: I think the developers were trying to set a record for the most times the F-Word was said in a game, and the nude pictures found lying around (collectibles- yippie) look like models that are wearing wigs, most of which won't get you all excited but you certainly don't want the kids in the room when you pick one up. But oh well, I give it a solid 7. I guess I got my money's worth.… Expand
  21. bunda
    Jan 3, 2011
    10
    excellent game, excellent story, nice graphic and sounds, good music, great characters, every mission is original and not boring like some GTA IV missions, you can download free ride mod, ....
    EXCELLENT !
  22. TheGameCritic
    Jan 3, 2011
    9
    Do not listen to those who doesn't know what they want from life. I have played tons of games in my life and I can assure you Mafia II is one of the best games I have ever played. It is not the classic "Go shoot someone" without a reason (A.K.A GTA IV). Everything you do has that "1930 gangster" feeling. You aren't the baddest **** in Earth but you are definitely close to achieve that.Do not listen to those who doesn't know what they want from life. I have played tons of games in my life and I can assure you Mafia II is one of the best games I have ever played. It is not the classic "Go shoot someone" without a reason (A.K.A GTA IV). Everything you do has that "1930 gangster" feeling. You aren't the baddest **** in Earth but you are definitely close to achieve that.

    The graphics are really good, not the best in the market nowadays but it's amazing anyway.

    The shooting system is pretty awesome. Bullets do hurt you pretty badly. If someone shoot you in the back, you are dead. Firing a Tommy Gun was never as fun as in this game. The best thing you can do to prove this is to rob a store (in a really real way), and destroy everything in the famous 1930's machine gun.

    The fighting system is... well, seriously awful. It's SO lame that even a 2 years old baby can beat the strongest enemy. You just have to cover and hit while the enemy is tired.

    The driving system is quite standard. Nothing new in this, but I still like it. It adds the "realism" driving mode, but it's pretty lame anyway. if you liked GTA IV driving system you'll surely like this one.

    The story is more than awesome. It was like a movie (a really good one). Good characters, in a really dark world where anyone is what they seem to be. Uncovered cops, dirty and sadistic bosses and even the chinese mafia.

    In the other hand, characters are a solid 10. You even feel what they feel and actually suffer with them. From Joe to Henry or Luca, everyone is unique and can't be better in anyway.

    Some bad points: No side missions. This is the biggest mistake imo. 2K screwed it up with this one.

    The cops are pretty stupid. Their AI is more than awful.

    There is no complete nudity. Come on, guys. We are mature enough to see some **** some of us even have family. This is becoming seriously lame!


