Mafia: Definitive Edition
A full remake of the 2002 Mafia, rebuilt from the ground up.
Hangar 13 and 2K released this 2020 action-adventure remake of the 2002 game Mafia, the fourth series entry. Set in 1930s Lost Heaven, Illinois, it follows cab driver Tommy Angelo's journey into the Salieri crime family and his eventual downfall.
Quick Facts
- Publisher
- 2K
- Director
- Alex Cox
- Producer
- Devin Hitch
- Designer
- Ondřej Vévoda
- Programmer
- Martin Brandstätter
- Artist
- Petr Motejzík
- Writer
- Haden Blackman, Will Porter
- Composer
- Jesse Harlin
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The game is a full remake built from the ground up with new assets and an expanded story, though missions and arcs from the original are carried over. Players control Tommy Angelo throughout the single-player campaign, navigating the world on foot or by vehicle. Motorcycles were introduced for the first time in the series. Gameplay mechanics are based on those of Mafia III. A Classic Difficulty setting serves as the hardest difficulty, altering ammunition management and police response to crimes to resemble the original 2002 game. Outside the main story, a Free Ride mode allows players to explore the city without mandatory objectives. Free Ride and Free Ride Extreme are merged into one mode, with the latter's side missions incorporated as hidden secrets. Collectibles include period-accurate magazines and comics such as Black Mask, Super Science Stories, Dime Detective Magazine, and Terror Tales, along with fictional items like Gangsters Monthly comic series and cigarette cards featuring Mafia characters. A post-launch update in October 2020 added taxi missions and a racing mode in the autodrome from the mission Fair Play, plus a Noir Mode that displays the game in black and white, and HUD customization options.
Plot
In 1938, mobster Tommy Angelo meets police detective John Norman and offers to tell his story to secure his family's protection from the Salieri crime family. In 1930, Tommy is a taxi driver during the Great Depression. He helps two Salieri gangsters, Paulie Lombardo and Sam Trapani, escape an ambush by the Morello family. After Morello gangsters destroy his cab in revenge, Tommy joins the Salieri family as a made man, working under consigliere Frank Colletti and befriending Paulie and Sam. In 1932, Tommy begins a relationship with Sarah Marino after protecting her from street hoodlums. On Salieri's orders, Tommy and Paulie kill the gang's leader Billy, who is revealed to be the son of councillor Roberto Ghillotti. Sam kills Billy's friend Johnny at the funeral. Tommy destroys a brothel and kills its manager for switching loyalty to Morello, and later spares a prostitute named Michelle at Sam's request before helping Sam kill Johnny.
Development
Announced on May 13, 2020, as part of the Mafia: Trilogy, the remake was developed by Hangar 13, who expanded the original story and gameplay and created a new original score. The game uses the Fusion Engine, the same engine used in Mafia III. The entire setting was redesigned, with the team restyling the city to match 1920s and 1930s America after World War I. Chinatown was redesigned with more recognizable buildings and decorations. Street layouts were modified for smoother driving mechanics, with smoother corners and intersections, relocated buildings and landmarks, and added shortcuts and alleys. Hangar 13 used data-mapping of driving patterns from the original game to alter how players traverse between objectives. The English soundtrack was recorded with a different cast; Italian Australian actor Andrew Bongiorno provided voice, likeness, and motion capture for Tommy Angelo. Hangar 13 president Haden Blackman stated that motion capture required both voice and physical performances, and actors needed to look the part and perform well in both areas. The Czech dub retained most surviving cast members from the 2002 game, including Marek Vašut as Tommy.
Reception
Mafia: Definitive Edition received generally favorable reviews on Metacritic. OpenCritic reported 81% of critics recommended the game. IGN gave 8/10, praising performances, driving model, and atmosphere. GameSpot gave 6/10, praising story and performances but criticizing combat and movements. Game Informer gave 5.5/10, calling it faithful but musty by contemporary standards. In its first week, the game was the third-best-selling in the UK, with the Mafia Trilogy finishing sixth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Mafia: Definitive Edition available on?
Mafia: Definitive Edition was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Who directed Mafia: Definitive Edition?
Mafia: Definitive Edition was directed by Alex Cox.
Who designed Mafia: Definitive Edition?
Mafia: Definitive Edition was designed by Ondřej Vévoda.
Who composed the music for Mafia: Definitive Edition?
The music for Mafia: Definitive Edition was composed by Jesse Harlin.
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