Mafia II

Valmont

Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven is one of my favourite games of all time, largely due to its fantastic storyline. I just read that the screenplay was 400 pages long. The sequel, out in March, has a screenplay of 700 pages and is written by the same fellow. It saddens me that many games give the story and plot little thought and usually result in some formulaic and trite nonsense that is either very predictable or just plain daft (Assassins creed 2 anyone?). The developers have licensed music from the 1940's for use in the game so that should add to the atmosphere. The gameplay in the original was good for its time but it's been so long I don't know how the new one will play. Fingers crossed anyway.

Here is some praise for the original in a review that I posted in 2006.

ps. I couldn't write very well at all back then!

Kiith

This has been one of my most looked forward to games since i heard about the sequel. I cant praise the 1st one enough. Fantastic game, with an excellent story and really good characters. If the 2nd one can be anywhere near as good, i'm sold.

If this trailer is anything to go by, it should be brilliant.
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/holiday-confessions-mafia-ii/44434?type=flv

Canis Lupus

Mafia, am I right remembering that it was a good game completely ruined by having to drive like a snail for like..... 20 mins between each mission.

cherryghost

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Mafia, am I right remembering that it was a good game completely ruined by having to drive like a snail for like..... 20 mins between each mission.

god that was awful..

humanji

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Mafia, am I right remembering that it was a good game completely ruined by having to drive like a snail for like..... 20 mins between each mission.

Strange that that's you're biggest memory of it. Most people remember the feckin' race they made you do that they ended up having to patch to make it easier.

Canis Lupus

humanji wrote: »

Strange that that's you're biggest memory of it. Most people remember the feckin' race they made you do that they ended up having to patch to make it easier.

Actually I remember reading about that prior to getting to it and then I think I just got lucky and got through it easily. Or it may be that I had patched. It's been too long.

Valmont

One of its biggest strengths for me was the very realistic driving. I understand that the GTA heads may not have liked it but I found the car chases extremely exciting for the reason that it was quite hard to get away from the cops. That race was terrible, I finished it without the patch or cheats; it took me ages. Good to see some people are very excited for this game!

I used to love how cops would chase you for speeding, and that you could die from a bad crash

Agricola

The sequel has felt like an eternity in coming. Wasnt it supposed to be released a year or two after the original and then got canned because the developer went bust or something?

If its even half the game the first one was, it'll be worth getting. It was just so believable, like an interactive mob movie. It was great to have the open world environment of GTA coupled with an adult plotline and characters that werent characatures.

As for the infamous race, I seem to remember there being a shortcut through the course that you could take which allowed you to go straight from last place to first on the final lap!

dreamers75

Den Den den den den den



HAHAHAH your all humming it now :cool:

Mensch Maschine

This game is gonna be amazing. Loving the graphics and the fact it's gonna be set over a 10 year period. You apartment gets upgraded to suite the changing styles of the times. Snow is included amongst many other feature.

Watch at 720p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omY93dIH8pc

Canis Lupus

Mensch Maschine wrote: »

Snow is included amongst many other feature.

SNOW!!!! SNOW!!!! OMG I CAN'T WAIT. SNOW ROCKS!!!



jk :P

Kiith

Canis Lupus wrote: »

SNOW!!!! SNOW!!!! OMG I CAN'T WAIT. SNOW ROCKS!!!

You'll love this mod for Mafia 1 then :P
http://www.gamershell.com/news_8429.html

Hope the link is right, as im in work and cant check it.

TheDoc

Looking forward to it, I dropped in the original the other night for nostalgic value, still a cracking game.

There is something so satisfying riddling guys with a Tommy gun, or strolling behind someone in a suit to blow them away with a 1911.

Cannot wait for the sequel.

You cannot hipfire Tommy guns enough

Zero-Cool

Mafia was most most underrated games of all time.
I'm not big into playing through games more than 3 times but I can't keep count of how many I had on this. The levels were fantastic, graphics were amazing, for the time (havn't played it in a while).

I remember the one where you go into the hotel (brothel) to kill the ho, bomb the place, jump out the window, cops chase across rooftops, lose them, make your way into the a church via the roof, go down stairs until you find the door you come out of is beside the altar where the funeral of a guy you killed in an earlier mission is taking place leading to a shootout in the church, of and then making a getaway in a funeral car.

WOW!

Hope they keep the same chemistry for II and don't think they have to follow GTA or Godfather games with online nonsense and just focus on a strong single player (although MP wouldn't hurt!)

Mensch Maschine

Canis Lupus wrote: »

SNOW!!!! SNOW!!!! OMG I CAN'T WAIT. SNOW ROCKS!!!



jk :P

lol, I know that sounds ridiculus, and of all the more important features I could have wrote down I put that one in my post, but for ages people have been wanting some sort of changing of seasons in their free-roam games, more notably GTA

Oafley Jones

Agricola wrote: »

As for the infamous race, I seem to remember there being a shortcut through the course that you could take which allowed you to go straight from last place to first on the final lap!

At the very start, reverse back over the finish line and then drive forward = win. Didn't know about this till I won the race, but I'd have used it and spared myself the fifty attempts it took to eventually win. Great foundness for Mafia as well as Illusion softworks Hidden and Dangerous series.

Zero-Cool

I just used to take the short cut, what a ridiculously hard level HAHA!

I heard the PS2 game made the cars faster and upped the spped limit. Wouldn't mind picking it up for the PS3 (if it worked) or should I just stick to the PC?

I remember clearing it and going on my 56k internet to download the ending tune. If I wasn't getting Heavy Rain tomorrow, I would load this up again at the weekend!

Mensch Maschine

sheehy83 wrote: »

I just used to take the short cut, what a ridiculously hard level HAHA!

I heard the PS2 game made the cars faster and upped the spped limit. Wouldn't mind picking it up for the PS3 (if it worked) or should I just stick to the PC?

I remember clearing it and going on my 56k internet to download the ending tune. If I wasn't getting Heavy Rain tomorrow, I would load this up again at the weekend!

Man, I heard the PS and Xbox ports where just abysmal. I'm a console player mainly and I wanted Mafia when it came out but it's one of those games I never got around to getting. Oh well.

Mafia II on ther other hand. Defo getting this on release day.









Holy ****!! I can't wait to walk/drive around in this!! So scenic/cinematic/postcardesque!!!

Zero-Cool

Mensch Maschine wrote: »

but it's one of those games I never got around to getting. Oh well.

Man you really really need to get it for the PC, its like 7 euro in Game (best seller range or sumtin).

The graphics are still cracking so its not like playing an ancient game but if you have any interest in Mafia 2, please, PLEASE play Mafia 1 and post your thoughts (NB. I am not responsible if you don't like the game )

Mensch Maschine

You know. I think I will buddy. Get myself hyped for this title. People I know who have played it really, really reccomend it, like The Wire or The Sopranos.

Man, even hearing about that mission when you end up in the church during a mission and the funeral of a guy you killed already is going on is enough for me to play it. lol

sheehy83 wrote: »

Man you really really need to get it for the PC, its like 7 euro in Game (best seller range or sumtin).

The graphics are still cracking so its not like playing an ancient game but if you have any interest in Mafia 2, please, PLEASE play Mafia 1 and post your thoughts (NB. I am not responsible if you don't like the game )

Sisko

loved the 1st game.

Hell I remember the main menu music track very well, was brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpO16qXT2KI

jaggeh

Mensch that trailer is awesome

i loved the original, in fact i still have it, although i think you can download it for free now.

didnt they upgrade the engine on it (or was it armed and dangerous they updated?)

Zero-Cool

jaggeh wrote: »

Mensch that trailer is awesome

i loved the original, in fact i still have it, although i think you can download it for free now.

didnt they upgrade the engine on it (or was it armed and dangerous they updated?)

Where can you download it for free and is it true about the upgraded engine? Would def make me replay the whole thing again!

Zero-Cool

Resurrectin this thread with a lovely hands on preview

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/07/20/mafia-ii-hands-on-impressions/

PogMoThoin

http://www.ngohq.com/news/18250-mafia-ii-demo-coming-on-august-10-a.html

Agricola

First game since I cant remember when that Im actually considering a pre-order on.
Delighted I have a pc that will handle whatever this game will throw at it. Its going to be epic.

login1

Just have to say M1 was not under rated, pretty sure most loved it,

Though that race 0o

Dcully

First game was simply brilliant.

Mataguri

I see if you pre-order Mafia II on Steam you get the first one for free now. I think I might havta

Burgo

Yeah mafia was amazing and so glad they are releasing a demo, so few pc games do anymore.

GTR63

How long is the campaign in this game,No matter what anyone says there is noting else to do in these type of games but play the campaign I finished Red Dead & there is nothing else to do but get the remaining achievements.

Kiith

GTR63 wrote: »

How long is the campaign in this game,No matter what anyone says there is noting else to do in these type of games but play the campaign I finished Red Dead & there is nothing else to do but get the remaining achievements.

Can you not just be satisfied with a game that has a compelling and believeable story? Assuming its similar length to the original, you get 10-15 hours of gameplay, with what looks like a great story, great voice acting, and great action. Not every game needs multiplayer.

GTR63

Kiith wrote: »

Can you not just be satisfied with a game that has a compelling and believeable story? Assuming its similar length to the original, you get 10-15 hours of gameplay, with what looks like a great story, great voice acting, and great action. Not every game needs multiplayer.

Trust me I hate multiplayer & tacked on Co-op but a few more missions in the final 3rd of Red Dead (when you return from Mexico)wouldn't of hurt the story.Huge open world games have noting in them beyond the missions, they could be on rails & I wouldn't complain. I hear the developers of Mafia II are Polishing this game a lot which caused the Delays.At least I know that just hope its a lenghty & enjoyable.