    If you like intense shootings, to torn apart everything (from concrete walls to cars), to kick the **** out of the bad ones (Because they suffer when their time comes. A lot.) or even walk calmly in the huge city, this is the game for you.    … Expand
  23. Reize
    Jan 3, 2011
    6
    I bought Mafia 2 expecting an epic open world gangster game, this is clearly not the case. The story, voice acting and cinematics are outstanding, but the grand city of Empire Bay feels rather hollow and empty. There are a couple of clothing stores to customize Vito Scaletta's appearance, and some body shops to paint and upgrade your cars, but soon you realize that you can do just as wellI bought Mafia 2 expecting an epic open world gangster game, this is clearly not the case. The story, voice acting and cinematics are outstanding, but the grand city of Empire Bay feels rather hollow and empty. There are a couple of clothing stores to customize Vito Scaletta's appearance, and some body shops to paint and upgrade your cars, but soon you realize that you can do just as well with a dusty old family car as an upgraded 50000 dollar sports-car, and that the clothing options are rather thin. And if you want to go out and explore the city you will have to do so in between two checkpoints in a mission. The whole city feels like a big tease. Now, the game itself is good, gunfights are entertaining (though certainly not challenging, even on the highest difficulty) and the overall game mechanic is good, but it doesn't reach higher than that. Mafia 2 is a game you will play for the story and the atmosphere. Simply put: Good but not great.… Expand
  24. Lostraider117
    Jan 3, 2011
    5
    Graphics- This games graphics are wonderful the environments look as detailed as i have ever seen in a sandbox game. The character models and facial expressions really help set this one apart.
    Sound- The sound is nice as well all the characters have the proper accents and weapons sound powerful. although many of the weapons and cars are very similar in sound.
    Story- The game takes a hit at    Graphics- This games graphics are wonderful the environments look as detailed as i have ever seen in a sandbox game. The character models and facial expressions really help set this one apart.
    Sound- The sound is nice as well all the characters have the proper accents and weapons sound powerful. although many of the weapons and cars are very similar in sound.
    Story- The game takes a hit at the storyline portion. The storyline is good but it feels generic,you never grow very attached to your character.
    Missions- The missions are terrible and monotonous......They are generic,sloppy,and boring,but what really makes me angry is the driving portions which engulf over 1/4 of the game just getting to and from objectives.
    Controls-for a PC sandbox title they are good and responsive. However i prefer my sandbox gtames with a game pad
    Overall-This title isn't worth the 60 dollar asking price, Its generic,monotonous and boring.......Wait until its on sale for 20 bucks and pick this up    … Expand
  25. Don_Stronzo
    Jan 2, 2011
    10
    This is a great game! Forget those Reviews who say its strictly linear. Yes, it is. There`s a lot of story in it, its like playing a Movie. You can`t compare it to GTA IV, it`s like compairing S.T.A.L.K.E.R and Modern Warfare.
    Modern Warfare is also Strictly linear...and not a Bad Game at all....
    Mafia II is Superb, Great graphics, cool Missiondesign and the Developers put in all their    This is a great game! Forget those Reviews who say its strictly linear. Yes, it is. There`s a lot of story in it, its like playing a Movie. You can`t compare it to GTA IV, it`s like compairing S.T.A.L.K.E.R and Modern Warfare.
    Modern Warfare is also Strictly linear...and not a Bad Game at all....
    Mafia II is Superb, Great graphics, cool Missiondesign and the Developers put in all their heart.
    Maybe it`s not "A perfect Game", but which Game is? If you look for a fast paced 3rd person action Game i would recommend something else (Just cause 2...etc)    … Expand
  26. Vauhn
    Jan 1, 2011
    9
    This game is simply amazing. They put lots of effort into writing the story it seems and the gameplay is just as amazing... I took my time to beat it instead of rushing through it so I spent about 30 or so hours on it....So what if there is nothing to do after, thats how games were in the past...A game this amazing doesnt need a multiplayer. All multiplayer does is make all the work theyThis game is simply amazing. They put lots of effort into writing the story it seems and the gameplay is just as amazing... I took my time to beat it instead of rushing through it so I spent about 30 or so hours on it....So what if there is nothing to do after, thats how games were in the past...A game this amazing doesnt need a multiplayer. All multiplayer does is make all the work they put into the game pointless because of how many people dont like singleplayer..... And there is a multiplayer mod being made. This game is like playing a movie its almost entirely story based, but that doesnt take away from the thrill of the gunfights and just being able to drive the city. If you dont want to do the mission then just dont follow the marker, it will be just like a GTA free roam, with more strict cops. Which brings me to the cops. They will arrest you for almost anything....Wreckless driving, speeding, hit and run etc. and its not like on GTA where you can outrun them no problem....You have to outrun them which is usually done by tricking them to crash into a wall. They will remember you by either your car, license plate, or clothing, all of which can be changed. If they see you, you will have a few seconds to get out of there sight before they go after you. This is a must have if you like games with great stories and can overcome the fact that it has no multiplayer, which I did and that doesnt affect my opinion about it at all. My only complaint is i got a large amount of lag in small portions throughout the game so some lesser computers might not be able to run it. Mine is pretty good but i could use a better graphics card. Overall amazing game, I hope to see a Mafia 2!… Expand
  27. TofoCZ
    Dec 31, 2010
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First Mafia is a great game. The second part, however, far below their qualities. Downloadable content is an unmitigated disaster. The game is stripped to the bone. Score (3.5)… Expand
  28. Prosthetics
    Dec 24, 2010
    6
    If you are going into this game expecting GTA, steer clear. This game offers astounding graphics, voice acting, and cutscenes, but lacks in story, and flexibility. There are literally very few sandbox options in this game, because you are constantly being told what to do; wake up, answer phone, do job, go to bed. There is no time to do what you want. The story itself had a goodIf you are going into this game expecting GTA, steer clear. This game offers astounding graphics, voice acting, and cutscenes, but lacks in story, and flexibility. There are literally very few sandbox options in this game, because you are constantly being told what to do; wake up, answer phone, do job, go to bed. There is no time to do what you want. The story itself had a good beginning, but then fell apart about half way through. Although the DLC attempted to try and revive interest in the game, with each successive release of DLC, it is obvious the developers didn't listen to user input and spit out the same boring elements present in Mafia II, and then some.… Expand
  29. TheNoobifier
    Dec 17, 2010
    0
    Boring, repetitive, no free roaming, cheesy story line. How worse could it get? It doesn't have that feeling that made Mafia 1 a great success, It's just terrible, one play through is all you need to throw this game away and regret buying it.
  30. WillKill
    Dec 2, 2010
    7
    BETTER THAN GTA! I really love the whole Mafia idea. This game steals all the cliche you can imagine from The Godfather, but that's what I would really like anyways. It plays surprisingly linear for an open world game, but the story is fantastic. There are many surprises and jaw dropping moments. Not to mention the cars are loads of fun to drive. The DLCs (I have them all) are great also.BETTER THAN GTA! I really love the whole Mafia idea. This game steals all the cliche you can imagine from The Godfather, but that's what I would really like anyways. It plays surprisingly linear for an open world game, but the story is fantastic. There are many surprises and jaw dropping moments. Not to mention the cars are loads of fun to drive. The DLCs (I have them all) are great also. "Jimmy's Vendetta" is, well, crap- but it lets you roam free world and collect cars. I highly recommend this game to anyone of mature age.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best PC Game of 2010
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2010
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 46
  3. Negative: 2 out of 46
  1. Video Game Talk
    Jan 12, 2011
    70
    The combination of the ancient control mechanics, odd pacing and lack of real world entertainment drag the game down and seriously decreased my enjoyment of Mafia II. Still, it's worth a playthrough if you just adore mafia games and have a solid PC build to take it on.
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  2. Game Chronicles
    Dec 20, 2010
    97
    I walked into my experience of Mafia II with no real expectations other than hearing my colleague's praise. What I walked away with after playing through the story was a sense of awe and amazement that I haven't had since Alan Wake.
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  3. PC Format
    Dec 20, 2010
    81
    A well-rendered world, with a well-realised story, though without as much actual gaming as we'd hoped there'd be. [Issue#244, p.81]
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