Preview: Mafia II

[EnzoHonda]

So, there is music, driving, more driving, music, driving, some shooting, music and driving...
oh, and a stealth level.

Wow Russ, that review was so deep, like a puddle after summer rain. When I think of Mafia, I think about the culture of mafiosos, organized crime, the family, the fashion of the time with fedoras and long coats, art deco, speakeasy...etc. It's not all about cars and music. This review did nothing to peak my interest, better luck next time...

It was a preview.

Mafia was an awe-inspiring experience. The ending was one of the finest I've ever seen in a video game. The best part of the game though was how it made me want to live in the 30's. Wear a suit, tie, and hat. Smoke cigars. All good.

 

[Killerbunny001]

It`s going to be a busy summer between StarCraft 2 and Mafia 2 .

Just need to come up with a good excuse not to go to work for a couple of months. Any ideas ?

 

[orlantha]

i personally liked it but review of it against it but did not effect on me .
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/parental-control-a-complete-parental-control-software-review-2130892.html

 

[samsonguy920]

I like the radio mood setter idea. Lucasarts did a fairly good job(considering when it was done, but it still got repetitive with the limited tracks) with soundtracks set to the situation in Tie Fighter, but actually walking by someone's house and hearing some song that gets a tap in your step is a plus to me.

Personally I don't see what all the fuss is about...

WHO AM I FUCKING KIDDING?!

The past 3 years since it's announcement have been absolute agony; I would sell my soul to play this game right now.

No game beats the original Mafia in story, ambition or characters. It's my all-time favourite, and this looks set to beat it's (God)Father.

If anyone deserves a first post on this, it would be you. Were you off playing Alien Swarm when the article posted? Tsk tsk.

 

[Sampsa]

It`s going to be a busy summer between StarCraft 2 and Mafia 2 .

Just need to come up with a good excuse not to go to work for a couple of months. Any ideas ?

Yesterday I read about a guy who has been 2½ years on sickleave because the hospital has screwed the surgery on his leg 12 times already. You may or may not want to try that way.

Also I take it that Mr. Pitts has also played trough The Godfather series. So how come hes's not so good in fistfights?

 

[Yureina]

Mafia 1 was a brilliant game. I will be keeping my eye on this one, even if I don't think i'll be buying it right away.

 

[Woodsey]

I like the radio mood setter idea. Lucasarts did a fairly good job(considering when it was done, but it still got repetitive with the limited tracks) with soundtracks set to the situation in Tie Fighter, but actually walking by someone's house and hearing some song that gets a tap in your step is a plus to me.

Personally I don't see what all the fuss is about...

WHO AM I FUCKING KIDDING?!

The past 3 years since it's announcement have been absolute agony; I would sell my soul to play this game right now.

No game beats the original Mafia in story, ambition or characters. It's my all-time favourite, and this looks set to beat it's (God)Father.

If anyone deserves a first post on this, it would be you. Were you off playing Alien Swarm when the article posted? Tsk tsk.

I hope 2K can forgive me, in time... :/

 

[Corpse XxX]

So, there is music, driving, more driving, music, driving, some shooting, music and driving...
oh, and a stealth level.

Wow Russ, that review was so deep, like a puddle after summer rain. When I think of Mafia, I think about the culture of mafiosos, organized crime, the family, the fashion of the time with fedoras and long coats, art deco, speakeasy...etc. It's not all about cars and music. This review did nothing to peak my interest, better luck next time...

I actually felt just the same after reading this preview. Was actually more interested in the game before reading this..
If it is all about driving, and nothing else but driving i would instead buy a car racing game, and they usually have shitloads better car mechanics and handling than sandbox games do..

Mafia 2: drive here, now drive there, then back, then drive to A, then drive to B.. Loose cops, drive home.. ??? sounds boring..

 

[Darth_Dude]

So, there is music, driving, more driving, music, driving, some shooting, music and driving...
oh, and a stealth level.

Wow Russ, that review was so deep, like a puddle after summer rain. When I think of Mafia, I think about the culture of mafiosos, organized crime, the family, the fashion of the time with fedoras and long coats, art deco, speakeasy...etc. It's not all about cars and music. This review did nothing to peak my interest, better luck next time...

