Mafia

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 2090 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,902 out of 2090
  2. Mixed: 114 out of 2090
  3. Negative: 74 out of 2090
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  1. Bricoleur
    Feb 1, 2005
    4
    They don't date this reviews, so it's hard to say what everyone else was used to. For 2005 though, this game is a prime example of developers who had no idea what makes a game fun to play. Endless driving through the city back and forth, underpowered, poor handling cars, and an environment full of police who jump on you the moment you travel over 40mph. (The cars even have a They don't date this reviews, so it's hard to say what everyone else was used to. For 2005 though, this game is a prime example of developers who had no idea what makes a game fun to play. Endless driving through the city back and forth, underpowered, poor handling cars, and an environment full of police who jump on you the moment you travel over 40mph. (The cars even have a governor so you can stay within the speed limit, which you really have to do most of the time since unlike GTA where you have a fighting chance against them, unless you hide from the police in MAFIA, you're going to lose. A decent storyline, some nice graphics, and an otherwise fun game marred by level designers more interested in showing off their handiwork than in providing a fun experience for the user. Unless you're bored, I'd recommend skipping this one.… Expand
  2. Gerald
    Nov 10, 2002
    1
    Sorry but tons of users cant get this game to work, myself included.. Huge driver problems with XP, and Soundblasters. Blame who you will but no patch, and no patches planned... Buggy.
  3. TimS.
    Apr 18, 2003
    1
    This really sucks. I have xp and my graphcs are horrible. I can see through walls and i can only see the wheels on the cars. what is dis. how i fix dis shiot.
  4. CooterPatooter
    Feb 29, 2012
    5
    Mafia is an uncut diamond. It's got a great story which embraces every mobster cliche with open arms and tells that story using above-average dialogue and cinematic camera work. The car models are beautiful and like the Four Fat Chicks say, the game just "oozes class". But that's where the toasting ends and the roasting begins. The overarching issue with Mafia is that its just...Mafia is an uncut diamond. It's got a great story which embraces every mobster cliche with open arms and tells that story using above-average dialogue and cinematic camera work. The car models are beautiful and like the Four Fat Chicks say, the game just "oozes class". But that's where the toasting ends and the roasting begins. The overarching issue with Mafia is that its just... well... UNFINISHED. Driving around an open-world New York city circa 1933-1935, I was struck by how empty it felt. The city is bare, repetitive and mostly non-functional. Unlike Grand Theft Auto (especially GTA 4 and San Andreas), there's very very little to see and even less to do. Bugs and glitches abound, ranging from popping textures to screen tearing to getting your car stuck in the scenery constantly. While they're well done, the same 3-4 driving tracks that play over and over will have you gouging at your ears long before the game is over. A secondary (but still crucial) complaint is vehicle handling. Since you spend roughly 50% of the campaign behind the wheel of a car, its important that vehicle physics be spot-on. Or at least manageable. They are neither. Cars are so underpowered that they just barely sputter up a small hill but it's also incredibly easy to earn speeding tickets. All but the best 3-4 vehicles are floaty and a complete displeasure to operate. On many occasions I found myself skidding (or spinning, flipping, crashing, take your pick) wildly out of control from the slightest steering adjustment while the police pursuing me drive in such a way that the laws of physics seem to bend to their will. Mafia is very good at what it does right but unfortunately it's only 3/4 of a game that feels like the lofty goals of its developers got cut off at the knees in order to make a deadline. What a shame.… Expand
  5. Toffenuff
    Jun 19, 2013
    7
    I unfortunately played this game after having played Sleeping Dogs, the latest GTA, Just Cause 2, and Saints Row: The Third, so it was difficult for me to get excited playing a game that looks so dated compared to the ones I've played recently. Not only that, but the gameplay isn't as great as everyone raves it to be. Sure, the story is decent, there are some strong characters, and thereI unfortunately played this game after having played Sleeping Dogs, the latest GTA, Just Cause 2, and Saints Row: The Third, so it was difficult for me to get excited playing a game that looks so dated compared to the ones I've played recently. Not only that, but the gameplay isn't as great as everyone raves it to be. Sure, the story is decent, there are some strong characters, and there are some fun missions, but there were to me too many flaws that prevented it from being a stellar piece.

    The biggest gripe I had with it? Lack of open-world/sandbox. It's actually a very controlled environment and there isn't much else to do between missions outside of breaking laws, driving like a maniac, and ending on a standoff with the police. With such a vast area, it felt so... boring and empty beyond the missions.

    Next biggest gripe would be that it is buggy at times with lots of graphics and physics errors as well as objects and sometimes even people getting stuck in the environment. Sometimes the AI would bug out too.

    Cars, while understandably made to be realistic, were annoying to maneuver particularly during car chase scenes. The lack of driving guidance/GPS also bugged me, though I guess that was part of the whole realism factor they were going for.

    Graphics, while great for it's time, did not perform any better on my high-end gaming rig than on my mid-level one, which was frustrating.

