2K Games and Hangar 13 are currently surprising us with the Mafia: Definitive Edition An offer you can't refuse. After almost 20 years, you finally have the original. Mafia It's been dusted off, given a good polish, and remade to shine in new splendor. The Don couldn't be prouder of the latest work from developer Hangar 13, which proves that the series is far from over.
A classic mafia story
The story of Mafia It's pretty much a well-known story and couldn't be more classic. I humbly have to confess to the boss that I the original Mafia I had never played the original and only got into it with part 2. This made it all the more possible to enjoy the remake without prejudice, without constantly having to make comparisons.
It all begins with our protagonist, Tommy Angelo, a simple taxi driver in Lost Heaven, who works hard to support his family. The great stock market crash of 1929 is still fresh in many people's minds, yet Tommy wants nothing to do with criminal activities. And yet, he will soon find himself part of a notorious Mafia family, earning his money in precisely that way. For just like that, Tommy becomes an accomplice in a getaway and impresses the Don with his driving skills. From then on, Tommy belongs to the inner circle of the Salieri family and rises through the ranks faster than he might like. Abandoning his simple life and the prospect of quick money proves far more appealing than working his butt off as a taxi driver day after day.
Typical Mafia life in the 1930s initially consists of small jobs and rivalries. Protection money here, cigar smuggling there, bribery, and things like that. The fact that the major families eventually get in each other's way inevitably leads to a bloody Mafia war in the open streets, and we're right in the middle of it. The fact that you can't even trust your own people is demonstrated above all in the spectacular ending of... Mafia: Definitive Edition as an interesting twist. Exciting and elaborately staged, with a clear focus on the story, which at times gives you goosebumps.
While a remake often offers the chance to change and rewrite things, Hangar 13 adhered strictly to the original script. This often leaves you with the feeling that you've just skipped something important. For example, I felt Tommy's rise within the family was far too rapid – one minute he's a taxi driver, the next he's the Don's most valuable capo. This is further emphasized by the enormous time jumps of several years in the story. As a result, desirable details or background information about the otherwise complex characters are occasionally omitted, details that could certainly have been used to expand the relatively short story to a more modern level of scope. There were certainly enough opportunities to do so.
Nevertheless, I was thoroughly entertained by the story, especially by the excellent pacing, the varied story missions, and the elaborate cutscenes, which were perfect for relaxing and enjoying. The characters themselves, completely redesigned for the remake, are also convincing in their portrayal of personality, facial expressions, and gestures. All delivered with appropriate humor. Pay particular attention to the Don's eyes, whose gaze brilliantly underscores his seriousness. A classic mafia movie could hardly do better.
Lost Heaven – a paradise for mafiosi
When the economy is down, the mafia thrives. It's the 1930s, the Great Depression and economic crisis are taking hold, and Lost Heaven is not immune. Inspired by metropolises like New York and Chicago, you'll find the authentic setting typical of the mafia series, divided into several districts. From simple working-class neighborhoods to chic suburban developments, all the way to the imposing look of a major city with its skyscrapers and landmarks, exploring the game world is a true delight. Nostalgic buildings, iconic neon signs, and the glamorous look of the era are found on every corner. But the suffering brought about by the crisis is also omnipresent – homelessness, social decline, and the neglect of the slums are realistically portrayed. This is particularly evident in the city jail, which has been abandoned to its own devices and its prisoners. When law enforcement officers then turn a blind eye to open crimes, the picture of this era is simply perfect.
On the other hand, it must be said that this magnificent game world is once again far too underutilized. Players stubbornly follow the story, neglecting much of what's on offer. As mentioned above, these gaps in the story could have been filled in nicely. As it stands, the only way to explore the game world more thoroughly, find the remaining comics, or visit photo spots is through the free roam mode after completing the story. This mode is particularly worthwhile for driving the stylish classic cars, of which there are plenty in the remake – nearly 60 iconic models, to be precise.
From old to new
The most significant differences of Mafia: Definitive Edition The differences are naturally evident in the technical aspects, as the game, which is over 20 years old, has been completely rebuilt from the ground up. This is especially true for Lost Heaven itself, whose aesthetics have been significantly refined to place it even more authentically within the period. Entire districts have been renamed, the city feels bustling and vibrant, Chinatown now has the look to live up to its name, the street network has been optimized, and overall, the atmosphere of the era has been captured perfectly. Unfortunately, I lack a direct comparison to the original, but what Hangar 13 has delivered in this remake could hardly be more authentic, in my opinion.
Another focus is on the cutscenes, which were completely re-recorded using the latest techniques and re-dubbed to create a cohesive overall experience. According to Hangar 13, this was absolutely necessary, even if some fans from back then might not be entirely happy with it. However, viewed on its own merits, the remake offers the first-class performance and cinematic presentation for which the mafia series has always been known.
Some gameplay aspects, however, feel somewhat outdated, being significantly more modern than they were back then, yet already showing signs of age. In particular, the developers made use of... Mafia III (our review), which even back then felt somewhat clumsy in its gameplay. Much has improved since then, but there's still room for improvement. This is especially true for character development, which progresses passively only through story sequences and over which the player has no control. The remake benefits most from features like cover and melee combat, but even here, the mechanics are limited to the simplest of approaches.
Those who wish can also personalize their gaming experience – for example, making it more challenging with more attentive cops, less precise aiming assistance, etc., or vice versa, resulting in an action-packed and cinematic flow.
Overall, the technical performance of the Mafia: Definitive Edition Better than the original Mafia III, both graphically and in terms of gameplay. However, the remake isn't entirely free of minor bugs, especially with textures that pop in late or occasional frame rate drops in hectic situations.
