Last year,Mafia 2: Definitive Editionleaked online, and now the game is finally available. FromMafia 3developer Hangar 13,Mafia 2: Definitive Editionattempts to update the originalMafia 2for modern consoles, and while there are undeniable enhancements, there are some things about the game that can’t really be fixed without a full-blown remake.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis still largely the same game that launched a decade ago, and so a lot about it feels outdated. This is most apparent with its mission design, which consists of a lot of busy work, like simply driving from point A to point B. There are long, boring stretches ofMafia 2: Definitive Editionthat consist of nothing but driving, and there are some design choices that make this process even more tedious.
Unlike theGrand Theft AutoseriesthatMafia 2emulates, driving is not particularly fun. In an effort to make the game feel more realistic,Mafia 2: Definitive Editionstraddles players with things like easily destroyed cars and police that chase them if they’re caught speeding. So not only do players often have to drive excessive distances, they have to do so cautiously or else they will find themselves hiding from police or getting out to fix smoking engines.
It doesn’t help that whenMafia 2players reach their destination a lot of the missions aren’t all that exciting. Stealth missions inMafia 2: Definitive Editionare tedious and uninspired, and there are some missions that require players to just slowly follow NPCs around. Some of the missions revolve around fistfights, which aren’t all that exciting because the hand-to-hand combat is mind-numbingly easy.
Mafia 2missionsshine when things break out into firefights.Mafia 2: Definitive Editionshootouts control like a dream with a mouse and keyboard setup, and each combat encounter is plenty fun. The gunplay may actually be one area whereMafia 2outshines its inspirations, with the game playing like a proper, cover-based third-person shooter as opposed to having the shooting just tacked on. Gamers who are more used to modern-day standards for shooters may not be quite as impressed, but what’s where still mostly holds up.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editioncombat is mostly a blast, so it’s a shame that many of the missions focus on other things. Along with the aforementioned slow driving segments and following NPCs,Mafia 2also has players complete menial tasks like carrying crates, which may help the game feel more realistic, but doesn’t make it particularly entertaining.
On one hand, it’s easy to see howMafia 2’s attempt at realism hurts the game’s entertainment value. On the other hand, it does do a good job of immersing players in its setting.Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis primarily set in the 1950s in the city of Empire Bay, which is an obvious imitation ofNew York City. The music, the cars, the voice acting, and the story all do a great job of bringing the game world to life, and while players may find the driving tedious, the city is at least visually impressive.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis a definite visual upgrade from the original game, with improved character models and more detail in the environment. Some things still look a little stiff and dated, but otherwise,Hangar 13did a great job updating the look so that it more closely resembles modern games. It’s also worth pointing out that the screen-tearing issues prevalent in the original release are nowhere to be found in theDefinitive Edition. All that being said,Mafia 2: Definitive Editionon consoleshas some pretty significant visual and technical issues, but we didn’t encounter anything like that during our time with the PC version.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionon PC delivers on the visual upgrade promised by the “Definitive Edition” subtitle. Some of the gameplay woes simply couldn’t be helped without Hangar 13 making some extreme changes, but there are other aspects of the game that still hold up, particularly the story.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editiontells a classic period piece mob story. Players take on the role of Vito Scaletta, who gets wrapped up in Empire City’s organized crime after the mafia helps him get out of his World War 2 military service. Conflict erupts between rival gangs, and Vito very quickly finds himself over his head. TheMafia 2story was great when the game originally launched in 2010, and it’s just as engrossing inMafia 2: Definitive Edition.
Another wayMafia 2: Definitive Editionlives up to the name is the inclusion of all the post-launch DLC that released for the originalMafia 2back in the day. This includesThe Betrayal of Jimmy,Jimmy’s Vendetta, andJoe’s Adventures, all of which go a long way in addressing some of the mission structure issues apparent in the baseMafia 2game.
WhereasMafia 2: Definitive Edition’s base game is more of a linear experience than it is a truly open world experience,The Betrayal of JimmyandJimmy’s Vendettaplay more like a typical open world action game. This removes some of the linearity fromMafia 2: Definitive Editionand gives players more freedom when it comes to progressing through all of the content.
Joe’s Adventures, meanwhile, adds a bit more flavor to theMafia 2story, letting players take on the role of Joe Barbaro to complete missions. Joe is a key character in the baseMafia 2game, and while this DLC isn’t really can’t-miss, it still helps to fill in some gaps present in the main story.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis a decent buy for anyone that hasn’t played the original (on PC, anyway). It’s a more complete package with superior graphics, but there are definitely aspects of the game that haven’t aged well. However,Mafia 2: Definitive Editionitself is really just one piece of the bigger picture. Later this summer, Hangar 13 will be releasing afullMafia 1remake, which, combined with theMafia 3: Definitive Edition, should make theMafia Trilogya much more appealing prospect overall.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Game Rant was provided a PC code for this review.
