It's a pleasure writing about Mafia: Definitive Edition since this is one of the finest remakes I ever played on Steam and it's also addressing a gaming franchise I'm very fond of. Developer Hangar 13 handled the remake and I have to agree that they are almost absolved of all “sins” regarding the narrative dumpster fire also known as “Mafia III”. It just so happens that 2022 marks two decades for this series, so the timing seems perfect to me.

I played the original Mafia that kickstarted all of this, right around its initial release. Young as I was, the game left a strong impression and like many others at the time, I just had to compare it to GTA III, then fresh template for 3D crime tales set within open worlds. 2002's Mafia was vastly superior in some aspects (such as the vehicles & story), yet distinctively limited as far as the exploration itself was concerned.

Nowadays I know better than to compare apples to oranges, of course. The Mafia series uses its maps as set pieces, not playgrounds. The arcade elements are reserved for activities outside the game's storyline altogether. And for the most part, Mafia games have a clear cut ending which leaves little room for debates or maneuver. Collectibles might require subsequent playthroughs.

Mafia: Definitive Edition does an excellent job at retelling the gripping story of its initial version from two decades ago. It avoids retconning (imposing different interpretation on previously described events) while actually developing the side characters and offering them believable personalities.

I know there was some short-lived backlash over not remastering the initial character models or their original voices, yet I was pleased to notice that those visual and audio changes are integral to the remake and they did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying my time spent in the new Lost Heaven. This fictional mash-up between New York and Chicago is the perfect setting for our tale.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2789606704

The protagonist is a taxi driver turned mobster and it would make a classic rags to riches trope if not for the many plot twists which I shall obviously not spoil. Like any good movie of this particular organized crime subgenre (think Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola), accountability eventually catches up with the characters. It's not a lifestyle worthy of praise even if it keeps us glued to the screens of our TVs or monitors.

If you want “happy endings”, look elsewhere, as the Mafia series succeeds in mimicking the grim reality and the usually inevitable conclusions of its real life counterparts that inspired those fictional characters.

Facing the consequences of your actions is only a matter of time. Mafia: Definitive Edition remakes all the missions I experienced several times in the 2002 version. Even the more annoying ones, such as the notoriously wonky racing section.

Still tough as nails and requiring several mission restarts until you “get it right”. But it's part of the charm. Otherwise, driving from point A to B still remains the main role of the map, even if it was extended to incorporate the city outskirts which can now be explored at any given time. Rural areas as well, those will be cleverly used for chase sequences.

Ironically, Mafia III does share one positive trait with the remake I'm reviewing: the Illusion Engine is powering both, though it received some well-deserved updates over the years.

Proprietary engine and an obvious nod to Illusion Softworks, the creators of the 2002 Mafia. Game looks gorgeous and ran without any issues, not even frame rate drops, nevermind any game breaking bugs or crashes to desktop.

At least in my book, those vintage vehicles are the main stars of the show, but the character models are equally convincing. I did not mind it for a second that all of them look entirely different from the the initial Mafia version. A remake should be allowed more creative freedom. It's the clear distinction between that and a remaster.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2795456557

Also, I cannot pass the chance to praise the integrated, minimal HUD which can be further disabled to allow proper screenshots. To say that I used the option frequently, would be an understatement. And you can play the entire game in Black & White too. It's as close as you can get to a Photo Mode, though the inclusion of additional filters would have been most welcome.

For Mafia veteran players it may feel kinda weird to not hear Django Reinhardt's Minor Swing every 10 minutes or so while in-game, but the new soundtrack is adequate and it complements the excellent voice acting. The accents are top notch, never cartoonish though some jokes are still present.

I am glad that Sarah was given a more prominent role in the remake. A sassy performance, just as I expected. Overall, the entire cast is more fleshed out with the help of the overhauled dialogue, random banter or on-point.

You can't have organized crime without having to "whack" certain individuals, right? At least in Mafia: Definitive Edition you now have cover-based shooting mechanics which weren't a thing back in 2002. Just another aspect I am glad they dispensed with in the remake.

