GameSpot Reviews - Mafia II Review

[@1DayVd]

One of the most criminally underrated games

[@TayR0C]

+1DayVd haven't seen such attention to detail in any other game ever.

[@IMN602]

The only other game comparable in detail is GTA

[@Master.Jedi.Kenobi]

it's not underrated, it's seen very high numbers and everyone says its good. overlooked is the word you're looking for.

[@Onlyicedmilk]

One of my favorite single player games ever personally.

[@jimmynucklehead3070]

My personal favorite story shooter Uncharted 4 Mafia 1 de Max payne Red dead redemption 2 I want to play mafia 2 so bad

[@1rtwilson]

What a fucking great game. The story was so compelling and it really draws you in, you almost build relationships with the characters. That's when you know it's a good story. There isn't many games these days that the story can really draw you in like Mafia II did. It was just a good the second play through, if not better.

[@MuzammilParkar16]

Yeah Man I'm In Love With This Game...So Fucking Amazing!!

[@xFlared]

The game is simply a masterpiece. You can't describe it in words, you just have to experience it. One of most immersive story-lines written.

[@llkkkjkjlllkj]

its the single greatest game i have ever played... no jokes

[@deepsouthredneck1]

This is my favorite open world crime game hands down, although my favorite game set in this era goes to LA Noire.

[@FrankaDankus327]

One of my favorite games of all time. Fucking awesome m.

[@DavidPigbody]

Admiral Ackbar

[@Master.Jedi.Kenobi]

it can't be a masterpiece if its lacking in the open world element. that's not what a masterpiece means.

[@ZlatanYT3]

I'm AMAZED by the detail, just finished like chapter 3, I love the DETAILS, I am such an observer, I keep staring at the kitchen, and its functions, amazing... lovely game, takes you straight back to the 40's n 50's, well done!

[@soundscapeii]

I played it in 2011 and I still play it. One of my absolute favorite games!

[@WestfaelischerJung]

6 years ago ? holy how time flies !

[@frankuraku5622]

3 years ago comment? Holy how time files!

[@jimmynucklehead3070]

@@frankuraku5622 5 month comment ? Holy how time flys !!

[@williamlynskey787]

😳

[@cristhian900]

This game introduced me to the amazing music of the 50's!!! Half of my music library now consists of 50's music. I've gotten into watching some 50's films too. Thank you 2K for this amazing game!

[@isunlloaoll]

Right? The feel and atmosphere is just so captivating and romantic. Timeless.

[@mattgrupp6766]

Cristhian Troncoso If you like 50s music, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest Fallout 3 and New Vegas

[@cristhian900]

I actually fell with fallouts music as well!!!!

[@awesome1ru]

music sucked back then

[@zeultimatepeensukr1939]

+awesome1ru Haha lol good one man thanks for making me laugh today!

[@Saynt614]

On sale on Steam right now for $5.99. Can't go wrong.

[@DeltaSniperZRR]

Mafia II and L.A. Noire are the best game ever.

[@jordanj809]

Too bad neither of them give u anything to do in their authentic 20th century worlds outside of the story. :(

[@LargeJeffrey]

Jordan Jolivette hopefully mafia 3 changes that

[@MalphasMikaelson]

Jordan Jolivette Mafia 1 didn't have it either. I don't think there's nothing wrong with games just focussing on a good story and fun gameplay in the story. Not every game needs to fill their world with nonsense.

[@jordanj809]

Noctis Caelum what u call nonsense, I call content. what's the point of an open world if there's nothing to do in it?

[@MalphasMikaelson]

Jordan Jolivette And what fun things do you do in GTA V? Yes, you're right it's content, but not every game needs it. Or else games should just not put a story in it. I played GTA V for the story, when I was done I didn't feel the need to play more.

[@fh5708]

Mafia 2 is art Mafia 3 is unfinished garbage

[@Thomas-lg7xm]

true

[@jeremiahlozano8484]

No Mafia 3 is finished, AND excellent.

[@KeloTheWolfy]

I'd prefer both games mafia 2 is realistic Mafia 3 is a GTA Wannabe

[@gamerrag9552]

Fun fact :Mafia 2 is also unfinished still it's awesome

[@davedave6010]

Mafia 3 isn't czech game soo yea u saying the truth

[@tax4318]

I personally think that gamespot always reviews games better than ign

[@namor357]

Which other game gets you to scrub a urinal with a toothbrush?

[@noahdoty6794]

yes it is just like gta but in the 1940's and 50's . i perfer mafia 2 over gta

[@Pazzoal]

I prefer Sleeping Dogs over GTA.

