Mafia was a game that brought in a new wave of genre to the video game industry. Until the early 2000's games were very much yet to evolve into a narrative experience, and only a few were exploring the possibilities of a story-driven game progression.
When Illusion Software released Mafia in 2002, it was welcomed with joyous hands by gamers and critics alike and became one of the most beloved games of the time. About a decade and a half later, and post two installments, the game received a remake that struck the nostalgic bight of those who played the original. But there are a few things that the remake couldn't better, and that reminiscence of the original are fresh in the player's mind that still stand the test of time.
5 The Perfect World
A successful narrative's setting is one of the most critical and fundamental aspects. The ability of the world to completely immerse the player into itself is a vital factor for a memorable gaming experience.
The fictional city of Lost Heaven encapsulates the very essence of 1930s New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, essentially the birthplaces of the mafia families in real life. The iconic cars, costumes, and the customary way of life of those involved all blend together to make a perfect setting for the game.
4 A Cinematic Masterpiece For A Story.
Although there are other gangster games like the GTA franchise, Sleeping Dogs, or even the adaptation of The Godfather, Illusion Software's Mafia stands neck and shoulder above as the first game with an original spin on the Italian Mafia. Although the game has expanded into a trilogy, the first game has all the goodies of a great Martin Scorsese film.
The story of a cab driver earning an honest living and turning into one of the most loyal henchmen of the Salieri family has all the makings of a harrowing, hitting mafia story. But, do remember that the early 2000s was when the internet was just starting to introduce itself. With the absence of social media platforms, players of the game had their own experience comparing it to a video game equivalent of Goodfellas and some more.
3 Non-Repetitive Gameplay
Speaking of stories in a game, a successful game should strike a delicate balance between the setting, story, and gameplay, and Mafia knocks it out of the park. The game had everything for the players looking for a wholesome experience; heck, the game starts with a run and gun car chase. But the best part about the run-and-gun car chase sequence is that it never happens again in the game.
Every mission in the game has its own motive and reasoning, all while staying true to Tommy's character arc and the overall narrative. Running of life, Burning down cars in a bar's parking lot, planting a bomb in a hotel, raiding the back alley in Little Italy, Pulling off an amateur bank heist, Surviving an ambush, assassinating a senator at his birthday party in a Yacht - the game throws everything at the players. Let's not forget the annoying race track mission that had the majority of the community (if not the entire lot) mad and annoyed. Never for once did the game repeat itself, which made every mission stand out on its own and fresh in the minds of those who played it.
2 Nostalgic Soundtrack
The original Mafia didn't have an in-game radio like its definitive edition or the other installments in the franchise but had its own way with the music. Each and every mission in the game has its own exclusive music that sets the tone of what the players can expect. The cut scenes stand out in a different wave altogether. The lack of graphical finesse in the cut scenes is made up with the blend of the old classics that blend in well with the narrative.
The best part of the soundtrack placement is that a few of the classics are used as leitmotifs to signify the part of the map the player is driving in. "Chinatown, my Chinatown by The Mills Brother '' plays every time the player drives through Chinatown in the fictional city of Lost Heaven. The memories of these locations remain fresh with such placements, and some of the soundtracks that were used in such intentions strike the right chord.
Django Reinhardt - Belleville (while in Central Island)
Django Reinhardt - Vendredi 13 (While in DownTown)
Django Reinhardt - Manoir de mes reves (While in Hoboken)
Django Reinhardt - Cavalerie (While in Little Italy)
Django Reinhardt - Minor swing (While in New Ark)
Although there are many more, the above are some of the most memorable ones in the game.
1 That Ending - Don Salieri Sends His Regards!
The game is all about Tommy Angelo. People accustomed to the Mafia tree's workings would understand the game inside out. Still, for those new to that particular way of life, the game is an exclusive experience. Tommy's humble beginnings and blood loyalty take a different turn as he climbs up the hierarchy in forms. Along with such ascension comes the lust of greed and more.
The way of the Mafia is to be threaded carefully, and those who have their feet on either side of the wall would probably have themselves wedged in half. And that is precisely what happens with Tommy. Playing both ways to the game, Tommy loses everything he built over the years. He has no way left to go but seek the Fed's protection upon turning an approver. With things going out of hand, Tommy Angelo meets his makers in the last shot of the game's cut scene. The soundtrack and beautifully done ending were icing on the cake for the game, but for the franchise fans, it was only the start of part 2!
Mafia: Definitive Edition is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.