While Niko Bellic has been out and about Liberty City, busy mopping up the 10/10 reviews, another fan favorite sandbox game has slipped in quietly, unnoticed on our radars. After an understated but brilliant debut on the PC followed by PS2 and Xbox, Mafia is set to make a comeback with another gritty tale based in the 1950’s underworld of the fictional Empire City. Just one trailer is what it took for the fans of the original Mafia to start rubbing their hands in glee in anticipation of another chance at exploring the post-WWII underworld of America. Since then, we have seen a constant trickle of screenshots that have kept the anticipation high while avoiding overexposure.

The original Mafia, though a brilliant game in its own right, never managed to get out of the shadows of the GTA series. However, its newest avatar is all set to change that. From what we have seen in the screenshots, the game is looking beautiful enough to make Mafia fans weep with joy. The level of detail that can be seen should be enough to satiate any graphic whore out there. With 2.5 square miles of city to explore and no blocked bridges stopping you from going anywhere, the game will let you hop into one of the period cars and take a leisurely cruise around. Those looking for familiar icons won’t have any trouble finding the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State building, which have been recreated in-game, amongst other such notable landmarks.

Story played an integral part in the original and that is what made the game so special to so many of us. No wonder, Mafia II will boast of a more intricate and involving story that would have you try being in the good books of the three rival factions while you try to be a “made man”. With 700 pages of screenplay, the game is set to suck the players in into experiencing what it took to be a part of the mob in 50’s America. The setting is more realistic, grittier where your actions will decide the outcome. What you do in the game will decide whether you advance through the ranks or end up being on the river bed. The period music will add to the whole look and feel of living in an America ruled by the mafia.

Gameplay will be still very much what it is like in a sandbox game though you won’t be going around shooting pigeons. The story is an integral part of Mafia II and that will show in the gameplay as well. The police are reported to be lot more forgiving this time so you can afford to break that traffic rule or enjoy driving fast without having the lights flashing in your rear view. Vertical exploration is set to be included in the game that would allow you to get to really high points in the game, both to enjoy a scenic view or take out that rival capo with a sweetly placed sniper bullet. Screenshots indicate that a cover system has been implemented to help you get out of a tight spot during the firefights.

Health can be regained at restaurants and automobiles can be fixed and upgraded in garages. Buying property to set up a home base is an option and so is the ability to stash guns and cars. Most of the objects can be interacted with based on a context sensitive button that would allow you to deal with it violently or in a saner manner. Cars will have full damage modeling that can cut a long chase short. Trunks can be used to stash guns as well bodies once a job is done well. Gyms will give you the ability to “level up” by unlocking new moves. Readable newspapers indicate the game will report on your latest doings via newspapers. Fans of the original Mafia can expect to find Easter eggs all over the game.

With GTA4 having received its fair share of attention and adulation, its time for Mafia II to step in the limelight and claim its position as one of the best story driven sandbox game out there. After having been to Lost Haven, and having enjoyed out stay there, we are pretty sure that the trip to Empire City will be even bigger and better. One thing that we have come to expect from a Mafia game is a story par excellence. Mafia II is promising us the same and unless the developers screw it up midway, this game is poised to be the next big game out there. Come winter and we will be putting on our trench coats and loading up our Tommy Guns on PC, Xbox 360 and the PS3.

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By N2H

• GTA-4.BIZ Says:
  May 21st, 2008 at 9:35 am

  [...] as one of the best story driven sandbox game out there. After having been to Lost Haven, … Read More This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 4:05 am and is filed under Grand Theft Auto [...]

• whisperingdeath Says:
  May 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 pm

  Mafia is one game I enjoy till today, even though, I have completed the game in an out, and know each and every nook and corner of the city, but it still manages to hold my attention. Though having shifted my core attention to a different field this is one game which I’m really, really, and ‘ fuckin’ really excited to play.

  Perhaps this has something to do with its tight knit screenplay, and really fleshed out characters which makes this game more atmospheric on the narrative level than the GTA series. Though GTA-4 doubtless is more solid and kick-ass than its previous installment a paradigm shift from its arcade roots.