Mafia II - The Buzzsaw

Lore & Background

Set within the fictional city of Empire Bay from 1945 to 1951, the story follows Vito Scaletta, a young Sicilian-American mobster and war veteran, who becomes caught in a power struggle among the city's Mafia crime families while attempting to pay back his father's debts and secure a better lifestyle.

In Their Own Story

The snow falls heavy on Empire Bay, muffling the city into a quiet that feels wrong. Vito Scaletta climbs into Joe's car—a rust-eaten sedan with a heater that blows cold air—and Joe grins like a kid with a firecracker. He hands over a heavy cloth bundle. 'This is your new best friend,' he says. Inside is a Thompson submachine gun, cold and oiled, its wooden stock smooth against Vito's palm. He hefts it, feeling the weight of what he's about to do. They drive through streets that look empty but aren't—past closed shops, dim streetlights, and the shadow of a man watching from a doorway. Joe's voice drops low: 'Just follow my lead. Don't think, just shoot.'

Reader's Guide

The game is played from a third-person perspective and its world is navigated on foot or by vehicle. The player character's criminal activities may incite a response from law enforcement agencies, measured by a 'wanted' system that governs the aggression of their response. Police awareness works similarly to the previous game, but the player now has the option to bribe officers after committing an offense. A cover system allows the player to take cover behind objects and shoot enemies.

Did You Know?

• The game features 50 era-accurate vehicles and licensed music.
• There are three in-game radio stations: Empire Central Radio, Empire Classic Radio, and Delta Radio.
• A version including all previously released DLC, titled Mafia II: Director's Cut, was released by Feral Interactive in December 2011.
• Mafia II: Definitive Edition was released on 19 May 2020, co-developed by d3t and Hangar 13.