[@jonhy24oldboy]

GTA is a great series but a little overrated in my opinion , Mafia II has a great story a simple thing that the GTA games could not handle

[@MrDueltube]

@@jonhy24oldboy I love GTA but the other games in the open world crime drama genre are just as good Mafia, Saints Row, Sleeping Dogs, and Watch Dogs (watch dogs barely qualifies in this genre as you are more of a hacktivist/vigilante than a criminal but still got the same mechanics of 3rd person action/shooting & driving/stealing cars).

[@tarikaine1001]

still better than ign review of this fantastic game

[@Cant_Hit_This7]

Mafia 1 had a far better story IMHO

[@MrCarboxylate]

and... had free roam (while mafia 2 ends with the last mission)

[@malachiconstant7745]

"We followed the fuckin yellow brick road.." Oh, Steve your my favorite...

[@DarthVader-ib7tl]

"Right steve?"

[@arkanjoteixeira]

Henry ftw

[@abillypuppet]

*sigh* "sure Derek."

[@Misiulo]

A politically correct review the dude was very careful not to hurt the designers. Overall the game has amazing graphics, but is overloaded with boring filler and it feels too much like a rail shooter. Some important options missing: No free ride mode. No shooting from the car. Loading a mission overwrites your progress in the game. In terms of gameplay, it's step backwards in relation to the original.

[@Stay_ClassyYT]

This seems scary from buying this game just now. O:

[@ME-sp3yo]

They couldve had a better save system

[@Stay_ClassyYT]

Indeed and a better map layout since I can't find a safehouse to store my car anywhere in this game.

[@Suko1983]

MAFIA 10/10, MAFIA II 8.5/10, they could have done a lot of things better and there aren't many great missions, adding Joes Adventures & Jimmy's DLCs it can reach a 9/10. If you played the first MAFIA you'll know why I was kind of disappointed. I hope MAFIA III comes out soon.

[@juststained]

You will regret that last line ;-)

[@Lucas02000]

@@juststained Mafia I remake will make up for it let's hope.

[@SWEGTA]

*stealth Sneaking, being quiet, not getting noticed

[@gleam6370]

Hi swegta from 7 years ago. Bully 2 has never been announced and never will

[@SentinelxPrime]

What's the song in the background?

[@deeness1972]

Bill Haley and his comets " rock around the clock "

[@TheChodex]

This game got me into Jazz (didn't even know what that genre was called until this game). Fell in love with artists such as Django Reinhardt which then led me into learning to play guitar. I can safely say that this game literally changed my life!

[@barebarekun161]

I really can't complain much since I got it for like $6.

[@EQOAnostalgia]

Is it just me or did he say, "i wish there was more to do but it's okay because it's still amazing" like 4 fucking times during this review!?

[@sneaky5141]

3 words to bring any man to tears: Henry, Broad Daylight.

[@13a98amarie]

mafia 2 story is so amazing i was close to crying at the end.you develop feelings for the characters over time

[@vito_keys]

If this game is made by Rockstar, the cars should be Hermes, Broadway, Hotknife, Hustler, Remington, Voodoo, and other such vintage cars.

[@MrCelroy]

No, 2k cezch makes games with great graphics that can be run using shitty systems.

[@matthewdecker8739]

Hehe my grand mother owns a Hermes.

[@radioactivejunker]

Matthew Decker hermes? you mean a 1950's mercury sport sedan?

[@Mihai5074]

kristaps1139 if you were a gta player you'd knew what a hermes is !

[@roadbuster9064]

Its 2k Games you idiot !!!! and kristaps1139 tu esi latvietis :D ?

[@111matterman]

Here's how to free roam: 1. When it says to go home as your objective, you can drive around the city all you want. However, you usually get this objective during the night, so you won't be able to explore during the day. However... 2. If you get an objective that says to go meet someone somewhere, you can also free roam. You will almost always get this objective during the day, so you can explore Empire Bay in the sun. You're not required to meet your associate within a certain time limit, and

[@DrunkOfficeTea]

so much better than mafia 3

[@tsdim]

I love this game and I never felt "teased" or like I needed more action because the story is very good! The game is fun even on Hard difficulty without frustrating you and the humor in the dialogues you hear while in battle make it even better. The combat is AWESOME,as the guns feel powerful( the Tommy Gun is a beast ) and Vito reacts when he is being shot at,adding more to the experience. Not a lot of stealth in this game but it doesn't really matter. 10/10. A must-buy.

[@vidvention]

And 1:17-1:23, here you have it, the reason most video games now are lame brainless shit, instead of having in-depth character and story (i.e. the game having a ''soul''), they focus on the so called ''fun stuff'' like brainless shooting and punching.