Simply crouching or peaking around corners and hoping to not get one-shot by a shotgun blast, didn't make the original version any more endearing to me. The Tommy Gun still has one helluva recoil though. "Spray and pray" will only get you so far, concentrate the fire in short bursts.

You have to keep in mind the timeframe for this game. Of course the cars will handle like "refrigerators on wheels" when compared to present-day cars. And guess what, you can make the driving even more challenging by switching between arcade and simulation modes while also playing on the Classic difficulty setting.

Learn to anticipate braking, consider it bus driving even when you'll control a sedan. Easier said than done during a high speed chase. The inclusion of various collectibles does encourage exploration of various parts of the map you'll otherwise rarely visit during the story.

At least you're taking in the sights, there's plenty to see and admire though far less to do in terms of side activities and hustles. It may even feel like an empty city if you will just compare it to Ubisoft or Rockstar open worlds. From one end of the spectrum to the other, I reckon. Having too much stuff to do and clutter that mini-map can be equally daunting.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810153338

Without a doubt, this is one of the finer video game stories out there. Once you overlook Mafia: Definitive Edition's open world shortcomings and simply focus on the missions, you will realize the cinematic feel of those scripted events. It should speak by itself, the fact that I reached 100% of the game's Steam Achievements, something I rarely strive to since I usually lack the spare time.

The direct (remastered) sequel holds up well and is also worth diving into. Then you can skip Mafia III and (im)patiently await for the prequel we'll be able to enjoy in a year or two. While I have my key from a bundle, I am certain that Mafia: Definitive Edition deserves to be bought even outside Steam Sales. Talking about offers you can't refuse.

+ Steam Achievements.
+ Gorgeous graphics and sounds.
+ Superb storyline and cast of characters.
+ Replay value through side missions & collectibles.

- No Steam Trading Cards.

This article was submitted for Imperial Reviews. Following my Curator Page, will help me keep publishing new reviews as soon as I can. Thank you for your support!

