Mafia III: Definitive Edition presents a bold narrative set in 1968 New Bordeaux, a vibrant yet racially charged city inspired by New Orleans. Players follow Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam War veteran on a revenge mission against the Italian mob. The story and protagonist receive praise for depth and emotional weight, with strong voice acting and a compelling soundtrack capturing the era's atmosphere. However, the gameplay loop is often criticized for repetitiveness, involving similar mission structures like destroying rackets and taking out lieutenants. The open world is moderately sized with satisfying driving mechanics, yet lacks fast travel, making exploration sometimes tedious. Technical issues persist, especially on PC, including crashes, freezes in fullscreen mode, and bugs affecting mission triggers and achievements. AI behavior is frequently described as poor or dumb, reducing combat challenge. Despite these flaws, the Definitive Edition improves visuals and stability over the original, though some graphical problems like blurriness remain. Overall, the game delivers a solid story-driven experience but struggles with gameplay variety and technical polish.
Players particularly praise the strong narrative and emotionally charged story centered on Lincoln Clay and his quest for revenge. The setting of 1960s New Bordeaux is lauded for its authentic atmosphere and cultural detail, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack featuring classic rock and soul. Driving mechanics stand out as enjoyable and responsive, arguably the best in the trilogy. The Definitive Edition's visual enhancements and improved character models contribute to immersion. The inclusion of stealth options and strategic takedowns adds depth to combat. DLC content is also appreciated for enriching the game world and story. Several reviewers find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, with some calling it a solid standalone crime game even if it diverges from traditional Mafia gameplay.
Common criticisms focus on the repetitive and monotonous mission design, which involves similar tasks repeated throughout the game, leading to player fatigue. The AI is often described as unintelligent and predictable, diminishing combat challenge and immersion. Numerous technical issues plague the PC version, including crashes, freezing in fullscreen mode, save corruption, and bugs with mission triggers and cutscenes. The lack of fast travel frustrates players due to the large map size. Some find the graphics blurry or poorly optimized, and the UI and controls are occasionally labeled clunky. The game’s tone and style diverge from traditional Mafia themes, leading to mixed feelings about its identity. Finally, some players express disappointment in the story’s pacing and character development beyond Lincoln Clay.
After Lincoln Clay's surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and killed by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family and blazes a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.