[@Jumper706]

Uhhh, you do realize he wanted that stuff instead of driving and busy work, not story bits right?

[@TKoMEaP]

No no no, you completely missed his point. He even compliments the story throughout the review, he just comments how frustrating it is that you have to drive back and forth so much to essentially do nothing more than go to sleep... And he's dead on, that's simply pointless. Ok game, we get it he lives here, and your world looks beautiful...however I would much more prefer if we could get on with the intense story line instead of driving around the same block the millionth time. There isn't even dialogue during these drives, we don't learn anything new, litterally NOTHING happens... The only possible argument you could use to justify it is similar to MGS 3's "The Ladder" section, where that section is only there to allow the player to digest what just happened. But, let's face it...selling smokes and then killing a bunch of greasers for burning your smokes isn't exactly "complicated", it's actually really straight forward. And it certainly doesn't require a time for the player to sit down and think about it.

[@Jumper706]

I agree with what you just, I haven't finished the game but I do think there's too much useless driving. But isn't that what my comment said? Sorry I replied months ago and don't remember the context of what we're talking about.

[@TKoMEaP]

Jarrett .Wener Oh no, I was replying to OP, not your comment lol.

[@vidvention]

I agree on the driving but you completely missed my point. He also stated that watching cutscenes is boring while it makes a story.

[@Stonek89]

Did you know: Song "Mr. Sandman" by Chordettes, which you can hear on the radio in 1951 (in game) was actually released in 1955 ;]

[@otosuchomel5875]

I think the first one was better.

[@TerminallyILLMusic]

I loved the gun fights and the way the people looked when they died. Also, the graphics were pretty awesome and i became really immersed in the story. I love how you get to experience so many different things over the 8 year story.

[@titoaldunate]

10 ot of 10, best game i have ever played

[@soundscapeii]

My favorite game too!

[@matiascontreras8597]

Tito Me 2!!!!! I complete the campaign 17 times lol

[@gluserty]

I wasn't bothered by the lack of activities on the map, since I consider this game linear with open world elements. The presentation, characterization, music, and missions were enough for me. Could the story be longer? Sure, I think there was room for 20 chapters (the gamer really loses 1945-1950, so something could've been worked out), but no biggie.

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

Amazing game ... Lets hope Mafia III is just as good 😊

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

Its a little dissapointing indeed ... But I still enjoy the game ... As good as the previous two ? No.. not in a longshot

[@Stevnnj]

Recht_voor_zijn_raap spoiler it's sucks

[@aceagony4675]

Recht_voor_zijn_raap its not

[@rand0mdude779]

III is good. Just as good as II? Not even close, but still good in its own right. Takes some time getting used to.

[@Skeletty1710]

@roms3 indeed and you cannot reload chapter segments- you need to replay the whole chapter until you have what you wanted.

[@Deepdarkbasement]

Anyone else Pumped for Mafia III?

[@TayR0C]

+Deepdarkbasement Can't wait to see what Vito looks like in M3 as an old man

[@jakethomas_419]

+Deepdarkbasement Absolutely! My most anticipated game of 2016.

[@dragon53777]

+Deepdarkbasement Yeah it's the reason I think i'll get an xbox one haha.

[@augakem]

Daren Redman Now look at the third one...

[@augakem]

ShaDoW Yeah, It's more like a gangster game now...

[@TheXzay]

@MarcheloLoznica Yes, on pc u can. Google 'Mafia 2 Free-Ride' , u will download gui-main.sds file, put it into /pc/scds_en/gui/ directory and start the game. Then in the story mode select free-ride.

[@joja2174]

the story is the best thing about this game

[@lush1998]

I have a glitch which is this; when I sleep on the couch in Joe's house, the objective marker stays there for the entire game. I really want a solution, and someone to tell me if they have gotten this glitch too.

[@Jack_of_Helsinki]

The best game ever! I have played this game at least 50 through. I'm kind a sad that Mafia 3 didn't continue the same story right where Mafia 2 ended and it should have happened in same city Empire Bay. It would be so awesome in my option that when Mafia 2 ended and Joe was taken away that he could somehow escaped and Vito find out about it and Vito somehow negotiate a new deal with Leo and the others and Joe could be joined in to Vinci's family and Vito and Joe start to make a new career with their own groups etc. And some point the game could jumped couple years forward for example from 1951 or 1952 to 1959 or 1964 and Vito and Joe could have their own mafia families by then.

[@TayR0C]

+Nilde693 well according to IMDB, Vito is in the third. If you just have to kill him like you do in 2 for the guy from 1? who knows. Looking forward to how they make old Vito.

[@wasup9439]

I like that

[@CapiTen10]

how long it take you complete? rental or purchase?

[@ahnaftech]

Always Mafia 2>Mafia 3

[@ReZKaTT1]

This has to be one of the best games i've ever played... The story.. its just amazing. I just couldn't put the controller down. I'm glad i bought this game. I can't explain, i really think that other games like this, don't even compare.

[@saloonek2579]

now i do believe that the creators of MAFIA II didnt pay IGN...

[@Robbinson98]

I'd love to see that, but when would it be set? late 50's-early 60's? that'd be cool

[@arkanjoteixeira]

Best game ever

[@enclavesoldier7315]

For me the funnest thing was getting into police chases and never losing the police untill I died to see how long I could last on hard. And also driving is very good, so even if there isint much to do, the things you can do are fun as heell

[@jameswhite5126]

Listen to TOM LEYKIS!!!!

[@roms3]

How is the replayability value? I heard that you can't free roam after the single player had finished...

[@Fjords98]

Here's 2 choices if you want to free roam in Mafia 2: 1. Load a chapter and don't do what you're supposed to do. 2. Or download the Free Ride mod for Mafia 2 (and yes you can download free ride mod for xbox 360 and ps3 to)

[@cillitbang4ever]

i think they should release some dlc where you play as joey after the ending because that would tie up the loose knots left at the end of the game

[@AstralFrost]

The lack of open world activities is precisely what Adam Sessler liked about the game. He agreed with the developer, whose philosophy was that the city is there for place, for setting, as a service to the story. It's meant to be a very focused experience, unlike GTA or Saints Row.

[@ipimees]

dunno why but for my driving around a snowy city in the 40's with my radio playing classics of the time was the best part of this game.I really do love a good atmosphere

[@Reason-g2t]

The theme music still makes me cry, makes me burst into tears.

[@HenrikE81]

In the demo there were basically no checkpoints, how is it in the full game with the latest patch?

[@zduogaminghd4656]

1:14 Well... Someone became road kill...

[@AimBernie]

but now is jimmy's vendetta and joe's adventure also on the pc so you have much to do when you have end the story

[@TheFloepert]

No man, no modes. Just an open-world, with a little more content (side-missions) and an interactive world. But the most important thing is the great story. Mafia 2 had such a great story and it's still one of the best i've ever played. That can't go away!

[@dragonhold4]

There is a point where even the most action seeking gamer finds themselves feeling like a mindless killer in some games. In the Mafia series the story and gameplay has a tension and release cycle so that your protagonists has just enough tragedy done to them as they would have to retaliate. Never are you mindlessly gunning down a group of people without them deserving it (and sometimes revealed as not deserving it) or without having enough background build-up.

[@BlastinHash709]

i had a weird bug happen to me today i was trashing a taxi i shot out the windows, doors fell off and i trashed it some more then i shot off the hub caps and went to the gas station to go to the car wash and when i was finished it rolled out of it and the back tire fell off wtf?

[@gukonni]

Free-roam games are more about emergent gameplay that comes out of the many diverse interacting actors and/or environments. It's harder to plan emergent gameplay since, by its nature, it's created in the mess cloud. But with something like L.A. Noire or Mafia II, the gameplay is much more planned and tied into the story. I think that it's hard to have both free-roam and story-mode in a single game without taking from one to put into the other. Every game has to decide where to invest its time.

[@diamonddigital1]

@ 0:46 whats with his clothes? is that a glitch or something?

[@boogieblackstock]

Very fair review. Just finished the game, epic story line but I totally agree with the ending feeling a little disappointing and the open world aspect is underutilised. But those are minor irritants when taking the game as a whole. Cracking experience.

[@boogieblackstock]

I started playing on the friday night, and had finished by sunday lunchtime. I really got in to the game but I wasn't pulling all-nighters or anything. I think in all it probably took me 18 hours to complete - that was on "normal" mode, a couple of missions I had to retry etc. Really good game though, some absolutely epic set piece missions. Hope you enjoy it.

[@mizikle101]

I thought this game was absolutely fantastic. Truly one of my favorite games of this current gen. Apart from red dead this Is one of my favorite games of all times

[@jfl125]

@MrXzibit1 do you think its worth getting?? or no

[@DrTrinitrotoluene]

I am really exited for the next game man, I would really like to be put in Vito's shoes, further down the track. I would also love to be carried through the childhood, showing those moments defining their personality, and discovering crime, then what you become. I hope they do start off with a new character though. By the way, I loved the ending, I don't think they screwed up. Yeah, I wanna roam around, but that would completely take away from the ending. That is what seperates this from GTA.

[@s103792]

@m33red i need help which game should i get mafia 2 the one that comes with all the dlcs or should i get ac brotherhood

[@ezioauditore8668]

i feel the same way la norie i wanted to mute all the time but mafia 2 my mom would listen to the music it reminded her of when she grow up

[@TheInferno313]

@goodvibesallround no, there is not auto lock

[@windowsVD]

@sikokilla1234 black ops is 2 months away so why not buy both?

[@0oDAVo0]

What's the music at 0:57 PLZ tell me I love it

[@lxlANDlxl]

@NerdySabbath first... you earned my respect since you buy your games. But it just seems that there's always something to keep you busy for a while at a low amount of cash, and then sometimes it pays off to wait a month or 2. i often wait a bit to see if some of the prices dip a little bit, but when i've been looking forward to a game i will buy it at release. and the reason why i hate it when people pirate games is cos we've missed out on some great games as a result of piracy.

[@ForzaVentura]

@41theghost1 Should I get this game? I've heard it's pretty easy to get the PLAT Trophy for PS3. And the upcoming DLC looks nice....

[@greekboi07]

@MrRyubusa Did it end like the sapranos where everything just cut to black in mid senten.....

[@jmantime]

Mafia 3 should have multiplayer with - 50-100 player matches Cops vs Mafia Game mode Gang war mode - your gang vs another gang War mode - with 1940's era tanks and aircraft Bar fight mode - no guns just hand to hand combat

[@Asending]

@jamiecrottyEFC yeah, you can go back and choose what chapter you want to play

[@Frey_2026]

"You touch my sister again I kill you" Heard that one before. Cough, Sonny, Cough Cough.

[@farldiemanie8775]

Walder Frey of the Twins. RIP Sonny

[@drey_scorchin]

Great review guys, I’m considering buying this game on ps5 I have the PS4 version of mafia definitive edition as well

[@Rezzmee]

@Jimmybobburns lol, is that graphics already good to you? anyway i just checked the PC version of Mafia 2, looks like im getting the PC version so atleast i can max the graphic setting. One of the good thing i like about this game is the realisim.

[@jamie_1678]

This is my most favourite game of all time and I've replayed it over 200 times

[@vekiki]

Yes, they did. They said they'll rebuild the whole game from top to bottom, it will be amazing. I just hope they don't screw up the ending (no free roam) like last time.

[@goodvibesallround]

is there auto lock with the weapons?

[@dksilentbob]

It would've been nice if they added a Latino gang, like some zoot suit pachucos or something.

[@BrawlerTM]

So much better than mafia 3. Yet the world was so empty. Story was on point tho. So good.

[@DrTrinitrotoluene]

Guys, trust me, this game is a 10. I don't say that often. Really, boring mopping up and handing out cigarettes rarely occurs, and when it does, it doesn't take long. And the driving, I will admit it got boring after a while, but I wouldn't have it without it, it really ads a sense of open world, it feels great reaching destinations, and helps learn the back streets of the town. Also, upgrading and learning all the newly introduced cars takes place in that time. Great story. My 2 cents worth :)

[@TuskanyTV]

so is the story better than part one? never got around this one

[@goodygoody23]

I agree exactly with this review. This may be the best storyline I've ever played. It's just pure excellence. However, the game lacks much of the free aspects of an RPG. The game would have been a 10/10 if they had put some sort of free roam/side mission bonus in after completing it, but it's still a great game that I've played through multiple times. Storyline-10/10 Gameplay-9/10 Freedom-6/10 Overall-8.5/10 Don't get it if you're looking for free play, get it for the storyline!

[@threeedots]

i heard that this game is linear, not an open world game like having side missions, etc? is that right? thanks?

[@kallemick]

@roms3 you cant but i think you can if you download DLC's and its not really the same when you re-play it

[@artoub8143]

speaking of free roam... i remember playing driving driver 2 on the ps one, there was absolutely nothing do to during free ride, you couldnt even shoot, but it was a lot of fun just driving and running from cops.

[@totravska]

Underrated game, one of my favorite's of all time. Love the vibe and voice acting. The game really feels alive when you're driving around, something I feel LA Noire didn't do well.

[@RafaMyRullz]

how long is the story?

[@sciencefreak2402]

whhats the name of the song playing in the background?

[@Rezzmee]

i have a question, i just downloaded the ps3 demo of Mafia 2, is the graphics is shitty just like on demo? i was like playing on a ps2

[@homerinhalo]

@m33red i didnt think so i think the ending was actually very fitting and well done

[@TheDJGrandPa]

I love how the swears are all censored, but there's ultra violence.