[h1]Introduction[/h1] It's a pleasure writing about Mafia: Definitive Edition since this is one of the finest remakes I ever played on Steam and it's also addressing a gaming franchise I'm very fond of. Developer Hangar 13 handled the remake and I have to agree that they are almost absolved of all “sins” regarding the narrative dumpster fire also known as “Mafia III”. It just so happens that 2022 marks two decades for this series, so the timing seems perfect to me. I played the original Mafia that kickstarted all of this, right around its initial release. Young as I was, the game left a strong impression and like many others at the time, I just had to compare it to GTA III, then fresh template for 3D crime tales set within open worlds. 2002's Mafia was vastly superior in some aspects (such as the vehicles & story), yet distinctively limited as far as the exploration itself was concerned. Nowadays I know better than to compare apples to oranges, of course. The Mafia series uses its maps as set pieces, not playgrounds. The arcade elements are reserved for activities outside the game's storyline altogether. And for the most part, Mafia games have a clear cut ending which leaves little room for debates or maneuver. Collectibles might require subsequent playthroughs. [h1]Story[/h1] Mafia: Definitive Edition does an excellent job at retelling the gripping story of its initial version from two decades ago. It avoids retconning (imposing different interpretation on previously described events) while actually developing the side characters and offering them believable personalities. I know there was some short-lived backlash over not remastering the initial character models or their original voices, yet I was pleased to notice that those visual and audio changes are integral to the remake and they did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying my time spent in the new Lost Heaven. This fictional mash-up between New York and Chicago is the perfect setting for our tale. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2789606704 The protagonist is a taxi driver turned mobster and it would make a classic rags to riches trope if not for the many plot twists which I shall obviously not spoil. Like any good movie of this particular organized crime subgenre (think Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola), accountability eventually catches up with the characters. It's not a lifestyle worthy of praise even if it keeps us glued to the screens of our TVs or monitors. If you want “happy endings”, look elsewhere, as the Mafia series succeeds in mimicking the grim reality and the usually inevitable conclusions of its real life counterparts that inspired those fictional characters. Facing the consequences of your actions is only a matter of time. Mafia: Definitive Edition remakes all the missions I experienced several times in the 2002 version. Even the more annoying ones, such as the notoriously wonky racing section. Still tough as nails and requiring several mission restarts until you “get it right”. But it's part of the charm. Otherwise, driving from point A to B still remains the main role of the map, even if it was extended to incorporate the city outskirts which can now be explored at any given time. Rural areas as well, those will be cleverly used for chase sequences. [h1]Graphics[/h1] Ironically, Mafia III does share one positive trait with the remake I'm reviewing: the Illusion Engine is powering both, though it received some well-deserved updates over the years. Proprietary engine and an obvious nod to Illusion Softworks, the creators of the 2002 Mafia. Game looks gorgeous and ran without any issues, not even frame rate drops, nevermind any game breaking bugs or crashes to desktop. At least in my book, those vintage vehicles are the main stars of the show, but the character models are equally convincing. I did not mind it for a second that all of them look entirely different from the the initial Mafia version. A remake should be allowed more creative freedom. It's the clear distinction between that and a remaster. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2795456557 Also, I cannot pass the chance to praise the integrated, minimal HUD which can be further disabled to allow proper screenshots. To say that I used the option frequently, would be an understatement. And you can play the entire game in Black & White too. It's as close as you can get to a Photo Mode, though the inclusion of additional filters would have been most welcome. [h1]Audio[/h1] For Mafia veteran players it may feel kinda weird to not hear Django Reinhardt's Minor Swing every 10 minutes or so while in-game, but the new soundtrack is adequate and it complements the excellent voice acting. The accents are top notch, never cartoonish though some jokes are still present. I am glad that Sarah was given a more prominent role in the remake. A sassy performance, just as I expected. Overall, the entire cast is more fleshed out with the help of the overhauled dialogue, random banter or on-point. [h1]Gameplay[/h1] You can't have organized crime without having to "whack" certain individuals, right? At least in Mafia: Definitive Edition you now have cover-based shooting mechanics which weren't a thing back in 2002. Just another aspect I am glad they dispensed with in the remake. Simply crouching or peaking around corners and hoping to not get one-shot by a shotgun blast, didn't make the original version any more endearing to me. The Tommy Gun still has one helluva recoil though. "Spray and pray" will only get you so far, concentrate the fire in short bursts. You have to keep in mind the timeframe for this game. Of course the cars will handle like "refrigerators on wheels" when compared to present-day cars. And guess what, you can make the driving even more challenging by switching between arcade and simulation modes while also playing on the Classic difficulty setting. Learn to anticipate braking, consider it bus driving even when you'll control a sedan. Easier said than done during a high speed chase. The inclusion of various collectibles does encourage exploration of various parts of the map you'll otherwise rarely visit during the story. At least you're taking in the sights, there's plenty to see and admire though far less to do in terms of side activities and hustles. It may even feel like an empty city if you will just compare it to Ubisoft or Rockstar open worlds. From one end of the spectrum to the other, I reckon. Having too much stuff to do and clutter that mini-map can be equally daunting. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2810153338 [h1]Verdict[/h1] Without a doubt, this is one of the finer video game stories out there. Once you overlook Mafia: Definitive Edition's open world shortcomings and simply focus on the missions, you will realize the cinematic feel of those scripted events. It should speak by itself, the fact that I reached 100% of the game's Steam Achievements, something I rarely strive to since I usually lack the spare time. The direct (remastered) sequel holds up well and is also worth diving into. Then you can skip Mafia III and (im)patiently await for the prequel we'll be able to enjoy in a year or two. While I have my key from a bundle, I am certain that Mafia: Definitive Edition deserves to be bought even outside Steam Sales. Talking about offers you can't refuse. [h1]Strong Points[/h1] + Steam Achievements. + Gorgeous graphics and sounds. + Superb storyline and cast of characters. + Replay value through side missions & collectibles. [h1]Weak Points[/h1] - No Steam Trading Cards. [quote]This article was submitted for [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ImperialReviews]Imperial Reviews[/url]. Following my [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/25802515-Imperial-Reviews/]Curator Page[/url], will help me keep publishing new reviews as soon as I can. Thank you for your support![/quote]