[REVIEW] Mafia II

“Our principles are highest; honour  solidarity and vengeance. We know there’s no justice for us except we earn it. We earn respect.” 

This is, Mafia II

Ah, the 1940s, the Music, the cars, the telephones, the people, the clothes, and the War. Mafia II recreates all this and more, with almost perfection. The game puts you in the shoes of Vito Scaletta. A world war veteran, who has returned to Empire Bay, and finds his mother and Sister in debt. He helps them pay it back. He initially didn't want to get into the Wrong business but, as he learns that making money the correct way is hard, boring and less rewarding. He slowly gets pulled into the Mafia, one job at a time. At mos tof the times, your friend Joe is with you, and helps you in large shootouts. You make more friends and foes along the way.

Graphics wise, Mafia does a fairly good game. The game is properly optimised and even on the 'low' settings, gives good visuals and smooth frames. Cut scenes of the game are rendered in real time, and are quite dramatic and exciting. Though some of them are unskipable, which can be frustrating when you're doing a mission for the second or third time. Empire Bay feels like a peaceful and living place. 

The game features 2 eras, one during the winter, and another during spring. The latter is longer and better for the visuals. 

Mafia 2 offers several old school cars to choose from. Which aren't too fast, but when every car is like that, you don't really need the speed. Ann the Empire Bay radio stations will keep you entertained with their retro music. Even with 'slower' cars, compared to other open world games, Mafia still contains quite a few high speed chases. 

The voice acting in the game is above average. It does engage you in the stories and the talks between the characters while driving is amusing. 

Mafia contains its fair share of grieving moments, from the death of loved ones to the accidental murder of a friend, Mafia delivers these moments like they're happening right now. 

In Mafia II, you'll encounter quite a few fist fights, though they are basic block/punch kind of fights. They dont feel too frustrating. There are a few at the beginning of the game, before you get a gun. Then there are a bunch in the middle of the game when you're in prison. 

 

 

Nearing the end of the game, you have quite a lot of fire power at your disposal, and you're going to need it. Since the last mission of the game is a long one, without any allies. The game ends when you think you are going to be betrayed, but you aren't. Then during the final cut scene, you'll realize that when you make a deal, you read the contract, thoroughly...

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.0 GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+
Memory: 1.5 Gb
Hard Drive: 8 Gb free
Video Memory: 512 Mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8600 / ATI Radeon HD 2600
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

Recommended System Requirements
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.5 Ghz / AMD Phenom X4 @ 2.5 Ghz
Memory: 2 Gb
Hard Drive: 10 Gb free
Video Memory: 1 Gb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX / ATI Radeon HD 3870
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

OVERALL

GAMEPLAY: 8/10

SOUNDS: 7/10

GRAPHICS: 8/10

STORY: 9/10

OVERALL: 8/10