Having played both MAFIA (the original) and Mafia: Definitive Edition, there is only one word that can sum up this sequel: BORING.

First of all, the story: The first Mafia game had a great story, it's what drove the gameplay. You had unique, memorable character design and introductions, great voice acting, and a plot filled with interpersonal drama that actually develops like a movie. Mafia 2's writing feels so watered-down by comparison, with bland characters in service of a generic plot.

Also, taking place only a few years later than the events of Mafia 1, you would expect the game's story would take the opportunity to tie into Mafia 1's rich legacy and characters - but as far as I can tell, it doesn't at all. And I'm not spoiling anything when I say: The game actually punishes you for completing the first few missions by sending you straight to prison! Which brings me to my next point...

The gameplay: I don't know what the real difference between Mafia 2's "Definitive Edition" and the original Mafia 2 is, but I don't think it matters - because it would seem the developers took complaints about the driving and shooting challenges of the first game to heart, and made this game completely about beating the brains out of every knucklehead you encounter with your bare fists.

There's actually very little action in a lot of the game's levels before the third act - and the majority of it involves clunky 1v1 fist-fights with AI opponents in instanced events. This would be fine if the fighting mechanics are on par with a decent brawling game, but this isn't. Wooden, at best, is how I would describe the controls, and most fights quickly devolve into button-mashing trash. It's only after slogging through this that you get the chance to really play the game...

As far as the gunplay goes - it's not bad. It's about the same as Mafia DE; the cover action is pretty smooth, and there's some room for experienced gunslingers to take shots that wouldn't be possible on other cover-based 3rd person shooters. Shooting goons in this game is really fun. Same goes for the driving physics - the quicker 40-50's era muscle cars are a blast to drive, but there's only a few missions where you are actually put to the test driving anything.

On top of that, there's a lot of points in the game where you get your money and weapons taken away unexpectedly, so there's no real point in earning money or visiting shops to access new equipment in between story mission save points... the open world function is basically useless. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this game lacks all of the side missions, secret vehicles, and characters of the first game, besides some soft-core pin up art!?!?

Overall, it pales in comparison to the 1st Mafia, and the 1st Mafia: Definitive Edition. If you can get it for less than 5 bucks it's a fine time waster. Even on hard difficulty, it's a game that you can play at your leisure, as long as you get used to the checkpoint system. But if you're expecting the story and action of the 1st Mafia... well I don't know what to tell ya, champ. Go back to Lost Heaven.

Having played both MAFIA (the original) and Mafia: Definitive Edition, there is only one word that can sum up this sequel: BORING. First of all, the story: The first Mafia game had a great story, it's what drove the gameplay. You had unique, memorable character design and introductions, great voice acting, and a plot filled with interpersonal drama that actually develops like a movie. Mafia 2's writing feels so watered-down by comparison, with bland characters in service of a generic plot. Also, taking place only a few years later than the events of Mafia 1, you would expect the game's story would take the opportunity to tie into Mafia 1's rich legacy and characters - but as far as I can tell, it doesn't at all. And I'm not spoiling anything when I say: The game actually punishes you for completing the first few missions by sending you straight to prison! Which brings me to my next point... The gameplay: I don't know what the real difference between Mafia 2's "Definitive Edition" and the original Mafia 2 is, but I don't think it matters - because it would seem the developers took complaints about the driving and shooting challenges of the first game to heart, and made this game completely about beating the brains out of every knucklehead you encounter with your bare fists. There's actually very little action in a lot of the game's levels before the third act - and the majority of it involves clunky 1v1 fist-fights with AI opponents in instanced events. This would be fine if the fighting mechanics are on par with a decent brawling game, but this isn't. Wooden, at best, is how I would describe the controls, and most fights quickly devolve into button-mashing trash. It's only after slogging through this that you get the chance to really play the game... As far as the gunplay goes - it's not bad. It's about the same as Mafia DE; the cover action is pretty smooth, and there's some room for experienced gunslingers to take shots that wouldn't be possible on other cover-based 3rd person shooters. Shooting goons in this game is really fun. Same goes for the driving physics - the quicker 40-50's era muscle cars are a blast to drive, but there's only a few missions where you are actually put to the test driving anything. On top of that, there's a lot of points in the game where you get your money and weapons taken away unexpectedly, so there's no real point in earning money or visiting shops to access new equipment in between story mission save points... the open world function is basically useless. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this game lacks all of the side missions, secret vehicles, and characters of the first game, besides some soft-core pin up art!?!? Overall, it pales in comparison to the 1st Mafia, and the 1st Mafia: Definitive Edition. If you can get it for less than 5 bucks it's a fine time waster. Even on hard difficulty, it's a game that you can play at your leisure, as long as you get used to the checkpoint system. But if you're expecting the story and action of the 1st Mafia... well I don't know what to tell ya, champ. Go back to Lost Heaven.