Mafia II: Definitive Edition
" Engaging action-adventure with cinematic mafia story and immersive setting but frequent bugs "
Mafia II: Definitive Edition Review
Mafia II: Definitive Edition offers a nostalgic journey through the 1940s-50s mob world with a solid storyline centered on Vito Scalleta and his rise in the criminal underworld. The narrative is engaging and emotional, with well-developed characters and a cinematic presentation that resonates with fans of mafia dramas. The game includes all DLC content and improved visuals compared to the original, though the upgrade is subtle rather than transformative.
However, players frequently report numerous bugs and performance issues, including audio problems, save file failures, and graphical glitches. The driving and combat mechanics receive mixed reviews, with some praising the gunplay and others criticizing clunky controls and frustrating difficulty spikes. The Definitive Edition is often viewed as a cash grab due to minimal enhancements and persistent bugs. Despite these flaws, the game is still recommended on sale for fans of the genre seeking a compelling story and atmospheric setting.
Highlights
Players praise the game's strong storyline and character development, especially the emotional depth and cinematic feel reminiscent of classic mafia films. The setting of Empire Bay and period-appropriate soundtrack create an immersive retro vibe. Many enjoy the improved lighting and textures, though graphics gains are modest. The gunplay mechanics are seen as solid by some, and the driving is smoother than in the original. Collectibles and DLC add extra content, with the core narrative remaining the main attraction. Overall, the game successfully evokes nostalgia and delivers a memorable mafia experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include persistent bugs and technical issues such as audio glitches, save file corruption, and game crashes. The Definitive Edition is often called an underwhelming remaster with minimal graphical improvements. Players find the checkpoint system frustrating, especially with frequent mission restarts after failure. Driving mechanics are described as clunky and sometimes overly difficult due to weather effects and aggressive AI. DLC missions are widely viewed as poorly designed and tedious. Additionally, the game’s EULA and data collection policies have raised privacy concerns. Some players feel the story and characters lack the depth and connection found in the first Mafia game.
Pros
- • Engaging and emotional mafia storyline with strong character arcs.
- • Immersive 1940s-50s Empire Bay setting with period-appropriate soundtrack.
- • Improved lighting and textures over the original Mafia II.
- • Solid gunplay mechanics praised by many players.
- • Driving mechanics smoother than in the original game.
- • Includes all DLC content for expanded gameplay.
- • Cinematic presentation reminiscent of classic mob films.
Cons
- • Numerous bugs including audio issues and save file corruption.
- • Minimal graphical improvements over the original Mafia II.
- • Frustrating checkpoint system causing frequent mission restarts.
- • Clunky and difficult driving mechanics with poor vehicle AI.
- • DLC missions poorly designed, tedious, and frustrating.
- • Game crashes and performance drops reported by many players.
- • EULA and data collection raise privacy and security concerns.
Rating Criteria
War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward and consequence.