I actually felt just the same after reading this preview. Was actually more interested in the game before reading this..
If it is all about driving, and nothing else but driving i would instead buy a car racing game, and they usually have shitloads better car mechanics and handling than sandbox games do..

Mafia 2: drive here, now drive there, then back, then drive to A, then drive to B.. Loose cops, drive home.. ??? sounds boring..

So, there is music, driving, more driving, music, driving, some shooting, music and driving...
oh, and a stealth level.

Wow Russ, that review was so deep, like a puddle after summer rain. When I think of Mafia, I think about the culture of mafiosos, organized crime, the family, the fashion of the time with fedoras and long coats, art deco, speakeasy...etc. It's not all about cars and music. This review did nothing to peak my interest, better luck next time...

Yeah, It's a preview. Don't worry, they only showed him what they wanted him so see. Have you two played Mafia 1 by the way? It's got all that 'culture of mafiosos, organized crime, the family,' and the sequel will too.

 

[Juan Regular]

I'm not a fan of mafia stories at all but the idea of a randomized soundtrack just sold this to me (And I'm also wearing a Mafia II shirt right now, so I kind of owe it to them).

 

[GoodApprentice]

The preview has firmly placed this game on my radar. How unexpected. Chief Pitts has a very pleasing, organic way of writing about all things computer related and would be able to sell running shoes to a snake. Bravo sir. You always supply a good read, and I look forward to your review down the road.

 

[itf cho]

As a side note, I thought I'd make an update to my earlier post. Mafia II is now available for pre-order on Steam. Pre-orders receive a copy of the original Mafia game as well. The game will be using steamworks, including achievements and leaderboards.

 

[Necrofudge]

I guess I'm just ignorant on what made the original game great but I just don't like the sound of it's best part being "driving around listening to music".

Honestly, I don't think the game sounds that fun. I'll try it out anyway, but from what I've read... It might suck. Who knows though?

 

[Woodsey]

I guess I'm just ignorant on what made the original game great but I just don't like the sound of it's best part being "driving around listening to music".

That's not the best part. The best part was the story, the characters, the realistic driving (speeding tickets doesn't sound like a fun implementation until you've been pulled over for one in-game), the rather high level of difficulty, and the sense of being in that time period.

I'm not swayed. Is there still a market for this sort of thing? It just feels to me that these type of games are the washed up remnants of the PS2 era, the sort of thing that gets released at the end of a consoles life to scrape up those last few sales from the people who don't plan to upgrade their system right away.

What type of game do you think it is?

 

[Infinatex]

I guess I'm just ignorant on what made the original game great but I just don't like the sound of it's best part being "driving around listening to music".

That's not the best part. The best part was the story, the characters, the realistic driving (speeding tickets doesn't sound like a fun implementation until you've been pulled over for one in-game), the rather high level of difficulty, and the sense of being in that time period.

I'm not swayed. Is there still a market for this sort of thing? It just feels to me that these type of games are the washed up remnants of the PS2 era, the sort of thing that gets released at the end of a consoles life to scrape up those last few sales from the people who don't plan to upgrade their system right away.

What type of game do you think it is?

A GTA clone, and one of little merit. I played the first one and just felt completely let down. It left me with a sense that it had all been done before by other games (and done better). You make a game like this to capture the audience who have finished with the game you are trying to copy and to grab a few sale before the next instalment of your 'inspiration' franchise is released. I guarantee you that if GTA 5 were coming out next month, then this title wouldn't even be on the radar. I'm not saying that it's going to be a bad game, but I can guarantee you that it will be forgotten soon after it's released.

 

[Woodsey]

I guess I'm just ignorant on what made the original game great but I just don't like the sound of it's best part being "driving around listening to music".

That's not the best part. The best part was the story, the characters, the realistic driving (speeding tickets doesn't sound like a fun implementation until you've been pulled over for one in-game), the rather high level of difficulty, and the sense of being in that time period.

I'm not swayed. Is there still a market for this sort of thing? It just feels to me that these type of games are the washed up remnants of the PS2 era, the sort of thing that gets released at the end of a consoles life to scrape up those last few sales from the people who don't plan to upgrade their system right away.

