Mafia: Definitive Edition

Mafia: Definitive Edition – not just a simple remaster but a stunning remake of the 2002 classic. Based in 1930s Lost Heaven is a city modelled on Chicago during the final years of prohibition. You’ll play as Tommy Angelo a taxi driver, who finds himself thrown into the Saleri crime family after he helps two mobsters escape from a rival gang.

The story unfolds as Tommy reveals a compilation of his most tense and hair-raising escapades to a police detective, uncovering a web of deception and revenge. The game is pretty much the same as the original but with a few things added to most missions to further immerse players into the life of a 1930s gangster.

Unlike other open-world titles Mafia: Definitive Edition is more linear with the environment serving as more of a sandbox for the missions. You can, however, roam around or drop off the main story and into Free Ride Mode to explore the city. Lost Heaven is exciting to explore and looks stunning. Mafia: Definitive Edition brings the city to life with traffic on the bustling streets, pedestrians going about their business and some incredible lighting effects.

Levels flow from one to the next while offering you just enough action-packed escapades to keep you hooked. The 20 levels/missions will keep you on the edge of the seat as they pull you in towards a gratifying conclusion. I played the game from start to finish in a single day – 15 hours to be exact.

Combat

Shooting and combat, in general, feel good, although not perfect. I found melee combat a little clunky. For shooting, you rely on a limited arsenal of weapons with each one feeling pretty solid. My favourite by far has to be the shotguns, that can send enemies flying backwards in a shower of debris. AI can be a little slow and a little dumb at times but overall it doesn’t ruin the gaming experience.

Getting Around

You’ll have access to over 40 different vehicles, including a couple of motorcycles which all look like they’ve come straight out of a classic car journal. The police are sticklers for the rules, so if you’re speeding or acting suspiciously you’re likely to get pulled over and fined – or worse if you choose to make a break for it.

I’ve seen more than a few people online complaining about the vehicle handling in the game but I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. I for one love it and think it offers one the most unique driving experiences on the market. Oh and don’t forget to keep an eye on your fuel gauge because you could get stuck with an empty tank.

Side Missions & Collectables

There are no side missions in the main game. Side missions can be done in Free Ride Mode and involve finding hidden cars and outfits. Looking for collectables will have you poking around every corner of Lost Heaven. Most can be done in Free Ride Mode however there are a few that are semi-missable and you’ll have to get these while you’re playing the main game.

The side missions and collectables in Mafia: Definitive Edition are:

• 20 Dime Detectives
• 20 Black Masks
• 20 Super Science Stories
• 20 Terror Tales
• 10 Gangsters Monthly Comics
• 22 Cigarette Cards
• 5 Post Cards
• 5 Hidden Cars
• 50 Mystery Foxes

Buy now: Mafiagame.com | Takealot | Loot | BT Games

Every Definitive Edition game in Mafia: Trilogy unlocks bonus content in the other two games. Owning Mafia: Definitive Edition unlocks Tommy Angelo’s suit and his cab in the Definitive Editions of both Mafia II and Mafia III. Mafia: Definitive Edition is available now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Reviewed on Xbox One. A review code was supplied by the publisher.