Review: Mafia – Definitive Edition
The old saying of “time flies as you get older” certainly holds true, as it seems like only a handful of years ago that I was living the life of Thomas “Tommy” Angelo and running errands for Don Salieri in the video game world of Mafia on my PS2.
Now, a quite staggering (and frightening!) 16 years after it’s PS2 release, I’m revisiting Tommy’s life again thanks to Mafia: Definitive Edition on my PS4.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a built-from-the-ground-up remake of the original Mafia with an updated script complete with newly recorded dialogue, expanded backstories and additional cutscenes.
The gameplay has been improved with the addition of motorcycles, a new melee combat system, overhauled shooting and driving mechanics, and a fully rebuilt city which not only looks much better with a brand new lighting model, but also feels more “alive” then in the original release.
“Quality of life” improvements include an updated checkpoint system, a variety of difficulty options and a “Free Ride” mode which unlocks after you complete the first story mission and allows you to replay them and search for hidden cars, comic books and other collectables that you may have missed on your first playthrough.
The new updates aren’t all just a feast for the eyes though, as a completely re-recorded orchestral score is included, as well as 35 classic tracks from artists like Duke Ellington that play over the car radio stations that you can select while driving…or you can also opt to skip the in-between mission driving sections should you so wish.
Mafia: Definitive Edition was an absolute joy to play, and despite already having completed the game all those years ago, I found myself once again thoroughly engaged in the wonderfully written and performed story of Tommy Angelo. So much so that I got quite emotional during the final parts of the game…I swear it was dust that got in my eyes!
Set across 20 missions, the characters that Tommy encounters are slowly introduced, and before you know it you are completely immersed in his world and actually care as to what happens. Something that can’t be said for a lot of games that out there.
The updated graphics bring the world to life, with a more vibrant city and the new lighting model sometimes making me pause just to admire my surroundings…before continuing my walk into a local pizzeria to shoot the crap out of a rival mob gang, all accompanied by satisfying and weighty gunplay which can often have hilarious effects as you blow the crap out of your foes.
The gunplay isn’t as smooth as modern dedicated first person shooters, but definitely works within the context of this game, with a duck and cover technique that was easy to use and often got me out of some very tricky situations. While the variety of weapons also encouraged me to use them all depending on the environment and the amount/proximity of “bad guys” that were after my blood.
The driving model is solid and satisfactory (and also customisable too), and despite featuring period cars which don’t have high top speeds, I was soon throwing them around busy city corners, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic, and all while firing at a fleeing car in front of me as cops chased both of us. Very enjoyable indeed.
I absolutely loved my time with Mafia: Definitive Edition (which by the way isn’t over as I fully intended to keep dipping back into Free Ride mode to find the collectables I’m still missing) and can highly recommend it for everyone, whether you’ve played it before or this will be your first time.
There were a few graphical glitches, the craziest being a police car that was floating above a busy road and dropped on my roof as I was trying to escape from his colleagues. But these were very few and far between, and I found none of them annoying. In fact they gave me a few extra laughs as I played.
A great story, well performed (with new facial animation which draws you into the characters even more) and with engaging gameplay, Mafia: Definite Edition has definitely been one of my gaming highlights of 2020. Fantastic work by Hangar 13 games in breathing new life into this story and making it such a pleasure to experience.
It’s also included in the full Mafia: Trilogy, which contains the Definitive Editions of Mafia II and Mafia III as well.
I want to revist Mafia II now!
Review by Dave from a PS4 code kindly supplied by 2K.
***NEW UPDATE***
Mafia: Definitive Edition Debuts Noir Mode in First Post-Launch Update
Players can now experience Noir Mode, an atmospheric, film noir-inspired visual filter, as well as new HUD options and more
2K and Hangar 13 released the first post-launch update for Mafia: Definitive Edition, which adds new features free for all players. Among these new features is Noir Mode, a visual option that paints Mafia: Definitive Edition’s gameplay and cinematics with a vintage black-and-white look, complete with moody film grain effects to further accentuate the game’s Prohibition Era aesthetic. Screenshots of Noir Mode can be seen here.
The update also includes new heads-up display (HUD) options that allow players to switch the in-world main objective marker on and off; switch mini-map enemy markers on and off in all difficulty settings; enable or disable navigation features like turn-by-turn instructions and mini-map GPS; and enable a new minimal HUD mode that hides HUD elements like the mini-map, speedometer, and objective text. For more information about today’s update, please refer to this article.
Mafia: Definitive Edition – a comprehensive, built-from-the-ground-up remake of the original Mafia – launched on September 25 to critical praise and overwhelming support from fans. The remake features an updated script filled with rich new dialogue, expanded backstories, and additional cutscenes. Players will also find all-new gameplay sequences and features, best-in-class cinematics, a re-recorded orchestral score, and other enhancements. It’s the Mafia players remember, only much more.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is part of the Mafia: Trilogy, which includes:
- Mafia: Definitive Edition – The built-from-the-ground-up remakeof the beloved classic;
- Mafia II: Definitive Edition – The ultra HD remasterof the fan favorite;
- Mafia III: Definitive Edition – There-introduction of the award-winning narrative masterpiece.
Players who purchase Mafia: Trilogy can immediately access all three games. Mafia: Definitive Edition, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, and Mafia III: Definition Edition are also available for purchase individually. All three games, plus the full Trilogy, are available on PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
For more information about Mafia: Definitive Edition’s features and content, as well as additional details regarding Mafia: Trilogy as a whole, please visit MafiaGame.com.