    Overrated, wouldn't really recommend it unless it's cheap.    … Expand
  6. omgitsbiren
    Jun 15, 2013
    3
    The opposite of fun. Most of the missions are driving missions drive from point A to point B broken up by somewhat lengthy dialogue cutscenes.

    The story seems interesting, but the game is just too damn boring. Maybe if the driving was a little more exciting, it wouldn't be so bad, but this is set in the 30s and the developers really want you to feel like you're in that time period, so    The opposite of fun. Most of the missions are driving missions drive from point A to point B broken up by somewhat lengthy dialogue cutscenes.

    The story seems interesting, but the game is just too damn boring. Maybe if the driving was a little more exciting, it wouldn't be so bad, but this is set in the 30s and the developers really want you to feel like you're in that time period, so most cars are a pain to drive (some topping out at 40mph), and the city itself is a pain to navigate.

    The combat mechanics, while awkward, are fun, but you don't get to use them too frequently, and you lose everything you pick up after every mission. You'd think with a story set around violence and money, you'd get to keep and use the weapons and cash you acquire, but that's not a part of the game. Instead, you guessed it, more driving.    … Expand
  7. Vinayaiyappa
    Jul 4, 2014
    1
    Terribly overrated game. Except for the graphics,there's nothing good with this one. Repetitive driving, few checkpoints which make play annoying as hell. I'd advise you to stay away.
  8. Kinimod
    Feb 26, 2016
    2
    This game sucks. Physics dont work and the every character in this game is dumb as hell, especially main protagonist. This whole game just fells like some alpha test.
  9. ozgeek
    Mar 12, 2012
    0
    Doesn't show you know where to go. Slowest cars I've ever seen. I spent more time trying to find the excat spot to stop those "bikes" (yes that's right. cars are powered by padels judging by speed) to reach or to advance the story. I never had any problems playing Mafia 2 so I see why this is interier. And it is way interier than GTA. 5 missions into Mafia and I'm still frustriated.
  10. QuitBeingStupid
    May 25, 2012
    1
    THE DEVELOPERS LIED. THIS IS NOT A SANDBOX GAME AT ALL.
    DO NOT CONFUSE THIS GAME WITH THE GODFATHER EITHER.
    Godfather is a sandbox/GTA type game. This is like riding a car on the rails. Sure you can drive anywhere, but there's nothing really to do, plus the driving itself is about as awful as it gets. The game feels clunky in every aspect, and the driving is more tedious then fun. Decent    THE DEVELOPERS LIED. THIS IS NOT A SANDBOX GAME AT ALL.
    DO NOT CONFUSE THIS GAME WITH THE GODFATHER EITHER.
    Godfather is a sandbox/GTA type game. This is like riding a car on the rails. Sure you can drive anywhere, but there's nothing really to do, plus the driving itself is about as awful as it gets.
    The game feels clunky in every aspect, and the driving is more tedious then fun. Decent graphics, and storyline though. Biggest failing is no quick save feature.    … Expand
  11. welldone
    Mar 9, 2012
    4
    If you enjoy watching paint dry, this is the game for you!!!! (I will re-review if it gets better, but I'm overcome by the lack of FUN or excitement that this game offers)... Has not aged well at all!!!
  12. Taffe
    Sep 20, 2002
    0
    This game suck....the racing suck......I give mafia away cause the racing sucks.
  13. JakeM.
    Oct 5, 2002
    10
    Yo this game rocks, its like GTA 3 thrown back in time. But of course the gaming engine is different so naturally the game is nothing visually like GTA 3, in fact, it is better. This game kicks, its like living in the footsteps of Al Capone.
  14. TheVoice
    Jun 17, 2003
    9
    The graphics are realistic, and the weapons are nice to use. However, there are no in-game saves and there are occassionally errors in the game.
  15. IRock
    Jul 22, 2003
    9
    Could have been longer. Some really tough bonus stages as well. Make no mistake, this is a great game. Some really cool missions. Great graphics.
  16. JasonB.
    Jun 20, 2005
    10
    One of my top 10 games of all time! Can't wait for the sequel!
  17. Anima
    Aug 23, 2005
    10
    It's easy to see when game developers like to play themselves.... A game done with love and carefulness.. And as for makers of the Driv3r... c'mon guys, are you kidding me? Have you tried to play it at all? I just love Mafia, can't wait for the sequel.
  18. MafiaBadass
    Dec 20, 2003
    9
    I just gave it a nine because the racing level was pissing me off. Then I learned how to cheat.
  19. Jwan
    Apr 22, 2003
    10
    The best pc game I've played for last 5 years.
  20. nandishh
    Sep 19, 2009
    10
    Un-paralled entertainer.Truly amazing modern(in 2002) gameplay. Great missions and masterly concept.
  21. MikeH.
    Nov 7, 2002
    9
    If u like GTA for ps2 then youll love this, same type of theme where u can steal cars, but the graphics are top notch quality ( if u have a pc that can handle the graphics turned up high) fun game and it was stared before GTA so they kinda coppied mafia.. all and all a great game, i dont buy much games unless thier good because I get bored of games real quick, but jesh i play the demo If u like GTA for ps2 then youll love this, same type of theme where u can steal cars, but the graphics are top notch quality ( if u have a pc that can handle the graphics turned up high) fun game and it was stared before GTA so they kinda coppied mafia.. all and all a great game, i dont buy much games unless thier good because I get bored of games real quick, but jesh i play the demo everyday a couple times :D heh its that good, i gavei t a 9 because I think the lack of some lilttle tiny things here like some repeates of house paints, but all and all I think its a great game.… Expand
