Mafia: Definitive Edition. The Best Video Games of 2020
Table of Contents
Mafia is back in a big way. It was worth going through it once, it's worth finishing it now.
- Release date: September 25, 2020
- Platforms: PC Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Our rating: 8.0 / 10
That's how remakes should be made – you almost want to say after playing Mafia: Definitive Edition. The new version of the classic hit from almost 20 years ago retained all the best qualities of the original, maintaining unique atmosphere and presenting the same wonderful story in an impressive visual setting. Regardless whether we're returning to Mafia after years or getting to know it for the first time, the game is hugely impressive. There's no room for silly jokes or exaggeration (well, maybe, except for the optional free-driving mode). It's a brutal, serious tale about the ruthless rules governing the world of Italian mafia. The atmosphere from films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas has been flawlessly conveyed here.
The developers at Hangar 13 studio have shown fantastic respect for the original, changing nothing in the plot and not trying to improve anything without a genuine need, and the improvements in terms of gameplay and mechanics, or the directing of cut-scenes, seem quite apt and justified. You can only complain about the poor soundtrack or the untapped potential of the villain, but it's still a trifle when compared to the game as a whole. The success of Mafia again proves that sandboxes can still have interesting storylines and characters, rather than thousands of markers to be checked off on an over-sized map.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is one of the best remake efforts on the market right now. It looks great, performs well, and it’s a good way to relive the original game if you tried it out on its inception. Even if you didn’t, you should be happy anyway, as the game provides a satisfying story with memorable characters, fantastic gunplay, and an impressive view of a fictional city that makes you feel right at home.
Brittany Vincent, Mafia: Definitive Edition review
