When I heard that the original Mafia game would be given a complete overhaul, in a built-from-the-ground-up remake, I was excited to be able to experience the first title after playing both the second and third; and enjoying them immensely. So, when Mafia: Definitive Edition dropped at the end of September 2020 and a code to review appeared in my inbox, I rushed on over to my Xbox to check it out and become a wiseguy.
Despite originally being released in 2002, 2K Games have done an incredible job of ensuring this re-release feels like an utterly modern drop. From the stunning graphical upgrades to the addition of all-new scenes and voiceover, it's clear that the team behind Definitive Edition were passionate in their pursuit of bringing this experience to gamers all over again; just better than before.
This narrative-driven game takes place in the fictional city of Lost Heaven in the United States. It's an all-enveloping game world that immediately sucks you in, from the opening moments as taxi driver Tommy Angelo, to the chaotic bullet-ridden battles that'll challenge your stealth and combat maneuvers. I sometimes found myself running out of ammo and so having to engage in hand-to-hand brawling; and honestly I found that a lot more satisfying than popping someone in the head. Where Mafia really shines however, is in its story.
The journey that Tommy goes through will feel as though it is your own; so it's immediately disappointing when, in the earliest moments of the game, it appears as though he's about to turn rat to save his own skin. Still, you root for the up-and-coming mobster to succeed in the hopes that some plot twist will shift exactly how this all plays out.
Many of the game's missions are unique in their location and objective along with being beautifully cinematic, with huge explosions and car chases being some of the most memorable. The stunning soundtrack - which includes the likes of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway - only adds to the atmospheric immersion.
Driving controls are slightly clunky, but I'm assured they have improved drastically when compared to the original release. Getting behind the wheel is now a pleasant experience, and there's even a Free Ride mode that allows you to pick your vehicle and cajole the police into chasing you down.
Now that I've had the pleasure of playing all three Mafia games, I can say hand-on-heart that this revamped original is my absolute favourite. Every moment felt as though I had personally stepped into a classic mob movie, and that's got to be the most important thing of all for the developers. Fans won't forget this one in a hurry.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. A code for Xbox One was provided to Female First in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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