  22. [Anonymous]
    Sep 11, 2002
    10
    Why are you reading reviews, and not playing this game? True... some may see a slight comparison to GTA, but is stops at slight. The city is on a grand scale, gameplay is damn addicting, and graphics kick @ss. As far as the story goes, I haven't been this involved since the last season of "The Sopranos." GO GET THIS GAME! Fugetaboutit...
  23. BradD.
    Dec 27, 2003
    9
    While not as light or fast paced as gta3 and vc, it is much more realistic, has a huge map, much more cinematic, and very different gunplay. The game felt more like Max Payne with cars to me, but I think its because the graphics are so similar. After you've finished GTA3 and Vice City you need to play this game. Its great.
  24. MafiaGuy
    Jun 16, 2003
    9
    Realistic and excellent graphics... except that there are some errors in the game.
  25. VinayN.
    May 31, 2004
    7
    This game is definitely the best game i have played in years more eloquent and stylish than GTA/GTA Vice City but it has a host of stability issues it crashes occasionally on my GeForce 440Mx system...maybe it has some incompatibility issues....
  26. AmirK.
    Nov 1, 2005
    10
    Those people who rated mafia as a poor game are not real gamers at all. mafia is ok , improve your playing skills !!
  27. PetarP.
    Sep 29, 2007
    10
    Absolutely amazing game, one of my favs. Every aspect of this tittle is nearly flawless, but without a few patches you will find some bugged elements in the gameplay. Without a doubt it's included in my personal top 10 list of games I've played:).
  28. TheMitherer
    Oct 22, 2011
    7
    A decent game that could have been much better. First of all if I'd wanted a driving game I would have bought one. Secondly, I couldn't complete one mission due to the moronic AI of a companion - had to cheat in the end. There were other minor bugs. More positively, the story is good and the game keeps you interested (when not driving constantly) and I did start to care about my character.A decent game that could have been much better. First of all if I'd wanted a driving game I would have bought one. Secondly, I couldn't complete one mission due to the moronic AI of a companion - had to cheat in the end. There were other minor bugs. More positively, the story is good and the game keeps you interested (when not driving constantly) and I did start to care about my character. The missions were varied and interesting and the cut scenes done well. The game was very interactive in its time and the city is excellently rendered. This game minus most of driving and one game breaking mission, was a nailed on 9/10.… Expand
  29. iddqd4
    Jan 27, 2018
    10
    Одна из лучших сюжетных игр вообще. Повествование на крайне высоком уровне, гораздо круче его тогдашнего прямого конкурента в лице GTA3.
  30. Eduardomm1
    Sep 23, 2017
    4
    the gameplay is horrible
    the story, soundtrack and voice acting are great, but the game suffers a lot from bad gameplay
    the map is done is such a way that you have to keep looking to it in order to know where you're going (because the compass is more disorienting than ever) and it covers the whole screen, so it's easy to crash into another cars the driving is garbage, every time you use    the gameplay is horrible
    the story, soundtrack and voice acting are great, but the game suffers a lot from bad gameplay
    the map is done is such a way that you have to keep looking to it in order to know where you're going (because the compass is more disorienting than ever) and it covers the whole screen, so it's easy to crash into another cars
    the driving is garbage, every time you use the reverse the camera slips into its own ass and you're like "wtf is happening, where is my car"
    the camera is **** it position itself on the top of the character, you can't see his feet
    the shooting is another ****ty thing: in the first section in which you have to shoot, the game gives you 18 bullets and you have to deal with 3 guys and a dog while you manage not to get shot and the guys needs at least 5 shots to die
    "woo stop being a whine baby the game is hard learn from it"
    one thing is being hard, other thing is being unfair and not fun
    this last thing, having fun, is the most important piece of a video game
    Bethesda's games, that are totally garbage (except for Morrowind) and cash grab are fun, that's why they sold well and that's why people buy them
    but Mafia is NOT fun
    don't waste your money in this, unless you REALLY like old games and can manage the horrible gameplay    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PC Game of 2002
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. PC Gamer
    91
    It's rare in this day and age to be truly impressed by a game's graphics, but a lot of your early game time will be spent just marveling at the scenery. [Dec 2002, p.90]
  2. Computer Games Online RO
    90
    The missions are very well linked between them and in the background you thought of a very interesting but somehow sad story.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    92
    Mafia is dripping with style and class and has certainly shoved itself into the ranks of the best games of this year.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »