Mafia Definitive Edition: Great game or wasted potential?

The original Mafia game released back in 2002 was definitely one of the best games of the Pentium era. The game featured mechanics ahead of its time and had great visuals. Fast-forwarding eighteen years, Hangar 13 of 2K Games Inc. has remade this old classic. So, does it live up to the expectations?

PLOT (SPOILER FREE)

Simply put, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a complete remake of the original. Hangar 13 has made no changes to the core plot whatsoever. The game had vast potential to improve on the already successful, yet old formula. Character dialogues have been recorded from the ground up. This brought a few significant changes to the narrative and has taken a U-turn from some occasions that previously caused tensions. The game has some extra cut scenes that gives the player more behind the scenes to the plot. This results in better story development.

VISUALS

The game certainly looks great when paired with decent hardware. Graphical fidelity has come a long way, so has our expectations for realism. Missions such as "A Trip to the Country" really shows the detailed water reflections, rain and lighting effects. Here, Mafia checks more boxes than it misses. The game has great details on characters' faces, clothing, vehicles, and has decent lighting effects.

Speaking of lighting effects, Lost Heaven looks more like a 1930 Chicago rip-off than ever. Like most games, Mafia is not perfect. Xbox users have experienced ghosting effects when against certain surfaces. The central characters in the plot no longer have the same faces as the original, only bearing very slight resemblances. The characters are equally lovable. Good or bad, you be the judge.

SOUNDTRACK

The game definitely has impressive environmental sound effects. Screeching of tires, gunshots from the 1930s guns are satisfying to the ears. There's a drawback though. For those who loved the car radio from the original might be disappointed as the cars have only two radio stations with 30 or so vintage tracks.

GAMEPLAY

Mafia provides a great driving experience to those who can use the simulation option. The simulation options open doors to mechanics such as tickets for speeding or disobeying traffic signals. Old, but still not present in most modern games. "Lost Heaven" should have been made more interactive by adding accessible shops, bars and options for side gigs. The story mode does not have any monetary value. Guns are given, with no options for selections. Fines don't cost anything either.

Mafia comes with its fair share of issues. During my hours of gaming, I have experienced quite some bugs. Invisible cars with drivers, enemies standing still on a chase, Tommy falling on bottomless pits under the streets, and unrealistic damage on cars to name a few.

Despite some of its flaws, Mafia: Definitive Edition is still a great remake of the original. Players, be it veterans or new to the series, will have a great time experiencing the best campaign in the Mafia trilogy.  

Osaman is a curious mind always wondering about AI, simulations, theoretical physics and philosophy. To discuss nerd stuff DM him on www.fb.com/osaman.binahmed