What type of game do you think it is?

A GTA clone, and one of little merit. I played the first one and just felt completely let down. It left me with a sense that it had all been done before by other games (and done better). You make a game like this to capture the audience who have finished with the game you are trying to copy and to grab a few sale before the next instalment of your 'inspiration' franchise is released. I guarantee you that if GTA 5 were coming out next month, then this title wouldn't even be on the radar. I'm not saying that it's going to be a bad game, but I can guarantee you that it will be forgotten soon after it's released.

Which bit's the GTA clone exactly? And little merit in terms of what?

This isn't a sandbox game - it may be open world, but that's not the same. The game's ultimately about a strong linear narrative (as was the first) with a more serious approach to life as a criminal. GTA is about (now boring and overdone) satire and having a rocket launcher to blow shit up with in a sandbox.

No, maybe Mafia 2 wouldn't be recognised if GTA 5 was coming out at the same time. But tell me, what else would?

Going into Mafia expecting GTA (and subsequently labeling it a poor clone) is like going into a Chinese restaurant and expecting them to serve Mexican food. Sort of.

 

[CovertCell]

I really hope this game is great. I've been following it on and off since it was announced and it's always looked fun. I was a fan of the first game even though I never completed it. One mission I'll always remember is stealing a race car, getting some guy to mod it and then you compete in that race. Don't know why, just found that mission really fun for some reason. The atmosphere was also great, especially given the tech of the time and considering what can be done now. There's a Steam deal now where you buy the second game (pre-order, obviously) and get the first one free to download instantly.

 

[Woodsey]

I guess I'm just ignorant on what made the original game great but I just don't like the sound of it's best part being "driving around listening to music".

That's not the best part. The best part was the story, the characters, the realistic driving (speeding tickets doesn't sound like a fun implementation until you've been pulled over for one in-game), the rather high level of difficulty, and the sense of being in that time period.

I'm not swayed. Is there still a market for this sort of thing? It just feels to me that these type of games are the washed up remnants of the PS2 era, the sort of thing that gets released at the end of a consoles life to scrape up those last few sales from the people who don't plan to upgrade their system right away.

What type of game do you think it is?

A GTA clone, and one of little merit. I played the first one and just felt completely let down. It left me with a sense that it had all been done before by other games (and done better). You make a game like this to capture the audience who have finished with the game you are trying to copy and to grab a few sale before the next instalment of your 'inspiration' franchise is released. I guarantee you that if GTA 5 were coming out next month, then this title wouldn't even be on the radar. I'm not saying that it's going to be a bad game, but I can guarantee you that it will be forgotten soon after it's released.

Which bit's the GTA clone exactly? And little merit in terms of what?

This isn't a sandbox game - it may be open world, but that's not the same. The game's ultimately about a strong linear narrative (as was the first) with a more serious approach to life as a criminal. GTA is about (now boring and overdone) satire and having a rocket launcher to blow shit up with in a sandbox.

No, maybe Mafia 2 wouldn't be recognised if GTA 5 was coming out at the same time. But tell me, what else would?

Going into Mafia expecting GTA (and subsequently labeling it a poor clone) is like going into a Chinese restaurant and expecting them to serve Mexican food. Sort of.

The game's NOT a GTA clone either, it was in production way before GTA3 was released. Kinda like the coincidence that happened with the Infamous and Prototype releases...

And yet in a recent preview of Mafia 2 (on Eurogamer I think, who coincidentally gave the first game 4/10 and said it was a poor GTA-clone) they said the first was strongly influenced by GTA.

It really does make me angry, but at least it's forgivable for people to not know each game's development times; you'd think the fact that each game is going for a totally different experience would be a bit of a hint though.

 

[pepitko]

Sounds awesome indeed, can't wait to start playing this game. I loved the first one, I played it on an ancient 300Mhz PC on the lowest settings possible, and couldn't get enough of it .

 

[MrPatience]

I'm not sure I've read a review recently, or perhaps ever, that's got me as excited for a game than this one. It just seems to tivk all the right boxes.
Cheers, Mr Pitts.