Shuggana

Direct2Drive has Mafia 1 up with a cost of $0.00, too. I'm not sure if it's still up but it's worth a look! It's not abandonware or anything, so I guess whoever owns the rights to the franchise felt generous.

Kiith

Shuggana wrote: »

Direct2Drive has Mafia 1 up with a cost of $0.00, too. I'm not sure if it's still up but it's worth a look! It's not abandonware or anything, so I guess whoever owns the rights to the franchise felt generous.

I think thats only there because you get it for free when you pre-order Mafia 2. I dont think its actually free without the pre-order.

humanji

Kiith wrote: »

I think thats only there because you get it for free when you pre-order Mafia 2. I dont think its actually free without the pre-order.

Yeah, it's the same for when you pre-order Mafia 2 on Steam, though I think D2D is a little cheaper.

Kiith

humanji wrote: »

though I think D2D is a little cheaper.

Wow, thats a surprise

Bus77II

Mafia 1 was the only game I felt guilty about downloading the 'sly' way.
I still remember driving over the big bridge with the sun coming up and thinking ''wow. I really should have paid for this''

No more crime for me. I'm buying this one.

Zero-Cool

Something tells me this won't have the magic the 1st one had but I can only hope. I will be waiting for the demo before I decide if its a purchase for me or not. Will be trading in RDR (Sick of it, only played half way through and so bored of it!!) I thought it was announced Mafia 2 will have MP??

Kiith

From everything i've seen of this, its going to stay pretty faithful to the first one. I've watched pretty much every video released, including the interviews with the staff, and they really know their stuff. Its probably my most anticipated game of 2010.

The Sparrow

New trailer here:

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-kick-mafia-ii/702414

Looks absolutely fantastic. Loving the music.

Valmont

Kiith wrote: »

Not every game needs multiplayer.

I thought I was the only one! I've been confused lately with perfectly good single player story games containing pointless multiplayer add ons. Bioshock 2, Red dead redemption and I'm sure there are many more. In these later years of my gaming life all I want is a riveting storyline and some novel gameplay elements.

The Freeman

First review is out lads...

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=257937

80%:eek:

Kiith

From reading that, i don't have any problem with their main fault. It was never meant to be a sandbox game, and the first Mafia was extremely linear. No need to change a winning formula. As long as the story and gameplay are good (and from the sounds of things, they are), i'll be happy.

Personally, i can't wait for it.

humanji

I read that review in PC Zone today. I'll spoiler the rest in case anyone doesn't want to know.

The reviewer was f*cking atrocious. I'm not expecting Booker Prize winners to be reviewing things, but how did an editor let him get away with all that? Anyway, the overall impression that I'm getting is that it's just a "meh" game and nothing more. They gave it an 80, but reading the review, you'd wonder why. It's almost like he felt he would get lambasted if he gave it lower. It's a strange review that is quite negative for a lot of it, but seems to apologise for being negative and then praises it at the end.

So basically, that review may as well not have happened for me because it's just left me confused as to whether or not the game is any good.

The Freeman

Kiith wrote: »

From reading that, i don't have any problem with their main fault.

same as that mate, p.c. zone were never great for reviews anyways tbh, linear isin't a bad thing these days seen as how many sandbox games are flooding the market.

reading that the mark down if 20% pretty much was for the linearity, would they give the same score to uncharted 2 due to it being quite linear, if it was on the p.c. too?

Burgo

Isn't the demo supposed to be out today or tomorrow?

humanji

In fairness, there were a lot more downsides in the actual review. The characters seem a little dodgy and unrelatable. There aer annoying colelctables of playboy that flash up on the screen even when you're in the middle of a gun fight. It has a ****ty checkpoint system that makes you backtrack through long sections to get back to where you were. The missions themselves aren't anything new and there's zero replayability.

The line in the review that pretty much sums up what they feel about the game is, "Details like this distinguish Mafia II as a game that you could actually love, rather than play, but with seven years in the pipeline, there should have been more."

I think I'll hold off a week or so after release to see how the general public feel about the game.

The Freeman

humanji wrote: »

In fairness, there were a lot more downsides in the actual review. The characters seem a little dodgy and unrelatable. There aer annoying colelctables of playboy that flash up on the screen even when you're in the middle of a gun fight. It has a ****ty checkpoint system that makes you backtrack through long sections to get back to where you were. The missions themselves aren't anything new and there's zero replayability.

ya apologies there, bad wording on my part alright.

for myself i think bad checkpoints and possibly ten mins of backtracking to get to an area over and over again is very frustrating, Can't see why they haven't integrated quick saving feature in console games in fairness.

The Freeman

Burgo wrote: »

Isn't the demo supposed to be out today or tomorrow?

Tomorrow;)

there is a video of the demo up on youtube if anybody is interested at all...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGHG_g-CfjM