Aiming to take a piece of the action from rivalGTA.
Still, weapons feel meaty enough, and fire fights are enjoyable.
WhereMafia IIsets itself apart a little is with melee combat.
Controls switch to allow easy close combat.
This system is, admittedly, very basic, but it works.
Theres also a series of stylish finishing moves to execute once you wear down your foes enough.
That is, aside from the truly awful Chinese stereotypes, which some may even find border on offensive.
Sadly, this decent story also harmsMafia IIsomewhat.
Theres a single story thread that youll follow from one mission and chapter to the next.
There are no side missions, and very few distractions.
Some nice little touches also help build this immersion.
Rules, for one, are enforced far more than most other similar titles.
Cars also use fuel, which can supposedly run out unless you refill at a gas station.
Even if you lose the police, youll be flagged again if you drive past another officer.
A simple re-spray wont work here.
Quite the flipside fromGTAandSaints Rows more disposable ride approach.
Theyre totally brainless, and the end result is a car chase that degrades into bumper cars.
Fortunately, though, when it comes to flaws and technical issues,Mafia IIis fairly clean.
Some form of property acquisition, protection racketeering or heist side threads would have worked wonders.
Mafia IIis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
4 out of 5
